Becoming Calder (A Sign of Love Novel)(52)

"Will you come with us?"
Xander nodded. "Yeah."
Relief flooded me. "Seriously? So we're really going to do this?"
Xander squinted up into the sun. "We're gonna try." He turned toward me. "But, listen, I'm gonna be honest, we have a lot going against us here. Hector educated us only because the state would've cleared us out if he didn't. But we're gonna be like fish out of water out there." He waved his arm in the direction of the city miles beyond us, maybe to the entire world beyond us. "I mean, we're eighteen-year-old men, and we have no skills other than farming and walking around for hours a day." He laughed, but it was hollow.
I was quiet for a minute. "I've been wondering," I massaged the back of my neck for a second, "that woman from the school system came out here every month to look at our lesson plans."
"Yeah, I remember her," Xander said. "That's what I meant about Hector educating us because of the state laws."
I nodded. "Right. So why didn't anyone ever check up on Eden? How did Hector get away with not educating her?"
Xander stared out at the road and then shrugged. "I have no idea. Maybe since he's her guardian, he can do as he pleases?"
I furrowed my brow and let out a breath, not having any idea what to make of that. "Do you think Kristi would help us? I don't even know where to start."
Xander nodded. "I think so. Let me talk to her and I'll let you know what she says."
"Okay." I looked at him. "Thank you."
He extended his hand. I gripped it. "Whatever I have, you have half."
I let out a breath, feeling emotion wash over me. "Same goes for you, brother," I said solemnly.
I looked back at the road, steeling myself for what might be to come.

**********

A few days after I talked to Xander on the edge of Acadia, I was walking home after my work in the fields when, from a distance, I saw Eden entering the Temple. I was far away, but she couldn't be mistaken with that long fall of golden hair. Mother Miriam stopped at the front and sat down on the small, stone bench to the side of the doors as Eden disappeared inside.
I turned hastily and made my way to the other side of the field where I was able to walk straight to the back of the Temple without being seen from the front or the sides. I looked around and when I didn't spot anyone nearby I tried the back door, found it unlocked and quickly ducked inside, latching it behind me. In Acadia, there was little reason to lock doors. Our security walked the perimeter so we felt secure that the only people inside were family.
I stood listening for a minute and then I peeked around the open doorway that led directly to the front stage. I spotted Eden alone, kneeling in prayer in front of the twelve candles on the left wall, each one representing one of our gods. Her eyes were closed and her lips moved ever so slightly.
I walked forward, my footfalls creating no noise at all, and stood with my hip propped against Hector's podium.
"I thought you only prayed to one," I said softly.
Eden startled, her eyes flying open as she brought one hand up to her chest. She simply stared at me for a beat and then her face broke out in a stunning smile.
"In my mind, I do. The other ones just happen to be represented here."
I tilted my head, studying her. "Does he ever answer you?" I asked, raising my eyes heavenward.
Eden shrugged, as her eyes met mine. "If you mean does he talk to me like Hector says the gods talk to him, no." She shook her head. "But every once in a while . . ." She stood and the candlelight behind her in the dim, windowless room, outlined her shape under her white skirt and blouse. My body stirred. "Every once in a while I hear something . . . something between a feeling and a whisper." She began walking toward me, a small smile on her face. Gods, she was stunningly beautiful. Sometimes she seemed unreal to me—a vision. Had I really just touched her so intimately? How could that not have been a dream? "Do you ever hear them whisper?" she asked on a smile.
"No," I said, standing up straight and turning fully toward her as she approached me.
"Maybe you're not listening closely enough." She raised a delicate brow. She was teasing me.
My lips lifted in a small smile. She was so beautiful, I felt something close to fear looking at her—like no matter what I did, no matter what I tried, I'd never get enough of her. I'd never resist her pull. But I had no desire to resist anymore. "Maybe."
Eden smiled a mischievous smile and reached her hands up and around my neck. "Perhaps they told me to come here today," she said softly. "Maybe the feeling of claustrophobia that overcame me in my room and made me tell Mother Miriam I was feeling pious, was really the gods whispering to me, letting me know my arrival would be perfectly timed to you coming off the fields for the day."