The geneva project comp.., p.119
The Geneva Project- Complete Series Boxset, page 119
“I’m sorry we lied, Sadie. You were so young. The Flood was the easiest way to explain it.”
“Will you teach me how to use my sight?”
“Sadie, it’s a curse. After our mother disappeared I used it every single day, wishing I’d see a glimpse of her. But I never did. It drove me crazy. Then before the Flood, I saw it coming. You’re actually the one who triggered the vision. I tried to warn Father, but he wouldn’t believe me. It’s a useless gift.”
“But you saw the Ravinori riders coming and you knew they were only delivering a message, not coming to attack us.”
“Yes, only because Jovi told me where to look. It’s not an exact science. I guess it takes more practice, because I’m not very good at it.”
“But can you show me how to do it?” Sadie asked again.
“Yes. But promise me that you will stay away from the Fae. They never give gifts without taking something for themselves. Just remember that, okay?”
“Okay,” Sadie promised.
“And you have to promise me something else.” Mala hesitated, looking unsure of her decision to share more. “No one knows our family history besides Mali. Our parents went through great lengths to protect us. Promise me you won’t share this letter with anyone else. We’re part Fae and part Timekeeper. The Timekeepers have been hunted to extinction. We can’t share our heritage. If others find out what we can do, we could be at risk just like our parents were.”
Chapter 37
Journey put his hand on Sparrow’s elbow and gently stopped her before she went into Nova’s tent. “Let me break it to him.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. He’s not going to take it well. You don’t need to see this.”
“But I’m his friend. I care about Nova as much as you do,” Sparrow whispered.
“I know that. And he knows it too,” Journey said gently. He pulled Sparrow to him and kissed her forehead. “Let me talk to him first, okay?”
Sparrow looked up at Journey through tear-brimmed eyes and nodded. “I’ll go pack our things.”
“Can you do something else for me?” he asked. “Ask the others not to say their goodbyes to Nova until tomorrow. He’s going to need some time with this.”
Sparrow nodded and squeezed Journey’s hand before she left.
He waited until Sparrow was out of earshot and took a deep breath before entering the tent. He knew this would break Nova, even more than he already was and it wouldn’t be pretty. He didn’t want Sparrow to witness it. She was so compassionate that she would share Nova’s pain to try to lessen the burden for him. But he also knew Nova wouldn’t want anyone else to see him so wrecked. Journey put himself in Nova’s position. If it were he and Sparrow instead of Nova and Geneva in this predicament, Journey would want someone to do the same—to look out for him—he wouldn’t want an audience.
Journey pulled back the tent flap and walked inside. Nova was laying on his cot, restraints taut on his arms and legs, a loose sheet draped over his ailing body. Journey hated seeing his friend this way. He closed his eyes, not wanting these sad images of Nova to be the last ones he’d remember. He wanted to remember him as he was before—strong, sarcastic . . . a force to be reckoned with. Someone he would proudly follow into battle. Journey reminded himself that was exactly what Nova was doing. Even though he couldn’t leave his bed, Nova was fighting his own battle. Journey would gladly go to Geneva’s aid on his friend’s behalf. He knew Nova would do it for him if their roles were reversed. That’s just the kind of guy he was and Journey was thankful to call him a friend.
Journey stopped stalling and pulled a stool over to Nova’s cot, gruffly placing his hand on Nova’s shoulder. “Mate, we have news.”
Nova awoke with a start. His hands reached blindly for Journey, as words escaped his chapped lips. “Geneva?”
“No. It’s me, mate. Journey.”
Journey waited as he watched Nova force his weary eyes to focus on him. “Journey?”
“Yes. It’s Journey. We heard from Geneva.”
Journey could feel Nova’s pulse race. He always reacted this way to hearing Geneva’s name. It was an involuntary response from his body while his hazy mind caught up and processed what was being said. Journey’s brow creased with concern. He’d made the right choice to keep Sparrow away. It was excruciating to see Nova this way. He loosened the restraints and placed his steady hands on Nova’s back, helping him sit up. The sudden change in position made Nova lightheaded. Journey waited for him to clear his vision before continuing.
