by Casey Hays
“We need to find help,” Justin says, pulling all attention away from me.
“And where are we supposed to get help?” Jesse asks, irritated.
Justin shrugs. “From Outsiders.”
Jesse shakes his head as he lugs his pack into place on his back. “This is waste of time. What Outsider would help us after we’ve labeled them “Outsider” for one? After we’ve locked them out of the greatest city left on Earth? The villages live in isolation from each other so that things like this can’t happen—which obviously didn’t work. And two, what could they do? None of us have any experience in real fighting. What makes you think they would?”
“Because I’ve seen more of these people than you have,” Justin counters. “I’ve seen their spirits. And we locked them out of Eden for their own protection.”
Jesse shakes his head and swings open the door. “You all can do what you want. I’m going back.”
“I wouldn’t advise that,” Jeb urges. “I don’t think you realize what you’re facing. Do you think my team would have crossed over if we thought there was another option?”
“I don’t know your team, so I can’t say.” Jesse sweeps across the room. He stops at the door, yanks the bill of his ball cap down further over his eyes, and with a final glance, slips out.
After a minute, Max, who has been exceptionally quiet, slides into his own pack, tosses a regretful glance at Ian, and goes to the door.
“I can’t let him go by himself.”
The door clicks behind him. Jeb turns to Ian.
“So what’s your plan?”
Ian defers to Justin who tosses a solid glance my way before answering.
“What about Jordan? Do you know if they’re okay?”
Jeb shrugs. “It’s hard to say who’s been affected. Since I was down south and saw nothing out of the ordinary, I’m pretty certain this army came from the north. If that’s the case, they would have marched through several of the upper villages on their way through. And then again, I’m not sure the plan. For all I know, they’re taking over the world. But I can’t see that they would have much use for Jordan. From what I gathered, they came fully arm with no need of a blacksmith. It’s clearly Eden they’re after.”
Justin frowns. “Well, we won’t find help over here.”
I haven’t moved a muscle, digesting the horror of what I hear. If Jeb is correct, war is on the horizon, and my village was most definitely wrong. Mona was wrong. I feel a chill of realization that overwhelms everything in me: there is no way to dispel the threat of war. It is everywhere, and nothing can stop it. Because wherever there are humans, there lives the will to fight.
I see it so clearly. And I saw it before— in Ian’s relentless fight to escape the Pit. It’s painted through his aggression, sown into his love, fueled by his persistence. And it is the same for all of us.
I see it in Justin’s compassion, in Diana’s determination to save her babies from a life of slavery. I see it in myself as I shove Mona over the edge of the Pit. In each one of us there is the potential to fight to the death for what we love, for what we want, for what we believe. And it is endless, and dangerous . . . and beautiful.
What do I believe? How can I ever know if we don’t cross over? How will I know what I am if it is not tested out here in this big world full of danger that expands far beyond what I ever faced in the Village?
We could stay here, hiding like burrowing animals. We could make a home in this small town, hunt for our food, use the hide for clothing. And then what? How long could our peace last with an army of such strength in the world? An army that has learned to fly again? My heart thumps solidly; there is no safe place. And so, the answer is simple.
I rise to my feet. “We go to Jordan.”
Jeb swings his head toward me, surprised. Ian’s mouth opens slightly as if he plans to protest. When he agreed before, we did not know the full extent of what lies across the rushing waters. He has it in him to change his mind. But my resilience stops his mouth. He pulls his lips into a tight line, and he nods once.
“We go to Jordan,” he repeats.
I search his eyes where my own fear is reflected back at me in a wave of blue, but even in this, he doesn’t flinch. We determined to face danger together on the other side, and this is precisely what we will do. I understand his fears. He’s worried about his family, I know. And the journey has been long and harsh and full of trepidation for both of us, but there has been one destination all along. Danger is afoot, and I am more determined to reach Jordan than ever. And I refuse to be swallowed up in another man’s war before I’ve had a chance at something better. I look at Justin, and he smiles at me for the first time since Ian’s return.
“We go to Jordan,” he says, his gaze never wavering, and Diana raises her head and nods in agreement.
And so, it is settled.
Chapter 30
We spend the morning preparing for our departure. We’ve followed the winding route of the river for the bulk of our journey, but now we must veer away from it, cutting through a dense forest and crossing the wide open plains before the river comes into view again. This frightens me, and when I question the sanity of it, Justin explains that we have no choice. We are leaving one river behind to travel toward another.
“There is more than one river?” I ask in astonishment.
“Well, yeah. Some of them even run into each other so it’s hard to tell where one ends and another begins.”
We sit on the steps of the front porch. The sun is bright today, no clouds in sight, and the wind barely moves. Justin takes his time with a piece of wood, his knife working slowly as if to imitate the lazy atmosphere.
“How many are there?”
He shrugs. “Not sure.”
“And do they have names?”
He smiles at my childlike questioning. “They did once, I guess. We only have a name for ours.”
“And what do you call it?”
“The River.” At my exasperated expression, he chuckles. “No point in naming it when it’s the only one you’ll ever see.”
