The Eden Series: The Complete Collection (128 page)

“I haven’t,” he replied honestly. “I won’t stop until I do. Three people are in danger because of me. If that isn’t encouragement enough I don’t know what is.”

“I’m sorry he took your friends,” she said softly.

Aiden reached out and gripped her hand. “Don’t apologize for things you had no part in. We’ll find them, Diana. And we’ll all see the other side of this.”

She nodded as a tear rolled down her face. “Hey,” he whispered, pulling her into a hug. “I mean it, everything is going to fine.”

“I hope so,” she said against his chest.

“Are you two finished canoodling?” Jameson called out.

Diana stepped back, rolling her eyes, a small grin playing on her lips. Aiden gave her another squeeze before joining the others. Jameson winked at him before starting.

“Alright boys, we were told Aziz was north-east, but Frost Point is more north than anything, so this doesn’t really help us. I don’t know how many people have sighted him or his creatures, but it sounds as though they’re never in one concentrated spot. However, this Frost Point village has come up a number of times, so it sounds like our best bet.” He looked around at them. Hawk and Turk nodded, agreeing with Jameson’s conclusion. Callum just listened, his face serious.

“Any idea where Markus is?” Turk asked gravely.

Jameson frowned, shaking his head. “I left some scouts behind to let him know where we are, but that’s all I know. He was only supposed to be a few days behind us.”

“We can’t wait for him,” Hawk pointed out. “I don’t know what he’s up to, but if he doesn’t want to be a part of this then so be it. We need to figure out how the Gods we’re going to find this bastard in all these mountains.”

“What if Frost Point is a dead end?” Callum asked. “If Aziz knows the sightings there have spread, he’ll be less likely to return.”

“I suppose,” Jameson replied. “But there’s still a high chance his fortress is close by. I know he’s powerful, but I doubt even he could move a whole mountain.”

“Sometimes I wonder,” Hawk murmured.

Jameson shook his head. “It’s not possible. The fortress has to be near there. We’re going to have to spread our men out thinly to search in that area. It’s not exactly easy to move an army as one whole unit through the woods.”

“Probably one of the reasons Aziz picked it,” Turk commented.

“Either way, it can’t be done,” Jameson held.

“It’ll weaken us,” said Callum. “Dividing us up will only make it easier for him to pick our men off.”

“What other choice do we have?” Jameson asked, looking to each of them. “If you have a better idea, by all means let me know. I just don’t see how we can stick together if we don’t know exactly where we’re going.”

“Looks like we arrived just on time,” came a rich voice. Aiden spun around in surprise, his heart stopping at the scene before him. “If what I’m hearing is correct, it sounds like you might need our help.” Callum and Turk drew their swords, standing on either side of Aiden. The man who spoke wore light armour that fitted his body as if it were made specifically for him. His long, pale hair was pulled back sharply from his face. Bright green eyes regarded them in a look of indifference. There was no questioning what he was, or the others that stood behind him in similar dress. All had that same otherworldly look to them that Lily had.

Aiden’s pulse raced as he took in all the forest people before him. Other than Lily, he had never seen any others, and to have so many before him was overwhelming. They were beautiful, all of them, but each wore that same aloof expression.

“Your name, sir?” Jameson asked.

“They call me Zachary,” he answered. “I am the General,” he continued. His eyes met Aiden’s for a moment before moving back to Jameson. “I am…friends with Lily.”

Aiden didn’t like the way he said friends, but kept his mouth shut. Whoever this guy was, Aiden decided he didn’t like him.

“And what makes you think you can help us, forest person?” Hawk asked his voice laced with suspicion. Aiden noticed that Zachary kept glancing at him. It was making him nervous.

Callum’s deep voice spoke before Zachary could answer. “Do you have a problem with our young friend here?”

Zachary looked at Callum a moment before landing on Aiden again. He titled his head in an unnerving way before answering. “I just haven’t seen him up close like this, that’s all.”

“Take a picture, it lasts longer,” Aiden retorted dryly.

Zachary grunted but didn’t respond. Instead he turned to Hawk, answering his question. “As to how we will help, it is quite simple really. We know where your sorcerer is, and we will lead you to him.”

