Son of Eden, a Paranormal Romance (32 page)

Emily could hear soft moans coming from the other side of the room where Xavier was regaining consciousness and climbing to his feet. She didn’t bother to look over; she knew Xavier would be fine. It was her father that was dying right in front of her eyes, just as her mother had done.

Alexander came over and handed the phone to Emily. He then reached down and scooped James up like he was a small boy.

“Where are you taking him?” Emily gasped.

“I’m going to run him down to the end of the road to meet the ambulance.”

“I love you Daddy,” she whispered, kissing his forehead.

Emily received no response, his body was limp. Alexander turned and headed out the door.

“Hello? Hello? Please stay on the line.” The dispatcher’s voice came through the phone that hung from Emily’s hand.

But Emily didn’t hear her. The only sound she could hear was that of her own cries saturating the air as she watched Alexander carry her father’s lifeless body through the doorway and into the dark.

Revelation

Sleep eluded Emily once more.

Sitting up in bed, she ran her fingers through her hair and let her head hang in an uncomfortable position. It was three days since the big battle, and Emily had hardly slept. It was impossible. How could she?

Movement came from the corner of her room where her large bookshelf and chair were positioned. She snapped her head in that direction, attempting to focus on the shadow that now moved briskly toward her.

The soft light from her bedside lamp flicked on to reveal Alexander, with a very worried look on his face.

“You need sleep, Emily. What are you doing awake?” He sounded like a concerned parent.

Emily didn’t want Alexander to take over the role of parent. She wanted her father to do all that. She needed him here with her.

Alexander sat down next to her on the bed waiting for Emily to speak.

“I….I just can’t sleep. It’s no different than the other nights. I can’t shut my mind off. I can’t stop reliving everything and wondering what the future holds, and what I’m supposed to do with all of this.” Emily looked up to meet Alexander’s compassionate eyes. “Uuuhh, I’m just rambling, I know… I don’t even make sense anymore.”

“You make sense. You’ve been through more than most. You need to give yourself some credit. The strength you have shown these past three days has been amazing.” Alexander rubbed Emily’s legs that had curled up beneath her satin sheets.

“I guess that’s why I’m having a difficult time sleeping. I’m trying so hard to be strong during the day; you know keep my head above water like my father told me to. But at night when it’s just you and me, I have no strength left.” Emily sighed.

“I’ll be your strength. I’ll be whatever you need me to be,” Alexander vowed.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Emily placed her hand on his.

“Lead a normal life,” Alexander teased.

There was too much truth in his sentence and it made Emily shiver.

“Don’t talk like that. I’m unsure of so many things in my life right now, except you. You’re the only thing I’m sure of, so don’t take that away.”

Alexander brushed her hair back from her face. “I won’t. I couldn’t leave you, it’s impossible.”

The warmth of his hand brought Emily instant comfort. Something about Alexander’s touch was like a medicine to her. It seemed to have had a literal physical effect on her. At this point, she certainly felt like it was a possibility that his abilities stretched that far.

Emily cleared her head and tried to focus. “Has Xavier been by? Does he have any updates?”

“He was here about a half hour ago; nothing has changed at the hospital. Your dad is still in stable condition. Everything the doctors have done seems to be working.”

Emily had spent the last two nights by her father’s bedside, refusing to leave. It wasn’t until this afternoon, when the doctors reported that they were certain he would recover, that Emily had allowed herself to relax. It still took enormous amounts of convincing from Alexander and her father for Emily to agree to go home for the night. She had only given in when Xavier promised that he would stay by his side and bring periodic reports throughout the night.

When Alexander had walked out the door with her father, Emily had honestly believed he was dead and that it was the last she would see of him until she stood over his casket. She had felt so utterly alone in that moment, like her heart might stop beating. Alexander had come back and loaded Emily into the car and sped to the hospital. Emily didn’t really remember the drive; she sat silently while the voice in her head cried relentlessly. When they arrived at the hospital, and Emily had learned that her father was still alive, she could hardly believe it. During surgery the doctors were just as surprised. They said the wooden bow had come centimeters from her father’s heart and had barely missed a major artery. It was a miracle he had survived.

