The Garden of Eden (Silent Moments Series: Book 5)

Chapter 16

Moving towards them, I called out, "Madi," my voice filled with a mix of relief and concern. The need to ensure her safety overshadowed all else in that moment.

Madi's eyes sparkled with interest as she discussed Wonkru combat tactics with Gaia. Her enthusiasm was palpable, a testament to her thirst for knowledge and understanding of this new world.

Gaia, noting Madi's insights, proposed, "Perhaps she could train with our novitiates and share her experiences."

I appreciated Gaia's recognition of Madi's potential, but my protective instincts overrode any other consideration. "Thank you, Gaia, but Madi's not Wonkru. She's Shallow Valley," I gently reminded her, steering the conversation away from any path that might endanger Madi.

Gaia's curiosity then turned to our survival story. "So that's how you survived Praimfaya?" she mused, intrigued by our presence in the Valley.

Madi, sticking to our agreed-upon narrative, confidently replied, "Yes, but Kegan's bone marrow made me a nightblood." My heart ached at her adherence to this falsehood, a necessary deception to ensure her safety. Gaia hummed thoughtfully, her gaze lingering, and I sensed her astuteness. "I owe him my life," Madi added, her smile at me filled with genuine gratitude.

Sensing the need for privacy, I gently intervened, "Gaia, would you excuse us?" and guided Madi away.

As night enveloped our camp, Madi and I retreated to our tent. She curled up against me, her head resting on my chest, reminiscent of countless nights in the valley. Yet, the tranquility of the past eluded me now. My mind raced with worries, primarily about Gaia's potential to discern the truth about Madi. Lying awake, I contemplated our situation. Madi's innocent slumber contrasted sharply with my restless vigilance. The thought of Gaia unraveling our carefully crafted story loomed over me like a dark cloud. My resolve to protect Madi, to keep her true identity hidden, was unwavering, yet the pressure of this secret was a constant companion in the stillness of the night.

The soft call of my name in the dead of night took me by surprise. "Kegan?" It was Cass. "Kegan, you awake?"

Carefully, I eased out from under Madi's head, my movements gentle to avoid disturbing her. "Yeah," I whispered back as Cass's head appeared at the tent entrance. "Shhh," I cautioned, "Madi's sleeping."

Cass quietly sat down on a nearby crate, her demeanor reflecting a mix of concern and curiosity. "Am I crazy or are you avoiding me?" she inquired, her voice soft but direct.

I sighed, feeling the weight of our transformed world. "No, I'm sorry. It's just, everything's so different now," I admitted, a sense of nostalgia-tinged my words.

She handed me a panther carved from stone, a token that spoke of our past. "Not so different," she said with a gentle smile. "You saved our lives again. Thank you, by the way."

Looking back at Madi, I chuckled. "That wasn't me. That was Bellamy. I was ready to go to war to protect her," I confessed, my gaze lingering on the sleeping figure.

Cass nodded understandingly. "Looks like we both found new families," she observed, her eyes softening.

Curiosity led me to ask, "So, you're happy here?"

Cass shared her journey, "It was hard for a while. Really hard, but we survived, thanks to Octavia."

"You mean, Blodreina?" I couldn't help but let out, sarcasm seeping through.

"How do you explain the sun to someone who's never seen it?" Cass countered, her question reflective.

Our conversation shifted to the Flame. "Does Gaia still have it?" I probed.

"They say you made Madi into a natblida," Cass said, a hint of skepticism in her tone. "Is that true?"

"Yeah," I replied, but my voice betrayed me.

Cass looked at me intently. "I can still tell when you're lying."

Before I could respond, a loud clang from outside interrupted us. I grabbed a knife, my instincts kicking in, with Cass following suit. We cautiously approached the source of the noise. Turning around, my heart raced as I saw Gaia holding a cloth over her face, her presence adding an unexpected twist to the night's already mysterious atmosphere.

"Gaia, what the hell do you think you're doing?" I hissed, my voice barely containing my shock and anger.

"Protecting the last true natblida," she whispered back. "As my order has always done. Now, are you going to help me or not?"

I shook my head in disbelief and moved towards Cass's unconscious body. "I'll do anything to protect Madi," I murmured, lifting Cass over my shoulder, following Gaia in silence.

"Whose side are you on, Gaia?" I asked her, as we entered a secluded room. "Fleimkepa or Wonkru?"

"Blodreina saved my life," Gaia sighed, her voice tinged with conflict. "But my faith... I can't abandon it."

She unfolded a leather case, revealing a glass bottle filled with liquid. My hand shot out, grasping her wrist. "You're out of your mind if you think I'll let you harm my friend," I growled.

"Cass is not your friend," Gaia countered sharply. "You're Wonkru, or you're the enemy of Wonkru. That's her belief. This is the only way to protect Madi."

"I said no," I declared firmly, releasing her wrist.

Gaia tried to argue, but I cut her off. "Madi is not a threat to Octavia," I stressed.

"Keep your voice down," she commanded. "She's a child, yes, a nightblood child who appeared just as we rose from the ashes. That's no coincidence, Kegan."

My heart raced as I grabbed her, pressing my knife against her throat. "If you think to force the flame on Madi—"

"I would never do that," Gaia argued, her eyes wide with sincerity. "And I'm not the one you should be afraid of."

Cass started stirring, bringing me back to the present. I took a deep breath and released Gaia. "Go, before she sees you," I sighed, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

"I hope you know what you're doing," Gaia snapped as she left.

"So do I," I muttered to myself, turning my attention to Cass, who was now trying to sit up, confusion evident in her groggy movements.

Cass's eyes fluttered open, confusion etched on her face as she struggled to orient herself. "Kegan, what happened?" she asked, her voice groggy and weak.

I took her hand, offering support. "Someone tried to attack you. I didn't see his face," I said, carefully crafting the lie to protect Gaia and preserve Madi's secret. "Why would one of your own people want to do that?"

Cass's response was tinged with a dark understanding. "These are dangerous times for all of us," she said, a shadow crossing her features, hinting at the deeper troubles brewing within Wonkru.

My mind raced with concern for Madi. "Even Madi?" I asked subtly, trying to gauge her reaction.

Cass looked at me squarely, her expression turning cold. "I'm sorry, my friend, but a true nightblood could tear Wonkru apart," she stated, her tone devoid of previous camaraderie.

A pang of sorrow mixed with understanding hit me. The bond we shared had been altered by time and circumstance. "Give me till morning to tell Octavia myself," I requested, my voice firm with resolve.

Cass nodded, her assurance laced with doubt. "If you tell the truth, she will show mercy," she said, though her eyes betrayed her uncertainty.

"Are you sure about that?" I pressed, my skepticism evident in my tone.

"No, but I sure do hope so," she replied softly, her words trailing off as she turned to leave the tent.