by Dylan Quinn
Seeing Cade's mark confirmed everything. So many questions were burning in my brain.
"His name’s Cade. And he's—one of us."
"He said his last name was Adams," Remie said.
“Yeah? Wait. Son of a B—” I pressed my lips together.
So we have the same last name. So what? If he is my Gemini, I guess that would make sense. Not the biggest shock of the day. He knew about my healing, too. He obviously had less of a learning curve than me.
Maybe we had met before. That would explain this weird connection I felt pulling me to him every time he was near.
"Okay. So what’s the problem?” Silence. And more blank stares. "What’s going on?" I glared at Remie.
He blinked. "I know who you are. And Cade."
“Ohhh—you know who I am. Am I supposed to be shocked by this discovery?” I couldn’t hold back my snark.
He tilted his head and wrinkled his nose, then blew out a harsh breath.
"Spare me.” Rainah jumped in. “This dumb blonde routine is starting to piss me off. This affects all of us, tell us what you know.”
"I'm serious, I have no clue what you're talking about. And after the morning I've had—” I stood from my chair. “I'm so not in the mood for any of this."
Phoebe came over and grabbed my hand. "Does your ring always glow like that?"
“What glow?” Remie asked, eyes narrowed.
I glanced down and pulled my hand from hers. “How can you even see that?”
I pushed my way toward the door, but Micah moved in front of it and stood guard, his arms crossed over his chest.
"You can't bail every time something needs to be hashed out." Remie moved toward me. "You can't run from who you are."
"Well, why don’t you tell me who I am, then?" I huffed, sat back down and kicked up the footrest.
Sure, I knew about being part of some supernatural bloodline, which explained why I could heal myself. But Sophie never really said what being Genesis meant. Just told me I’d find out in time and to focus on reuniting with my Gemini.
"You have the Genesis birthmark, like us,” Remie said. “You know what that means, right?"
"Not really,” I admitted. “I only know a few random things Sophie told me. And apparently, she wasn't very forthcoming.”
"Okay." Remie scratched his chin. He walked over and kneeled down next to my chair. "Did Sophie tell you the legends of Aravot?"
“A few.” I shrugged.
“Like what?” Remie prodded on.
I scanned the room. The entire family was silent, waiting for me to speak.
“She told me I was some leader of this Aravot place, and someday, my Gemini would find me, sweep me off my feet like Prince Charming, and we’d live happily ever after. The end.”
He glared.
I blew out a breath and held in my eye roll. “That’s literally all I know. She said it didn’t matter yet and not to worry about it. Eventually, I just stopped asking.”
Remie glanced over at his sister, who was chewing on her nails, then returned his attention to me and sat on the couch beside me.
"My mother called Aravot the Eternal City. It's where Eternals, who protect humans, live. Some are Angels, and some are humans who died and were turned into Eternals. Made immortal. And others were children of the Eternals—like us. We're called Firstborns."
Am I immortal? "Sophie never told me any of that."
"It's okay," Remie continued. "Genesis is the first immortal family. Some are part of the Elder Council, made up of Gemini. Each is a couple, an Angel and an Eternal, and because they have human blood, they're able to have a child every thousand years. Those children go to earth until the Firstborn Daughter finds them, and then finds her Gemini.
"The Firstborns have the Genesis birthmark. Eight dots, Mom called them stars. They represent the eight Eternals of the Elder Council. When the Firstborn Daughter finds her Gemini, the others get their marks, their full powers, and go back to Aravot to be assigned roles by the Council."
“How could she keep all this from me?” I grumbled. "So we're the children? The Firstborns?"
"Well, we are." He gestured around the room.
"Okaaay?" I was so confused.
"We are." He pointed to himself, and then to Rainah and Micah. "But we think you are the Firstborn Daughter."
"Me?"
I looked over at Micah, still standing next to the door, probably expecting me to bolt.
Everyone had their eyes on me, waiting for an epiphany.
"So…what is, or who is this Firstborn Daughter? How’s that different from you? And what makes you think I'm her?"
"You have the Ring of Chayah. And Phoebe just said it’s glowing?"
"What?" I sat up. "How did you…?" Dumb question. How did he know anything? Geez was I behind the curve here.
"Chayah is another word for Eternal Mother." He reached for my wrist and turned it over. "And your Genesis birthmark. It's connected now." He showed me his mark. "So have ours."
My gaze darted through the room. Each of them pushed their palms up toward me. Everyone had a tattoo, similar to mine.
Everyone but Phoebe.
"Do you know what this means?" Phoebe’s eyes got wider, and she threw her hand over her mouth. She jumped up and came over to the other side of my chair. "I told you, it's Cade. He’s really your Gemini. I knew it."
"It also means we'll be leaving Chicago soon," Remie said. He moved toward Phoebe and put his arm around her.
She gave him a knowing look and buried her head under his chin.
Phoebe didn't have the Genesis mark. She’d be left behind.
I never really thought about what it would mean once this Gemini thing took hold.
Phoebe may not have the seal, but there was no way I could ever leave her. She was one of us, and she belonged with us. And how could I have matched them if she wasn't Remie’s Gemini? I saw their lights, both of their lights—the same color. They merged. I'd never seen any other human's color before.
