31. Chapter 31
T he smell of old books filled the air as it did each time she was here. Eden had become so accustomed to it that she didn’t take much notice of it anymore. With her back against the cool stone bay window, she had tucked herself away in the corner of the library. She tilted the book closer to her face as her reading glasses slowly slid down her nose unnoticed as the candle in front of her that flickered every time someone walked by. Frozen rain pattered against the window and echoed in the quiet library.
Eden read the same words over and over while her mind circled back to the events of yesterday. Every word her mother, who she had avoided since she entered the building this morning, had said. There was no way to go back, she knew everything and so did Wyatt. The morning had been filled with awkward questions and tender moments of forgiveness, though the lie she had told him continued to eat at her. One lie doesn’t eat away as fast as ten.
It was for the best while they figured things out and if she truly left the family there wouldn’t be a way for him to find out the truth. The chances of that were slim at the moment, giving her time to figure out how to tell him when it came down to it. Briefly, she wondered if any of The Salvamari knew what had happened already. Word always seemed to travel so fast around the families and this time would be no different. Would the suitors her mother and grandmother choose drop out now? Was she someone they would even want to be around after they heard about her fling with a demon? Am I damaged goods now?
The question reverberated around her brain. She had always felt some sort of damage compared to the others in the family, but now? Of course, she was. It had always been as if something about her didn’t quite fit in the puzzle that was the Miller family. Eden had always wondered if it was because she was adopted the feeling only amplified by her now undeniable draw to him. Do I love him because he’s what Lennox became? No, it can’t be. He’s nothing like her. Respectful, kind, and aware. But If I choose him one day I will end up just like him… Like her . She flinched at the thought she scolded herself internally. Like a moth drawn to a flame
Eden refused to believe she would ever end up like Lennox as her grip tightened on the book in her hands. Her phone vibrated in her pocket and quickly broke her from her thoughts. With a glance to her wrist, she looked at the message that popped up.
Bastien Miller- Chase and Brier are here, Eloise would still like you to stick with the schedule of the arrangement. I’m so sorry, Eden. You were right, I would have done anything to get him out of there. I hope you can forgive me. No matter what happens, we are still family, you and I. -Sent 8:47 am
Eden Miller- You can tell Eloise that I will still follow it as long as she leaves Wyatt alone. You owe him an apology for not letting me stop her. I don’t like you much right now, but I forgive you. -Sent 8:49 am
That will take care of Eloise telling him anything.
Bastien Miller- I’m already working on that- I’ll see you at home for the meeting. It’ll be okay. -Sent 8:53 am
Shit, of course, the election meeting today. Today was the day she would be presented with all three approved suitors and be able to reject one more. The sound of footsteps got closer which forced her to shove her phone back in her pocket and lift the book to her face. She strained to hear, Eden could make out two different paces as they stopped just on the other side of her reading bench. She glanced over the top of her book and she only saw the cast iron spiral staircase which went up to the second floor that kept her hidden. Slowly, she shifted the book in her hands and reached into her sleeve for the knife which resided there.
“Remi, you need to tell me what's been going on, you’ve been looking over your shoulder for a week now. Are you in some sort of trouble? Because if you are, Fang and I can figure it out with you. You aren’t alone anymore.” The voice of Coyote drifted over to Eden.
“I know I’m not… It has to deal with-” Her next words came out jumbled and incomprehensible.
There was a momentary pause between the siblings. “It’s more than whatever that is. You did something, I can see it in your eyes. What did you do?”
“I didn’t-”
“Don’t lie to me. If you did and it affects our investigation people are going to start looking at you. I may know you have nothing to do with the murders but people are starting to point fingers in places they shouldn’t. But you did something because you know something.”
Eden heard Remi pause followed by a sigh. “I… I bribed Bryer at Crossroads to put Eden Miller under with his venom.”
Every muscle within Eden screamed to move as the grip on the hilt of her knife tightened. With her heart thudding in her ears, her blood boiled as she sat straighter. She pressed her back into the wood behind her to force herself to remain in her spot.
