Gemini (5 page)

Twin Souls?
Huh.

My alarm clock blared. Seven o’clock.

Maybe a jog would help me focus. The sun was rising over Lake Michigan, which was the best time to run, and cardio always cleared my head. With all the drama going on, I could use some clarity.

After a granola bar and some coffee, I called Remie and invited him along on my run. He was usually up early, and we often worked out together. We had become closer, ever since I matched him with Phoebe.

I thumbed through my iPhone and dialed his number.

"Zoe, what's up?"

"You wanna go for a run?" I asked.

"Yeah, come on over. Be ready in ten."

I stuffed my keys and my iPhone into my pocket, wrapped my earbuds around my neck, and headed out the apartment.

We all lived in a decent building on Lake Shore Drive, overlooking the water. I loved having a lakefront view from our balcony. I spent a lot of time sitting out there whenever I needed to escape.

Fortunately, all our guardians left us each with a decent trust fund, so we didn't have to live like typical starving college students. And our building wasn't far from campus or the pier, so we could pretty much walk wherever we needed to go.

Remie and Micah shared an apartment down the hall, so it didn't take long for me to reach their door. I lifted my fist to knock, but Micah intercepted me.

"You know, we've got the day off. Have you heard of sleeping in? You should try it some time." Micah pushed his hair out of his eyes.

"Think it's time for a haircut?" I teased, ruffling his messy hair and pushing in past him.

Micah was the most fun of all our friends. I loved giving him a hard time, and he always gave it right back.

The place was a wreck. It was obvious to anyone who knew Micah who the slob was in this apartment. Beer bottles and day-old pizza strewn about the coffee table, and a dirty magazine lay open on the floor.

I sat on the couch and grabbed a copy of Rolling Stone Magazine with Nirvana on the cover.

"How old is this?" I raised an eyebrow at Micah, who was still standing by the doorway in boxers and a vintage Journey T-shirt.

"Older than you."

I was the youngest, and he never let me forget it.

"Speaking of trying new things," I started. "You should really think about cleaning this place up before the health inspector comes by to shut you down. I think I just saw a rat run under my feet."

"Oh, you mean Roger. Yeah, he's our pet." Micah grinned. "We feed him with pain in the ass neighbors who come over to visit."

"Nice."

Micah grunted, walked over, and plopped down on the couch beside me. He put his arm around my shoulder and gave me a squeeze. "So. Tell me about lover boy last night."

I rolled my eyes and pulled back, but he refused to let go. Micah was one of the strongest guys I’d ever met, despite the fact that he worked out less than any of us.

"Lover boy has a name," I retorted. "It's Cade."

"Hmm. Last name?"

"I—" Never asked. "Don't know, he didn't divulge that secret to me."

"You got his first name. It's more than I usually get." He winked.

Ewe
.

"And you call him lover boy?” I shook my head. “Uh huh."

"Well, he seemed pretty straightforward to me." Micah’s tone became serious. "Intimidating. He had to have been like, what? Six-foot five or something? Well-built, too. I wouldn't wanna run into him in a dark alley."

Remie came out of his bedroom. "You want to head to the gym afterward?"

I shrugged. "We'll see how my run goes. I've got a lot to do, day off and all."

He nodded, then headed toward the door.

I got up from the couch and followed. When I got to the door, I turned around and glared at Micah, wagging my finger. "You know, you could be scary and intimidating, too, if you ever came and worked out with us once in awhile."

"Yeah, no.” He snorted. “You losers have fun. I'm going back to bed before I turn into dust from the sunlight."

Remie and I glanced at each other and shrugged, then left out the door.

We got outside and headed six blocks down Lake Shore Drive until we got to Lake Michigan by Navy Pier. There was a trail I followed along the shore with a perfect view of the lake.

We got to the path, and I stretched for a minute. "I'm gonna take off in a sec, Rem. Need to clear my head."

"I'll follow behind then."

I plugged in my headphones and scrolled through for a song to get me moving, pressed play, then took off running.

With a steady pace, I jogged along the shore. There were few stragglers out this morning and my jog was peaceful. Within minutes though, my pace built to an all-out run. My heart pumped faster, my mind reeling over all that happened yesterday.

