Pledged

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Pledged Page 17

by Gwynneth White


  Seth cracked a small smile and croaked, “Maybe we can share the blame.”

  “I’d go with that.”

  He rubbed a livid welt circling his neck. That made it sting even more, so he dropped his hand onto her knees. “Man, we stink!”

  “I was wondering when you’d notice.” Phineas was watching them with a bright smile.

  Seth pushed Erin gently aside and stood; then he offered her his hand and pulled her up next to him. He cleared his throat again to gain some control of his quaking voice. “Okay, Phineas, I know I was brain-dead to have tossed the sword, but how come you so-called Guardians stood back and watched us almost get killed. It was the crows, all over again.”

  Phineas pursed his lips. “Because, Seth, you have to live the consequences of your choices.” The tension in Seth’s body relaxed; not even he could argue with that logic. “And trust me, much good can come from even the worst circumstances. We Guardians are very skilled at creating blessings out of what others call disaster. That’s why we don’t always stop bad things from happening to our mortal loved ones.”

  Erin picked up the sword and held it out to Seth. Once he had attached it to his belt, she asked, “Who was that Gefallen, Phineas? He must have had a name once. When he still had some humanity in him.”

  “The word ‘humanity’ does not match very well with that Gefallen, Erin. His name is Lucien, and, as you can see, he’s still doing all he can preserve his place in Reuel’s Family.” Phineas pointed to Seth’s neck. “Do you want me to heal that for you?” When Seth nodded, he brushed a gleaming finger across the wound and it healed instantly. “Now come, the smell is truly unbearable. And I’ve lived to see my own corpse rotting!” Phineas chuckled at his joke and led them to a steamy bathhouse.

  * * *

  Reuel watched Seth soaking in a large wooden bathtub. He knew Seth preferred showering, but still the boy looked perfectly content. That’s troubling. Reuel wished, as he had so many times since his death, that he had the Guardians’ ability to read minds, but it was a power denied him in his disembodied state.

  Still, he had other formidable weapons at his disposal. Keeping himself invisible, he moved closer to Seth. Then he frowned. “And now, my pet?” he asked, speaking so only his Lightning Bird, perched on his shoulder, could hear. “Why does the boy not tremble with icy dread in our presence? This is a new development. Troubling.” He looked at the sword lying on the edge of the bath, wondering if Phineas had increased its wraith-defecting potency. But the sword was unchanged. Something else had happened to make Seth impervious to him.

  The Lightning Bird flexed its wings, ready to attack. Reuel restrained it. “Seth,” he murmured so softly that Seth’s mortal ears picked up no sound. “I’ve held you in my icy grip since Nathan first showed you Shenaya . . . but now?”

  The Lightning Bird cackled. Reuel smiled, understanding its communication. “Yes, my pet. It was indeed a joy seeing Seth in my sway in the Mists of Time.” His smile deepened into a frown. “But now that happy state has changed. He lies here, defying me.”

  The Lightning Bird cackled again. “Of course, my pet, you’re quite right. It’s only a matter of time before the boy starts speaking to himself. And then I’ll know all.”

  Seth pushed himself even deeper into the hot water, feeling calmer, and warmer, than he had for months.

  “Hey Seth,” his spirit suddenly piped up. “I think you’ve made a real discovery today.”

  Seth sighed. The last thing he wanted right now was a heavy discussion with his spirit. I’ve made lots of discoveries. Which one do you have in mind?

  “The one that interests me most.”

  Something about lifting the curse, I suppose?

  “Nah. Something way more important than that.”

  Seth hesitated, knowing exactly what his spirit was driving at; but he was nowhere near ready to admit it, not even to himself. His spirit waited. When the silence in his head became unbearable, Seth ducked his face under the water and blew bubbles. It didn’t help. He came up for air. Okay, okay. You were right all along. Freaking out like that on the hill proved to me that I love Erin. Happy now?

  “Friggin’ ecstatic!” his spirit yelped. “Now what are we going to do about it?”

  I wish I knew. Seth took a deep breath. You know what really bugs me out about this whole deal? I’m not lusting after anything. And I’m not seeking wealth. All I want is to help my brother. And to be with a girl I like. How can that be so bad?