“You could have killed her.” He snapped in hushed shock. “Vampire venom reacts differently with everyone. I need you to promise me you won't make any more attempts on the Millers while we keep looking into them.”
“You know I'm not the type to sit here and do nothing... I can't promise much more than that, I won't cause any more trouble that would interfere with what you are doing” She stopped as more words started to tumble out.
“Just try not to cause too much trouble whatever you do. I know better than to try and stop you completely.” He let out a chuckle.
Suddenly the man came halfway into her view and leaned against the iron stairs. In the same moment Eden brought the book back up to her face and hid the knife inside the pages she was open to. Don’t look over. As much as she wanted to, she could make this situation a lot worse. The desire to lash out crept ever closer to the surface as she stewed on the information. She could have killed me…
“Let’s get back to Andy.” She heard the iron creek a little at the tall werewolf’s weight and his footsteps started to recede.
She stood in the kitchen with her hands wrapped around a mug. Eden could hear the footsteps of her family recede into the meeting room. Every hair on her body stood on edge as their low voices drifted into the room. Her stomach turned over and over and she knew Eloise had told Stacey by now which meant the rest of the family knew about yesterday’s events.
She glanced over to the door of the basement where she had been chained up just over twenty-four hours ago. Her mother’s words haunted her the night before and throughout the day. She can’t walk away, if she does the family line dies out. You owe that to the family after everything we’ve given you. The sound of her name caused Eloise’s voice to fade away.
When she looked up she was met with a more mature version of the Chase she had known growing up. With just over a year since she had seen him at the last annual Salvamarai Conclave. She noticed a few new scars across his arms. With angular, hollow cheekbones and a squared jaw, his clearwater eyes looked down at her from a few feet away.
“Baron Donovan, glad to see you arrived safely.” Eden forced a smile and put down her untouched tea as he made his way over.
With a quick side hug, he looked down at her. “How is it possible you’ve found a way to look more stunning than usual?”
“Already trying to get on my good side?” She raised an eyebrow at him, only half joking.
“Depends, is it working?”
“You wish,” She smirked up at him as he nudged her.
“I am hoping, but there is something I’d like to discuss with you about some recent events Stacey told me when I got here.” His voice dropped slightly and a serious look appeared on his face. Damnit… “Something about you with a demon and needing to pull you away from him?”
He was always straight to the point, honest with her out of respect. She didn’t move for a few seconds, Eden tried to find the best way to quickly brush off the question. There was no reason to tell a suitor anything about Wyatt. The thought of one of them with knowledge of his identity sent a wave of fear over her. At least they have no idea who he is.
“Are you coming?” Bastien appeared from around the corner at the perfect moment. “Oh, Chase, you found her. Do you mind if I take Eden for a bit?”
“Of course, Baron Miller. I’ll be upstairs until the meeting begins.”
He reached out and unexpectedly took her hand. Eden flinched a little and met his icy gaze but didn’t pull away. A smile drifted to his lips just as he let go and made his way from the room. She sighed and peered at the mug she put down. Her eyes stayed on it for a second realizing she hadn’t touched it.
“Do I have a choice?”
“You do, you’re just not ready to make it.” His hand found her shoulder and squeezed lightly. She took a step forward, she walked out from under his hand as her skin crawled slightly as Wyatt’s screams played in her mind on repeat. I wish people would stop touching me.
With the motion, he turned and started to walk down the hall of portraits. She followed him into the meeting room, the last to join the table once again on the right of Eloise. Eden kept her line of sight ahead, she refused to meet the Matriarch’s face. She could feel every eye on her, Richard especially as he glared disgustedly at her from beside Arthur, Alaric, and Bastien. Eloise cleared her throat and made everyone turn to her, all except Eden who continued to look forward.
“As we all know yesterday was Eden’s twenty-second birthday… My dear, you do not have a suitable partner, and as is custom four suitors have been selected.”