“I thought the forest people don’t get involved in our measly problems?” Hawk countered.

“We don’t,” he stated plainly. “But your problem has now become our problem, so we will assist you in this.”

Jameson stepped forward. “You know of Lily?”

Aiden saw a few of them shift at the mention of her name. He remembered how she had told him once that her people were cold. They didn’t consider each other friends, or feel very many emotions toward one another. Yet, Aiden could see their distress at the mention of her, and wondered if maybe her people weren’t as cold as she thought. Though they were definitely not like humans, Aiden noted.

Zachary nodded. Aiden’s heart nearly jumped out of his chest at his next words. “Lily contacted us a couple of days ago. She has given us their location.”

“How is that possible?” Aiden asked. “She is a prisoner.”

“We have ways of communicating,” was all he said.

“And so you know where they are being kept?” Jameson confirmed.

“We do. We can lead you there, and we will aid in your fight.”

“Why?” Turk spoke for the first time. “For hundreds of years we have warred without your assistance.”

“For a number of reasons,” he answered.

“Care to share what those are?” Jameson asked, his voice taking on a dangerous tone. Aiden didn’t think the King liked the forest man any more than he did.

Zachary looked annoyed, his mouth flattening. He was silent a moment before answering. “One, our Goddess seems to have a particular interest in this,” he explained, his eyes landing on Aiden again. “Lily was supposed to watch out for this warrior. With her being…unavailable, we decided it would be best if we ensure the Goddess’ wishes are met.”

Aiden sensed Callum’s look directed at him, but didn’t meet it. He remembered Lily mentioning their Goddess before. It unnerved him then, and did so now.

“And two?” Hawk pushed.

“That would be obvious I should think. They have one of our own, we don’t leave ours to die at the hand of blasphemous sorcerer who thinks himself a God,” he spat. Well at least they have one thing in common, Aiden thought. If anyone was going to help him get Lily back, at any cost, he could tell it would be this guy.

“Anything else?” Jameson inquired.

Zachary looked like he wanted to withhold his answer, but seemed to think better of it. “We are aware of some of the sorcerer’s dealings overseas,” he informed them. His eyes looked to Aiden again then looked away. Aiden was really starting to get sick of it. “We do not trust this man, and do not wish to see him rule this land should his reach extend in our direction.”

Hawk chuckled. “So the great and powerful forest people are scared of Aziz too, is that it?”

Zachary’s eyes narrowed. “Not scared, no. But this sorcerer has no respect for those who have come before him. He looks for power in all places, even those who should be left untouched. We would like to put an end to him, and quickly.”

“You talk in riddles, General,” Jameson remarked. “What do you know of Aziz that we do not?”

“Be thankful we have come to aid you, otherwise your men would be scouring these ranges for months looking for him, probably never succeeding. Do you want our help, or not?”

A tense silence enveloped them. Aiden turned to look at the High King. His face was thoughtful as he watched the other man.

“He is right,” Callum said, facing his brother. “Without their help, we might never find Aziz.”

“I don’t trust them,” Hawk stated.

“We can hear you,” Zachary replied.

“I know.” Hawk gave him a wolfish grin before turning to look at Jameson.

The King remained pensive. Aiden was worried he might actually send them away. If they were the only thing that could bring him to his friends and Lily then he wanted them around, even if they couldn’t be completely trusted. He didn’t get a sense that any of them would stand in the way of harm for any of them, but he believed that they wanted this war to end just as much as they did. At this point, any help was good help, Aiden decided.

“I want to find them,” he said to Jameson, low enough so only he could hear. “I might not trust them either, but you know just as well as I do, Jameson, we
need
their help.”

The King looked at him for a moment before nodding slightly. He turned to face the leader of the forest people. “We accept your aid, and welcome you to our side. At daybreak we will head in the direction you lead us. For now, let’s rest.”

“Why don’t we just go now?” Zachary asked, his brows puckered in confusion.

“Because unlike you, we weak humans need to sleep,” Hawk answered. He turned to walk away, Turk following.

“I don’t believe the Chief likes us very much,” Zachary noted as he followed Hawk’s movements.

