Eden's Mark (6 page)

             
“Do not fear us, little one.” Her voice was so soothing and calm. I felt as though water was washing over me. It was so relaxing, almost as if she infused her voice to relieve tension.

             
“We would never dream of hurting you. I am Maiya and this is my mate, Koren.” I glanced his way and saw the wolf change into a towering and muscular man. Koren’s skin was lighter, almond-colored, and his dark brown hair looked like dark chocolate. The leather clothes he had on looked to be tailored by the same hand, roughly hewn but a rust color.  Koren’s chartreuse eyes twinkled as he smiled at me. I reached out and shook his hand, and, just like Maiya’s, he was burning up.

             
“It is nice to meet you both. Thank you for helping me; I wouldn’t have known what to do.” I smiled even though I was shaken up. Gregor looked around the forest and with a soft, yet firm voice, he urged us to move.

             
“We are still a ways from my home. We need to get inside before the sun rises. I can feel it and it will be rising over the tree line in a few hours. We must hurry.”

             
Gregor began to run through the maze of trees and underbrush towards the bluff. There was no way I was going to be able to keep up. My legs were weary and I felt so tired from the wound on my arm.  I stumbled over my feet from exhaustion and hit the ground on all fours. Val and Lex came up behind me and when I looked at them, tears swam in my eyes. I was tired and in pain. All I wanted to do was go to sleep. I felt like a baby, why was I a wimp?

             
“Why have we stopped?” I heard Gregor whoosh next to me in his preternatural speed.

             
I stammered as I tried to speak. “I fell. My legs gave out and I fell. I am sorry, but I’m just so weary.” I hung my head down looking at my hands picking the dirt from the scratches I gained by catching my fall.

             
“I will carry her. Shadow poison is a nasty thing.” Koren came to my side and lifted me gently. I looked at him questioningly.

             
“Do not worry;
you will be taken care of. Rest your head.” He smiled his effortless smile and my spirit lifted a little.

Chapter Nine

             
I dozed here and there as we made our way to the mountain. Blurred images of pearly whites and sunset yellows raced by my face before I let the black take me. I woke to the soft glow of minerals alight in the rock surrounding me. I rubbed my eyes digging the sleep from the corners making sure I was really seeing this.

             
The room was made of some sort of rock that I had no name for, with walls that shimmered as if glitter was embedded throughout. The veins of light made the lavender rock look inviting and soothing. I watched the river of light dance across the sparkles before I realized I was lying on what appeared to be some kind of skin on a dirt floor.

             
The pelt was large and soft. It reminded me of the fur kittens have when they are small. I ran my fingers over the thick black fur and smiled.  The ground under me had the fluffiest soil I had ever touched. I grabbed a handful and allowed it to sift through my fingers. I could feel the energy that pulsed within minerals mixed with the dirt, Mother Earth’s heartbeat. My mark began to pulse with the same rhythm. As my eyes continued to adjust to the soft lighting, I saw Val and Lex curled up on another pelt across the room. They were in each other’s arms sleeping soundly. My heart was happy to see them resting.

             
I stepped to the door and noticed the carvings upon it. I was sure I knew these markings. The door was the traditional rectangular shape, heavy, but it was a magnificent purple red. I had never seen such a rich color. The color and aroma of the wood reminded me of cedars from my home. As I looked closer to the carvings, I noticed them delicately etched into the wood. Protection and healing, is what filled me as I looked at the marking covering the door.

             
“What is this place?” I stepped into the hallway and the veins of minerals in the rock walls came alive with a pink light. This place had such an old-world quality mixed with fantasy. I could spend many hours wondering the house, just focusing on the walls alone. The space felt inviting and warm, yet, I could not shake the sense of darkness that accompanied all this beauty. Hmm, much like the master of the house.

             
I gave a tiny smirk at the thought and came to a room I was certain was the living room. I gazed around seeing thousands of books on the walls. I gave a gasp at the oceans of books that lined the room. Never in my life had I seen such a library as this one. Deep shelves the color of chestnut fell against each wall from floor to ceiling. Each was filled with leather bound books of varying stages of age. My mouth dropped open as I absorbed the sight around me.