"This is all my fault," I said.
"Nobody's blaming you," Remie said. "You have no control over this. It's our destiny, there's no controlling that."
"Like hell I don’t,” I scoffed. "This is my life."
I grabbed my keys and headed toward this door. This time, Micah moved aside.
"And I'll be damned if I won't have a say as to how it turns out."
~Chapter Eight~
Cade
It had only been an hour after leaving Zoe when something buzzed in my pocket.
I removed the phone Raz had given me. Zoe's name lit up the screen. I hadn't expected to hear from her so soon. My heart pulsed with anticipation.
I fumbled with the device, perplexed how to answer the call. Zoe had to place her number in the damned thing because I had no idea how it worked.
Using technology would take some getting used to.
When I needed to contact Zoe, I had only to use my thoughts. No words were necessary, but that was a gift we weren’t allowed to utilize here. Not until Gabrielle confirmed our union, and our souls Converged.
For now, we’d resort to this archaic form of communication.
"Zoe, what a pleasant surprise."
"Cade." Her tone was stern and unyielding.
"What’s the matter? Has something happened?"
"You," she said. "We need to talk. Right now."
"All right. Shall I meet you somewhere?"
"Where are you? I'm already on my way."
I gave her directions and within minutes, she was knocking on my door. Loudly.
A brooding glare greeted me when I opened the door.
"I’m pleased to see you again." I smiled to soften her mood, but I could tell by her expression my attempts would be in vain.
I recalled this look, and it was seldom followed by pleasantries of any sort.
She darted past me, through the foyer and into the great room. Glancing around, she found the doors leading to the balcony and
went outside.
Her aura was as bright as the June sun. I could not deny how being near her brought my body to life. She clutched the black iron railing and rocked onto her toes to peer at the lakefront below.
I stepped behind her while she stared out toward the horizon. I wanted so badly to take her in my arms, to feel her body pressed to mine. To kiss her velvet lips.
It had been ages, and it took all my reserves not to embrace her when she rotated around and folded her arms over her chest.
"I need some answers." Her cheeks were reddened from either heat or anger, I wasn't sure. “I need to know about this whole Firstborn Daughter thing.”
Her gaze pleaded for answers, but there were few I could give. Laws to the Doctrine were precise, and I refused to risk our Eternal union over broken rules.
"What has happened?" I asked.
“So, you’re my Gemini. You have a Genesis mark. And an aura. I assume that also means you’re part of the Genesis bloodline.” She paused, staring at my wrist. "Although I'm not entirely sure what that means."
I placed my hands into my pockets. “Is that your question?”
With a narrowed expression, she shook her head and thrust past me into the apartment.
Behind her, I followed as Zoe wandered the great room, inspecting the sparse décor.
She stopped. Her eyes widened and lips parted, seemingly stunned by what she beheld.
I knew immediately what had caught her attention as innocent awareness glazed over her features.
She turned and stepped reverently toward the white instrument that beckoned to her from the corner of the room. It was the only item of our life in Aravot that I brought to Chicago.
Zoe circled her Grand Piano, ran her hand along the top. She pulled out the seat and lowered herself.
With trembling hands, she lifted the keyboard cover. Placed her fingers in playing position and held them steady, though not depressing the keys.
Zoe’s gaze glowed with intense focus. Her aura grew brighter and stronger.
Music was her second love, though I often wondered how close a second it was.
As if in a trance, she closed her eyes and began to play. A hauntingly familiar melody drifted through the air—a song she had written for me hundreds of years ago.
A blast of her emotions flowed through me.
Her memories were returning.
Zoe stopped playing mid-chord, her eyes opened, and she inhaled a cavernous breath.
Sensing her anxiety, I stepped behind her and rested my hands on her shoulders, running them down her arms.
"This piano," she whispered, staring at the keys. "It's—familiar."
"Yes."
"I don't understand any of this." She turned to face me. Her shoulders sank, and her gaze fell to the floor.
I crouched before her and lifted her chin with my fingers. "Come. Let's sit on the balcony." I stood and offered my hands, helped her to her feet and led her outside.
We sat on a bench on the terrace overlooking Lake Michigan.
"Remember Remie?” She asked. “You met him in the park."
"Yes, I do.”
"He told me a lot this morning. About Aravot, and the Firstborn Daughter." Her gaze was pleading. "Is that me?" When I did not answer, her cheeks reddened. "Am I your Gemini or not, Cade? It's a simple question."
"You already know the answer to that. I’m not trying to keep things from you.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. "You know, this isn't a great way to start off…" She inhaled a harsh breath. "Whatever this is.”
I diminished the space between us and picked up her left wrist.
Her hand trembled in mine.
I turned it over, exposing her Gemini Seal. Ran my middle finger down her palm, from her fingertips to her wrist, and traced along the thin line of the seal.
She stared intently as I brought her hand to my mouth and pressed my lips against her mark.
I held her hand and set it on my chest, allowing her to feel my heartbeat’s rapid pace, which unbeknownst to her, was becoming like her own.
Her body shuddered at my touch.
