Ember (61 page)

“That was a pretty impressive move you
pulled, by the way,” he said.

I gulped, feeling starting to return to my
body. My head was leaned back again. “That was the first time I’ve
ever killed anything . . . except bugs . . .” He laughed and I
lifted my eyes to check him. “Well, it’s true.”

He shook his head, brows slanting. “I really
do love you.”

My stomach did a rushy thing. I had to
reprimand myself immediately.

“Don’t start with that when Ikovos is still
unconscious,” I voiced incredulously.

He looked over at the boy, then back. “You’re
not gonna let me when he wakes up.”

There went the squirming stomach again. My
head shook, more at myself than him, and I pushed up till I was
sitting.

The cool air refreshed my body. Not that I
had even gotten that hurt in the fight. I turned my head to Jaden
and he released my body, giving me such a full smirk that I almost
fell back over.

He stood up fully then and walked over to
Ikovos, obviously caving to my anxiety.

“I already made sure he was okay,” he noted.
“He just hit his head.

I jumped up too, eyeing Sylvanus once then
heading over. Jaden had moved Ikovos onto his back.

“Isn’t there a way to wake him up?” I asked,
dropping down.

Jaden stayed straight, staring down in
consideration. So caviler. I had a feeling Ikovos would be the same
way with him though . . . as long as the wound wasn’t fatal.

“We could try dumping water on him,” Jaden
suggested.

I gave him an incredulous look, then focused
down on Ikovos as he walked over towards Sylvanus.

Ikovos looked pretty much okay from the
outside, and his chest was rising comfortingly. I tucked my hair
and put hand on his head, feeling around. Sure enough there was a
substantial bump above his ear. I traced it gently, then sighed,
moving the loose blond strands out of his face.

Jaden dropped beside me then, holding the
dagger out by the tip. “This came in handy.”

I took it, looking at him, remembering when
he got it for me. He smiled, but then my features widened.

“Tanis!” I squeaked, jumping up.

Jaden sighed. “Isn’t he the one that led you
to Sylvanus in the first place?”

I eyed him, then looked around. The pack was
still on the ground by the podium and I had a feeling Tanis would
go for shelter. I started over.

Jaden stood up. “Could you please not wander
off again?”

The wind was still blowing, making his voice
harder to hear as I rushed off. I bent down to the pack, holding my
breath and opening it up.

Nothing.

I dug through it further till it was empty,
then frowned looking back at Jaden. He was watching me.

“He’s not here,” I shouted. “Will you help me
look for him?”

Lightning struck in the clouds beside us.
Jaden nodded begrudgingly. “Yeah, but we need to get off of this
summit soon. Grab your stuff, I’ll start looking.”

I nodded, then stuffed the items back into my
pack anxiously. I couldn’t see very well, as the wind was swirling
hair into my face, blocking my vision. When I’d loaded everything
and was about to stand up, I heard a soft humming. I looked over to
the ground beside me and saw the silver book which I must have
dropped when Tanis had run off. It was glowing brighter than it
had, following the strobes of the hum. I reached for it. As soon as
my fingers touched a chirp sounded ahead of me. My eyes shot
up.

There was Tanis, resting atop the podium. I
sighed with relief, grabbed the book, then rushed up quickly to
him. He perked immediately, jumping onto my hand as soon as I got
close enough.

“I’m so glad you’re okay, Tanis,” I got out
happily.

He squeaked, then I set him on my
shoulder.

Just when I was about to turn around and tell
Jaden I’d found him the book hummed once again in my hand. I looked
at it, the hue had gotten somewhat golden, then my eyes slid to the
podium. It was inches away. I moved closer then my hand froze.

“I should wait for the boys,” I
whispered.

Something compelled me. With a single
movement I placed it on the smooth pedestal.

At first nothing happened, but then Tanis
started chirping on my shoulder and a heavy breeze blew past me,
seemingly from the book. Then light filled within it, leaking from
its edges and bursting out in all directions.

I took a step back, awestruck by the color,
something like I’d never seen before. It grew brighter and brighter
until I was forced to close my eyes. Tanis kept chirping loudly and
the wind was swirling around me.