At first, all I could see was Cade's face. Soulful eyes. His iridescent color and heady scent hung in my memory. Gemini.
My Gemini.

The Genesis fairytales weren’t fairytales at all.

My Gemini mark pounded, thrusting goose bumps over my arms and sending my heart into overdrive.

I need to see Cade.

Wait.
What?
Stop. What about Infinity? Dr. Lucci and all the work she’d done to get me here? Did I want some guy taking that away from me?

Could I have both?

Sophie never divulged much about any of it, only vague details, the good ones, I’m sure. Probably left out all the bad stuff. She said most of it needed to be figured out on my own. Great help, that one was.

My feet instinctively moved faster, as did the thoughts spinning in my head. Sweat poured down my forehead, and my heart pulsed so fast, I could hear the blood rushing in my ears.

My cardio turned into an internal war between my heart and my head.

Cade.

Genesis.
Gemini.
Matchmaker. Supernatural?

What was I?

Infinity, Sam Gaits.
Who was he?

Dr. Lucci. Could I let her down?
Or myself?

As I blazed alongside Lake Michigan, I spotted Cade sitting on a bench a hundred feet ahead.

What the hell?

My swirling emotions and indecision peaked. A lump rose into my throat. My wrist burned. Tremors beat through my veins, to my heart. To my head.

I skidded to an abrupt stop. Leaning over, I inhaled the scent of the lake, and my short breaths hitched. I grabbed at my ankles and dropped to the gravel beneath me. The rocks bit into my knees, but I didn't care.

I welcomed the pain—anything to replace the emptiness that consumed my soul since Eli and Sophie left.

A throaty growl escaped, and just like that, three years of rage and despair was set free.

Cade

Early that morning, Raz woke me before leaving on his research mission, so I set out on a mission of my own.

To familiarize myself with Chicago.

I had never been here before and with all we learned last night, I needed to know the vicinity.

I’d left my building and walked toward Navy Pier, found a bench overlooking Lake Michigan and spent the early morning enjoying the view. I was not used to being isolated indoors, and the fresh air helped gain me some clarity.

Our temporary home was conveniently located around Zoe’s life, both the lounge and her university. With forces threatening her, it was now about her safety, not convenience.

Lake Michigan was peaceful this morning. The light reflecting off the water reminded me of the fountain in Aravot.

Walks on the beach with Zoe flooded my memory. Holding her hand, hearing her laughter.

Zoe loved the water. Her favorite place in Aravot was the Chayah Fountain. Surrounded by pink and white sand, the water was the same shade of green as the Mediterranean Sea—like Zoe’s eyes. A waterfall spilled into the fountain, hiding a cavern underneath that led to the Angel's Arch where Gabrielle confirmed our Convergence each incarnation.

Despite the dangers of these rebirths, watching Zoe fall in love with me all over again every millennium—that was a gift in itself.

Witnessing her expression light with passion and emotion, feeling her lips tremble beneath mine with our first stolen kiss.

Our first time making love—our Twin Soul’s Convergence.

All the firsts we relived with each incarnation were as beautiful as they had been thousands of years ago.

As I sat there, eyes closed, appreciating earth’s June sun warming my cheeks, a familiar scent passed by in a breeze. I opened my eyes, and saw my Gemini a few feet in front of me.

Zoe fell to her knees, and a tumultuous scream escaped her lungs.

My chest tightened. I could sense her own heart thumping inside her chest. Our bodies were syncing, as they did whenever we were near each other.

My Gemini instincts took over. I got to my feet and ran to her side.

She kneeled on the gravel. Her hands covered her face, and she sobbed uncontrollably.

Every ounce of my soul desired to comfort her, but she didn’t remember me yet, and I feared unwanted attention could make her uncomfortable.

"Zoe," I whispered.

Her pulse slowed at the sound of my voice, as did her rapid breaths. She relaxed her shoulders, inspiring me to take a risk.

I sat on the grass beside her, reached my arms around her and cautiously pulled her toward me.