“Geneva sent a summons for some of us to join her at the Tower of Lux.”
“When do we leave?” Nova asked in a raspy voice.
“You don’t.”
“What?”
“You know she couldn’t request you, mate. Malakai wouldn’t never allow it. It’d be a death sentence.”
Nova balled up the sheet in his lap and screamed into it. “I’ve already been sentenced to death!”
Journey sat stoically by while Nova fought to recover his breath.
“Who’s going?” Nova asked.
“Jovi, Mala, Sparrow, Terran, Mali, Remi and myself.”
Nova stared blankly at his hands in silence.
Journey continued. “It means she has a plan. We’re gonna bring her back, mate.”
Nova’s green eyes watered and he began to shake. “I need to see her again. One last time.”
“You will,” Journey said, clamping a steady hand over the shaking shoulders of his friend.
Nova put his hand on top of Journey’s and squeezed. “Tell her—”
“I’ll bring her back, Nova. And you can tell her all the things you want to say.”
Nova’s eyes looked surprisingly clear as he gazed back at Journey. He nodded, accepting the silent promise between them—Journey would give everything he had to make good on his word, including his life.
After a moment Journey stood up and patted Nova’s back. “You should really clean yourself up. You look like death, mate,” he ribbed and then left the tent.
Nova smiled. “Thanks,” he called after Journey.
Chapter 38
Jovi bounced around her tent packing and unpacking her things, determined to stuff everything she owned into one tattered shoulder bag.
She chattered away, while Vida watched in silence. “I knew she’d come through!” Jovi squealed. “Geneva promised one day she’d bring me to Lux! I can’t believe I get to be a lady-in-waiting. What does that even mean, Mom?”
“It means you’ll be serving Geneva. You’ll be expected to carry out tasks for her and help her with anything she needs. It means she’s trusting that she can depend on you to be an adult. You’ll have to leave you childish ways behind you. Can you do that?”
“Of course.”
“It’s a big responsibility, Jovi.”
“I know, Mom. I’m gonna be great at it. Geneva already trusts me with Niv. I bet that’s why she picked me! Because I’ve done such a great job with him. I’m so excited!”
“Jovi,” Vida said, pulling her daughter to her. “This is a serious job. There may be dangerous people at the castle. I don’t want you to trust anyone unless Geneva tells you to.”
Jovi nodded.
“Promise me.”
“I promise, Mom.”
“I’m very proud of you, Jovi. You know that, right?”
Jovi nodded again and Vida pulled her into a crushing embrace.
• • •
Light hadn’t begun to crack the horizon when everyone gathered at Nova’s bedside to say their tearful goodbyes. He’d begged Vida to wean his sedatives and remove his restraints so he could say a proper farewell to his friends.
After everyone spoke their peace, Nova cleared his throat. “Thank you for going to Geneva’s aid. It’s killing me that I can’t go with you, but I’m trusting in her plan, whatever it may be. I know you don’t owe me anything, but I have to beg a favor of each of you. Please don’t share my condition with her. So much of her life has been stolen by her destiny to be our Eva. I can’t be the cause of any more hurt for her.”
“But seeing you like this would hurt her,” Sparrow argued.
“Sparrow . . .” A pleading look passed between them. “Please keep this secret for me. Just for a little while longer.”
“But we don’t know how much longer you have,” Sparrow urged. “Nova, put yourself in her place. Wouldn’t you want to know?”
Nova hung his head. “I would. But I also would want her to know that my heart chose hers—that it wasn’t forced by some curse. I can’t rob her heart of its freedom. It would kill any chance for us to have a real future together. Please try to understand.”
Tears streamed down Sparrow’s face, but she nodded. “Fine. I’ll keep your stupid secret. But I think you’re wrong,” she said, fleeing the tent.
“Will the rest of you promise me?” Nova asked.
His friends reluctantly mumbled their agreements and began to file out of the tent.