  “Because we’re one of Reuel’s Sons. In fact, that would make it even worse than bad. It would be like pledging allegiance to Reuel.”

  Seth shook his wet hair and muttered out loud, “The more I think about me being one of Reuel’s Sons, the less I believe it.”

  Reuel smiled. His patience had been rewarded.

  “And what stroke of genius has brought you to that dramatic conclusion?” Seth’s spirit demanded.

  “Why would the Guardians make me custodian of the Seer-Stone if I’m Reuel’s cursed descendent? That’s about as crazy as putting the drug lord in charge of the rehab centre. Gideon just wouldn’t do that.”

  His spirit had to agree. “Okay, back to the main topic. Are we going to let Erin know we love her?”

  “How can I tell her I love her when I still have to keep my promise to Kyle? It would be using her, like Caleb did with Talitha. That would make me a scum player. And I might be a lot of stupid things, but I’m not and never will be a player.”

  Reuel leaned back and gave a low, bitter laugh. “Well, well, well. How illuminating.” He stroked his Lightning Bird’s plumage. “Love. Such a tedious emotion. But strong enough to melt a frozen heart.”

  The Lightning Bird flexed its wings, sending icy blue sparks zinging towards Seth. Deep in thought, Reuel held out a hand to stop them. As Seth came up for air, Reuel smiled as if a decision had been made. Then he and his Lightning Bird swept from the room.

  * * *

  Erin was sitting on the edge of the bath wrestling with her wet hair, trying to pull it into something resembling a style, when Reuel and his Lightning Bird flew into the room. Cloaked in invisibility, they watched her give up the unequal struggle.

  She touched her mouth, smiling. I’ve kissed Seth. Well, almost. CPR doesn’t really count. Still, she could feel his soft lips on hers.

  Reuel moved closer, trying to guess her thoughts. Erin looked up, sensing something off in the atmosphere. Although there was nothing to see, the bad vibe was enough for her to consider asking for help. Then she sighed. After Seth and my antics on the hill, losing the sword, I doubt any Guardian will answer.

  Reuel also wondered if she’d call; but when no Guardian appeared, he clicked his fingers. The Lightning Bird took off, winging towards Erin, pulsing blue electricity from its talons.

  “It’s not ice this one needs,” Reuel said so only the bird could hear. “It’s fire. True passion in every sense of the word.”

  The Lightning Bird brushed Erin’s cheek with a wingtip, sparking bright red flares at her. Her face flushed. She had a sudden flashback to chickenpox when her temperature had spiked well above forty degrees. The sensation passed as quickly as it came.

  Reuel smiled. “Seth, you’re in for the time of your life.”

  Chapter 12

  ENCHANTED

  Erin burst out of the washroom and bounded over to Seth.

  “You look clean and sparkly,” Seth said, smiling.

  “I feel like a new person.”

  “All we need now is some food. Maybe Phineas–”

  “Follow me,” Phineas interrupted, stepping out of the Fourth Dimension to join them. “I’ve got just the thing.”

  “It isn’t caterpillars and locusts, is it?”

  “Oh, it’s even better than that!” Phineas set off at a brisk pace, heading for the Fortress kitchen.

  Filled with inexplicable happiness, Erin sang “Yellow,” her favourite Coldplay song.

  It was one of Seth’s favour
ites, and it felt good that she liked it too. At least we’ve got something in common other than just some weird connection from before we were born. As he smiled at her, it struck him how different she looked since her bath.

  “It’s like she’s glowing,” his spirit said.

  You’re just biased. She could be covered in slime and you’d still say she’s gorgeous. But Seth had to admit his spirit was right. Erin was glowing. He longed to hold her, to run his fingers through her curls, to whisper that he loved her. And then he’d kiss her. But that’s impossible. So he sang along with her instead.

  She beamed at him, accidently-on-purpose brushing her hand against his.

  The spark that shot through his skin was electrifying. It fired up his arm, into his chest, finally somersaulting his stomach. His mind might have resolved to avoid all physical contact, but his body wouldn’t obey. He allowed their hands to bump repeatedly until they reached the kitchen.

