Eden (Eden Saga) Read online

  The group was more relaxed than before, when guns and swords were brandished and harsh words exchanged. When Alexandra and Father Callahan approached, the foul-mouthed soldier dropped to his knees again.

  One of the other soldiers asked, “What are you doing, Harris?”

  The soldier on his knees said, “When in front of your Savior, you kneel!”

  “There’s no need for that,” Alexandra said, “I’m nobody’s savior.”

  The general stepped forward and said, “Thanks, but you probably saved my life.”

  Alexandra admired the general’s strong physique and handsome features, even if a bit rough. “I-I don’t even know what happened,” Alexandra said.

  “First, let’s get some bookkeeping done,” the general said. “I’m Todd Ryan. The two men by the jeep are Privates Greene and Jarvis. Next, the foul-mouthed black gentleman kneeling before you is Sergeant Harris. Lastly, care to explain to me why you have a wounded demon in your rig?”

  Koneh stepped to Alexandra’s side and whispered, “They want to take you back to the base.”

  She closed her eyes. Though she enjoyed the spotlight, this was almost too much.

  “Slow down everyone,” she said, “I’m going to go get some water and maybe some food. If anyone wants to talk to me about stuff after that, fine. While I’m eating, if anyone tries to talk to me about demons, army bases or my divinity - it’ll have to wait.”

  Father Callahan chuckled and followed her to the rear of the rig. “You impress me at every turn, Alexandra Contreras,” he said.

  She downed some water and ripped open an MRE. In between mouthfuls of cold ziti, she said, “I think I scared them.”

  The rest of the group huddled around the jeep and talked. Every now and then someone would glance at her and then resume their discussion.

  “Take your time,” Father Callahan said. “You don’t have to answer to them anymore. Instead, I think you’ll find everyone will answer to you.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.” She tossed the MRE container on the ground. No sense in saving the planet from pollution anymore.

  “Litterbug,” Father Callahan said as he dropped his own empty MRE.

  “Okay,” Alexandra said as she approached the jeep, “We’ll start with the Sergeant.”

  The soldier pointed to his chest and asked, “Me?”

  Alexandra nodded. “You. Don’t kneel. It makes me uncomfortable.”

  Sergeant Harris looked away to avoid eye contact with her. Then, the soldier nodded and cleared his throat.

  “General Ryan,” Alexandra said, “before I answer your questions, you will answer mine.”

  The general crossed his arms over his chest and said, “Ask away.”

  “What were you guys firing at back there?”

  “Demons,” General Ryan said. “We were returning from our airfield when we were attacked. The other three jeeps and the tank were destroyed. If we hadn’t seen your campfire and your friend Koneh hadn’t arrived, we would’ve died as well.”

  Alexandra glanced at Koneh who rested against the jeep and curled his fist. He appeared injured.

  “Wait a sec,” Alexandra said as she approached her guide. “Are you all right?”

  Koneh snapped his eyes up to her and said, “Yes, I am fine.”

  His right hand wraps were wet with a dark liquid, probably blood. He didn’t look fine to her.

  “You sure?”

  He waved his other hand. “Go. You have important things to do.”

  “Not until I’m sure you’re all right,” she said as she reached for his wounded hand.

  Koneh pulled away and said, “Your concern is wasted on me. Finish what you started here and we can talk later.”

  After one more glance at her wounded friend, she said, “Okay, General Ryan. First, that is no demon in the truck. Her name is Erzulie, and she is a fallen angel. What’s more, she’s my friend. Attack her, and you attack me. Understood?”

  General Ryan raised his eyebrows and said, “Very well.”

  “Secondly, what’s this I hear about an army base? You wish to take me there?”

  “Well,” General Ryan said, “it’s the least I can do to repay the people who saved my life and the lives of my men. Good food, maybe a warm bath, not to mention the safety my battalion can provide. I assumed you were headed to the base anyway, before Koneh told me you were just passing through.”

  Alexandra crossed her arms over her chest. “We were just passing though. However, I don’t see the harm in accepting your offer.”

