The Eden Series: The Complete Collection (64 page)

“Excellent.”

That was it. The cottage became silent again, except for Aiden’s quickened breath. He turned his attention to the Shaman, anger rising fiercely. He ignored Rain. Her betrayal was almost too much to bear. “Explain yourself,” he said, coldly. The Shaman turned with eyebrows raised.

“Don’t use that voice with me. You are but a child. I don’t expect you to understand the events happening around you, but just know that every man must do what he has to in this world.” The Shaman’s voice had grown as equally chilled as Aiden’s.

“You will give me to the sorcerer for what? How can you betray your own people this way?”

The Shaman laughed mockingly. “My people,” he spat in disgust. “I live among people who look at me as a blind, old fool. The only use they have of me is the spell under which I keep their city safe and hidden. Do you think I want to rot away in this hovel for this rest of my days? My magic, limited to what these plains will allow? Aziz has promised me a power I could never achieve on my own. Knowledge that only his people have known about until now. If I align with him I will accomplish so much more, and I will watch the rest of Eden fall at our feet.”

“You took the shield down.” It wasn’t a question, but rather a realization. The truth hit Aiden, betrayal turning his stomach. The Shaman didn’t answer. They both knew it was true. Hesitantly, he turned to look at Rain, who sat atop the table. “And you? You will turn your back on your family, the people who love you?”

She stared back with cold, emotionless eyes. “Those people only wish to sentence me to a life I never wanted. They will not let me be who I am destined to be.”

“So you go with
them
?” he spat, pointing an accusing finger at the old men. “You think a life with these tyrants will be more fulfilling to you while the rest of us die?” His voice filled the small space with anger.

“You can think of me what you want, but soon I will be one of the most powerful women in Eden.”

He felt sick just looking at her. There had to be a way to get out of here. Aiden turned towards the door, but felt his body freeze.

“Don’t. Move.” The Shaman had one finger levelled at him as he spoke. Trying desperately to move, Aiden soon realized his whole body was paralyzed. “We will not let you get away young man, not until I transport us to your new lord and master.” He moved around the table, back to the fire he had been standing in front of when they first entered. “Rain, bind him please.” He watched her wrap his shirt around her cut again, and then jump off the table to grab a coil of rope that had been lying near the front door. Her hands moved quickly, tying the rope tightly around his entire body.

“What does he want with me?” Aiden asked, directing the question at the Shaman.

“Our lord is weak and needs a source of energy to help restore him to his full strength,” the Shaman explained as he worked. “It occurred to him, after you left rather quickly last time, that you were the perfect vessel – a boy who cannot be easily killed. You are an infinite pool of energy for him, and when you become too weak, all he will have to do is let you rest and you’ll be back to normal again.” He turned to face Aiden. “With you by his side, he will be able to build an even bigger army. An army that will destroy anyone who refuses to live under his rule.” There was a crazed smile on the old man’s face.

“This is madness,” he said, his voice hoarse. “I cannot stay here forever. I have people back home who will notice I’m gone.”

The other man laughed. “Do you honestly think he cares about that? He helped me to bring you here, and now here is where you will stay. When he has taken Eden, he will turn his attention to your own world and take that too. And all the while you will be by his side to see it happen. Everyone you’ve ever known or loved, here or in your home, will be destroyed.”

“You’re insane,” Aiden snapped. He shrugged his shoulders and laughed.

Aiden looked to Rain pleadingly. “Rain,” he whispered. “You cannot seriously be going along with this. Think about what you are doing!”

“Stop talking to me,” she said, harshly. “I know exactly what I am doing. The Shaman has been more of a father to me than Hawk ever was. Every night he has taught and encouraged me to be more. I will not side with those who only wish to limit me.” The Shaman had turned then to hear the end of her statement. A proud smile lit up his face.

“She is my greatest accomplishment,” he said, affectionately. Rain bowed her head in thanks. Aiden felt ill watching them. “Now,” he continued, turning to Aiden. “In order to make this portal work we will need a sacrifice of blood from the one our great lord seeks.” The colour drained from Aiden’s face. The Shaman walked over to Aiden slowly, pulling a long thin dagger from a sheath at his side.

