Gemini (3 page)

This was it, the moment I’d worked my booty off for the last three years. My dream of a music career was really going to happen.

Curse broken.

“Excited much?” Phoebe stopped my barstool pirouette. “See, I knew if you just gave it a chance to sink in, you’d be thrilled about finding your Gemini.”

“Uh, no. That’s not what…”

Nobody knew about the scout coming tonight. I didn’t even know until yesterday, and I wasn’t ready to say anything to the band yet. What if the scout didn’t like them?

What if my friends didn’t share my dream?

We never really talked about the Genesis thing, not since we all met at Northwestern and realized we had the birthmarks. After one conversation comparing childhood war stories, it was never spoken of again. It became the elephant in the room that nobody would discuss.

At least not with me.

I was pretty sure they kept all sorts of things from me, so I felt no pressing need to share my intel with them. At least not yet, until I knew for sure what the deal was.

“Man, is he into you,” Phoebe teased. "He can't stop staring.”

I spun back around to check him out, and my stomach wrenched at the thought.

Timing was everything, and at that moment, the hot guy had crappy timing.

Fate, be damned.

I tried focusing on something else, stared down at the Moscato in my hand, but my gaze had other plans.

I glanced back toward my table and watched Rainah reach over and smack Micah upside the head, when the light beside them grew brighter, recapturing my attention.

That aura. It was so…
familiar.

In obvious denial, I scanned the room, hunting for a matching light, but surrendered in defeat.
Nothing.

Maybe Phoebe was right. It’s not like I wasn’t expecting this.

Not today, though.

His head tilted up, and my gaze locked onto his.

I sucked in a breath.

A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth then he brushed his hand through his hair and nodded.

I turned back, cheeks on fire.

Brennan glared at my admirer.
Someone isn’t happy.

"Ugh.” I rolled my eyes. “Fine.” I stood and adjusted my laced up crimson tank top. "Okay," I relented. "Let's get this over with."

I pulled on Phoebe’s elbow.

She got all giddy and popped up to her toes. Clapped all fangirl-like.

We sifted through the crowd and reached our table. Three sets of eyes glared at me.

"Nice of you to finally join your own party." Rainah scoffed, tucking her dark auburn hair behind her ears.

Phoebe and I settled into the two empty chairs. My back was to
him
. Thankfully, I wouldn't have to face him. My hands shook as I gripped my drink, barely keeping my nerves in check.

What’s wrong with me?

"Finally." Remie grinned, wrapping his arm around Phoebe as she nuzzled in under his chin.

Phoebe and Remie were Gemini, though I wasn't sure how. Genesis, from what Sophie said, couldn’t be with humans. Phoebe had an aura, but didn't have the birthmark like the rest of us. I tried telling myself this… and Phoebe, for like, ever. Even after their Gemini colors merged in front of me, but in time, none of that made any difference. Genesis or not, she belonged with him.

They were soul mates.

My attention was quickly averted when everyone sitting across from me focused above my head. Gaping stares gave away who stood there, as did his enticing scent. Musk maybe? I couldn’t tell.

I put down my glass and stared at my mother's ring. The stone, once again, played its tricks.

A light tap to my shoulder forced an electric jolt through me, nearly knocking me out of my chair. I twisted around to see him up close. Intense eyes, tall and muscular. Protective.

Perfect.

Breathe.

He was dressed in a pair of dark jeans with a midnight blue, button-down shirt. His sleeves were rolled up, showing every inch of hidden power in his tanned arms, and a sprinkling of dark hair hid beneath his shirt.

"Miss Adams?"

Oh geez, his voice. It was smooth as silk—music to my ears as the butterflies I’d fought so hard to tame were set free.

My gaze locked onto his.

"I'm Cade." Crystal blue eyes sparkled from the reflection of the lights shining overhead. "It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Your performance was perfect, and your voice. Truly breathtaking."

Flattery will get you everywhere.

As he spoke, heat rose to my cheeks and tiny flecks of sweat crept up on my forehead.

"Thank you." My voice shook. I caught my breath and swallowed.

