Gemini (16 page)

This happened in every incarnation, though usually closer toward the end, but each progressively worse than the last. During one incarnation, Lilith nearly succeeded in killing Zoe. I vowed never to let that happen again.

I would not lose my wife.

"I don’t know.” Raz kept his gaze fixed to the sky. “I should have sensed there was more evil at work, I’m sorry.” He sighed. “Her defenses have grown stronger, and there are factors at play here that—” He let out a breath and rose to his feet. “We called upon the Firstborns just in time.”

“Raz.” I unclenched my fists and shook out my hands. “I cannot lose her.”

Raz set his hand on my shoulder. “We’ll handle Lilith. But you need to bond with Zoe. She needs you.” He gestured off toward my bedroom.

"She’s in bed.” Phoebe stood beside Remie. “Who's Lilith?"

"She was part of Cade's past,” Raz said. “A very long time ago."

Phoebe narrowed her eyes. "How?"

"Lilith?” Rainah walked over. “As in the demon, Lilith?"

"How do you know of her?" Raz asked cautiously.

"World religions. She was some newborn-killing demon. Jewish myths. Is that her? The same one?”

“So to speak,” Raz said.

Lilith was from a time in my life I had all but forgotten. I only ever had to be reminded of her when she reappeared every millennium, attempting to turn Zoe against me.

“We’ll deal with Lilith. For now, go see to your Gemini. I’ll speak with the Firstborns. When Zoe’s healed, we’ll begin.”

I narrowed my eyes toward Raz, my teeth clenched.

“I promise, brother. Now go. Zoe is your priority.”

I shook my head, disappointed, and then went to my bedroom.

Like an angel, Zoe lay peacefully in my bed. Her dark hair shrouded her shoulders, and her skin glowed with a pure, iridescent aura. My beautiful Chayah. I didn’t want to wake her, so I made to sit in a chair beside the bed.

"Don't leave me." Zoe’s pleading gaze glistened with tears.

“Never.”

“I’m cold. Come warm me up?”

“Of course, love.” I got into bed with her, tugged her into me, and pulled the coverings up over us. “May I see your wound one last time? I need to be sure it’s healed before you rest.”

"Okay." She rolled to her side.

I exposed the wound just enough to see it remained open, though it was working its way closed with every waking moment. I yearned to heal her, but I couldn’t.

As Gemini, we healed each other but for now, we were both partially human. We must heal ourselves. Zoe’s self-healing ability kept her safe during the transition, before the Convergence though, it didn’t help if she slept.

"It's nearly closed, but not completely. It will leave a scar near your heart, but I think it will heal if you must sleep."

Zoe turned to me and lifted her chin. “Thanks for taking care of me,” she whispered. She rested her head against my chest. “I’m glad you’re here.”

~

Sunlight streamed in through the windows, landing on the table beside my bed.

Zoe slept beside me. I ran my hand over her hair, but she didn’t move. I kissed her cheek, felt her warmth rise to the surface of her soft skin.

The clock read 11:15 a.m.

My soul was refreshed lying beside Chayah. She energized me in a way I couldn’t on my own in this mortal form. Her presence filled the void that had possessed my being for the past twenty-one years.

Zoe’s eyes were closed and half of her face was burrowed into the pillow beneath her.

Her hair was tussled around her shoulders. It had a dull, reddish tint to it, not her natural ebony tone. No sheen. Lifeless.

Even her body displayed the stress she’d experienced this incarnation.

I studied her features—high cheekbones and arched eyebrows. A light scattering of freckles spread across her otherwise clear skin. I ran my middle finger along her jaw line, and her eyes fluttered as if dreaming.

I hope it's a good one.

She let out a sigh and sidled closer to my chest.

I pulled her in tighter, inhaling the cherry scent of her hair.

Her eyes opened, and she gave me a weak smile.

"Good morning, Chayah." I kissed her now closed eyelids.

"How long have I been asleep?"

I eyed the clock to gauge the time. "You arrived around two."

She rolled over to the side, pulled herself up and leaned on her right arm. Her eyebrows furrowed, and she scrunched up her face.

"Are you hurting?"