Nova shook Mali and Terran’s hands. “Safe travels. I’m with you in spirit,” Nova said as they departed.
Jovi flung her arms around Nova’s neck. “We’ll bring her back, Nova. I promise,” she whispered.
Mala gently, pried Jovi from Nova and bid him goodbye.
Nova called to Remi as he strode toward the exit.
“What, Nova? I don’t owe you any promises and for the record I think Sparrow’s right. You not trusting Geneva is what got us here, remember?” Nova met Remi’s steely gaze with sorrow. “But don’t worry. I’m not going to go running to Geneva with anything that’s going to send her straight back into your arms.”
“I guess I deserved that,” Nova murmured after Remi left.
Journey shook his head and put a comforting hand on Nova’s shoulder. He was the last one in the tent. He grabbed Nova’s hand firmly and looked intently in to his eyes. “Farewell, brother.”
“Farewell.”
Chapter 39
Six blasts from the trumpet startled me from a restless sleep. The sound echoed through my dark chamber and almost forgot where I was for a moment—my new room. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and waited for my mind to catch up. Six blasts . . . what did six blasts announce again? The arrival of guests. Guests!
I threw back the heavy covers and leapt from my bed. I was running before my feet hit the floor. I flew up the spiral staircase leading to the second floor and threw open the doors to my balcony. The wind lashed against my thin nightgown as I hung out over the edge of the railing trying to catch a glimpse of the gate. My heart skipped when I saw a group of ragtag figures walking toward the castle. I counted them. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven . . . Seven? Oh my gods! My heart stopped when I saw the seventh and smallest figure, unmistakably skipping at the front of the group. Jovi.
“No!” I gasped. “Wake up, wake up, wake up!” I berated myself. This can’t be happening. I scrubbed my face with my hands, but when I opened my eyes again the scene was still the same. Gooseflesh stippled my skin painfully as I began to panic. I gambled and Malakai called my bluff.
The nightmare continued as I watched all seven of my friends pass through the Tower gates. When I could no longer see them I bolted into action, leaping down the last section of the staircase and flying to my closet to get dressed. I had my head stuffed through a pale blue dress when Lily came in.
“Oh no you don’t. Not today, princess.”
I grumbled from under the yards of expensive fabric. When I poked my head out I watched her directing a stream of servants into my room. They piled violet gowns on my chaise lounge. “This one’s for you,” Lily said, holding up a gorgeous gold dress.
“Who are all of those for?” I asked pointing at the pile of purple dresses.
“Your ladies,” she said with a kind smile. “You’ll be announcing them officially to the court today.”
“Oh,” I replied, nervously.
“By the way, thank you for selecting me. I’m honored.”
“So you accept?”
“It’s not really a choice, Geneva.”
“I should have asked you first. I’m sorry. It happened so fast and—”
“I’m quite happy to serve you,” she said with a curtsy. “I’ll send a team of servants in to help them get settled. And I’ll return shortly before we’re to make our debut at court.”
“When do I get to see them?” I asked breathlessly. “The other ladies, I mean.”
“They should be arriving any moment. Their quarters are right next to yours.”
Just then there was a knock on the small door behind my dressing screen. I looked to Lily for permission and she nodded.
“You’re ladies await,” she said flashing me a smile. “Enjoy your reunion.” Then she silently exited the room the way she’d come in.
Once she was gone, I ran to the door, placed a trembling hand on the white porcelain knob and twisted. The door crashed open and Sparrow, Jovi and Mala came tumbling in. They shrieked when they saw me and we wrapped each other in a tearful embrace that dissolved into a fit of giggles on the floor.
“Oh my gods!” I shrieked. “I can’t believe you’re really here! I’m so happy to see you. I’ve missed you all so much, I can’t even tell you . . .” I choked out.
Sparrow couldn’t form words. She simply nodded and squeaked and hugged me back. Mala embraced me right over top of Sparrow. “Are you all right?” she asked. “We’ve been going mad with worry.”