I reached for his outstretched hand. The instant we touched, a tingling burst of energy darted from my fingertips to my wrist and through my arms, then into my chest. I gasped and instinctively pulled back, but he held my hand and refused to let go.

He reached out for my other hand, and I relented, allowing him to help me to my feet.
Tall.
My three-inch heels brought me to six feet, but even in my favorite stilettos, he still had a few inches on me.

As the distance between us narrowed, our eyes met, and I studied their color. Tiny flecks of green scattered about and a cerulean circle encased his iris, but the rest was like cool, blue water. The contrast with his bronzed skin and dark hair made me dizzy.

I chewed on my lip, and he let out a laugh.

Something primal pulled from deep inside, drawing me to him. I knew him somehow.
Had we met before?
No way, I would never have forgotten
this
guy.

The lights overhead dimmed, and the acoustic version of
Adore
began playing from the speakers, almost on cue. My current favorite song.
Seriously?

"Could I persuade you to dance?"

I froze, my mouth hanging open like an idiot. What in the hell was wrong with me?

"Zoe." He spoke my name softly, a tone exuding reverence, then tilted his head toward the dance floor.

I glanced back at my friends, all nodding their approval, jaws dropped to the table. Phoebe bounced in her chair.

Cade held my hand and led me to the dance floor.

A knot lodged in my chest. I hadn't danced with a guy since, well.
Ever.
I had no idea what I was doing.

He took my right arm, wrapped it around his shoulder, and held my left.

I followed his lead, and we swayed in sync to the music.

Cade peered down under thick lashes. His dimple burrowed into his cheek, sending my heart into an erratic cadence of its own.

I couldn’t take my eyes from his as we moved to the rhythm of the piano playing from the speakers. My pulse spiked. Skin tingled, chasing goose bumps over my arms. My wrist was again, engulfed in flames, but in a good way.

Warm. Pulsing.

Weak in his arms, my body hummed, came alive like it’d been holding out on me all this time. If this was how having a Gemini felt, I definitely wanted one.

"So," Cade started.

I shifted my gaze over his shoulder and tried to pretend like everything about him wasn’t setting my soul on fire.

"What are you and your friends celebrating this evening?" His voice was low and sensual.

Simply hearing him speak made me shudder.

"Um," I stammered, refocusing on his amazing eyes. "It's my birthday.” I swallowed. “Not really celebrating though."

We stopped moving. He lifted my chin and met my gaze.

"Zoe." He spoke in a commanding yet gentle tone. "Every birthday, particularly yours, is cause to celebrate." He returned his hands to their previous positions and tugged me closer. He snuck a peek at my wrist, and a yummy, crooked smile pulled at the corners of his lips.

For the next sixty seconds, we didn't speak—just danced. Our unified gaze locked on one another.

My heartbeat grew louder. If I wasn’t mistaken, so did his, its sweet song called to me.

Next thing I knew, my head dropped to his chest like a magnet.

I closed my eyes, focusing on the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed, on the gentle rhythm of his heart strumming beneath my cheek.

Something felt right.

Like home.

But the dance ended too soon, and the music picked up its pace.

I raised my head, cheeks burning, embarrassed to have gotten so close.

He stepped back, still holding my hands. "Thank you. You’re most graceful on your feet."

"I would hardly call that performance graceful." I laughed.

"
You
are a most elegant and graceful beauty." He raised my left hand to his lips and softly kissed my knuckles, never taking his eyes from mine. "I realize we’ve only just met, but…”

“I know you,” I blurted out. “Somehow.”

He let out a relieved breath. “Yes. And I was hoping you’d be agreeable to a meal? Uh, dinner.” His voice trembled. “To-morrow, perhaps?”

Cade’s aura was crazy bright. I could usually focus beyond them when they appeared, tune them out, but not his. It literally took my breath away.

What was wrong with him?
With me?

Neither of us had any composure, but I had to find mine. Gemini or not, I’d swore never to trust another man with my heart, and I wasn’t about to break that promise tonight.