“A suitable partner… Though, her choice to go messing around with a demon should have made her a Heretic last night.” Richard lifted a glass of whiskey to his lips.
“Richard,” Stacey hissed disapprovingly.
“Do you want this family to die off? Bastien isn’t having any kids any time soon.” Eloise snapped at him.
“Why? You could just replace her with a new orphan.”
Her hands shook as they balled into fists, narrowed eyes darted up to meet Richard’s gaze. The repercussions of her actions now slapped her in the face in front of the whole family. Bastien reached toward his belt and looked just as upset as she felt. However, before either of them moved, a knife was stabbed into the wooden table. This caused her attention to be drawn to Eloise’s now bright red face and Alaric to jump. Eloise stood from her chair, leaned forward and stared him down just as she had done the night before to Wyatt.
“I will not hear such things. Since you can’t seem to keep your opinion to yourself, get out of my sight.”
“Fine, don’t come to me when she betrays us and we are left with nothing.”
He picked up his whiskey glass and stormed out of the room without much more fuss. Eloise returned to her seat but remained on her feet as she scanned each face.
“Now then, as my choices for suitors, I have selected Heir Holden Holloway and Heir Hunt Belmore. As for Stacey, she has selected Baron’s Chase and Brier Donovan. You had informed us through Baron Bastien Miller that you rejected Hunt Belmore, is that correct?” The Matriarch turned to her daughter and finally caught her eyes.
“Yes, I reject Heir Hunt Belmore.”
“At this time you can eliminate one other if you so desire.”
“I choose to reject Baron Brier Donovan.” She kept her words short.
“Fine then, tomorrow you and Chase will spend the day getting to know each other, and later Holden.”
Eden nodded and caught the gaze of Stacey who looked back at her with disappointment. However, she still spoke of her choice. “Chase is perfect. He is ineligible to become the head of his family since they are like us. He would stand beside you without trying to overshadow you.”
“Holden comes from the top of the Patriarchal line within The Salvamari. It’s the perfect way to bring us back to the top.” Eloise shot a look at Stacey.
Tension within the room seemed to weigh heavier than ever before. She knew the two wanted to sell her a dream she didn’t have anymore. As long as Eden sat in her seat beside Eloise, they seemed to hold out hope. However, desperation was in both of their voices, only to be heard by those truly listening.
“I have a month till I pick, until then I will remain neutral.” Eden broke the silence.
“As you should. Now, onto the next order of business. With Daemonium Pugionem created by Eden, we are ready to go after our targets. Lennox Cade and Aron.”
At the sound of their names, Eden felt her heart start to race. Her mind circled back to Wyatt who she knew would be crushed if she took any action against two of his remaining friends. They can’t die, not by my hands. She was caught once again in the crossfire of her emotions but was reminded of where she was when she saw Eloise look at her expectantly, as if waiting for her to offer. When she didn’t her mother turned away and looked around the room.
“Due to recent events, I believe it would be best for Alaric to make the first move.” Eloise said.
“Me? Why me?” He sputtered in surprise.
“Because you won’t look suspicious entering Omega in the middle of the night. You’ll have heard a sound inside. Without her vines covering the entrance when her little sidekick is on patrol, it’ll be easy to get in.” Eloise explained and folded her arms over her chest.
Without argument, Alaric nodded.
The Matriarch’s hands went to the belt she had strapped around her most times, and pulled out the dagger Eden had created for Lennox. She flipped the hilt toward the man and held it out where it was quickly accepted. The pit on Eden’s stomach started to open once more as guilt found its way back to the surface, Wyatt’s face once again the only thing on her mind.
The world was dark. For a moment, Eden stood alone in the center of the night. Slowly the room formed around her with several tall bookcases came into view. Unfamiliar, tall cathedral windows with dark wood trim which contrasted light walls caused her to frown. Where am I? The walls reflected the dull light in the mostly darkened space. The sound of a snap caused her to reach for her belt but found it empty. Her head snapped to her hip where she discovered the peacock that was always attached was missing. As she fumbled around her belt, her hand met cold metal on her left hip. There sat a royal purple and golden lion. The Holloway crest… but where’s mine?
