Son of Eden, a Paranormal Romance (26 page)

“Do you believe it’s true?”

“I don’t know. I’ve always had questions about how we came to be. We are not like humans. We don’t experience infancy, we don’t have parents who take pictures and tell us stories about our childhood. My first memory consists of standing in a bright light, in the middle of a grove of trees, and seeing Aldara’s face before me. I certainly wasn’t an infant because I was looking down at her, not up,” Alexander explained.

Emily could hear the hurt and doubt in his voice. She had never given any thought to how Alexander came to exist. Not knowing exactly how you were made could definitely be troubling. She turned to Xavier.

“And what about you?” Emily probed.

“Hey, I’m the same as him. First thing I remember is that I was standing in the woods in front of Aldara, in all of my grown nakedness. Talk about an awkward moment,” Xavier snorted. “That’s the first memory all Guardians have, so it’s not like we have a lot of notes to compare.”

Emily turned back to Alexander and placed her hands on his. “I’m sorry I never thought to ask. That was inconsiderate of me. I can tell this is an issue for you.”

“It’s nothing, really,” Alexander whispered. “We have more important matters to discuss.”

Emily thought she saw a tear fall from his eye but his head was down so she couldn’t be sure. She longed to comfort him the way he consistently comforted her. She wanted him to open up to her, to reveal what it was that caused him so much pain. But Alexander was right; she would have to push these thoughts aside for the present. Unfortunately, there were more pressing issues at hand.

“So these Ancient Ones, how do you know if you see one?” Emily was changing the subject for Alexander’s benefit; she knew he didn’t want to dwell on things that hurt him.

“It is said that they have yellow eyes and long black hair. Some claim they always appear clothed in dark red robes. But like I said before, I have yet to hear a story first hand from a Guardian who will attest to seeing an Ancient One. It’s always just hearsay.”

“Based on what Damarus said and what I heard you say to Xavier, you think these Ancient Ones will be coming too?” Emily wanted to know how bad it was going to be.

“I’m not sure. It’s all just speculation right now. But things will get clearer as the time draws closer.” Alexander seemed to be at peace with the plan they had in place. He took his hand and gently ran the tips of his fingers down her cheek, and then across her full lips. “We’ll be together, that is all I’m certain of… and that is enough for me,” he whispered.

Emily closed her eyes, his fingers felt like warm velvet as they traced the outline of her lips. “It’s enough for me too,” she said, her words barely audible.

Xavier cleared his throat. “Uhh, do you guys want me to leave or something?”

“Yes,” Alexander responded, never taking his eyes off Emily.

“No!” Emily snapped herself out of the trance. “No, I wanted to talk about one more thing.” It took all the strength she had to open her eyes and pull away from his touch.

Alexander seemed a little shocked with Emily’s response, but was willing to appease her.

“I was thinking about my dad,” she explained. “What about him in all of this? I don’t want him in danger.”

“Yes, we will make sure we protect him at all times, as well. That should be easy since Xavier is his Guardian,” Alexander answered.

“But, I was thinking that it’s going to be hard keeping all of this from him, especially since you’re going to be rushing me off to solitary confinement. I would be worried the whole time I’m away from him, and I know you’ll need Xavier there for the fight. But, at the same time I don’t want my dad to be left alone,” Emily rambled.

“I guess that does create somewhat of a problem.” Alexander placed his hand to his forehead in thought.

“Actually, I was thinking that we should just tell him,” Emily suggested.

“Tell him what?” Alexander sounded a bit confused.

“Everything,” Emily exhaled.

“You think we should tell your dad everything, from start to finish, huh?” It was obvious that Alexander was a bit doubtful. He carefully considered her idea, weighing each consequence that may result.

“I think that if you show him some of your abilities, and maybe break it to him the way you did to me, I’m sure he’ll believe you. I really think that the best way to keep him safe is to keep him close. The only way to do that without him thinking we’ve all lost our minds is to tell him the truth.”

“I’ll do whatever you ask of me but I need to be positive that this is what you really want. It is a big deal, revealing who we are.”

“Yeah, I’m sure. I really think it’s for the best.” Emily nodded, trusting her gut on the issue.