I desired so much to tell her. To share everything, but I couldn't. I could only hope my actions would give her the answers she sought.
"You can’t tell me anything?" Picking up my wrist, she rubbed her thumb in a circle over my Gemini Seal.
“I would like nothing more, love. But none of that matters. You mustn't focus on titles. Listen to what your soul tells you to be true." I gazed into her eyes. "We do share a connection, one deeper than any other. And an epic history, but it’s one that in time, you must discover for yourself."
"So, that’s it.” Her expression fell. “It’s all true." She appeared distraught at the news, and I must admit, it hurt a little.
I wasn't sure how much information the Firstborns had shared with her or even what their guardians had shared with them. But it was important for Zoe to choose me—to choose to love me of her own free will. That her decision not be muddled by a sense of duty to saving her Tree, or from loyalty to the Eternals and Firstborns whose lives would also be affected.
Her decision proved to Gabrielle and the Council that despite all the chaos and darkness in this world, love still remained, and humanity was worth saving.
It was an admission of love—one that must be made by her, alone.
"What or who you are is unimportant. It’s what’s inside your soul that matters."
Her gaze dropped to our hands.
"Your heart will lead you, love. When it’s open, it will reveal to you all the answers you seek."
"You sound like you’re a hundred years old.”
I could not hold back a laugh.
"Happy to entertain you." She pulled away. "So now what?"
"Spend time with me. Learn about us, and your heart will open to me." I placed my hand on her cheek. "In time. But first, you must learn to trust your instincts. Listen to your heart. Not your head."
I truly yearned to tell her everything. Zoe was my best friend. Keeping secrets from my Gemini pained me.
The answers she sought burned inside me—that if she didn’t choose me, the Tree of Souls would cease rejuvenating, and the remaining humans would bear soulless children. That evil would take over the earth, and death would come to all.
That I would lose her—my Gemini and Twin Soul—for all Eternity.
I longed to beg her to love me, but I couldn’t. I could only sit by, helpless. Plead silently that the imprint she said I had left on her soul would always lead her heart back to me.
"It’s not that easy. I don't trust anyone. Not anymore," she whispered, then turned away. "Not even myself."
I stood from the bench and faced her, placing my palms on her cheeks. I had to make her understand. Find a way to make her see how much I loved her, craved and needed her.
"You can always trust me, love. I know you have no proof. Nothing tangible. No memory of us, but I assure you, there is no one in this world who cares for you more than me. And if you give me the opportunity, I will prove everything. Then you’ll know you can trust me.”
She stood and faced the lake, her hands gripping the rail. "I've been abandoned by everyone who’s even claimed to care for me. Why would you be any different?"
I stood behind her, uncertain what to say. Do I comfort her? Pull her into my arms or give her space? I wasn't sure how to react, stifled with fear of doing or saying the wrong thing.
I couldn’t afford to get this wrong.
"I understand you've been hurt. Had there been a way for me to prevent it, I would have. If I could take away all the sorrow you hold within your heart now, I would. But I'm here now. And I’ll never leave your side."
Her head lowered, and I gently grasped her shoulders and tugged her back against my chest.
She wrapped her arms over mine and covered my hands.
I laced my fingers through hers. Kissing the top of her head that rested beneath my chin, I bent down
and nuzzled into her ear. Her hair was soft and smelled of cherries.
"I will never allow anyone to hurt you," I said quietly. "You have to trust someone. Let it be me."
Her warmth hummed through me while she rested against my chest. She sighed and turned to face me.
"Please," I implored. "Give us a chance."
"This isn't only about us though. Is it?" Leaning back, she returned her hands to the rail behind her. "If this is all true, and I'm this Firstborn, then Remie was right. I'll have to leave the only life I've ever loved for a life I don't even know I want.
"And Phoebe. She's human." Her gaze grew heavy, her lips pressed together. "I matched her with Remie. How could I have been so wrong?" She pulled her hair from its band and shook her curls as they spilled over her shoulders. "I brought them together. And if he leaves, I’ll be responsible for tearing them apart."
Her eyes brimmed with tears.
"You mustn’t blame yourself." I moved closer, pulled her hands from her hair, and wrapped them around me. I cautiously tugged her into my arms. "You have a beautiful gift. You bring souls together. You must trust in those instincts. They won’t mislead you."
I understood much of her gift. As the original Gemini, it was strong and true. Never had she been wrong about a match, but neither had I witnessed her match a Genesis with a human.
From what I could tell, Phoebe was important to Zoe. Losing Phoebe would understandably be a concern. I would have to discuss this with Raz.
While I held Zoe, every nerve woke from its slumber. My heartbeat increased and a hum of energy surged through me. Just being near her was intoxicating.
I craved to kiss her lips, but I wouldn't. Not until she sought me to.
Until her body spoke to me.
"So what can you tell me?" She asked. "What's the plan?"
"The plan is you get to know me. The way all relationships develop." I released her just enough to look into her eyes. "We spend time together, and your heart will answer the rest. And when you so choose, I’m yours—heart and soul."
Although in time, she would understand that I already was.
"What's the catch? Other than giving up my life here? I need all the information if I'm going to make a decision this important."