"Eh. Sore."

"I’m so sorry. You shouldn’t have had to endure that." I pushed her hair from her eyes.

She sat up straighter and pursed her lips. "Who's Lilith? Was she for real? Was she your first—"

My shoulders slumped as I exhaled a distressed breath. This was a conversation I never cared to have. Particularly not before the Convergence.

"She was Genesis. What did she tell you?"

Zoe built up a deep breath, then let out her air. "She said you two were the original Genesis. Oh, and then she proceeded to stab me in the heart."

Zoe sat up and settled herself against the back of the wall, staring at the ceiling.

I sat beside her. "Please. Look at me."

She turned to face me, yet stared at my hands.

"Lilith was formed from the earth, after I was. It was a contentious time, and we never found peace. Soon after, Lilith chose to leave, turned her back on all the gifts she’d been given. Once again, I was alone.”

I gazed into Zoe’s eyes, hoping she understood the importance of this conversation.

“This journey was never meant to be a solo undertaking. So, your soul was created from mine. It gave us a connection Lilith and I could never have.”

She lifted her hand and placed it on my chest. “Your heart. It’s beating like mine.” Her gaze met mine. “It’s in my wrist, too. Like—you’re a part of me.”

“Because I am.” I laid my hand along her cheek. “And I’m part of you. We truly are made for each other, Chayah. Twin souls. Gemini.”

She cleared her throat and removed her hand from my chest. "Did the other Zoe’s ever know this? About Lilith being your—first?"

"Of course. I would never keep secrets from you.” I placed my other hand on her cheek. “You're my best friend. The love of my life. I trust you above all others."

"I know, but you still have to go easy on me. As far as my memory can tell, we've only just met."

"I understand how it works. I’ve been here with you a time or two.” I grinned.

"Have former Zoes always dealt so well with this? Julian said she was in a hurry to end her human existence before. I don't understand why I don’t know. It’s just not like that this time. I don’t get it.”

"Some incarnations were easier than others, yes. But none were without difficulty, and you always took time to get to know me first." I withheld a chuckle. “You’re the same soul, love. In all our years together, you’ve never changed that much.”

"I just think if we had this special connection, I’d be more ready to give all this up."

My chest tightened. She must have felt my sadness because she turned to me and reached for my hands to comfort me.

"I care about you, Cade. And it's obvious how you feel about me. I think I'm just overwhelmed by all of this. I was kidnapped and stabbed. Not exactly a great way to begin a relationship."

She did have a point.

"But I must have some feelings since the idea of that—" she paused, her expression animated. "
Demon
being your first. It kind of pissed me off."

I could not resist a grin.

"While Lilith was Genesis, she was never my Gemini. You are and always have been. From the moment you took your first breath.” I cupped her cheeks with my palms. “You’re my life, my Twin Soul. I’m truly incomplete without you."

Her gaze met mine. I could smell the sweetness of her breath. She moved toward me and lifted her chin, her lips.

We lingered there for what felt like forever. Too long. She let go of my hands and laced hers behind my neck. Her lips met mine, slowly at first, then more passionately.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her close. Her lips tasted sweet.

My heart rate soared. Waves of energy forced through my limbs—from my chest, through my arms, throughout my body. The hairs on my arms rose with goose bumps. Her energy melded with mine, bringing me back to life. Warming me from the inside.

Zoe slid her other hand up my chest, along my arm and onto my shoulder, settling just beneath my shirt, on my waist.

Her lips parted.

Sparks of electricity ran up my spine.

She pulled away and laid her forehead to mine, then let go of my waist and ran her finger along my jaw line.

Taking my cue, I kissed her again.

Magnetic energy bound us together.

Zoe’s tongue ran along my bottom lip, then she gently tugged it with her teeth.

The heat between us sparked, overloading the senses I’d buried for so many years.

The sensation of her hands running along my chest drove my pulse to the edge, forced my wits, all the commonality of my thoughts went blank.

There was nothing but her kiss. Nothing but her body. Her touch.

Her heart pounded beside mine. Within me.

The passion we shared so long ago was resurfacing.
Finally
. My Chayah was returning. Returning me to life.