“I suppose not.” I smile, and pulling my knees up, I rest a cheek against them and watch him work.
I know now that Ian and the others were never supposed to cross the river. To do so is forbidden, and not just in Eden. No one in any of the villages crosses over. They believe this side of the river is filled with wild things and many dangers. It is not safe to venture over the waters, and so, they do not.
I don’t know if my people would fall under the description of wild things, but the Village has remained a secret because of their fears.
And we, of course knew nothing of them—with the exception of Mona. Despite her deception, she knew there were others across the river, as did Tara and Anna Maria at the very least. And perhaps more of the Council knew as well. When Ian’s curiosity lured him to our side, it created the perfect opportunity for Mona to fulfill her greedy desire. Somehow, she knew he was from Eden, and she knew of what he would one day be capable. Somehow, she managed to drag him from this land all the way to ours without his knowledge. But why she had wanted what she believed Ian had in him to offer was never fully divulged.
I sigh. This is not the first time I’ve run the scenario through my head. What would she need with a baby fathered by a boy from Eden? Her answer is buried with her in the depths of the earth.
Ian has gone with Jeb and some of his team, leaving me and Diana in Justin’s capable hands. He was itching to go on the hunt—to show Jeb the game he’s encountered on this side of the river. And so they left early this morning in hopes of bringing back a plentiful stock of food. A few of Jeb’s team plan to come with us when we depart, including Jeb himself. The rest will stay behind until they hear word.
“Are you worried about Jesse and Max?” I ask.
“Nope,” Justin replies without hesitation. “They can take care of themselves. And they aren’t stupid.”
“Yes. But all of you were caught once by
Mona. And she is far less dangerous than what Jeb described.”
He raises a brow. “Well, this is true.”
“And your family? Do you think they’re all right?”
He stops whittling to stare across the street. “I don’t know. I hope so.”
“And do you think it is the Set-Typhon that have overtaken Eden?”
He flips the wood over to begin carving the other side, and even at my endless line of questioning, he shows no annoyance.
“I don’t think so. The Set-Typhon are a scary bunch, for sure, but they aren’t a big tribe. I doubt they have a thousand people, let alone an army that big.”
“Then who do you think they are?”
He looks at me briefly and drops his eyes to the carving. “I have no idea.”
“Perhaps Jesse was right, and the Set-Typhon had nothing to do with throwing a knife at Ian. Perhaps there is something greater to fear.”
He only nods. I can’t determine if he agrees with me or simply doesn’t have an answer.
I watch a honeybee buzz past us on its way to a bush full of yellow flowers near the edge of the porch. I am truly amazed at the amount of vegetation amidst such disaster. The manmade abodes have crumbled with disuse at the same speed as the adornments of the earth have sprouted with life—the only viable life left in these places. It brings a small peace with it, as if something has deliberately sustained some beauty in the world that sings out to whoever created it.
And who did? Not the Moirai. And not one of the constellations had a single hand in forming this great, big world that only in recent days has become reality for me. I never heard of the Archer creating anything—except my misery.
I reach out, pluck a short-stemmed flower, and press it to my nose to take in its fragrance.
Justin glances at me, his hand stilled above his work.
“I hope Ian remembers to tell you how beautiful you are.”
My head snaps up in shock, but he doesn’t falter.
“You are, you know? Much prettier than that flower.”
I study the flower, knowing by the heat that my cheeks redden.
“Justin—” I begin, but he cuts me off.
“No, don’t say anything. I have to get this off my chest, and then I’ll be done with it.”
I meet his eyes.
“You don’t know how relieved I was to see Ian when he came back from your village. I thought he was dead, and I was never going to see my best friend again.” He licks his lips, whittles a couple more niches into his carving. “I rushed to see him the minute I heard he was back. He was glad to see me, too, but as the days went by, I noticed he was different. Depressed even. Like he wasn’t adjusting to being back. For the longest time, he wouldn’t tell me what had happened to him out there.”
I listen intently, my arms wrapped around my bent knees. The forgotten flower dangles from the tips of my fingers.
“When he finally fessed up, I couldn’t believe it. He’d crossed the river, for one. He’d been captured by a band of women. It was a pretty incredible story. But then . . . he started talking about you—the breeder they sent to him. Only you weren’t a breeder. You became everything he needed to survive. A friend, a companion, his salvation.” His smile is a tight line. “His words, not mine.”
I swallow, drawn in by the lilt of his voice that forces me to relive my time with Ian in the Pit.
“He told me that you were the bravest girl he’d ever met, and stronger than any girl in Eden because your strength came from within.”
His eyes find me, dark and brooding. They linger on my face before dropping to take in the scar on my wrist. I catch my breath, hold it. I can’t find it in me to speak.
“When he told me all the things you risked because you were not about to betray your own heart, and how you suffered for those choices, I was in awe. I don’t think I know of too many people who would’ve done half of what you did—who would have taken all the abuse. The beatings.” He looks at me. “I admired you long before I ever laid eyes on you. But when I finally did see you, I knew exactly what he meant. That strength in you? It kind of glows all around you.” He smiles, shakes his head. “I know, that sounds pretty stupid.”
