Gemini

by Dylan Quinn

  The first dagger Raz picked up had serrated edges. It lit up in his hand with a red tint. At the same time, Remie’s aura began to pulse and grow around him. His light was crimson, nearly indigo.

  Phoebe stood beside Remie, and his light passed to her then lit up her skin. In an instant, her eyes sparkled and subtle purple wisps swirled in them.

  What the hell?

  Something wasn’t right. Their colors merged and sparkled, twinkling like stars. Definitely not the same light when I matched them before. This time, it was—powerful.

  An invisible wind whipped through the room, and the forceful push nearly knocked me down. Eli grabbed my wrist and steadied me.

  Raz pursed his lips and closed his eyes for a moment, then returned to dagger duty.

  He stared at me, and I nodded toward Remie.

  "Remie, this belongs to you."

  Staring at the dagger, Remie moved around the table beside Raz.

  "Hold out your hand." Raz set the dagger in Remie's hands, and the light from earlier seeped into his skin, then rose up and painted a red shadow around him. This time, everyone saw his color.

  The dagger began to cast a faint glow of it's own, and the other Firstborns gasped.

  Remie closed his hand around the weapon, the light in his palm now bled down throughout his arm, up to his shoulders and through the rest of his body. A vibrating light moved through his veins. Once he opened his palm, the lights drifted away.

  The dagger chose him.

  "It's warm." Remie stared at the shiny weapon in his hand, no longer silver but having the same color that glowed from his aura. It was dark obsidian with a red cast.

  The same thing happened with Micah.

  When we got to Rainah, her dagger was the same color as Julian’s aura. Raz placed the weapon in her hand, and a bright, turquoise tint lifted from her. At the same time, the weapon's aura blended with hers.

  I stared at Julian as the soft glow of his own light rose around him. My gaze shifted to Julian's side. The dagger strapped to his leg began to flicker. He reached down and grabbed at it. I assume it was warming his leg. He scrunched up his nose and sucked in his cheeks.

  I held back a giggle.

  Julian squinted and glared at me. “What are you thinking?” he mouthed, although the words echoed in my head.

  I wiggled my eyebrows and shot him an implied grin. I nodded across the room.

  His gaze followed mine as it settled on Rainah, then fired back to me, his eyes wide. Jaw to the floor. “No way!”

  I nodded. “Yes way.”

  He got the cockiest grin on his face, crossed his arms, and puffed out his chest like a penguin in heat.

  “Oh yeah.” He grinned. “You so rock.”

  “I know. You can thank me later.”

  Three daggers gone, and two remained.

  Raz stopped the ceremony there.

  "Hey, doesn't Zoe get one?" Micah jumped in. “I wanted to see her color."

  Raz laughed and slapped Micah on the shoulder. "Zoe will get her weapon. But you’ll never see her color. At least not her true color, only Cade can see it."

  Micah frowned, crushed, like he wasn't part of the club any longer.

  "It's okay, Micah.” Eli patted his shoulder.

  “Why don't you all go with Julian to the kitchen and get some lunch? You need to be fueled for round two of training this afternoon," Raz said.

  The room emptied, leaving me with Raz and Eli.

  Raz sighed, sat in a chair at the table, and his shoulders slumped. "Have a seat, Zoe."

  I sat next to him, and Eli plopped in the chair beside me.

  "What's wrong?" I asked.

  "Nothing you need to worry about right now,” Raz said. “We need you focused and ready.”

  "Okay, so what's next?"

  "We prepare you for battle," Raz said.

  "Aren’t we already doing that?"

  Eli sighed and shook his head.

  "No, Zoe. We've only just begun."

  ~Chapter Thirty-Seven~

  Zoe

  "In order to reach Cade, we're going to have to use the astral plane," Eli explained.

  I had no idea what he was talking about. "I guess that's not the same as a portal?"

  "No," Eli laughed. "Not hardly. You'll use a power called soul projection. It's when your physical body remains in one place while your Genesis soul is in another—the astral plane."

  "When you were with Gabrielle?" Raz interrupted. "She held your hands and had you think of Cade. Then you were together in Aravot."