“Okay then, whatever it is you want. Xavier and I will work out the details.” Alexander reached out to wrap her in his arms.

“Does this mean I get to break it to him?” Xavier interrupted.

“I don’t know it might be too much for him if you do it,” Alexander said.

“No, it could be a good idea. Xavier might be able to disclose information about my dad that only Xavier could, like you did with me. When you mentioned my car accident I was convinced that what you were telling me was true.”

Xavier didn’t wait for Alexander’s reply. “Excellent!” He said, eagerly clapping his hands together. “I knew if I stuck with Alexander long enough he would get me into some real trouble.”

Alexander rolled his eyes. “You can find enough trouble on your own my friend. You do not need my help. You just use me as an excuse.”

“Look who’s talking, Brother.” Xavier then directed his words at Emily. “Your boy here is a genuine rule breaker, a bad boy. He did something that has never been done before. He’s breaking all the laws…well not all of them…yet.” Xavier chuckled.

Alexander quickly stood up to face Xavier. He was about two inches taller than his friend and used that advantage to lean over him. “What is it going to take to shut your mouth friend? I didn’t get all my frustration out on those bottom feeders tonight so I am certainly up to a wrestling match. You know, instill a bit of humility in you.”

“None of that,” Emily said firmly, standing between them, “or I will stick you both in a corner. I think I’ve had enough for one night.”

She pushed against Alexander’s chest.

“Oh, Emily, you’re no fun. I haven’t had a chance to beat on him in a while,” Xavier pouted.

Alexander gave his loud laugh. “Don’t act so sad. I’m sure you’ll get your chance sooner or later.” He patted his friend on the back.

Emily was starting to understand the unusual friendship among these two. They were both so different, but she knew their bond ran deep. Even when they sounded angry at each other, they really weren’t.

Emily gave a yawn. “It’s been a more than overwhelming day and I’m ready for bed. I appreciate that you’re here, Xavier, but I would like some privacy. So if you don’t mind; you can stay in the house but it needs to be somewhere other than my bedroom.” Emily smiled wide even though she felt her body drooping deeper into exhaustion with each second.

“Oh, yeah I get it,” Xavier teased as he looked at Alexander. “Just don’t go breaking any more rules. At least not tonight.”

“You know it’s not like that. Now get lost,” Alexander retorted, and before another word could be said Xavier disappeared from the room.

Emily gave it a moment. Listening carefully she heard some thuds and thumps in the kitchen. “Is he going through my kitchen cabinets?” Emily laughed.

“Yeah probably. That is something he would definitely do.” Alexander shook his head.

“I thought Guardians didn’t get hungry?”

“Xavier is far from a normal Guardian. So everything I have told you about me, just assume the opposite with him.”

Emily wrapped her arms around Alexander’s thick, hard waistline; placing her cheek against his chest. Alexander’s mouth rested on the top of her head and Emily could feel his rhythmic breath lightly blowing her hair each time he exhaled.

“
If only things could stay exactly like this. Just me and Alexander, safe and together.
”

Alexander had promised that everything would be all right and after witnessing how strongly he fought for her tonight, Emily knew she should trust him. But pessimism had a way of creeping its way into her heart and mind. It had grown increasingly difficult to keep negative thoughts at bay ever since her mother had died. Emily was so certain her mother would survive her battle with cancer. Then six months later, she was proven wrong. The memory of her mother’s cruel passing made her cringe.

Emily squeezed his waist even tighter.

“It’s all going to work out,” Alexander assured, once again as though he were pulling Emily’s thought directly from her head.

“It’s just that… What if it doesn’t?” Emily was thinking about her mother.

“Do you want to know why it’s going to be okay?” Alexander asked, searching downward for her eyes.

“Why?”

“Because there is more to all of this than just love. Fate and destiny are involved. I know it was no coincidence that I fell in love with you. There is a higher power at work here, and we should trust in it.”

“You’re right.” Emily gave another yawn.

Before she had her mouth closed, Alexander scooped her up in one fluid motion and walked the few steps to her bed. Using only one arm to support all of her weight, he pulled back the covers with his free hand. Setting her down in the middle of her bed he then tucked the covers around her. Taking a seat on the cedar chest at the foot of her bed, he placed his warm hands on the cover over her feet, rubbing her toes that peeked upward.