I blew out a breath, and released myself from his grip.

“I—maybe. I don’t know.” I sucked in a breath. “I have to. Go.” I looked away, avoiding his gaze, knowing I’d never leave if I didn’t. “Goodnight, Cade."

I wandered back to my table. I had to get out of there, away from his gravity, before I said or did something I’d regret.

Every instinct in my soul cried
yes
to him, to his offer. To everything or anything he’d yet to ask, but something stopped me. I couldn’t let the words out.

I would consider his request… Someday.

Not today.

Cade

Zoe walked away, and my heart chased after her. I had to draw from every element of restraint to keep myself from following.

Sophie had been accurate in her assessment of my Gemini. Even with her head held high, Zoe’s pain resounded in my chest. This hadn’t been a simple incarnation for her, and our reunion wouldn’t come without difficulty.

I returned to my table and sat beside Raz.

"Very good," he said.

I glanced over at Zoe once more. After twenty-one years apart, I couldn’t take my eyes from her. I yearned to be near her, to hold her in my arms and never let go, but the timing wasn’t right.

Zoe needed time and distance to process this. To know me again. To love me.

She stood at the bar, so young and innocent, laughing with her friends. But behind her masked smile, hid her pain. I experienced her suffering as my own—one of the curses and gifts of being her Gemini. Zoe’s agony was a burden I would gladly take if I could.

Within a short time, Zoe and her friends gathered their things, preparing to leave.

I wanted to speak with her once more, but I’d learned not to be too eager. She needed my patience, and I would give her that. She danced with me, which was more than I’d expected.

The memory of holding her in my arms would have to suffice for now.

Zoe followed her friends toward the door then faced me.

I acknowledged her with a tip of my head.

With a quick wave, Zoe turned and left.

"Well this is complicated," Raz said.

"Yes," I admitted. "Even without the use of my gifts, it's clear she’s suffering."

Due to demon attempts to kill Zoe during her first incarnation, Raz was permitted to accompany me on these journeys. When his presence was no longer enough to keep Zoe safe, he was instructed to create the Elder Council—Angels and Eternals assigned to protect Zoe—and to give allowances without breaking the rules of the Gemini Doctrine.

There weren’t many, but the most central was withholding information.

Zoe must be kept in the dark about many things of this life, so to choose it of her own free will, without coercion from anyone.

Particularly me.

"Actually," Raz began, "I think that went well. Your reunion isn’t what I'm referring to."

"What do you mean then?"

"The man serving drinks." He tipped his head toward the front of the room. "He shadows."

A young man glared at us from behind the bar. His shadowed aura would be clear to any Eternal paying attention.

My hands balled into fists. I’d been so distracted by my first meeting with Zoe that I hadn’t noticed anything else.

There were many otherworldly threats present, and this minion was clearly a danger that needed to be dealt with immediately.

Humans were often tempted by demons offering gifts, wealth or power, and pure souls could often become lost in those empty promises. As guardians of all human souls, Eternals also recognized their auras. A pure soul like Zoe's would glow radiantly with a white light, but an evil soul, like that of a demon, was black and dense.

This boy was wavering. His shadowed aura was grey and murky—a looming threat hung over his head. And while there may still be hope for him, allowing any concession was a risk I would not take.

~

"What do you want with Zoe?" I released a guttural growl.

My body trembled as I held the minion by the throat, his feet dangling above the asphalt.

He said nothing, just stared blankly. A red ring encircled his slate irises. His sneer inspired me to drive his lanky body against the brick exterior of the building.

It was late, past one o'clock in the morning. The only sounds were grunts coming from the minion’s throat, my fingers wrapped around his neck.

The lights from the streetlamp above flickered.

The minion’s refusal to respond only encouraged me to tighten my grip.

"I don't know what—you're talking about." He gasped. His eyes grew wide, and his shadow darkened.

"Have it your way." I thrust his body against the jagged bricks, my gaze fixed onto his empty stare. "Though considering my current frame of mind, I doubt you want that."

"Easy, brother." Raz stepped beside me. "Give me a moment with him."