  Memories of meeting with Cade came rushing back. His beautiful face, his smile. His love.

  Eli grinned. "I was there with you. In a matter of speaking."

  "What? How?"

  "In order to perform an astral shift, you'll need to tap into your origin. Your inner soul. We—" he pointed between us, "are the only Genesis besides the Archangels who have this gift. We can move beyond planes in a way no one else can."

  "How does that work?" I recalled being with Gabrielle in Aravot, feeling myself slipping away while she held me in place.

  "It’s kind of like dreaming. Your physical body is in one place, like lying in bed at night, but your spiritual body, or your soul, is in another. We can materialize in a way nobody else can—almost like time travel, but in real time. And if you can physically materialize, Cade can travel with you because he's your Twin Soul, and he's part of you. Then he can travel back with you, returning here physically to our realm.

  "I don't know how I came to possess this ability, but I do. And so do you," Eli said. "It's the reason why you've had such vivid dreams all your life. They weren't dreams at all, but you were moving through astral planes."

  My entire life, I barely slept peacefully. I’d close my eyes and dream. Like I was there, and I’d wake to remember everything. Sometimes even strange things happened, like I’d brought back things from my dreams. Weird. But cool.

  "Okay, how do I do this?"

  "It takes practice and focus," Eli said. "Doing it subconsciously is surprisingly easier than doing it purposefully. You close your eyes and visualize where it is you want to go. It's your mental abilities that lead you and give you strength. At first, you'll see it in your head but after a while, your physical body will transcend planes, both physical and astral, by using your mind."

  “Wait. So It’s not just my soul then, but my body too?”

  “Yeah. That’s how we’ll get him back. You’ll begin in an astral shift, finding Cade though your soul, then once you connect with him, your body merges with your soul, and you shift planes.”

  I sucked in a breath. This may be the only way to bring Cade home, and I had no idea how. Doubt crashed down on me, settling straight into my chest.

  "It's an amazing gift. I don't do it very often though because it takes quite a bit out of me. Like in your dreams, after the vivid ones, you’re wiped." Eli chuckled. "Using your Genesis soul is more difficult than accessing physical power. It isn't regenerated as fast. And you run the risk of becoming stuck wherever you project yourself to if you aren't careful."

  “Even if I manage to get myself to Cade, I may not be able to get us back out?"

  "Yeah—that's a problem," he said. "If your soul and body don’t reconnect within a certain amount of time before you materialize, your soul can become trapped. It's tricky. Technically, you’re there, body and soul, but for some reason, things shut down and then you can’t create a portal out."

  The idea of being stuck in the dark realm sent a cold chill down my spine. But there was no other way. I had to push through my fears.

  “Okay. Once I get there—" I took a breath. "How do I get Cade out?"

  "He taps into your power. Like borrowing it. Same way you borrowed Gabrielle’s during the Intention Ceremony and Cade borrowed mine. But there's another problem.”

  Not what I wanted to hear. Just listening to Eli made me realize this was going to be hard enough.

  “Cade can’t t
ap into your power until you two physically merge. You need to be bonded in order for it to happen, so we may need to find a way to break the barrier Lilith has in order to get you both back. We can all jump a bridge, but only you and I can soul project to get him out if we can't break through the enchantment. And it's a strong one. I barely found him. Of course, I have him on my GPS now, so I can get back to him." He laughed.

  "GPS?"

  "Yes, it's a sensory thing. I call it GPS. The soul knows once it's connected. Like having our memories hidden and later returned. Like déjà vu. We’re hard-wired. Our souls just know.”

  “Hmm. Okay. So focus. How do I do this?"

  “First, let me show you what we do. Give me your hands."

  I hesitated, pulling up my palms, but holding them close to my chest.

  "I’m sorry I hurt you. I never meant to. You know that, right?"

  "Yeah, fine. Let's just do this, okay?" I shoved my hands toward him.

  "Okay." He paused. "Let's start somewhere easy. Think of a place that's familiar to you. Like home."

  "The lounge. The stage." I sighed, knowing I may never be there again.