  Koneh stepped towards her and said, “No. Too dangerous.”

  For once, she understood Koneh’s caution. Who knew what to expect?

  “Okay,” she said, “we’ll follow you on one condition.”

  General Ryan said, “Name it.”

  “You and your men make no mention of Erzulie or what happened between you and me,” Alexandra said. “We’re just normal travelers passing through Veracruz. Nothing more.”

  “Done,” he said. “May I ask where you are passing through to?”

  “That’s our business,” Alexandra said. “I’m serious about this, General. Nobody says anything.”

  “You have my word,” General Ryan said. “Okay men, pack it up. We’re going home.”

  After about an hour, they arrived at the base. Spotlights illuminated their arrival and the hum of generators filled the night air.

  They passed through the steel gates and Alexandra noted the gun towers. They were ready for action. The interior of the base was dominated by squat bunkers and concrete buildings. Some light spilled through the windows of the structures, but most were dark.

  General Ryan gave Alexandra’s group a small bunker to themselves. After Koneh carried Erzulie inside, everyone picked beds and settled in.

  Alexandra addressed her group. “Okay, the same goes for all of you. Don’t mention Erzulie, and definitely don’t talk about what happened between me and the general.” She paused, not sure if she wanted to say what she was feeling. After a moment, she decided to speak her mind. “If anyone wants to stay here rather than continuing on with me, I understand. No hard feelings.”

  After Alexandra’s speech, Marco left to explore the compound. Father Callahan and Santino were asleep before their heads hit their pillows. As Alexandra dragged a bed to be closer to Erzulie, Koneh stepped to her side.

  “Listen,” he said, “I know what you are feeling right now.”

  “No, Koneh, you don’t know how I feel right now,” she said. “Why do I sometimes think I’d be better off if you never got between me and that mob the night we met?”

  “You don’t wish that. There is so much strength in you, Alexandra. You don’t even realize it.”

  “So, now you’re going to kiss my ass like everyone else?” she asked with a grin at the corner of her mouth.

  Koneh huffed. “Maybe I should have left you to that mob.”

  “You know, sometimes you’re not a heartless jerk.”

  He chuckled and said, “I should learn to space those moments closer together.”

  Alexandra laughed. “Quite the ride we’re on. I never expected to be doing this during my thirties. This is supposed to be my best decade.”

  “It may be yet,” Koneh said. “Get some rest. I will watch the exits.”

  “Sounds good, after I check on Erzulie.”

  Koneh studied Alexandra for a moment. Then, he said, “You really care for her, don’t you?”

  “Of course I do,” she said.

  “Even Yeshua treated His angels like servants,” he said. “You are different, Alexandra Contreras.”

  She sighed. “Let’s not start comparing me to… anyone. Okay?”

  Koneh grasped her hands and looked into her eyes. She tried desperately to read his emotions, but he was a complex subject.

  “The coming days and weeks will be difficult,” he said. “Know that I am here. You can lean on my shoulder anytime you need, understood?�
��

  She smiled and squeezed his hands. “Thank you. That means a lot to me, really.”

  Koneh opened his mouth to speak, but he restrained himself. Averting his eyes, he dropped her hands and resumed his inspection of the bunker. What was he going to say? Alexandra’s heart tore a little as she wondered if her feelings were genuine. Or, more realistically, was she just clinging to the man who had saved her life?

  After parting with him, Alexandra finished dragging the bed to Erzulie.

  “He’s quite the man, wouldn’t you agree?” Erzulie said.

  Alexandra looked over her shoulder. “Who? Koneh? He’s something else, that’s for sure. He’s kind of secretive about his past, though. I don’t suppose you could shed some light upon that subject?”

  Erzulie said, “I cannot keep anything from you, my Lady. However, Koneh expressed his desire that I do not divulge anything about his past to you. He knows the rules, and now you do as well. He knows I would have no choice but to tell you if you so commanded. The choice is yours.”

  So, there was the cookie jar, opened and within reach.