Emily’s life hadn’t been shattered like she thought but it had still been turned upside down. The battle created so many questions. Was she ever going to be safe again? What was it about her and Alexander that had the Opposition in a fury? What was it that Dante had shown Alexander in his vision?

Emily had not expressed any of these concerns to Alexander. They really hadn’t spoken about the event at all. Everything was about her father. Emily wasn’t even sure how things got cleaned up and straightened out at the home in Cooperstown. She had only briefly wondered how they were going to explain everything to the authorities.

When she mentioned her concern to Alexander he replied, “Not to worry, everything has been taken care of.”

Emily didn’t really care how it was done; at that moment all she cared about was her father. All the other details seemed insignificant.

“Well that’s good news, I guess,” Emily replied, returning her thoughts to the present conversation.

“He will be home before you know it. Then things can begin to feel normal for you again.”

“Really? I’m not sure things can ever truly feel normal again.”

Alexander grimaced. “Yeah I suppose they can’t.”

Emily instantly regretted her statement. She hadn’t meant to make a comment that would cause Alexander to feel guilty.

“It’s just that I have all these questions now. I wonder if all of this is really over or if it’s just the tip of the iceberg. You know…with the Opposition and the Ancient Ones and all of the not-so-normal stuff. I didn’t mean us.” Emily wanted to take back the hurt she had caused but she was afraid she couldn’t.

“But that is us, Emily. All your questions exist because of us, because of me.”

“Alex…” Emily was interrupted as a figure appeared at the foot of her bed.

Emily was obviously startled, no doubt still a little jumpy since the battle, but Alexander seemed unalarmed.

Standing only a few feet away loomed a tall and slender woman.

Her long blonde hair flowed in loose waves over her shoulders and down her ribcage like a golden river that shimmered in the sun. The faint light surrounding her illuminated her soft skin. In fact, it looked more like she was the actual source of the light. The woman wore a satin emerald robe that cascaded down the length of her body. She was breathtakingly beautiful, just as Dante was. Initially, Emily felt fear at the sudden appearance of this new stranger, but the feeling immediately faded. Something told her there was nothing to be afraid of.

Then Emily looked into her eyes. Not only did she see the familiar green color but she also saw love and compassion.

“Hello, Emily.” Aldara’s voice rang through the air like a tiny bell.

“Uhh …” Emily glanced at Alexander who stood and walked over to greet Aldara.

He embraced her and then turned to Emily. “This is Aldara. She is one of the Governing Five. And also my mother.”

“Oh! Hello. Alexander has told me about you. I guess I’m still a little on guard… Uh, sorry about that.” Emily was at complete ease now, despite her fumbling words.

“I must apologize. I’m afraid there is no way to announce my arrival. It can be very startling, especially after all that you have recently been through.” Aldara’s voice was soothing and sincere.

Emily already liked her.

“To what do we owe the honor of your visit, Mother?” Alexander sat back down on the bed. “Emily, you should know that as long as I have existed I cannot recall a time that one of the Governing Five has left the Guardian Realm.”

“My son speaks the truth. This is a historical visit for me. Though I have seen the mortal world many times through visions, this is the first I have beheld it with my very eyes.”

“Sorry it’s just my room. It’s definitely nothing glorious.” Emily felt slightly self-conscious.

Aldara gave a melodic laugh. “It’s quite nice. It suits just fine.” She swept the room with her eyes and then back to Alexander and Emily. “My visit must be brief. However, the length of my visit should not detract from the importance. What I am here for is something that I have long awaited.”

Alexander and Emily exchanged glances. It made Emily feel a little better to see that Alexander was just as clueless as she was.

“Emily, I know you have so many questions. I know things seem different and somewhat out of sorts for you. Though I cannot answer all of your questions at this time, I come bearing knowledge and wisdom that will satisfy for the present.”