“I’m okay,” I assured her as Jovi wriggled her way passed the girls to me.
“Geneva!” she cried throwing her arms around my neck. “We’ve missed you so much.”
“Jovi!” I crooned, pulling her close so I could kiss her cheeks.
Jovi squealed with delight. “I knew you’d keep your promise to bring me to Lux someday. This place is even more incredible than I ever dreamed!” she exclaimed, letting her gaze wander around my massive room.
I stared at her. She looked so different. She still had the same wild brown hair and sparkling eyes I remembered, but the childish roundness in her features had begun to melt away, revealing the beautiful girl beneath.
“Look at you.” I sobbed, pulling her close again. “You look so grown up. Has it really been that long?”
“It’s been way too long,” she quipped. “And I think someone else would agree.” On cue a furry blur leapt onto my chest.
“Niv!” I bawled. “You brought him!” My face was now completely covered in tears and marmouse kisses.
“Of course. He missed you too!”
Although I knew the dangers of bringing my friends to Lux, I let myself be happy for one fleeting moment, while my heart stitched itself together surrounded by so much love. I would do anything for these girls and I knew the feeling was mutual. Sitting there in a pile of laughter on the floor changed something inside of me. It was as if having my friends so close started to fill the holes in my heart. The hollow feeling in my chest seemed less consuming and the relief from its constant void gave me clarity and renewed hope that there was no other option than for my plan to succeed. This time I wouldn’t wait for fate to dole out my sentence. I would confront it head on. I would dictate my destiny.
• • •
“So this is where you’ve been living?” Jovi called from the second floor of my room. “This place is incredible.”
“I just moved here yesterday,” I called to her.
“Where were you before?” Sparrow asked. She and Mala were already dressed and slipping into their duties by helping me into my gown.
“I was locked in the tower,” I replied.
“That’s awful,” she uttered.
“It really wasn’t all bad. I had a bed and a really nice servant. You’ll meet her. Her name is Lily. She’s another one of my ladies. Thanks for agreeing to do this, by the way.”
“We didn’t have a choice,” Mala said. She’d been stoically quiet since putting on her dress.
“I know. I’m sorry about that. I didn’t want it to be that way, but I have a plan and having you here is part of it.”
“I know you have your reasons,” Mala said. “But being back in Lux makes me uneasy. I spent years locked up under the city and I always imagined how much better life was for the citizens, but seeing it . . . it just doesn’t seem right that life can be so drastically different for some.”
“That’s exactly what I plan to change,” I said.
“I hope you can,” Mala replied. “And thank you for leaving Sadie out of this.”
“You’re welcome. I wanted to leave Jovi out of it too,” I whispered, but I miscalculated Malakai’s moves. “Same with Terran.”
Mala smirked.
“What?”
“Terran can take care of himself. Plus he was itching for some action. I don’t think the Beto lifestyle was his scene,” Mala retorted.
“Really?” I asked.
Sparrow nodded. “Yeah. Terran didn’t have it easy with the Betos. Once they found out he was a Luxor they didn’t give him much of a chance. Eja was the only one he got on with. I know Terran was sorry to leave him. They seemed to have really connected, and Eja was helping Terran make progress with his powers.”
My stomach dropped. I hated hearing that Terran was having such a rough time. And even though my heart went out to him, I could barely focus my mind on anything but Nova. I wanted to ask about him but the nagging feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach was holding me back. Was I ready to handle news about Nova? Before I could work up the nerve, Mala interrupted.
“Don’t worry about Terran. You would’ve thought he was drafted for his dream job when he saw his name on that summons.”
“I think he’s just excited he gets to continue his competition with Mali for your attention,” Sparrow added with a grin while she pinned my hair.
“What?” I asked, happily distracted by the gossip. Niv was lying lazily in my lap. I stroked his belly while my friends did my hair. I stopped petting him while waiting for a response, resulting in a nip. “Ouch! Okay, okay. I’ll keep petting you,” I said scratching him in his favorite spot between his ears.