             
I walked to a shelf and ran my hand over the faded volumes. The smell wafting from the books told me they were ancient. I wondered if any of them had been read in a while.  My wrist buzzed as I reached to take a volume off the shelf. I was caught off guard as a voice spoke, making me jump.

             
“Do you often go through people’s things when you are a guest in their home?” The voice had a playful tone with a briskness that told me they were amused.

             
With a mild blush, I lowered my hands and placed them in my jeans pocket. “I am so sorry. It’s just that I have never seen so many books in one place. I love to read and this one caught my attention.” I looked back at the book I was going to remove from the shelf and saw the filigree on the binding. It looked oddly familiar to me.

             
“I understand. Books hold great value in my eyes. The writings live on after everyone has gone. They hold unfathomable wisdom to every part of our past, present, and future.”

             
Gregor, who had walked up beside me, caressed the binding lovingly. I watched those strong fingers and wished they would touch my face the same way…sigh. I turned my head slightly so he couldn’t see my blush.

             
“I think we should go into the kitchen, I am sure you are famished after all the excitement.”  I nodded. I was a little hungry and I was dying to sit down so I didn’t look so awkward.

             
I followed Gregor into the adjoining room where Maiya and Koren, who were already seated at the table, were drinking and eating something that smelled heavenly. My stomach gave a loud grumble as if on cue.

             
“Good morning, Eden. Did you sleep well?” Maiya had such a lovely voice. I instantly felt calm and relaxed. Koren gave me a wide pearly smile and stood to pull my chair out.

             
“Thank you.” I gave him a polite grin but quickly realized I hadn’t brushed my teeth or even checked a mirror. I was sure I looked horrid, and all I could think of was getting into a shower!

             
“The room I am in is astonishing. My bed is very comfortable. Thank you for carrying me.” Maiya gave a light chuckle and Koren looked at Gregor with a bemused expression.

             
“It was no trouble to carry you. I am happy to know you find your accommodations adequate. If you will excuse me…” With a flourished bow he turned away.

             
Gregor quickly left the room while I looked on in a stunned daze.
He
carried me? I swore Koren said he would carry me, in fact, I was positive he picked me up. I felt off and a bit dizzy. Did I drool on him, did I snore? I felt mortified.

             
“Calm yourself little one.” Koren’s voice was full of laughter. “Gregor took you from me; he is faster than any of us in human form. You were in good hands and very well taken care of.”

             
He placed a plate in front of me. I looked at the contents and saw bread, that resembled nine grain from the café in my town, tomatoes with olive oil and sea salt, eggs, and what I assumed was their interpretation of bacon. I lifted the mystery meat off my plate and took a tentative bite. It was salty and surprisingly tender. 

             
“Wow, this is so good! Can I ask what it is?” I felt bad for asking, but I really wanted to know what I was consuming.

Maiya smiled and took a bite of her own. “It is thibdaeu
.” She took another bite and I followed suit. It definitely hit the spot.

             
“Is that like a pig or something?” I had a mouth full of food, and though it was rude, I just needed to know.

             
“Um, not exactly.” Koren said with a slight turn of his head. “It is a small creature with horns and viciously sharp teeth, much like the small rabbit, only much more dangerous. It takes a skilled hunter to catch one and an even more skilled hand to fillet it. There are poison sacs that run the length of the inside of the animal. If you do not cut it right, you will poison the meat and then it is no good.” I dropped the meat from my fingers and felt my stomach roll.

             
“Gregor is very skilled and he cut it to perfection. You are safe.” Maiya had such a soft tone. I smiled at her and began to eat my breakfast again.

             
I was so full from breakfast that my eyelids began to flutter. “Thank you for the wonderful breakfast.” I sat back in my chair and felt very heavy and sluggish.

             
“You need rest, little one. The toxin in the claws of shadows takes some time to wear off. Go back to your cot and we will come get you at nightfall. You have nothing to fear while you are here.” Koren and Maiya took my plate and cleared the table.

             
I rose unsteadily from the chair, “Thank you again. I think you are right. I feel very tired.”