Then, suddenly . . . it stopped. It all just
stopped. Even the sounds I knew should be there from the storm
around us were gone. Replacing it was only the soft humming, and a
beautiful soothing noise, almost like music . . .

I steadied myself then opened my eyes,
surprised to see that everything was quite normal. The book was on
the pedestal, but it wasn’t glowing. The clouds about were swirled
dark and silver.

Only the sound was wrong.

I spun around to look for Jaden. He was over
there, by Ikovos, but it didn’t take long to realize that he wasn’t
moving.

My eyes widened, then I felt something warm
and light behind me. I took a breath and spun around, mouth
dropping at what I saw. A figure, standing where the pedestal had
been, tall and magnificent, but terrifying enough to send a shiver
though my body.

It was a man, bright, radiating white and
gold, stone-like pale skin, soft hair that fell down straight past
his torso, and eyes so calm . . . A comforted feeling burst inside
of me that I couldn’t contain. His gaze was on me,
contemplative.

“You’re, you’re a Galen . . .” was all I got
out.

He made no reaction, but his eyes held
firmly. That is until Tanis squeaked proudly atop my shoulder. Then
they moved over.

The little fur-ball’s defiant squeaking fell
to more of a weak croak. Then he scuttled back behind my hair.

A rush of air blew softly as the creature
sighed. “I won’t ask you how you brought him with you . . .” The
words were, once again, like music. Or soft bells rather, joining
together in a string to form a haunting melody. I was overwhelmed
by it, but also assured.

“What happened to the other two?” I asked.
“The boys back there.” My arm wisped back.

His gaze turned past, then slowly to me.
“Their world is stilled for now . . .” his features softened “. . .
Though it will not last long. What is it that you came for?”

My brows lifted. I had thought about this
moment, but it seemed all too surreal now with the glorious
creature standing in front of me . . . Still, I felt a focus.

“I came to ask for help for the . . .”

Suddenly I remembered Sylvanus’ words about
the army, the thousands. I’d forgotten after I’d killed him and
Jaden had obviously made no effort to remind me. My face contorted,
eyes closing. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder.

“Say what you must. Do not let fear cloud
your purpose.”

I opened my eyes. This felt so different,
like I was spread out, as if he already knew everything about me
and I was compelled to respond out of that fact. I firmed.

“I’m trying not to be . . . The Meoden—” I
made sure he recognized the word. It was clear he did “—the Meoden
are getting stronger, too strong. There’s an army of them, and I
read in the book that you help, that the
Gaeln
help, the
humans.”

He sighed and it drew me to deeper
honesty.

“I’m trying not to be scared . . . But
everyone I love is in danger.”

I stood gazing at him, and he back at me. I’d
shared my heart at its simplest and I had no idea why.

Suddenly, breathtakingly, a warm smile
crossed his lips. “This is well for you indeed . . . for there is
no certainly no better thing to cast out fear than perfect love.”
His face straightened. “Your plea has indeed been heard, and we
know you speak the truth for we are not oblivious to the happenings
of your world.” I smiled with excitement, then his mouth drew.
“Still, as is only right and true there must be a sacrifice made in
exchange.”

My skin quivered suddenly, but I wasn’t
afraid.

“Death?” I whispered.

He mouth rose, humouredly. “No . . . nothing
so terrible. Suffering, maybe, but only the kind that leads to
greater joy in the future.”

I furrowed, even as I felt a peace at the
words, a thrill almost. “I don’t understand.”

He looked up to the sky, then to me intently.
“If you accept, it will be made clear . . . but I can promise you
little despite the assurance that whatever sacrifice you make will
be returned in full.”

My heart dropped. I believed him, I did, and
I didn’t mind not knowing, but . . .

“What about the people here?” I asked.

“We will fight with them,” he said,
nodding.

From the fear that shook my being now, I
could feel nothing but assurance at that. My lips pursed
gently.

“Will I see them again?” The expression I
gave him was hopeful, pleading . . . but his returning gaze was
clear.

No.