He carves again. I watch him unsure if he is finished. Unsure whether I should respond. He raises his head.
“I’ve spent all this time with you now, and I admire you even more. You’re feisty. And your determined. You never give up—not on anyone. Not even on Ian, as many times as he’s let you down. And . . . I can’t help how I feel. I like you, Kate.” His eyes flicker, and he looks away. “But you’re with Ian, and he loves you, and I would never cross that line. Never.” He shrugs. “I guess I just needed you to know. Just so that I could, you know, get over it.”
I nod, squeeze the stem of the flower tightly.
“I’m glad you told me,” I say. “I do value our friendship. You are the central reason Diana and I have been able to endure this journey.”
He looks surprised, so I continue.
“Justin, there are many things in you that are not in Ian. Qualities that, in some ways, make you better than him. You . . . are much more stable. I would be a fool to overlook this.”
He tucks his lips between his teeth, and I see a line of tears form across the bottom lid of his near-black eyes. I reach for his hand, cup it with mine.
“I’ve sensed your feelings.”
He raises his brows. “You have?”
I nod.
“And here I thought I was being so discreet.”
I laugh. “I don’t know many males, Justin. But there are a few who have made an unforgettable impact on me.”
He goes still, and I tug on his hand gently.
“One of them is you. And yes, Ian has my heart. But you did manage to tug off a small piece of it.”
He smiles, squeezing my fingers. “Good.” After a moment he adds. “Do you remember when you asked me if I regretted coming to your village?”
“Yes.” My heart speeds its beating.
Without another word, he hands me his carving. I stare at it in disbelief.
It’s a tiny, near-perfect replica of . . . me.
“You were worth it,” he says quietly.
I blink back tears. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
He picks up another piece of wood, smiling with a deep satisfaction. “Sure.”
I run my fingers along the edge, admiring the intricate features of my own face. And I am completely humbled by such a gift.
A door squeaks open across the street, and a man and a young woman, both toweringly tall and full of muscle, emerge from a house. He jumps the rickety railing, which still manages to surround one half of the porch, and lands in the grass with an easy bounce; she takes the steps. They’ve shed their hunting clothes and are both donned in sleeveless tops.
The dwellings are inadequate, I’m certain, compared to what they are accustomed to in Eden, but they have no choice if they plan to stay in this territory. And it appears they’ve settled in. He carries a spear, long and slender with a sharpened point of gray steel. He says something to her, she nods, and he moves along down the street.
I feel a tiny prick of fear for my village as I watch him pass by. If they choose to stay on this side, what would prevent them from moving farther west until they came upon my people? The terrifying thought consumes me for a brief moment.
The woman spots us, her eyes glazing over me indifferently, but then she sees Justin sitting here in all the bulk of a citizen of Eden. A sudden and clear glint of recognition crosses her face. She makes her way across the crumbling street to where we sit.
“Do you know her?” I ask Justin, and he raises his head to take in the woman who has suddenly picked up speed to reach us. He pulls in a quick, surprised breath.
“That’s my cousin Liza.”
I study her. I know what a cousin is in limitation. Ian explained family units to me once. Justin sets his carving aside and leaps to his feet as she flies into
his embrace.
“Justin, what are you doing here?”
She leans back to cup his face in her hands, and the relief gushing from her severely contrasts the scolding nature of her question. She’s very young, possibly just eighteen. Her shirt is cut in a V along the neck, and I see her tattoo peeking out from the beneath the material along her shoulder blade. It’s an infinity symbol of roses. She wears her dark hair pulled back from her face to reveal the sharp angle of her neck.
“It’s a long story.” Justin averts her question with one of his own. “What are you doing here? Did you finish your training?”
“Yeah. About a month ago,” she answers. “You would know if you hadn’t forgotten to come back from your stupid camping trip.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he teases. “Get off my back already.”
Her eyes flicker toward me.
“Hi.”
I stand. “Hello.”
The top of my head barely reaches her shoulder, and she loosens her hold on Justin to examine me. I am overwhelmingly intimidated by her. She reminds me of Justin in so many ways. The shape of her eyes, the curve of her pursed lips. She’s as tall, if not taller, than the jailers in the Pit, but with slender, bronzed muscles and much more grace. A long sword hangs at her side and runs the length of her leg nearly to her ankle. I’ve never seen such an intense blade, and the large knife at my side shrinks in comparison. I slide back a step until the heel of my shoe hits the bottom edge of the steps.
“This is Kate.”
Justin moves in to lay a hand against the small of my back, stilling the nerves suddenly racing up and down my spine. Liza scrutinizes me with her charcoal glare.
“You haven’t shifted.” She faces Justin. “It’s bad enough that you crossed the river, but you brought a baby with you? What were you thinking?”
He sighs, rolling his eyes, and keeps to the ploy. “I know. It was stupid. But does it matter now? It’s not like we can get back into the city. I did her a favor.”
“Right.” Liza crosses her arms over her chest, and peers at me. “And did he convince you to run away with him? I wouldn’t be surprised.”