Chapter 72 - Epilogue

Throwing everything into his backpack, Jake looked around the grungy campsite. Had he left anything useful behind? His pack was disturbingly light considering it contained everything he currently owned in the world. He had a little bit of cash, but nowhere near enough to support himself for long, considering he was now living on the run. Jake Evans, wanted by the police for serious crimes, what a joke. He’d never intended for things to come to this, and yet he no longer cared. There were more intriguing powers at play in the world than the Victorian Police Force and he was definitely one of the major players now.

The sword was wrapped in his old blanket and tied with hay-band. Although it terrified him, he was completely obsessed by it and had to force himself not to unwrap it again to take another look at its pristine beauty. It was his now, and as soon as he found somewhere safe to hide he could take as long as he wanted to admire it, but first he had to get away. They knew where his campsite was and would be coming for him soon. Would Noah be able to track him? The guy obviously had some kind of supernatural link to the sword, so for all he knew he might be able to hunt him down no matter where he went. Part of him quailed at the thought, but a more violent part of him relished the idea. Slashing at Noah’s pretty face with the shiny blade sounded like a magnificent idea. Why had he never realised how revoltingly arrogant Noah had always been? So popular all through school, with girls fighting over him all the time—he was the sort of guy that other guys should have naturally hated. None of them ever did. Because he wasn’t natural. He cheated. Now that he’d seen him for what he was, he realised that for years he’d also been fooled by Noah’s false charm. The guy was a fraud and all Jake wanted was to wipe that dimpled smile off his pretty face. Off the face of the Earth, in fact. Then nothing would be left to stand in his way.

He, Jake Evans, was now in possession of the fabled Sword of Eden, a place that promised eternal life. How much would the rich and famous pay him to let them pass through that secret gateway? Would he let them? Or should he keep the Garden’s life-giving secret for himself?

Jake breathed in deeply, memorising the scent and feel of the valley. The Garden of Eden. So close. He ached to see it for himself. Just one more filthy fraud in the way. Noah was not the guy he’d known from school. He was something … inhuman.

Suddenly it was all Jake could do to stop himself from grabbing the massive weapon and charging back to the cave to look for him. Instead, with a resolute breath, he picked up his pack and slung it over his shoulder. Cradling the long bundle covetously against his chest, he lifted his chin and set off toward the road. He needed to find a lift into town, fast.

Patience, little friend, the voice in his head whispered. We will possess Eden soon enough.

Interesting. Usually, he only heard the voice when he was high, and it was never welcome, but this time, it seemed pleased with him. He would do as instructed. Head to town, sell a secret, and gather an army.