My eyes closed. This was the part I couldn’t
bear . . . now that I’d finally found where I belonged, found
people I cared about, I had to-

My eyes lulled. “They’ll lose if I don’t . .
.”

He waited a moment, then nodded.

I think that, were it just me, I would have
said no . . . but here in this place I felt a strength that wasn’t
my own, and I knew what had to be done.

“Can I say goodbye first?”

His expression broke, to something between
admiration and sympathy, then his eyes flicked firmly past me, and
up again, checking.

“Hurry.”

That was the last thing I heard. The last of
the soft bells, or calming hum. Everything disappeared in harsh,
loud, flash. Till the wind of the mountain was rushing past me once
more.

Daunting swelled in my chest and a gasp
escaped me. I didn’t feel so brave anymore. I didn’t feel the peace
or clarity of the radiant creature.

My knees trembled, threatening to give out
and sink to the stone . . . but then Jaden would know and-

My hand hit the podium, eyes closing.

Jaden.

A swell in my chest, I’d never see him
again.

I lifted the other hand to my heart, head
shaking.

But if I don’t go . . . everyone will
die.

My body steadied. That was it. There wasn’t
another option for me. If I didn’t do the right thing now, how
would I live with myself when people started hurting?

I opened my eyes and straightened up bravely,
taking a strong, though emotional, breath. Then I turned around and
jumped off the rock.

Everything was the same. Thunder was
rumbling, Jaden was walking off trying to find Tanis, and Ikovos
was lying unconscious on the ground. I went to him first, dropping
quickly and putting a hand on his head. Then I bent over and kissed
him on the cheek. “Bye, Ikovos.”

I straightened up then, and hardened myself
for the worst part.

Jaden turned around before I even got close,
lightening when he saw me.

“Oh, good, you found it,” he said. He was
pointing to Tanis on my shoulder with a smirk, then he nodded past
me. “If you get the bags, I’ll carry Vos down. We can find a
shelter till the storm passes then do the—”

I stopped him with a kiss on his mouth,
leaning up on my tippy-toes to reach. He was definitely surprised
at first, but easily caught on and compensated.

Eventually he jerked his head back with a
narrowed expression. “I thought we had to wait till Ikovos was
conscious.”

His tone was playful. I disappeared into in
for a moment, smiling and fingering the pieces of hair falling into
his face. “You made it too hard for me to resist.” My heart ached,
and I’m sure my eyes were watering, but to him they may have passed
off as happy tears.

I had to purse my lips to keep my face
straight, and then I dropped my hand to his chest, placing the
other one over it.

He lifted one brow at me, curious.

“Okay,” I started, in a light voice to hide
the emotion. “You get Ikovos and I’ll go get the bags.”

He nodded, but he wasn’t moving any. I would
have to, he
always
made it harder on me . . .

Why did this have to happen now? How was I
going to go on if I could never see him again?

His heart beat solidly beneath my palms.

I don’t care
what
the Gaeln said,
there would be no living for me once he was gone . . . It just
didn’t change what I had to do.

My eyes lifted and I smiled reassuringly at
him again. Then I let go, slowly, but I did, let go of him
completely.

I’d made it two steps before a sob broke out
of me. Only one, but it was enough. I cursed myself then glanced
back. He had just a hint of questioning in his expression. My brow
faltered and he darkened even further. I turned ahead, pace
quickening.

“Eve?” he asked, uncertain.

I clenched my teeth, pulse beating wildly,
stupid, stupid, stupid,,
then broke into a run.

“Eve, what are you doing?” His voice was
severe, though I doubt he had a clue to the extent of things.

I raced, cold air numbing my lungs, then
leapt onto the platform. I had almost reached the book when he
swung me back, pulling my hand.

“What’re you doing?” he asked, head shaking.
The way he said it made it seem like a problem he would easily set
me straight on. Tears were filling my eyes already.

“Don’t do this,” I groaned, tears filling my
eyes already. My head shook.

He darkened further.

“Eve, what are you talking about?” He lifted
his hand up to my face as he said it, trying to comfort me somehow
I think. He was only making it worse.

I moaned, my head falling back.