Although Emily could feel herself jumping inside with this news of answers, she simply muttered, “Okay.”

“You question why you have the privilege of knowing Alexander’s true identity. At times I know you feel unworthy of his presence. You wonder why the two of you would fall in love as you have, why someone would love you so much.” Aldara paused for a moment to let her words sink in.

Emily just nodded her head in silent agreement.

“That’s exactly how I feel; completely inadequate to be in his presence.”

Aldara continued. “It truly was fate that placed the two of you together. However, for you to ever feel unworthy of Alexander’s companionship is a mistake. Alexander is magnificent. I, as his mother, can attest to the fact that he is truly a chosen Guardian. Yet, you overlook the divinity that lies within you, and the destiny that you were preordained to.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand.” Emily was struggling to make sense of what Aldara said.

“Emily, it is not just Alexander that holds great power and ability, but you as well. There are numerous prophecies concerning you and Alexander, and the events that will transpire because of your union.”

Emily looked at Alexander. He was equally confused, but she could tell that his mind was piecing things together.

“Aldara, are you referencing the prophecy concerning Eden’s gates being opened to the human race?” Alexander questioned.

“I am. Is this a prophecy you have shared with Emily?”

“I have mentioned it briefly.” Alexander furrowed his brows in deep thought.

“I still don’t get it. Alexander said that Eden was only a place for Guardians to go. That it was sealed up until the day when humans would need to take refuge within.” Emily was moving her head back and forth between Aldara and Alexander, looking for any sort of clue.

“That is correct, Emily. Eden is to be a place of refuge for humans who seek it. However, there is only one way for its gates to be unlocked to them, and that is one role you will play. Only together do the two of you hold the key that will unlock the gates of Eden.”

The room was silent as the words Aldara spoke sank in like lead dropped in water.

After a moment Aldara continued. “The two of you are to accomplish great things. There is a glorious day coming for both humans and Guardians where we live together. However, I am afraid that before we see the light of that day, things will get darker… War is coming, great war and it is vital that the two of you be prepared.”

Emily felt Alexander’s hand grasp hers, but inside she was feeling numb.

“War! What does she mean war? What kind of war?”

“It is of the utmost importance that preparations and training begin immediately for Emily.” Aldara’s eyes searched Emily’s to see how she was taking the news.

“What do you mean training for me? That doesn’t make sense. I’m a human not a Guardian.”

Aldara’s smile widened. “Still you doubt yourself, Emily. But, I know that there will soon be a time that you will no longer doubt, but believe. You have been chosen for this very task, and I know you will rise to accept the mantle that has been placed upon your shoulders.”

“How is it that Emily will train? I’m not sure I am clear on things either.”

“When she feels ready, she will receive her training directly from Damarus, in the Guardian Realm.”

Emily gave a sharp intake of breath. This was all becoming too much for her to understand.

“I thought only Guardians could go there.”

“Yes, well, as I said, this marks a new era. You will be the first to visit Eden, as it is necessary for the days that lie ahead.”

“How do we get her there? I would have no idea how to explain things to her.” Alexander shifted his weight on the bed; he was beginning to show some excitement.

“I will need something of yours, Emily. Preferably something that you keep with you at all times or that is easy to carry.” Aldara scanned the room.

Emily knew exactly the thing. She reached down the front of her shirt to remove the emerald necklace that Alexander had given her. She handed it to Aldara.

“Most appropriate.” Aldara looked the gem over. “I assume this was your doing Alexander.”

“Yes, it was a gift.”

“This will work perfectly.” Aldara cupped both hands over the gem, completely surrounding it. She then closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Emily watched as Aldara’s hands began to glow, getting brighter and brighter until Emily had to shield her eyes. The glow expanded in a sphere around her hands until suddenly it collapsed within itself, back into Aldara’s palms and vanished. She then opened her hands to reveal the necklace, looking just as it did before she had held it. She handed it back to Emily.