She stiffened at first, her gaze narrowed, showing mixed emotions. A moment later, she blew out a breath, wrapped her arms around my waist, and burrowed her head into my chest.

"It's okay, love. You’re not alone anymore."

Her breaths became heavy, and she nearly hyperventilated.

A moment later, I could hear the scattered thoughts of a Genesis Firstborn standing behind us. I tilted my head back to see Zoe’s friend watching us carefully.

The Firstborns were children of the Genesis Elders, here to protect Zoe, and this one was doing a stellar job.

He uncrossed his arms from his chest and began to step toward us when I shook my head.

"She’s all right. I’m her Gemini. I’ll care for her."

He stopped moving and glared, seemingly confused at the sound of my voice in his head.

Genesis could communicate with unspoken words, and an understanding was made.

He stepped back and distanced himself from us.

I held Zoe to my chest and ran my hands over her hair.

Her body calmed, and our heartbeats settled back to a normal pace.

"Why are you here?" She pulled her head from my chest.

"I was watching the sunrise.” I nodded toward the shore. “When you passed by."

"Oh." She leaned back against me.

"Don’t worry. We all have to release our anger at times."

"Well, I don't break down like that. Especially around strangers."

"We aren’t complete strangers." I lifted her chin. "You have just christened my shirt."

She sniffed and let out a weak laugh.

There you are.

"Why don't you let me walk you home?" I asked.

“Okay.” She sighed.

I stood and helped her up.

The anxious Firstborn stepped up beside us. "You okay, Zoe?" He eyed me suspiciously, then returned his attention to her.

"Yeah, Rem, I'm okay. Sorry."

"Hey, no worries." He patted her back.

I turned to the Firstborn, hand outstretched. "Cade Adams, good to meet you."

"Remie." He gave a firm shake, then turned to Zoe. "You want me to tag along?"

She narrowed her eyes, but shook her head. "No, I think I'm okay."

"If you're sure." He nodded hesitantly. "Okay then, call me if you need anything." He gave her shoulder a squeeze then ran off down the path.

I took her hand and led her to the bench. As she sat, I noticed her knees were bleeding.

"You're hurt. Let me take a look." I kneeled before her and examined the fine cuts and debris left by the trail.

She studied me carefully.

With nothing to clean her wounds, I pulled my T-shirt up over my head and bunched it up, dabbing at the flecks of blood on her skin.

She chewed on her lip while she stared at my bare chest.

I could not help but laugh.
Soon, Chayah.

I uncapped my bottle of water and poured some over her knee, pressing lightly over the cuts with my shirt.

She didn’t even flinch. The cuts began to heal and the skin sealed together as I observed.

Zoe recognized my focus on her healing and gasped. She jerked back her knees, but I rested my hands on her thighs, keeping them in place.

Her cheeks flushed, and she threw her hands over her face.

"Look at me, Zoe."

She fanned out her fingers and peeked between them.

"Do not be ashamed. I know."

She huffed, tilted her head back and slumped down on the bench.

When the cuts had closed, I got up from the ground and sat beside her.

She wiped away the remains of her tears. "Thanks," she whispered.

"Of course. Ready to go?"

“Yeah.”

We stood from the bench, and I offered her my hand.

Zoe’s gaze skipped between my eyes and my outstretched hand, then she cautiously slid her fingertips over my palm.

My pulse quickened as we walked.
One step closer.
I would take anything she was willing to give.

Zoe did not speak, which was no surprise. Her silence didn’t bother me. She always spent much time alone with her thoughts, and though I wished to know what was on her mind, I had no intention of rushing her.

"I'm sorry,” Zoe started. It's just been a rough couple of days."

"Please stop apologizing." I lifted her hand to my lips and brushed a kiss against her knuckles. "I’m delighted I could be here for you. Nothing pleases me more."

While holding her hand close, I noticed her Gemini Seal had fully formed, as had mine. Another milestone. I couldn’t stop the smile that crossed my lips.

Her eyes narrowed at my reaction.

I might not have been able to read her mind yet, as we had not converged, but I would never forget her expressions. After thousands of years, I could read Zoe’s body language like my own.