Emily closed her eyes and lay there for a few moments. The weakness in her body and each of her limbs was crying out for sleep, but she could not shut her mind off. After shifting her weight and changing her position a few times, she opened her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Alexander asked. “Am I keeping you awake? Do you want me to leave the room?”

“No don’t leave. I’m exhausted but I just can’t seem to shut my brain off. I guess I’m thinking about too many things,” Emily complained.

“I know just the thing for that.” Alexander jumped up and left the room before Emily could even ask him what he was doing. She could hear his footsteps travel down the hall and then after only a moment, were on their way back. Emily was surprised to see what Alexander had in his hands when he came into the room.

Shutting the door behind him, he placed the violin case down on Emily’s dresser. He carefully removed the instrument and then walked over and sat on the side of her bed.

“What are you up to?” Emily couldn’t help but smile. Alexander’s body builder physique dwarfed the antique violin. If she hadn’t already heard him play she would expect his large hands to crush it.

“Edmund used to play a lullaby at night for Catherine.”

“And you remember it?” Emily asked in disbelief.

“Of course. I will never be able to forget the sweet melodies that used to flow from this old violin.” Alexander’s finger gently stroked the strings down the length of the neck.

“Every time I think I get used to you, I find myself in total awe.” Emily sighed.

“That’s good. Maybe if I make you feel that way you will keep me around.” Alexander winked.

“Oh, I plan on keeping you around, whether you like it or not,” Emily sleepily promised.

Alexander leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. “You relax and go to sleep.”

Emily felt just like the violin, coddled and protected by Alexander’s powerful hands. It was so wonderful to feel so precious to him.

Sitting up straight, Alexander caressed the violin to his chin. Emily could see each muscle in his body grow soft as he delicately handled the old treasure. She expected him to give a few test strokes or hear the violin squeak out of tune when he first ran the bow across, but it didn’t. The sound that came from the instrument was rich, deep, and completely in tune. Emily instantly sank back into her pillow, letting her eyes close again.

The melody was slow with long drawn out notes, and never once did Alexander fumble or make a mistake. Emily could appreciate the power of music; it was a huge part of her life, but this song seemed to have an actual physical effect on her. Each note put her deeper and deeper to sleep. Before Alexander was finished playing, Emily was sound asleep.

*********

The clanging of pots and pans in the kitchen woke her.

Emily was stunned to see light flooding into her bedroom from the window. It was morning already. She had slept straight through the night. Stretching her arms up above, she breathed in deeply. From the corner of her eye she could see Alexander’s silhouette at the side of her bed. The light shone brightly around him, outlining his perfect shape.

“
He may not be an angel, but he is close enough.
”

“Good morning.” Alexander smiled.

“MMMM, morning.” Emily gave a little yawn.

“Did you get enough sleep?” Alexander whispered.

“Yeah, I did. What time is it?’ Emily glanced at the clock on her nightstand.

“Eight-thirty.”

“Wow, I slept a long time.” Emily stretched again.

“Yeah, you are a good sleeper…and a good snorer.”

“No!” Emily covered her mouth, completely mortified at the thought. “I don’t snore, you’re teasing me.”

“How would you know if you snore?” Alexander protested.

“I guess I wouldn’t, but snoring is something old men do—not me.”

Alexander gave a boisterous laugh. “I guess it’s just for me to know then.”

Emily put her finger to her lips signaling Alexander to be quiet. But as she did so she heard laughter coming from the kitchen. She paused to listen more carefully.

She recognized her father’s laugh but there was someone else with him. Emily shot Alexander a questioning look, but he just raised his shoulders in response.

Throwing back the covers Emily leapt from her bed and rushed from her room. The laughter echoed down the hallway once more, but this time she recognized the second voice.

There was no hiding the shock on Emily’s face as she rounded the wall into the kitchen. At the island, where the stovetop was located, stood her father and Xavier. Her father was cracking eggs over a bowl while Xavier sliced vegetables. The two men looked up to see Emily’s confused expression.