  "Zoe." Raz sat beside me. “We took care of everything with Vince. He thinks you became ill, and you're in New York going through medical treatments. And as far as Dr. Lucci and Infinity Records, well. That was trickier. There's still a window open, but we can’t focus on that now. Cade is your priority. Do you understand?"

  I nodded, fighting back my rage over the entire situation. I needed to focus, but I didn't know how. My thoughts were as scattered as the snow falling outside the window.

  "Okay, the stage," Eli started. "Close your eyes. What do you see?"

  "My piano. My fingers are on the keys."

  We sat a while. I visualized myself back on stage, playing for the crowd. Minutes. A half hour passed.

  I opened my eyes—Eli and Raz’s expressions said everything.

  I felt nothing.

  "Your head’s not clear." Eli pulled his hands from mine and set them in his lap. "I think you have too much pain and anger built up. Against me. This won't work unless you can let everything go."

  Raz sat to the side and rubbed his head. "I think you've had enough for now. You and Eli should go get some lunch. You need to hash this out and get it off your chest."

  "I don't have anything to talk to him about, Raz. It's ancient history. I've moved on."

  Eli rose to his feet, shoulders slumped. He shoved his hands into his pockets then shuffled his feet as he moved toward the exit, gaze glued to the floor.

  This was hurting him, too, but the wound was still fresh for me, and having to work with him just rubbed more salt in it. I needed more time. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any to spare.

  "Apparently, you haven’t. Eli's right, your mind is all over the place. You need to focus on rescuing Cade." He grabbed my hands. "You’ve been through a lot. And it isn't fair that this is happening. But we have one chance to save him. And this is something you need to do. Do you understand what I'm telling you?"

  Tears stung my eyes. I sucked in a breath, and my gaze found Eli. He stood by the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. Julian had come in, and they were whispering to each other.

  "It's okay to cry. Look at me, Zoe."

  I turned to face Raz.

  "You don't have to keep it all to yourself. We know how strong you are, and we’ll shoulder this with you the best we can. I know what happened when Eli hurt you, but you need to talk to him. He loves you. In a way you couldn't possibly understand at this moment, but you need to know he wants nothing more than to reunite you with Cade. You must trust Eli and me. Your inner voice is there, but you need to listen.”

  I turned away. Easier said than done. I’d been trying all day to clear my head of everything. To let go of what Eli had done, how he hurt me, but for some reason, I couldn’t let it go, and now it was standing between me and my Gemini.

  I had to figure this out.

  "Now. Take Eli and go get some lunch. Talk to him. Let him explain his story and your history together. Then your mind will be cleared, and you can focus on what lies before you."

  "Yeah. A fight.” The reality of what really lay ahead was too bleak for me to be optimistic. I felt defeated already. A brick sat on my chest, and it was sinking me.

  "No, a life with Cade. Your Gemini. Your Twin Soul." Raz said bluntly. "Because if you don’t make this happen, I promise the outcome will be perilous for everyone. You were right before. This isn't just about you."

  His expression became stoic and for the first time, his words felt like a warning.

  "This is about everyone. Remember how your soul came alive in Aravot with Gabrielle. When the flower from your Tree bloomed. That’s what this is about. Not just you and Cade, but the Tree of Souls. Your Tree—which you have vowed to protect. If you're not successful, the blooms that wait will wither and die. Life will cease to exist. It was your choice to continue this journey. To prove that love still exists, and that life is worth saving. You’ve proven that to the Archangels, and to us. Now you need to prove it to yourself.”

  I blew out a breath and sat up. He was right.

  "You love your Gemini, and that is reason enough. But now, it's not just Cade's life you’ll be saving. Without him, the Tree will be compromised. While you and Cade guard them together, they’re symbiotic, like Gemini—one cannot exist in harmony without the other."

  Tiny wrinkles creased his forehead, and he placed his hand on my shoulder.

  "You are the Eternal Mother, Chayah. All humanity springs from you. Your blood. These souls are a part of you, and it's your responsibility to protect them. It's a choice you made many millennia ago, and one I see you would choose again. Don't let petty human emotions stand in the way of your destiny. Of saving your Gemini. Trust your fate, Zoe. It calls to you."