Eden turned slowly and found she was in some sort of meeting room. A long table and chairs were in the center and just to the right along the wall she found a dark stone fireplace with flames that roared inside. A man knelt down beside it with his gaze set on something inside them as he moved aside jars of dried ingredients and a pocket knife with fresh blood on the blade.
At first, all she could see was the back of his head. Her heart fell into her stomach as she eyed the red hair and connected the dots. Eden took a few careful steps toward him and looked into the flames. Between the flames was a dagger just like the one she had made for Lennox and Aron. The man turned to face her when she let out a small gasp.
The familiar face of Holden Holloway looked back at her, though he had a long scar that traced diagonally from his left eyebrow over the bridge of his nose and to his right cheekbone. Her hand covered her mouth as she realized this was a younger version of the man Xemos had shown her what felt like forever ago now. She let her eyes drift to her hand and saw a ring on her left hand beside the initials H.H. tattooed just to the bottom left of it.
There’s no way… Holden doesn’t have that scar… I don’t have this tattoo… This isn’t real. “Holden? What are you doing?” She asked carefully.
“Like I promised Stacey I’m pulling you away from your little demon boy toy. He was lurking and that needs to be taken care of.” Holden reached into the flames and pulled out the dagger with ease. “Don’t worry, Little Bird. You’ll be free of this annoyance soon.”
“Eden.” A familiar voice made her freeze.
The air inside her lungs caught, her eyes drifting to Wyatt Steele chained against the wall with his arms above his head once again. Eden’s eyes darted from the dagger and Holden and back to Wyatt. Without hesitation, she started toward him but only made it a few steps before a hand was suddenly clamped around her throat. Her hands flew to Holden’s but were stopped when he squeezed hard enough to cut off her air.
“I’ve told you before, Little Bird. Do not interfere with what I do. It is best for you in the long run, trust me.”
Holden lifted the hand with the dagger and let the hot metal brush against her cheek. It burned for a second which caused her to flinch and stars started to fill her vision. His hand released her neck as his hands found their way into her hair as she coughed and gasped, her palm now where he had burned her. Holden tilted her head up and to the side, she was forced to meet his eyes as his lip twitched up. “I promise, I just want what’s best for us.” He whispered to her, his eyes locked on hers.
Within seconds, his hand slipped away as he closed the distance to Wyatt. All in one motion he lifted his arm while all Eden could do was scream when it was plunged into his chest. She pulled the blue thread of magic as hard as she could and her magic forced its way up, sparks snapped in the air around her as she ran at Holden. With a hand on his back she sent a wave of electricity through his body and she watched him fall in a heap to the floor. Her gaze shot up and tears formed as she saw Wyatt was already gone with the dagger through his unbeating heart.
With another scream, another shock through her body forced her to shoot up from her bed. Her hand flew to her neck but when she felt no pain, her eyes darted for her phone. A dim light illuminated the darkness of the night, she lunged over the side of her bed to where it had fallen and worked quickly to pull up Wyatt’s contact. Eden’s heart pounded so hard it felt like it was trying to escape its home. I just need to hear his voice and know he’s okay.
She hit the call button, she held the phone to her ear. It rang a few times before it stopped and there was a half-asleep, confused voice on the other end.
“Eden? Is everything okay?”
She couldn’t help but let a small smile across her face. “Yeah, I just– uhhh. Honestly… I had a nightmare and had to make sure you’re okay.”
“Little Viper,” He chuckled on the other end which sent butterflies through her tired body. “I am more than okay, especially since it’s you on the other end. Do you want me to come over and prove it?”
She felt her face turn bright red and was thankful he couldn’t see it at the moment. “Yes.”