Koren nodded and Maiy
a smiled in my direction. I left the kitchen and snuck back into the cave-like room to my pallet. I fell against the soft fur, and digging my hand into the ground, I inhaled the scent of rich loam. I felt the thrumming of minerals in the ground and it lulled me back into a serene sleep.

             
I was unsure of the time when I finally woke. I looked around the room and no one was there. It seemed that after my filling breakfast I had passed out. I stretched and rolled my head, knowing I would be stiff, but to my surprise, I felt very relaxed and well rested. I left my nice little bed and went to the door. As I opened it, I stared straight into slate grey eyes. My heart stopped and words caught in my chest. They bore into me and I felt heat rise to my face unsure of what to do.

             
“I was just coming to get you. Everyone is in the main room, please follow me.” Gregor turned on his heel and walked down the corridor. The smell coming from him was so intoxicating that I felt lightheaded.

             
Every time I was around this mysterious man, I felt things I had no idea I could feel. My whole body wanted him, and the worst part was it didn’t bother me. I needed to get to know him better.

             
Gregor led me down the corridor to the left and we stopped in front of another door carved much like mine was. “You will find every comfort needed in here. Take your time and join us when you have finished.”

             
“Elaborate if you wouldn’t mind?” My voice was that flirty high-pitched girly sound. I hated myself for being such a girl.

             
“Did you not think of wanting a shower early this morning? This is a lavatory, please utilize it as you see fit.” Gregor’s eyes bore into me and heat flooded to my face.

             
“Thank you. I would love a shower.” My face was flushed, the knot in my stomach radiated teenage hormones. I needed to get a grip.

             
“We will see you in the living room once you are finished.” He quietly left me standing by the door.

             
“Okay, let’s see what kind of bathroom is in this monstrous house.” My hand turned the knob and the door opened to a virtual spa.

             
“Shut up!” My mouth was on the floor as I drank in the large eight head shower, sauna, and ginormous jetted tub that could easily fit four people in it.

             
A girl could live in a room like this and never resurface. I threw my clothes in a heap on the stone floor and raced to the shower. It was open with only three walls, three showerheads on each sidewall and two waterfall heads on the front. Luxury at its finest. I blasted the hot water and lost myself in the steam.

             
Feeling totally refreshed, I made my way to the living room. Just like earlier, I found myself in awe of his living room. With the height of the ceiling, and the vast amount of books, we looked like ants. I noticed that on one of the tables a tray of mugs was set. The aromatic steam had the hint of mint and chamomile. I smiled to myself, Val just couldn’t help herself. I took a cup and slowly sipped the amber liquid.

             
“Good evening, Eden. Isn’t this place lovely?” Val gestured around the room and gave me a quick hug.

             
I nodded and hugged her back. The volume I was in thrall with earlier pulled at me. I stared at the earth-colored binding, my mark flamed under my sleeve. Reflexively, I rubbed it. I raised my sleeve to see my birthmark glowing silver.

             
“Eden, what is happening?” Lex came to stand by Val and both looked at my wrist in astonishment.

             
The mug fell from my hand and by the swift movement of my new friend, was caught before it hit the stone.

             
“Gregor, you better come look at this.”

             
Gregor speedily came up behind me questioning me.
Are you okay, Eden?

             
What is happening to me? The pull is strong.

             
“What do you feel, Eden? There has to be something to cause this reaction.” Lex and Koren nodded at Val’s remark.

             
“Well, there is a book on the shelf, just there, I get this weird pull, like I am tied to it.”

             
“Which book in particular?” Those oh-so-gorgeous eyes burned.

             
Hesitantly, I felt my feet walk towards the volume, but as I got closer, a type of trance took control. I watched like an outsider as I lifted the heavy leather book. My body turned by its self and carried the book to a table. I felt too warm, burning from the inside out.  I tried to speak, breathe, anything, but nothing came out. I raised my hands above the book and began to recite words from nothing I knew before. My mark, fueled by something unseen, cast a magnificent light that filled the room. The blue light grew bright as I chanted the strange words. I tried to close my eyes, but again, nothing. I had no control over anything I was doing. With a loud crack, the book opened up and I collapsed onto the floor in a sea of unconsciousness.