Origin (Eternal Sacrifice Saga Book 2) (20 page)

“Nothing.” I turned over my wrist.

“Do you remember the name, Samael?” Raz asked. “We briefly discussed him the morning after the Convergence.”

“Oh yeah,” Zoe said. “What’s his deal again?”

“Samael is a Fallen.” Raz explained. “Rumor has it through the Eternal realm, he wanders the earth searching for his lost love. The woman he fell for. Literally fell. Gave up his wings and his immortality for her love. I’ve done some research, and though none of this is confirmed, I hear his mission was to retrieve a defected Genesis. And he chose not to return when the Genesis refused.”

“Wow. That’s kind of huge. So how am I supposed to help him? Maybe I’m supposed to find his Gemini?”

“That could be. Perhaps it’s time he returns home, and finding Samael is part of your mission,” Cade suggested.

“That’s the only thing I can think of,” Raz said. “I’ve tried speaking to Gabrielle and Michael concerning this, but so far, they refuse to discuss it. When Zoe spoke his name the day of the feast, it sparked something with the Archs. Now I know I’ve been skirting the rules by doing my own research, but my concern for this situation grows stronger. I’m unsure how to proceed. You could speak with Gabrielle. She’s always been closest to you, Chayah. Perhaps you could make some progress in this matter. More than I’ve managed to.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Excellent. Because as I was walking over, Gabrielle spoke to me. She and Michael will be here to discuss something. Maybe she can lend some clarity to the situation.”

Zoe nodded.

“What other names were in your vision?”

Zoe pursed her lips. “Cade, for one. And Micah. Phoebe.”

“
And the vision said,
Let them fall?”

“Am I supposed to just sit back and watch my family fall apart?”

“You have these visions for a reason. You’re the only Eternal who gets them, and I’ve never known them to be pointless,” Raz said. “Often we must bide our time to see when the plan is revealed, but it always is.”

“What do we do about Phoebe?”

“You must trust your instincts. Trust the visions. The messages you receive. Your connection to the Origin is powerful. Stronger than any of the Eternals, and even most of the Archs. Trust in that. We may not always like the plan, but there is purpose in it, and its purpose will be revealed when it’s time.”

“Okay.” Zoe relented. “When will Gabrielle be here?”

“They were on their way.”

Zoe pulled from my grip and climbed out of bed. “I need a drink.” She scoffed. “Something stiff.”

She slipped on her sandals and wandered out the doors.

Raz and I followed Zoe onto the terrace that overlooked the Chayah Fountain.

Michael and Gabrielle moved up the walkway toward us, and we all bowed.

“Let’s walk to the Arch.” Michael gestured toward the path leading to where our ceremonies took place near the Garden.

That alone foretold a different story altogether. The Angels Arch was the only protected space in Aravot, a means for privacy.

Secrets.

Raz and I exchanged concerned looks then Raz moved ahead.

I laced my fingers with Zoe’s, and we walked behind the Angels in silence.

Neither Michael nor Gabrielle spoke a word.

We reached the Arch, and Michael motioned toward the benches. “Please.”

Zoe and I sat on one, Raz on another, and Michael and Gabrielle remained on their feet.

“I suppose you would like to know what’s going on.” Michael started.

“May I see your Gemini Seal, Zoe?” Gabrielle asked, stepping up to us.

Zoe stood and held out her wrist.

Gabrielle inspected it, running her finger over the mark, and let out a sigh. “Thank you.” She kissed Zoe’s cheek then nodded toward Michael, pursing her lips.

“It’s done then.” He scrubbed his jaw.

Gabrielle returned to his side, an indiscernible expression on her face.

Zoe glanced at me nervously, narrowing her eyes, returning her attention to the Archangels. “What’s done?”

“Tell us, what happened with Lilith? In the dark realm?” Michael asked.

“Well, we were fighting. I got in a few good jabs, enough to immobilize her. I tried to project out with Cade, then Azriel and another demon showed up. I killed the demon, and Eli projected in. He took over with Azriel and told me to go with Cade. As we were pulling out, Lilith started creeping, so after dancing around with her a few minutes, she lunged at me. I stabbed her in the chest.”

“And what then?” Gabrielle’s gaze fixed on Zoe.

“Her light. It—changed.”

Michael pursed his lips. “Changed? How so, child?”