  “Never mind,” Alexandra said, “he’ll tell me when he’s ready. Though, I don’t understand all the secrecy. I trust him.”

  “Koneh is fearful of his past,” Erzulie said. “Sometimes you humans do things and afterwards are vastly ashamed of them. This I’ll never understand.”

  Alexandra curled into a ball on her bed and said, “You and me both.”

  “You must be tired, dear,” Erzulie said. “Fear not, you are safe with Koneh as your protector.”

  Alexandra closed her eyes. “I don’t doubt that. I have so many questions for you.”

  “I will be here when you awake,” Erzulie said, “and every day after that for as long as you feel my service is worthy.”

  Alexandra smiled and said, “I’m glad you’re here. Can you stay awake until I fall asleep?”

  “Always.”

  The next morning was a fine morning for Alexandra. First, she took a two-hour bath. General Ryan left a present for the group of weary travelers – black army fatigues. Alexandra’s set was made for a woman, and the clean fabric felt as refreshing as the bath. Koneh was the only one to refuse the new clothing. Erzulie remained in her original garb as well, as the U.S. Military didn’t account for a wingspan.

  Alexandra enjoyed a warm breakfast with Father Callahan, Santino and the soldiers. Then, she spent the rest of the morning on a tour of the base with General Ryan.

  “I’ll tell you one thing,” Alexandra said after the tour left them at the top of a tower, “the soldiers and their families are faring better than anyone else I’ve seen out in the wasteland.”

  “We were fortunate,” General Ryan said. “The quake didn’t hit us too hard. However, we have had our share of demon attacks.” He leaned against the railing and continued, “I used to come up here in the morning to watch the sun rise over the water. I’d give anything to see the sun again.”

  “I know what you mean,” she said. After a day of avoiding the topic of what happened between her and the general, she felt anxious.

  “So,” General Ryan said, “we’re alone now.”

  “Yes?”

  He sighed. “You have to understand. Everyone here is desperate for hope. All we have seen is death and despair. Then, along comes a woman with the power to heal. And you ask me to keep this a secret? Why? What are you afraid of?”

  “Everything,” she said. “It’s not like I’ve had a lifetime to prepare for this.”

  “So, are you…? What? A saint?”

  Alexandra sighed. “I don’t know. Koneh seems to believe I am the… well, it’s almost too ridiculous to say out loud.”

  “I think I know,” he said. “Sergeant Harris believes you are the next Jesus Christ.”

  Alexandra threw her arms into the air and let them fall against her hips. “And there you have it! The most outlandish idea I’ve ever heard.”

  General Ryan rubbed his neck. “I dunno, how do you explain my speedy healing in the jeep?”

  “I can’t.”

  “Maybe we don’t need it explained, maybe we do. I don’t know what effect this kind of news would have on people,” he said. “But, I imagine everyone would be overjoyed.”

  “I guess,” she said. “I don’t know. Koneh seems to think I’m Elah’s daughter. At first, I thought he was crazy. Now? I’m not sure what to think.”

  “Elah?”

  “Oh,” Alexandra said. “Elah is God. Apparently, He or She has a name.”

  “I see.”

  “Did you feel or see anything when I healed you?” she asked, hoping for answers any way she could find them.

  He rubbed his chin again and said, “Not really. After that demon wounded me, everything was pretty hazy until I saw you. I thought you were an angel.”

  Alexandra laughed. “I’m no angel, I can assure you.”

  “Nevertheless, your beautiful face brought me back from the darkness. I am forever in your debt.”

  Alexandra stared into the red-black horizon as she imagined the ocean in the distance. Why did she feel like she had more questions now that she had more answers? The paradox annoyed her.

  “Well,” General Ryan said as he slapped the railing, “I better get back to my duties.”

  Alexandra sighed. “Yeah, I should check on Erzulie.”

  “You know, you’re welcome to stay as long as you like. Permanently even. Everyone is.”

  “Thanks. Some of us might.”

  “It’s refreshing to have new faces around. Please consider it.”

  “I will,” she said.