“Your wish is my command. I’ll see you soon my dear.”
The call ended. There were no questions, no reasons he seemed to need other than she had called. Quickly, she went over to unlock her door for him and shot him a text to let him know to come right in. Afterwards, she went back to her bed, pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her chin down. Her mind rushed with images of Holden, his words wormed their way into the small pit of guilt that remained.
In what seemed like only a few minutes, her door was opening, squeaking lightly as he shut it again. Wyatt was dressed in plaid pajama pants and a band t-shirt, his tired eyes meeting hers. Approaching, he sat on the edge of the bed and put a hand on her arm.
“See, safe and sound.” His thumb grazed her skin lightly.
“Good,” Eden leaned toward him.
Wyatt’s hand slipped around her and allowed her to rest her head on his chest. With a few scoots he slid himself closer toward the center of the bed. The two stayed like that for a while, and let the silence of the moment become comfortable. Slowly, he leaned his back against the headboard as her whole body relaxed in his arms.
“I thought you said you’d never let me in your bed.” He teased
“Are you going to question it right now?”
“No, but I will tomorrow. Let’s sleep for now.” His thumb ran over her cheek. As she closed her eyes, Eden found it surprisingly easy to fall back into better dreams when he was there.
The next morning, Eden had gone downstairs to get coffee for the two of them while the rest of the house slept. A dull pain radiated from The Compass tattoo as it had since she invited Wyatt to her room. The sensation pricked at various parts of her hand and elbow and after hours of it, her muscles sore from the tension. With two steaming mugs, she pressed her back against her door to open it and kicked it closed gently with her foot. She repeated the action after she went through the mostly under-decorated common area attached to her roommate’s door.
“Hope you’re ready for the best coffee you’ve had?”
“It will be, I'm sure.” He smiled from where he sat on the edge of the bed.
She handed him the cup and he quickly took a grateful sip. “Thank you for coming.”
She sat beside him and let herself lean into his side. Her body relaxed as she let out a long breath before she took a drink of her own coffee. Wyatt didn’t move an inch at the contact, aside from his eyes which she could feel on her. It was almost as if she could already hear his questions as she met his gaze.
“I will always be here when you want me.” He promised as he had from the beginning.
“Then ask.” She encouraged the topic she knew he wanted to ask.
“Not that I’m complaining, why did you call me last night, Little Viper?”
“I had a nightmare.” Eden stated
It took ten minutes for her to explain every detail from down to the tattoo she had seen. This led into her explanation of what Xemos had shown her of a future for herself and Holden. The second half took another twenty minutes to explain as she let in to what had happened at the ceremony her family held. After this, silence hung in the air between them. Wyatt laced his fingers through Eden’s free hand.
“You could walk away at any moment, I would be right here.”
“You know I can’t.”
“Why not? I can grab a bag from my room and I will go and help you pack everything you need. You don’t have to live this way, I want you by my side if you’ll have me.”
“I want that, but I can’t just pack up and leave them.”
“Yes, you can.” He growled in frustration. “Eloise treats you like property. How is that right?”
“How would you prevent them from just taking me away? You can’t come to every one of my classes”
“Watch me.” His eyes darkened as he peered out her window, in direct view of Elder Row.
Eden’s eyebrow rose. “How will you prevent them from killing you to get to me?”
“I’ll kill them first- If that’s okay with you.”
“I’d rather you not kill my whole family.”
“Noted, but I would if it came down to it.” His grip tightened gently.
She took another drink from her cup as she mulled over her next words. “I know it’s not what you want to hear, but I have to do this right… I can’t be the reason you get killed.”
Wyatt let out a sigh and took another drink. His eyes cracked with an emotion she couldn’t register fast enough to decipher. He released her hand and wrapped his hand around her waist.
“I would do anything to make you happy, Eden. If this is how you want to do this, I’m behind you.”
“It is how I want to do this, with you by my side.” The second to last wall around her fell as he wormed his way further.
“Then I am yours.”