Page 32 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire (Order #4)
Chapter thirty-one
Kaiden
I 've been in this situation one too many times.
I know screaming does me no good.
When I left the cabin, I knew the risk I was taking looking for my sister.
Not knowing where I am or how I got here is the least of my worries.
Forest gave me her blood, that much I know.
It funneled into my system, breathing new life into me that I never realized I needed.
Now, I feel empty, unsure of where I am or how I got here-
"You were supposed to stay with Aaron at the cabin."
Jolted upward from my mindless spiral, a cold cloth falls from my forehead before landing in my lap.
Looking out a large glass window, she wears a robe of white silk. Her silver hair trails down her back in soft waves.
Looking around, it becomes increasingly evident I am in the guest quarters of a home.
"Guest quarters in our housing in the Precipice," she answers for me, already buried in the depths of my mind.
Slightly turning her head back toward me, I see the puffed irritation surrounding her eyes. It's a clear indicator she has been crying.
Moving off the bed, my only motivation is knowing she is safe.
"Forest, what-"
Feeling a burning pain shoot through my forearm, I hiss in pain. Clamping my hand over the tender skin, it feels as if my skin is on fire. Dragging up my shirt sleeve, my eyes go wide at the realization of what has etched itself into my skin.
Scarred and imperfect, the intricate crescent pattern clings to my skin.
"I-Is that-"
"You're Marked," Forest whispers, her voice filled with the first real sign of pain I have seen in a long time. "It was the only way I could keep you safe."
Trailing my fingers over the scar, reality comes crashing in.
"I-I'm Marked?" I stutter.
Finally turning around all the way, any fears I had revolving around the reasoning for my scar suddenly become increasingly insignificant.
As clear as day, the gown clings to her front. Enunciating the protruding bump, her hands run over the bump, providing the life trapped inside a gentle touch.
"F-Forest, you're-"
"Pregnant?" she questions. Looking down at her bump, a soft smile spans across her lips. "Your niece is in there," she beams.
Baffled, the rapid heartbeat of the little fetus disorientates my thinking.
"How long have you known?" I question.
Looking up, she grabs my hands, placing them on her bump.
"Since conception," she whispers. "There was no way for me to protect all of you and her standing against Elyon. I had to find a way to gain his trust. Find a way to bring it all down from the inside."
Feeling a kick against my hand, I smile. The energy within her womb is strong and valiant.
"Mason thinks there is only one way to end Elyon," I whisper. "He is not willing to entertain the idea of holding Elyon captive until we can figure something out-"
"Neither am I," Forest says sternly. "No world with Elyon in it is one I want mine and Xavier's child to live in."
"Forest, that puts your life on the line-"
"My life, after she is free from my womb, is insignificant-"
"Are you listening to yourself?!" I exclaim, dragging my hands away from her belly. "The only way we know how to truly kill Elyon is with a blade crafted from the metals of the waters he derived from and your life-"
"Do not speak to me like I do not know that to be reality. I have spent far too long running from responsibilities that were made mine by the Lockland family long ago. This is my birth right, Kai. I am doing all that I can to keep the people that I love safe before I no longer have the ability to do so-"
"And what does Xavier think of your radical thinking?" I question. Her expression drops at the mention of Xavier.
"He doesn't know," she whispers. "And he never will. The only thing he should be focusing on is our girl. Not me. I rest easy knowing she will have Xavier and you-"
"And what about us?" I cry. "What about me and Xavier? You think we can function without you?"
"You'll find a way," she says sternly. "You always find a way, Kai."
"No." I hiss. "I won't allow you to do something stupid."
Moving toward the door, she Winnows in front of me, stopping me before I can try and look for Xavier.
"Elyon does not know about her. If you go out there and start a ruckus, it will raise questions from him."
"How could he not know?" I question with confusion.
"He has his suspicions. It's becoming harder to hide her from him. A Marked pregnancy may have a longer span, but, inevitably, the signs will begin to show."
