The Sentinels of Eden, Books 1-4

Chapter 52

Epilogue

The young wallaby moved restlessly around her pen. It had been good for Nicole to have something to care for in the month since her mum’s death, but she’d started school again and no longer had the time to devote to her. Tessa watched the joey’s dainty mouth tug at the short grass, her long black claws digging easily into the dry soil and her muscled tail balancing her like a third leg. She no longer needed to be bottle fed, at least. Perhaps it was time.

She watched Bane fiddle with the envelope he was holding, running his fingers along its edge, but he still didn’t open it. Then he jerked his head up as he heard someone approach. Tessa already knew who it was. She’d been waiting impatiently since the moment she’d felt him return from across the Event Horizon.

Despite his time away, the last few weeks had taken their toll on Noah’s demeanour. She would miss that air of playful carelessness that charmed everyone he met. Having to keep the truth from his family about how his mum had died had definitely messed him up.

Bane took a deep breath as his friend came to stand beside him. He seemed afraid to ask, and Noah didn’t make him.

‘She’s decided to stay in Eden. I’m sorry, mate.’ Noah’s breath sounded shaky as he exhaled. Then he turned his deep green eyes on Bane. ‘She’s living under a much more graceful sky than this one.’

A graceful sky. Tessa’s mother had once told her that swear words were precious, beautiful things—like diamonds. They were not for everyday use. They were to be saved up for when you really needed someone to know how strongly you felt. When you heard a sweet old lady swearing, you knew she meant it. In the same way, Noah’s elegant phrasing sounded so unlike him that it hit home in a profound way that was not to be refuted.

Bane gripped the edge of the pen tightly, as if fighting his reflexes to prevent himself from tearing it down. ‘I nearly had her, Noah. I was so close. When she came back from Eden she saw herself the way I see her. Just for a little while. She understood, and she believed me finally … I nearly had her.’

He sucked in a calming breath and forced himself to let go of the rail. ‘Does she even remember me?’ he asked after a moment, staring at the contented joey.

Noah shifted uncomfortably. ‘Less and less. She remembers nothing of the events from that day. The Fruit did its job well.’ He swallowed hard, and reached into his pocket. ‘She asked me to give you this.’

Tessa sighed as the delicate golden bracelet fell into Bane’s palm. The word ‘Shalom’ reflected too brightly back at them. It had been his wish for her, and now she had it. Peace and healing. Rest and restoration. Under a much more graceful sky than this cruel one. She watched as he slipped the jewellery into his pocket with the letter from the Army Recruitment Agency that Lily had given him.

Then he opened the gate and let the joey run free.