“That much is obvious,” Jameson agreed. “Better make sure you don’t do anything to betray us, or he’ll really have it out for you.”

“We don’t plan to betray anyone,” he insisted.

“I hope so.”

Jameson told them all to go, letting everyone know that the armies needed to be ready to go by daybreak. Aiden headed over to where his sleeping roll was laid out. He caught site of Zachary through the trees, and decided to check one thing with him before he slept for the night. He turned before Aiden even reached him.

“I wanted to ask you something,” Aiden started. He felt a bit awkward with the way the other man was scrutinizing him, but chose to ignore it. “When Lily contacted you, did she happen to say if there was anyone else imprisoned with her?”

“She cares for you,” he said, shocking Aiden. “More than I would have imagined possible.”

“Uh I know,” he fumbled. “I care for her too.”

He regarded Aiden closely before answering his original question. “Yes, there are two people with her. Ethan and Melissa, I believe.”

Aiden’s heart sank. Even though he had pretty much known, having it confirmed hurt. What had he gotten his friends into? Guilt washed over him so strongly he felt ill.

“We will find them,” Zachary said as if it were not even a question.

Was he trying to make him feel better? Aiden wondered. He looked at the other man and saw understanding there. He nodded, not saying a word, before turning to continue on to where he had set up for the night.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Aiden crouched down low behind the bush. Logan sat nearby, eyes focused on the mountain towering in the distance.

“We need to find out how they’re getting in,” Zachary whispered from his perch above. Aiden looked up at the forest man who had just climbed the tree as if it were second nature to him. Aiden was a little envious at how skilled the other man was. “Lily said her captor dropped with her through an opening in the ceiling. There are human soldiers inside as well, however. There has to be a regular way in.”

Aiden looked over the scenery before him. The base of the mountain was dense with trees and shrubs. From what Aiden could see there were no paths. He guessed Aziz would keep the entrance to his fortress well hidden. Unless they actually saw a solider enter and were able to follow him, they were going to have to spread out and search.

“Let’s head back to the base,” Aiden suggested. “We’ll go over our next move with the King. We know where he is, we just need to figure out the next step.”

Aiden jumped as Zachary suddenly landed right beside him, soundlessly. He walked off in the direction of the army, leaving Logan and Aiden looking after him.

“Is it just me, or are these people a little strange?” Logan said. “Like, even more so than Lily.”

Aiden elbowed him in the stomach, earning a grunt in response. “They also have excellent hearing,” he pointed out. Zachary raised his hand over his head as he continued to grow further away from them. “See?”

Logan grimaced. “How is it that a whole army of people just showed up last night, and none of us even realized it? Seriously, they just walked up and we didn’t hear a thing!”

Aiden shrugged. “I have no idea. They don’t move like we do.”

They were silent for a moment before Logan said, “their women are frigid.”

Aiden couldn’t help smiling, He turned to face his friend, brows raised. “How many have you hit on already?”

Logan smiled wearily. “A few,” he admitted. They both laughed as they started following the trail Zachary had just taken.

“We’ll head out in small groups,” Jameson instructed them. “I want each of you on your highest guard and keep your eyes open. We need every inch of this mountain covered. Look closely for anything that seems suspicious or out of place. There has to be a marker.”

“Yeah, except we have no idea what that marker could be,” Turk pointed out.

“It will be something that stands out,” Jameson replied, “something that doesn’t quite fit with the surroundings.”

Aiden listened intently as Turk started breaking people into groups. The fact that they were actually moving and getting things accomplished had him nearly jumping out of his skin. Lily was near. That’s all that mattered. He just needed to get to her. His pulse raced at the thought. All he wanted to do was make sure she was okay.

“Hey,” Wolf called out, snapping him out of his thoughts, “you’re with us.”

Aiden nodded, moving to join his friends. Wolf, Moose, Logan, Stefan, and Elisa stood off to the side waiting.

“Alright guys,” Logan said, rubbing his hands together. “Oh, and lady,” he smiled at Elisa, who rolled her eyes. “There are a lot of groups going out to find this entrance, but our team is going to be the one to find it.”

“Oh Gods,” Wolf groaned. “It’s not a competition you twit.”