“Well, it was this deep blue before. But after I—” she paused. “Stabbed her.” Zoe took a breath, and her light changed. All the color drained from her aura. “It turned pure white, then just faded away. Like it burnt out. She just stared at me with dead eyes. I swear, I felt her die.”

Zoe sank to the bench beside me.

“You’re okay, Chayah.” I put my arm around her and pulled her to me. “So how does this affect Zoe?”

Michael cleared his throat. “Raziel? Let’s speak in private. Gabrielle, please. Take Cade and Zoe.”

Gabrielle bowed to her Gemini, then Michael and Raz walked down the path toward the Great Hall.

“Let’s see your Tree.” Gabrielle nodded, and we walked beside her. “What do you know of how this life was instituted?”

“Nothing.” Zoe admitted.

“I see.” Gabrielle sighed. “Okay then, what about you, Cade? What were the rules with her incarnations, do you recall? As for how long this occurs.”

“She continues indefinitely.”

Zoe squeezed my hand and sighed.

“The Doctrine was worded strategically for good reason. After the toll it took following Zoe’s first incarnation, it was clear she could not withstand an unlimited number of these rebirths. After all, one soul was not meant to endure all this sacrifice. The intention has always been after a life well served, a soul could be at peace. We understood this Doctrine would allow Zoe no such peace. Therefore, an addendum was placed shortly thereafter.”

“What kind of addendum?” Zoe narrowed her expression.

“A loophole of sorts. It was determined we would give you a way to get out of this. An escape clause.”

“So—you mean I may not have to keep doing this forever?”

“Correct. That’s what Michael is speaking of. It appears your escape clause has been enacted.”

“Wait, what? You mean…”

“Yes, Chayah. You have fulfilled your Eternal duties. You are hereby forever more, released from the Gemini Doctrine.”

Gabrielle stopped walking as we approached the Tree of Souls. Zoe’s Tree that stored all the unborn souls of humanity.

“You have been pardoned, so to speak. The Doctrine is void.”

“But how?” Zoe’s voice trembled. Her eyes lit with joy.

“I don’t recall this,” I said, cautiously.

The last thing I wanted was to hurt Zoe, and this didn’t sound right. But on the other hand, if what Gabrielle said was true, I would have Chayah now, for all Eternity, never having to give her up again. I had to admit, the possibility forced shivers through to my chest.

“No, you wouldn’t. You weren’t part of it. Raz was, in a fashion, but did not realize it.”

“So that’s it? I’m really done?” Zoe’s eyes glistened with unshed tears.

“Yes, Chayah. You will not be reborn to earth again. You are forever Eternal with your Gemini.”

A tear fell down Zoe’s face, and she turned to me and fell into my arms, kissing me like she had last night.

“I can’t believe this.” She turned to Gabrielle. “Thank you.”

Full of peace, Zoe blinked slowly, taking a cleansing breath, then released me and walked deeper into the meadow.

Drawn to her Tree, the unborn souls called to their Eternal Mother, seeking her blessing.

Gabrielle and I stood back, giving Zoe space as she moved to a glowing soul ready to bloom. Zoe held out her hand, and the light grew brighter as she raised her palm up, releasing the soul into the Aravot sky.

I rarely witnessed her releasing souls, but when I did, her aura expanded around her, almost blinding.

Truly breathtaking.

“So, Gabrielle. Is this real? In my years, I’ve learned nothing can be this simple.”

“You are a wise Eternal, brother.” Gabrielle sighed. “Simplicity is nothing more than an illusion.”

Zoe

I’m free.

I stood by my Tree, releasing blooms. They just kept burning bright, calling to me. Over and over. Must’ve been there for a half hour.

Pick, release. Repeat.

As a light breeze blew through the meadow, I closed my eyes and lifted my face toward the sky, letting the invisible Aravot sun consume me.

I wanted to pirouette around the Garden, but that just seemed silly. After all, I was the Eternal Mother.

Five thousand years.

I’d been reborn five times. Been hunted. Tortured.

And it was over. Done.

I was free.

I picked the next bloom and held it in my hand as it lit up, releasing it into the air.

Cade stepped up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me back against him.

“How are you feeling, Chayah?”

“I’m happy.” I smiled wider.