* * * * *

His father was surrounded by three soldiers from the north. As soon as their leader had fallen, a renewed anger and determination seemed to grow in each of them. Moose got to him just in time, blocking a blow headed for his father’s back. Hawk turned to acknowledge him, nodding his head in thanks. The two fought with everything they had. At the back of his mind he wondered where Aiden was, knowing he had seen him start to run back towards the top of the ridge, but he still hadn’t shown up. If there were not so many men he would have taken more notice and gone to find him, but as it was, he could only focus on what was happening right in front of him.

A large man charged at Moose, his head colliding with Moose’s stomach. The wind was knocked out of him as he slammed into the hard ground. Each breath he sucked in hurt, his lungs straining. The other man looked down at Moose, raising his large, broad sword above his head, a terrible smile on his face. Moose realized he might very well die right then. His sword had been knocked too far away from him.
Killed, by a crazy northerner
.
Just my luck.
As the sword began to circle down towards him an arrow flew, embedding itself squarely between the man’s eyes. A look of shock quickly struck him. His face stayed that way as he crashed to the ground, all life now gone.

Moose looked around to see who had saved him from an inevitable death. A small figure walked slowly towards where he sat. There was a grace about her that was uncanny amongst the carnage. As she approached, the figure lowered the hood from her head, kneeling beside him. It was a forest person; the girl that Aiden had been with. Her pale white hair was pulled back in a long braid, a few strands falling around her round face. Her purple eyes were strained and worried. He had no idea what to say to her. It was rare for any of her kind to approach his, and almost unheard of that they would help during a battle. He was confused by her interference.

“You can thank me later,” she said dryly, holding out a hand to help him up. He looked at her tiny frame and doubted she’d offer much assistance, but he took it anyway. Surprisingly, she pulled him up without effort. “Have you seen Aiden?”

Moose looked at her with a bewildered face. As if this was the time for her to want to see Aiden. Did she not realize the battle taking place around them?

She let out a breath in frustration. “When was the last time you saw him? Is he here somewhere?”

Moose took a quick look around. “No,” he answered slowly, taking another look. “He was at the bottom of the ridge a while back, but I haven’t seen him since.”

“He is in danger. We need to find him.”

This got his attention. “Danger? What do you –” his question died as the girl moved swiftly, bringing an arrow up and shooting it over his shoulder. He heard it fly past his ear. He looked back quickly to see another man fall near the last, an arrow lodged in his neck.

“Let’s move,” she ordered, turning to go back down the hill. Moose could see no other option but to follow her. If Aiden was in trouble he needed to help him. Whether or not she was lying was left to be seen, but as of that moment all he could do was trust what she said was true.

* * * * *

The knife effortlessly sliced into his skin. A stinging pain shot through him as he watched the fresh wound bleed into the bowl under his arm. Rain now stood close to the fire. She avoided looking in Aiden’s direction. The Shaman had made him sit on a chair, tying more rope around him so he couldn’t move. Aiden had never felt so helpless in his life. The Shaman joined Rain by the fire, their backs to him and heads bent over a large cauldron of something, smoke billowing over the sides. As his blood was poured into the mixture a sizzling sound filled the air. Suddenly an eerie green ball of light appeared, hovering above the smoke. It was like someone had turned off the lights and switched on a green lamp. Aiden felt like he was in a bad horror movie.

“Time to go,” the Shaman said, happily, as though they were simply going out for a walk. A cold sweat dripped down Aiden’s back, a harsh contrast to the burning on his arm where he had been cut. Rain moved closer to the green light, her face a picture of excitement and wonder. Aiden couldn’t help but think she had also gone mad. He struggled against the ropes that held him. A pain seared his wrists, and across his bare chest where the skin had been rubbed raw. The Shaman moved around behind him, placing a boney hand on each of his shoulders.