  ~

  I took Eli to Superdawgs Drive Inn on Milwaukee Avenue. We pulled into the parking lot with the two silly hot dogs on the roof now dressed like Santa Claus.

  “Who knew Santa was a hot dog.” Eli laughed nervously as we entered the restaurant.

  Neither of us said more than a few words as we sat across from each other, staring at our meals. I guess Eli didn’t know what to say either. I doubt he had the guts to ask what I’d been up to the past three years after he dumped me. On my birthday.

  As for me, I spun the Ring of Chayah on my finger, running my thumb over the dark purple stone, thinking about that day three years ago when Eli left.

  Sure, I had come to terms with my Gemini status, I’d even fallen in love with Cade, but what Eli did still hurt. And if I was going to get over this and clear my head to save Cade, I had to deal with this once and for all. Face the anger and pain so I could set it free.

  Only I had no idea how.

  Eli broke my heart.

  His abandonment when I needed him most—it killed me, took any bit of faith in myself, in my instincts, and snuffed them out. Forced the wall up around my heart that nearly kept me from Cade, from choosing my destiny.

  Not only was I hurt, but I was still pissed.

  But Raz was right. These unresolved issues stood between me and my Gemini. For Cade’s sake, I had to at least try to see Eli’s side. To understand why he hurt me. Why he left like that.

  I didn’t know what to say.

  Eli sat across from me, tapping his fingers on his glass, taking one sip of Pepsi after another. Tap. Drink. Set down glass. Repeat. His anxious routine made me dizzy.

  Breathe, Zoe.

  "So. How’s your Chicago dog?" Not philosophical, but at least I broke the silence.

  He stared at the mustard and relish, picking off the onions.

  "I kind of miss ketchup. Not quite New York style." He laid his palms on the table, closed his eyes and took a big breath.

  “Okay, here goes.” He opened his eyes and started. “I know this is awkward, and I'm sorry. I’d love to help you. In fact, I'm honored this is something I can do
for you. I owe you more than you’ll ever know. And you need to understand, so you can move on."

  Eli had been saying sorry a crap ton since he got here. If I wasn’t so hurt, I may have actually felt guilty. Guess it was time I let him off the hook. I didn't want any of this carrying with me once I got Cade back. I needed to start a life with him, one that wasn't shadowed in darkness.

  Cade didn't deserve that.

  "Okay." I relented. "Tell me your story."

  He sighed with relief. "Remember our last conversation before your eighteenth birthday?"

  “Yeah.” Not fondly, by any means.

  "Well that night, something happened to me." He got quiet for a minute and glanced back toward the door. "I was in a car accident." He swallowed. "And—I died."

  My eyes widened. "What?"

  He nodded. His eyes glazed over like he was preparing to cry, but he didn’t.

  "Yeah, I died. I was crossing the street to Central Park, scouting locations for our meeting. On my way over, I got hit by a taxi. Figures, right?" He chuckled.

  "Anyway, I was lying in the street and the most amazing thing happened. A beautiful voice spoke, and a vision of light appeared. There was no pain, and I didn’t panic. Just a brilliant light. It was peaceful, really. Next thing I knew, I felt my soul separate from my body. Literally.

  "And then I saw your face. Heard your voice, Zoe. You were there with me. I don't know if you recall the dream you had, the night before you came to see me in New York? Well I was there. Only, I was dead."

  My jaw dropped. The dream came rushing back. Eli was there, lying in the street. His light was fading, and I got scared. At the time, I chucked it up as a nightmare. But I was there, and so was—someone else. A woman.

  I covered my mouth with my hands, holding back tears.

  Eli reached for me, wrapping his fingers around my hands and setting them on the table. "Please, don't cry. Obviously, this has a happy ending."

  Obviously. Eli was sitting here before me, and he was as alive as anyone could be.

  "You were there when I passed on. And so was someone else. Somehow, you soul projected yourself at the time of my death. You were there, and you introduced me to a very special person." He released my hands then got up from the table.