Cade quietly held me, but his thoughts began to stir. I couldn’t make out what he was thinking, though. Maybe I wasn’t meant to.

I wasn’t sure how this synced brainwaves thing worked yet. I’d been training, and Cade usually let me into his head. Right now, he wasn’t.

His tension crashed into me with his body so close to mine.

“What’s the matter?”

He said nothing, just settled his chin into my neck and held me.

“Cade?”

“We need to discuss something. Walk with me?”

Yep, something was wrong. What could possibly be wrong already?

“Come.”

He let go of my waist and took my hand, leading me down a different path toward the fountain. We walked through the meadow and my flower garden, which bloomed with peonies and lavender. Pink Calla lilies.

I remembered it now. Planting them. Journey watched as I kneeled in the dirt, stuffing bulbs into the fertile ground.

We walked along the path and over the bridge that led back to our home. The Chayah Fountain was the size of a lake. Pink sand beaches.

Aravot was like a fairytale land. I suppose that’s why humans called it Heaven.

It certainly was mine.

We reached a bench overlooking the waterfall, and Cade ushered me to sit.

I watched him carefully, scrutinizing every wrinkle in his forehead, trying to figure out what was wrong.

Raz appeared on the path with Michael. A quick word was spoken when they spotted me and Cade, then Michael left, and Raz continued approaching us.

I was learning Michael’s appearance couldn’t be good. And after Michael whisked Raz away earlier, I figured he was sharing intel.

Maybe this whole thing was a dream. Hopefully it wasn’t a nightmare.

I stared at Raz and blew out a breath. “Okay, what is it? What do I not want to know?”

Raz sat across from us, leaning on his thighs, setting his chin in his hands while he peered over at me. He sat up and gripped his knees.

“Did you have a chance to speak with Gabrielle?”

“She said I was done. Is there more?”

“You understand you will not be reborn again. Do you know why?”

“Um… No. Please don’t give me any bad news, Raz. Not now.” I pleaded with my eyes.

Cade put his arm around me and held me close. His thoughts stirred as his heartbeat became erratic.

Shit.

Here it comes.

“When the Doctrine was created, we were concerned for your well being. It was a collective decision that there would be a clause to release you from the Eternal Sacrifice. But with the good, always comes the bad. It’s a balance, Chayah. Do you understand?”

“Okay? So what does that mean?”

“It means, yes. You are free from the Doctrine. Though given recent developments, with freedom also comes sacrifice.”

My stomach wrenched. “What kind of sacrifice?”

He blew out a breath. “The Tree.”

Chills burst through my veins as a knot dug deep into my chest.

“No.” I stood. “No.” I shook my head, eyes wide. “No. No. No.”

“It’s done, Chayah.” Raz sighed. “I’m sorry.”

“You can’t do this,” I cried.

“I’m not doing any of this, it isn’t up to me.”

“No. How did this happen? This can’t happen. I’ll be reborn.” I fell to my knees in front of him, begging. Grabbing his hands, squeezing for dear life. Tears streamed down my face. “Please, Raz. Please don’t do this.”

“It’s not my choice, Chayah. It was not yours.” He set his hands on my cheeks. “It just is.”

I started hyperventilating.

Couldn’t breathe.

My heart sped up.

Cade pulled me to my feet then tugged me to his chest. “Take a breath, love. Breathe.”

“This can’t happen. Please. Please, no.” I pulled away from Cade and ran. Ran as fast as I could, back to my Tree.

This couldn’t be happening. I never consented to this, I signed up for this. To refill the Tree. To keep life going. Humanity. Why?

How did this happen?

I ran until I reached the Tree. I walked in circles, staring blurry-eyed at the buds, searching for some sign of its demise.

Tears flowed like a waterfall.

The tar.

I moved quickly toward the black sludge invading my Tree. Still there, now running up the trunk into the blooms.

“No.”

More buds all burned brighter than ever before. So many more, like it was trying to extinguish them all.

My attention was drawn to one particular bloom. Its light was duller than the rest.

Fading.

I reached for it, and on contact, it crumbled in my hand.

“No.” I held it as the light faded out and disappeared.

Like nothing.

I glanced about the Tree and stared as several more blooms burnt out, vanishing into the sunlight then falling to the grass.

Stepping back, I stared at the grass below the tree.

Spinning in a slow circle, I realized my Tree was, in fact, dying.