  The offer was indeed tempting.

  Chapter 15

  Koneh swung his sword in a wide arc at Alexandra. Defending herself, she raised Erzulie’s slim blade to block. However, the force of his attack was overpowering. She lost her grip on her weapon and tumbled backwards to the floor of the bunker.

  “Damn!” Alexandra said.

  Koneh planted the tip of his blade into the ground and asked, “Do you know what you did wrong?”

  She nodded and raised herself on her wobbly legs again. “I should have deflected the attack instead of meeting it head-on. I should have kept moving.”

  “Let us call it a day,” Koneh said.

  Alexandra didn’t argue. She headed straight for the showers and enjoyed another warm bath. As she soaked in the suds, she replayed the day’s training over and over in her head. Her mistakes were simple and correctable.

  She spent the previous night convincing Koneh to train her. “I feel useless!” she had said.

  “Your soul must remain pure,” Koneh had said. “Let me bear the burden of sin upon my blade.”

  “And if I command you to help me?” Alexandra had asked as her final resort.

  “Then I will train you, but I urge you to remember, the more you sin the farther from Eden you will be.”

  Alexandra asked him to explain what he meant by that remark, but he shook his head and told her to ask Erzulie how sinning worked. Unfortunately, the fallen angel had slipped into a deep hibernation to finish healing her wounds.

  Now, as Alexandra wiped herself dry from the bath, she planned to ask Erzulie about the workings of sin. On the way to the lockers, she stopped to examine her reflection in the mirror. Her bronze skin was drawn tight enough to show her ribs, yet her muscles bulged slightly around her arms and above her knees. Once her prize possession, Alexandra’s hair spiked in every direction as it spilled down her back and over her bottom.

  “I think I’m going to cut you,” she said as she ran her hand through the dark strands.

  “Now that would be a shame.”

  She jumped. “Marco?!”

  “Si,” Marco said as he emerged from behind a row of lockers and focused his eyes upon her.

  Alexandra snapped her towel closed around her body and glared at the intruder. “Just what do you think you are doing?”

  “Same as you – admiring.
”

  “I wasn’t-” She growled. “Get out of here!”

  He held his hands up in defense. “Okay, okay. I’m leaving. Your boyfriend general stopped by. He wants to talk to you.”

  After a parting smile, Marco left the locker room.

  Alexandra felt like she needed another bath after the way Marco’s eyes devoured her naked body. Shaking her head, she walked to her locker and noticed a new set of black army fatigues on the bench. Two different sets of clean clothes in two days? Such an event was almost cause for celebration in her mind. After looking around the room for more peeping Toms, she shed her towel and donned her new clothing.

  Erzulie was still in hibernation sleep, so Alexandra left the bunker to find General Ryan. A group of soldiers pointed her in the direction of the chapel.

  Father Callahan emerged from the chapel as Alexandra reached for the door.

  “Oh,” he said, “fancy meeting you here.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked playfully.

  “Nothing, nothing.”

  “I was looking for the General. Is he inside?”

  Father Callahan nodded.

  “Good,” she said.

  “How are you doing?”

  “Me? I’m fine,” she said, though she didn’t convince even herself.

  “Anything you want to talk about?” he asked.

  Even if Alexandra knew what she wanted to discuss with the priest, she wasn’t sure she was ready. She felt like she was near the top of a roller coaster’s lift hill, ready for the deep plunge. Maybe she’d have her feelings sorted after that first drop.

  She shook her head. “Nah. Really, I’m fine.”

  “Okay,” Father Callahan said. “I’m here if you need me. You know that, right?”

  She hugged him and said, “Of course. Thank you.”

  Rows of candles lit the small chapel and threw long shadows into the corners. Like a church, the chapel had pews, an altar and a cross. However everything was miniaturized with only five rows of pews on each side and the altar reachable from the front seats. General Ryan looked up from one of the pews. He was the lone occupant.

  “Hello there,” he said.

  “Hi.”

  After a long moment of silence, he asked, “Did you want to pray?”