“Don’t try to escape. It will do you more harm than good. If I have to, I will knock you unconscious.” Aiden almost told him to do it. Being asleep for this was a hell of a lot easier than awake, he thought to himself. But that would have been giving in without a fight, and there was no way he could do that. He just had to buy some time before they reached the portal. The problem was – he had no idea how to do that…There was nothing within his reach, and even if there was, he couldn’t use his hands. An ache in his chest began to rise. He was panicking, he knew. Sweat poured down his face.

Suddenly the old man lifted the chair easily, with Aiden still on it. The thin, fragile-looking Shaman was deceptively strong.

He had only taken two steps before crashed to the ground. The impact made his teeth slam, and sent a shock up his spine. He looked back at the Shaman to see a long arrow sticking out from the man’s chest. A sense of relief swept over him. Looking around, he soon spotted his saviours.

Moose and Lily stood in the hallway that led towards the bedrooms. They must have sneaked through one of the windows. With all the chaos up front, he wasn’t surprised none of them had heard anything. Rain was like a frozen statue beside the glowing light. Even in the green haze, Aiden could see how pale she had gone. Her large eyes were even wider as she looked past Aiden at the Shaman. Aiden peered back at the man again just as he fell to the ground. From where Aiden sat, he could tell there was no life left in him.

“Rain?” Moose asked hesitantly. His eyes were narrowed in confusion. Rain slowly turned to look at her older brother. “Are you ok? We’re here now. You don’t need to be afraid anymore.” A lump in Aiden’s throat formed at those words. He sounded so concerned. Aiden almost didn’t want to look when the truth was revealed. Instead he turned his attention back to Lily. Her violet eyes were already on him, quickly searching every inch of his body. She wore an expression of concern. He could tell from the tightness around her eyes and mouth. She had come to rescue him, somehow knowing he was in danger. Her eyes stopped on what he knew was the bleeding cut on his arm. She pursed her lips in anger. He wanted to assure her that it would heal by tomorrow, but instead his attention was brought back to the others when Rain spoke for the first time.

“What have you done?” she hissed, her eyes on the fallen Shaman.

Moose looked over at the dead figure then back at her. “That man was crazy, I always knew it. I just saved you and Aiden from whatever he had in store.”

“Saved me?” she laughed, her voice rising. “He was my family! He would have given me everything and now you have taken him away from me!” A murderous rage formed in her eyes. Aiden wished someone had thought to free him already so he could help Moose if needed. Instead of charging him, she took a small step back, moving closer to the portal. “You will pay for this. On his soul, I promise to avenge him.” Then she took another step and was surrounded by the green glow. She lowered one hand onto the orb. A hissing sound filled the air and she was gone.

The light in the room returned to normal. Rays of sun trickled through the open windows casting a deceptively calm feeling on the cottage. Aiden looked back at Moose to see he had turned ghostly white. Lily had placed a tiny hand on his shoulder.

“What just h-happened there?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

Why me?
Aiden thought. Why did he have to be the one to explain her betrayal? “Your sister was working with the Shaman,” he said, softly. “They were both working for Aziz. He had promised them things, and in exchange they were to give him me. Now she is being transported to wherever he is.” They remained silent as Moose let the news sink in. Finally Moose crouched down beside Aiden and began cutting at the ropes.

“This is going to break my father’s heart,” he said. “You know what, though? I’m not really that surprised. That girl was always here, and this man,” he continued, looking over at the dead body, “I never trusted him, not even when I was little. My father always put too much faith in him, but both me and Wolf knew there was something off about him. Either way, this will kill my parents.” Finally the rope fell away, leaving Aiden free to move his arms and legs again. He rubbed at the raw skin and shook the pins and needles out of his legs.

“Thanks,” he said, with relief. “It took you long enough.”

Moose gave him a smug smile. “Well it’s not every day I need to play hero for another man. A man who is
supposed
to be some
great
warrior,” he said, sarcastically.

Aiden smiled back, rolling his eyes. “What was I supposed to do, punch your
sister
?”

Moose barked a laugh. “Like you could. She probably would have blocked it and got you before you even knew what happened. You’re forgetting who her brothers are.” They were smiling, but both knew it was a cover. Rain’s betrayal ran deep, but neither boy wanted to admit it.