Just as she promised.

Cade

I held Zoe for hours, comforted by the rise and fall of her chest with each precious breath, she took, soothed by the steady rhythm of her heart beating beside me.

The walls this lifetime had built were crumbling.

Around three that afternoon, a knock on the door stirred us.

Zoe peered up, then nuzzled into my chest.

She had a long day yesterday and needed to rest. I’d allow her as long as she needed to recover.

"Are you hungry?" I asked. "Maybe we can make something to eat."

“No.” She shook her head. “Need. Sleep.” She rolled over and pressed her forehead into the pillow.

I rose from the bed to answer the door.

Raz stood outside, his expression dripped with accusation. He wagged his finger at me.

"She is my wife."

“Not yet, she’s not.” He chuckled. "It's time to get started."

I nodded and glanced over my shoulder at Zoe. I turned to leave, but recalled the day before. Zoe's abduction.

I checked that the balcony and windows were secure before leaving Zoe to rest. I should talk to Raz about a security system.

When I got to the kitchen, the Newborns, along with Julian and Nathaniel were eating food from white boxes.

"What's up, boss? You're looking better today." Julian dug into his container with sticks between his fingers.
Strange way to eat.

"You guys slept forever." Micah spoke up. "Julian and Nate are ready to start training me. I'm ready to go." He cracked his knuckles, a wide grin on his face.

Raz came in from the hallway and patted Micah on the back. "We've been discussing what's going on with the borders. Seems to be many breaches lately, and with Lilith coming out from hiding, we need to be vigilant to keep you safe until Zoe Eternalizes."

“What does Eternalize mean?” Phoebe asked.

“Once Zoe accepts her love for Cade, she Eternalizes. She regains most of her powers and memories that have been suppressed since her rebirth. This must happen in order to enter the Eternal realm, to confirm her intentions to Gabrielle. It’s the first integral step toward the Convergence.”

“In the meantime, you all must begin training, and we should discuss Phoebe,” I said. “The risks are great, and everyone needs protection.”

Only Raz was aware of the time restraints we faced.

Until Gabrielle performed the Intention Ceremony, I was weak and vulnerable.

Human.

Zoe and I were not bonding like we should be, and we desperately needed time together. Alone. Not just stolen moments, but significant time to forge the bond between us.

"We're going to take the Firstborns and begin training them," Raz said. "They will receive their weapons and rituals, and we’ll learn what powers they’ve acquired. Julian and Nate will oversee it. They all know their duties and are prepared to take the oath."

It was time. Zoe and I needed protectors here in this human state, but we needed time to bond as well.

I just hoped she’d consent to it.

I could not behave like our souls had already Converged. Not yet. I didn’t want Zoe to think she no longer had a choice, although part of me wished that she didn't.

Zoe came into the kitchen then, her gaze shifted from me to the spread of food on the table.

"Morning, Sunshine." Julian stood and swept the food away from in front of him. He moved toward Zoe, picked her up, and swung her around.

His actions caught her off guard. She placed her hands on his chest and raised her eyebrows. "Um, Julian? Can you put me down?"

"Julian," I growled.

He lowered his eyes and set Zoe on her feet.

He knew better than that.

"Sorry, Zo. I missed you." He released her.

I was never fond of the attachment Julian had for Zoe, though Julian was overly friendly with all the ladies. I’d hoped she would have matched him with his Gemini to take his attention away from her, but she hadn’t before her rebirth.

He was the last Genesis, besides the Newborns, who had not been matched.

Zoe and Julian were close. Sometimes too close. Although I believed it to be nothing but friendship, my jealousy was always an issue. Raz often chastised me for it, but it was difficult after Lilith.

Our relationship had been tumultuous from the start. Lilith never desired to be in Aravot, much less there with me. She was power hungry and demanded control. I respected Lilith out of duty, but there was never any love.

Nothing like with Zoe—our love was instant. The moment I laid eyes on her, she owned my heart. After all, she was part of me.

And later, when Zoe was willing to sacrifice her life for the continuation of humanity, she was rewarded with her Gemini status, beginning the whole system in place today. I had never been more proud to call her mine.