  Phineas stopped at the door, giving them a moment to take in the scene. The walls and ceiling of the vast room were dark with a patina from countless meals cooked during the last three hundred years. Young girls, as thin as their counterparts who waited on the tables in the Lord’s Hall, were stooped over steaming cooking pots and chopping boards. Others turned antelopes on roasting spits. All were chained to their stations. Pledged patrolled, roughing up anyone who dared sneak food into her mouth or pocket.

  “Who are all these girls?” Erin asked Phineas, hardly believing what she was seeing.

  “I don’t think you’re quite ready for that answer, Erin. In fact, I wonder if you’ll ever be ready.”

  “What do mean?”

  “Like the boys, all six-year-old girls are also taken from their parents. That way Reuel ensures the breakdown of the family unit. Remember, all he wants is for his cursed to worship him. To achieve that, girls are sent to Queen Camp where they live . . . well, like queens. It’s his way of buying their loyalty. Then, once a year, after the Pledging, the pretty ones who have done well at learning the womanly arts are brought to the Fortress for the Emblem Picking.” Phineas shook his head. “Once married, the girls’ only real purpose in life is to produce children.”

  “I see.” Erin’s eyes flashed with anger. “If that’s what happens to the pretty ones, what about the not-so-pretty ones? Or the gays? Or the girls who don’t want to be married?”

  “Someone has to do all work around here,” Phineas said, pointing to the girls in the kitchen. “The ones you mention become Outcasts. Along with the boys who fail to pass their military entrance tests. Again, often for the same reasons. They are sent to live in Outcast villages, like the one below the Fortress. There they are kept as slaves and taught trades needed to make the goods that keep the Defenders in the luxury they think they deserve.”

  Erin stared at a girl chopping meat at the table closest to her. She was too emaciated to even guess at what her features had been before her fall from Queen Camp to slavery. Erin’s blood began to pound at the injustice of it all.

  “Something I don’t get, Phineas,” Seth said. “Caleb didn’t join the military. So how come he isn’t an Outcast?”

  Phineas’s eyes sparkled. “Ah . . . Caleb, our Honey Badger! Now there’s an interesting one. His refusal to Pledge threw Marlthas and his brothers into a right old tizz, I can tell you. There was just no precedent for it. Absolutely none. So they really didn’t know what to do with him. At first they hoped time and punishment would solve the problem. But then, to add to their woes, Daniel followed in Caleb’s steps when he turned thirteen.”

  “He didn’t Pledge either?”

  Face radiant with delight, Phineas replied, “The brothers made a pact to stand together against Reuel and their father. What could Marlthas do? Make both his sons Outcasts? Not possible, because who’d rule Shenaya?” His eyes became misty. “I wish you’d seen the party we Guardians threw to celebrate that wondrous day.” He was silent for a few moments, clearly enjoying reliving that victory.

  Seth cleared his throat loudly to remind him they were there.

  With a start, Phineas continued, “Since then Caleb and Daniel have headed up the hunting teams responsible for providing meat for the Fortress. That frightens Marlthas too. His traitorous sons have mastered the art of stealth.”

  “If Caleb’s such a rebel why’s he going along with this whole marriage deal?”

  “That is the question, Seth. And the answer is to be found in Gideon’s Prophecy. Allow me to explain–”

  Erin, who hadn’t been listening to Phineas, suddenly interrupted. “These girls and the other Outcasts, why don’t they fight? Overthrow Marlthas, like other people in history have done when they’ve been suppressed? I know I would.”

  “Fight with what, Erin? Their bare hands? The tools of their trades? Sticks? Outcasts have no access to weapons and armour. They live in prison towns, guarded night and day by loyal Pledged and Defenders.” Phineas gave a tired shake of his head. “No. Their only hope lies in the Gideon Prophecy.”

  “So let me get this straight,” Seth said, trying to reason it all out in his mind. “Erin and I are here, so that means the curse hasn’t been lifted. But Shenaya doesn’t exist anymore, so something must have destroyed it?”

  “How can you stand here coldly analysing all this, Seth, when there are real people suffering before your eyes?” Erin demanded, suddenly furious at his callousness.

  “I’m not being . . . I’m not coldly analysing all this, Erin. All I’m trying to do is understand how Shenaya ended.”

  “So, just because Shenaya doesn’t exist anymore, this is all okay?” Erin stepped aggressively into Seth’s personal space.

