44.

Eden…. Where are you?

Something stirred me from my unconsciousness. I fought wakening, and attempted to once again fall into the deep abyss of sleep.

Damn it. Eden, where are you?

A sharper, irritated memory lifted me once again from sleeps’ grasp. The memory felt strange, like it wasn’t mine, and even stranger like it was stumbling through a wilderness. I rolled over, and concentrated fully on finding sleep again.

Sticks and rocks jabbed into my side, poking through my oversized sweatshirt. My cheek was wet and grimy from damp leaves that had become my pillow. Gross.

I sat up; realizing the memory that awoke me was not actually a memory but Avalon stumbling through the wilderness trying to find us. I rubbed my bleary eyes surprised by the light of morning. The forest was brightened by daylight, but it must have still been early morning because the sun was just barely shining from the peaks of the eastern mountain tops.

“Eden!” Avalon shouted through the trees. Apparently he got tired of waiting for me to figure out where his voice was coming from.

“Over here,” I struggled to shout back through a hoarse and scratchy morning voice. I cleared my throat and tried again, “Over here.”

I heard Avalon not far away, making his way noisily through the thick trees and underbrush. Someone was with him, although it was hard for me to determine the identity of their magic when I felt like I had just been run over by a bus. I was not sure how long I was asleep, but it wasn’t nearly long enough.

I stood up to brush the leaves and dirt off of me. My legs and back were incredibly sore and I heard several of my joints make a cracking noise as I fought to get to my feet. I didn’t have the patience to deal with tired muscles and aching bones this morning; I sent my magic surging through my body, heating my blood and relieving the tension in my exhausted appendages.

I felt instantly better, the magic did its job and my bones and muscles felt better than normal; I wasn’t sure if there was any hope for my external appearance however. I did my best to pick off the damp leaves and wipe away the dirt, but I began to think they had become a part of me. I reached my hand up to the top of my head in an attempt to deal with my hair, but after feeling around for a few seconds, brought it back down. There was no hope. I wouldn’t be surprised if I had to shave it off when I returned to civility.

“Holy crap.,” Avalon blurted out as he made his way over the top of the last hill that separated us. “What happened to you?” he confirmed my obvious suspicions.

“Ugh,” I grunted back, not knowing where to even begin.

“Good morning Eden,” Jericho called in a very chipper voice, following close behind Avalon. I waved at him irritably, remembering I had been the one to tell Avalon to bring him and bent over to tug on my ruined clog.

“Where’s Amory?” Avalon asked and I looked around confused. I didn’t remember when he left, or if he left; I didn’t remember anything. I must have been sleeping hard.

“I don’t know,” I said, feeling out of it.

“What do you mean you don’t know?” Avalon demanded, his defenses suddenly on high alert.

“They wouldn’t take him without her,” Jericho, the voice of reason, chimed in.

“You don’t know that. They could be hoping she leads them to the rest of us,” Avalon retorted, irritated and anxious.

“If anything it would be the other way around and you know that,” Jericho rolled his eyes and walked over to shake my hand. “Your brother is such a drama queen,” he joked.

“Tell me about it,” I agreed sarcastically. “And no more talking about me like I’m not here.” I addressed both boys. “I’m as much a part of this thing as you two. From now on, I am always included and always informed,” I folded my arms as if to strengthen my point.

Avalon rolled his eyes and began a search of the premises. I let him without any intention of joining him. I took Jericho’s side in that I thought wherever Amory was, he was just fine.

“You look like you just came through hell,” Jericho, still at my side, remarked.

“I pretty much feel like it.,” I remembered my stiff body before I used the healing power of magic and cringed.

“So, what are you doing here anyways? I thought you had been ordered to stay at home?” Jericho pried for an explanation; but I was not totally sure if I was emotionally ready to relive the last seventy two hours.

“I don’t even know where to begin,” I looked past Jericho at the breathtaking view of the Carpathian Mountains. The sunrise had painted the sky beautiful shades of pink and orange, and the soft light made the autumn hues of the trees brilliant.

“You better figure it out,” Avalon grunted grumpily, while continuing his sweep of the perimeter. “I want a full debriefing, and I want a good reason why I had to leave my mission in the goddamn middle of the night,” I let out a burst of laughter when I looked over at Jericho and watched him roll his eyes.

“You’re brother thinks he’s Napoleon Bonaparte,” he shook his head and watched Avalon disdainfully.

“Seriously though, have you heard anything?” I asked a little more humbly. I was the reason Avalon had to leave his mission. What if they weren’t successful and it was all my fault?

“No. We haven’t heard anything,” Jericho responded in a meek voice. “They’ve been incommunicado since before we left them.”

“When will you find out?” I was more nervous now than I had ever been.

“Not sure. If all went as planned, hopefully soon,” Avalon stopped his busy work to join us. He bit his thumbnail anxiously.

“Jericho and I are going to find out exactly what happened right now,” Amory was suddenly involved in our conversation, making his way over the same rise that Avalon and Jericho had come by. He was carrying a cloth bag with him that smelled like a bakery. My stomach growled loudly and I realized that I hadn’t eaten in days.

“Is that breakfast?” I asked, barely able to restrain myself from pouncing on Amory and ripping the bag open to find out myself.

“I thought you might be hungry,” he gave me a timid smile and opened the cloth satchel to reveal several loaves of bread, apples and bottles of water.