"How long before she is due?" I question with caution.
"I can feel her, Kai. I can feel her kicks and hear her thoughts," Forest whispers. "She's a fighter, just like her parents...Which is why I know she will survive what we must do."
Speaking like a crazed woman, I can hardly process what is suggesting.
"What must we do?" I scoff. "Forest, what the hell does that mean-"
"You're going to pull her from my womb," Forest snaps. "Once I deem it safe, she will be taken from my womb before my water breaks. Then, and only then, I will handle Elyon the only way I know how-"
"But Mason-"
"Mason knows," Forest yells. "Mason knows what must be done. He is no fool, Kaiden," Forest mutters. "Mason is the only one willing to do what is necessary."
"I'm sorry, I refuse to allow you to put your or her life in danger just to keep us safe."
Setting her mouth in a straight line, confliction clouds her expression.
"It's not just Mason, Kai," Forest sighs. "If he cannot do what needs to be done, there will be another. You can't stow away the inevitable."
"And what do you think happens if Elyon dies? You think you end all of this and there will not be another. Forest, think clearly. You have no idea-"
" You have no idea! " she hisses in my mind.
Stumbling backward into the bed post, her eyes are hazed with a golden tinge.
"Do not question me, Kaiden Blackburn. You may be Marked, but that does not change how new you are to it all. The only way to save our kind and my child is to end Elyon Morgan. There is no other way-"
"What would dad do?" I cry. "What would dad and mom do-"
"I wouldn't know!" she screams. "I'm the reason every fucking person in my life is dead! Don't you see, Kai?" she sobs. "I don't get to live a life. I don't get to love Xavier," my heart breaks in every way possible. "My greatest gift in this life has been loving you and Xavier. You both have taught me what it means to live. You both breathed life into me when I had nothing else to give. Being your sister is a gift I will never be able to repay, but please, Kaiden. Please. Help me. Help me give her a chance," leaning her head on my chest, her tears stain my shirt. "I'm scared, Kaiden. I'm so fucking scared."
Wrapping my arms around her, I rest my chin on her head.
"I'll find a way to keep you safe, Forest," I whisper. "To keep you both safe."
Knowing damn well she is in my mind; she knows fighting me further on the topic is useless.
Holding her tight, the energy from her child is alarming.
"He can't sense that? Elyon?"
"No," Forest smiles. "She doesn't let him-"
"She doesn't let him what?" Xavier's voice questions.
Lingering in the doorway, he rolls up his sleeves. Lined with concern, his eyes narrow on the both of us with a solemn expression. Pulling her head away from my chest, she wipes away her tears.
"Kai was just learning about his niece," Forest smiles. "Right, Kai?"
Putting me in the spotlight, she knows how desperately I want to scream to tell Xavier about her crazy plan. Ready to speak up, it's like my voice is stuck in my throat. Burying her Call in my mind, she has made it clear this conversation was only for me and her.
"Right," I force out.
Casually walking over to Forest, Xavier rubs his hand over the bump.
"How is she?" he smiles. "How are the both of you?"
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she begins to guide him out of my room.
"I will tell you all about it in our room. Kai needs sleep."
Letting her guide him, something urges me to nudge Xavier as he moves by me.
Turning his head to look at me, we briefly exchange a look, one that is far from comforting. Tensing my jaw, I shake my head as I cover my mouth. Glancing at Forest, I hope he picks up on what I am trying to say.
She told me something she doesn't want him hearing.
Please, just-
"Kaiden," Forest whispers. "Quiet."
Shutting the door on me, I wait a few seconds before trying the lock.
Scrambling into the hallway, both Forest and Xavier are gone, most likely having Winnowed the second she got them outside.
Leaning into the wall, I take a deep breath.
Aaron, Forest, Xavier, our friends, and now this baby?
How the hell are all of us going to make it out of this?