  He took a step back. “No. That’s a crazy thing to say.”

  But Erin wasn’t listening. Fuelled by the Lightning Bird’s fury, she was now burning with rage. “How can you be so cruel? So insensitive?”

  Seth’s frowned. “I’m not being cruel or insen–”

  “Just because the political entity doesn’t exists, do you honestly think these people have been freed?” Erin interrupted, now almost shouting. “I’ll bet my life they’re all still enslaved to Reuel in the Fourth Dimension. With no chance of escape.” She shot a look at Phineas to confirm what she was saying.

  Phineas nodded. “Erin’s right, Seth. That’s why we need you and Erin to finally lift the curse.”

  “Yes,” Erin yelled. “And instead of wanting to do that, Seth plans to give our Stone to his brother and his blood diamond dealer!”

  Seth took another involuntary step back, stunned by Erin’s attack. Her eyes were flashing like emeralds and the last time he had seen that she had pounced on him to rip the backpack away.

  Phineas stepped between them. “Erin, my friend, when feelings prompt you to ask the Guardians for help, you really should obey. Help will always be forthcoming. But only if you ask.” Phineas started walking. “Come,” he called over his shoulder. “Your food will be getting cold.” Phineas guided them to a pantry where a casserole of kudu and baobab leaves waited on a rickety table. With a smile and a bow, he vanished.

  Erin slumped down onto a wooden bench and buried her face in her hands, mystified by why she was so furious with Seth.

  Seth picked up a wooden spoon and stirred the casserole. “I suppose I should dish up.” When she said nothing, he pulled two bowls over and slopped in helpings of stew. “It smells good, even if I’m not so sure about the baobab leaves.” He pushed a bowl over to her.

  She took it without acknowledging him. Seth rolled his eyes, picked up a spoon and sat opposite her at the table. A glance at her face told him that conversation wasn’t on the menu. It was disappointing. Pensively, he set about separating every piece of baobab leaf out of his stew, unaware that Erin was watching him through a curtain of hair. He hooked the last piece of spoon-resistant greenery out with his finger and flicked it across the room.

  “Was that absolutely necessary? Or do you just like making work for the Outcasts? I assume
one of them is going to have to clean up after you?”

  Seth’s eyes widened. Then it struck him that Erin had asked him what attributes he had seen in himself when he’d looked back to before their births. He’d been reluctant to tell her because his strongest character trait had seemed so uncool – so lame – next to Caleb’s and Jared’s talents.

  He was a peacemaker who detested conflict. For his entire existence he’d worked to keep the people he loved happy – even if that sometimes meant walking away from them to force them to come to their senses. That was part of the reason he’d been born a thousand years after Caleb and Jared. And now conflict was staring him in the face with the girl he wanted to get to know more than anyone else on the planet. His muscles tensed; then he let out a slow whistle. “Erin, I’m not going to fight with you, no matter how much you’re spoiling for it.” He scooped the baobab leaf up off the floor with his finger, wondering what to do with it.

  Erin burst into hysterical laughter as if it was the funniest thing she’d ever seen.

  Seth wiped his finger on his jeans. “You haven’t perhaps hit that time of the month, have you?” he asked cautiously.

  Erin’s laughter stopped as suddenly as if Seth had hit the off button. “Since when has my menstrual cycle got anything to do with you?” But even as she barked the question she knew he was right. Tears pricked her eyes, threatening to spill down her face. She felt absolutely awful, like the worst PMS ever.

  Seth held up his hands and sighed. “Whatever.”

  They ate their meal in silence.

  * * *

  The Seer-Stone dropped them in a deserted lobby in the Fortress. “I wonder what time it is?” Seth ventured to ask.

  Embarrassed by her crazy behaviour, Erin forced a smile. “Let’s check.” She walked to the closest arrow slit. Fading stars and a low-slung moon gleamed over the indigo lake. “Almost dawn, I think. It’s so peaceful out there.”

  Seth leaned over her to look out. As he did, he accidently brushed against her, making her heart pound. As inexplicable as her anger had been, she now spun round to face him, her arms raised, ready to embrace him, her only thought to kiss him like there was no tomorrow.

 

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