I grabbed a loaf of bread and discovered that it was still warm; it must have just finished baking. Immediately I tore off a piece and shoved it into my mouth. I could not have been more unladylike, but I was having trouble caring. Jericho watched me devour a loaf of bread in seconds with his mouth slightly open.

“What?” I mumbled through a full mouth.

“Like I was saying,” Amory also watched me with an expression that was both disgusted and amused. “Jericho and I will return to the Citadel to check the progress of the mission. If they failed last night without you, then most likely Jericho and I will have to do what we can alone this morning. The executions won’t start until the afternoon, so we have a couple of hours yet to do the impossible. Did everyone go last night, are we alone?”

“We left Roxie and Fiona to run communications once the channels were open again,” Avalon responded still chewing on his thumbnail. His stance was wide; he was totally in his element.

“Good, that will be good. Ok, so we will clean up in Sibiu. What about Lilly Mason? Is she with the others or in a different part of the castle?” Amory asked the question that had been gnawing at my heart since the boys arrived.

“Lilly Mason was released yesterday,” Avalon said incredulously.

“She was!” I practically shouted; I almost didn’t believe it was possible.

“Ok, good,” Amory responded, more calmly than I had managed. “Avalon you will take Eden back home immediately. And under no circumstances is she allowed to make any decisions. Do you understand?” Amory looked directly into my eyes. “Your friend is safe; there are no more reasons not to listen. You will do exactly as Avalon says. Got it?” I nodded quickly, I had no intentions of ever stepping out of line again, although I couldn’t help but feel like my efforts were worth it now that Lilly was free.

“How do you want us to go? Timisoara?” Avalon asked as if he were a travel expert.

“No, it’s too exposed. You’re going to have to go the long way. I believe our most efficient but incognito option is to cross into Hungary, ditch the rental and take a bus or train into Austria, once in Austria utilize the trains. I think the Zurich airport will be your best bet to leave Europe undetected,” Avalon nodded along to Amory’s directions, but I felt completely lost. I tried to conjure up a picture of a European map in my head, but couldn’t trace the route mentally. I guessed I really would just have to trust Avalon. Oh boy.

“Do you want us to take our time?” Avalon asked all the right questions.

“No, get out of here as quickly as you can. The last thing we need is for you two to join the exiting traffic. Get home before the Festival is over,” More instructions I felt like I just barely understood. “Where are the cars?”

“Sighisoara,” Jericho answered.

“Good, good,” Amory paused for several moments and appeared to be going over things in his head. “Ok, I think that’s everything. We’ll see you at home,” Amory shook hands with Avalon and then Jericho and Avalon shook hands. The boys all began to walk back over the hill and I followed quickly behind them.

Once over the hill I saw that we were at the edge of the town they had just been talking about. The town of Sighisoara was spread out in a quaint and quiet cityscape that fanned over the smaller foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. The buildings were hundreds of years old and the still sleeping city had a very ancient world feel to it.

I kept pace with Avalon until we found the cars tucked away in the rustic village. Both vehicles were the classic Dacias that seemed to be the only style of car allowed in Romania. Avalon pulled out a set of keys and politely opened the passengers’ side door for me.

“Oh Eden, take this,” Amory walked over and handed me the cloth bag of food. I pulled out an apple and immediately took a bite. My grimy teeth were grateful for the natural cleansing the apple blessed them with. “There is a set of clothes at the bottom of the bag,” Amory kissed the top of my head before returning to the other rusted Dacia where Jericho was waiting.

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” I asked sarcastically. Amory grinned happily back. “Hey Amory,” I yelled quickly as he began to enter his car, he paused, looking up at me. “Thank you,” I said, full of emotion.

“One day, I hope you return the favor,” his smile turned sad and then he was in the car and Jericho was driving away, leaving us in their trail of heavy exhaust.

“Let’s go,” Avalon yelled impatiently at me.

I sat down on the worn upholstery and thought longingly of my yellow Land Rover. I would never take it for granted again. I continued to munch on my apple, feeling very much at peace. Avalon gunned the gas and took off through the winding, hilly streets of another beautiful Romanian city.

I decided, I would very much like to come back to Romania under different circumstances. I couldn’t help but be excited for the remaining leg of my journey. Compared to the last few days it sounded very relaxing. For my first trip to Europe, I felt like this was quite the crash course. At least for the second portion I would have company, and it sounded like Avalon knew where he is going. That would be a nice change.

“So Lilly was really released?” I asked, breaking the silence.

“I guess so. Apparently your boyfriend spoke on her behalf and she was given a second chance. They’re going to let her return to Kingsley and everything,” Avalon’s voice was skeptical and I had a hard time believing the news as well.

I sat back, admiring the scenery, once again silent. Kiran did save Lilly. I made him promise he would, but after the fact I wasn’t sure what to expect. Butterflies attacked my stomach as I remembered the emotion in his eyes during our farewell.

The depth of longing I felt for him didn’t seem possible for someone my age. My heart was gripped with clarity; completely full of adoration for the boy I could officially consider the love of my life. My magic was stirred with the memories of our energies mingled and wild together. My cheeks blushed at the thought of my mouth once again pressed against his.

Against all reason and circumstance we had found each other in a world torn apart by our very existence. In order to be together we would have to defy all odds, defy all logic, and defy all influence. I saw two battlefields in front of me; the one that pinned Kiran against me, and the one that we would have to forge in order to be together. I understood the purpose of the Resistance, but the battle I chose to fight would be the one that brought me closer to the man I loved with every fiber of my being.