by Dylan Quinn
I had no idea what he was talking about, and he didn’t give me time to analyze it. A second later, the room lit up behind us. The door opened, and I turned to a familiar light filling the room.
Eli met a beautiful woman at the door and kissed her lips.
She had long, chestnut brown hair and sparkling blue eyes. She smiled with amazing warmth. The temperature spiked a few degrees.
Eli held the woman’s hand, and they floated toward our table.
Comforted tears streamed down my cheeks, and the heaviness that had burdened my heart for the past three years drifted away.
I got up from the table.
Eli's deep blue aura grew stronger as their lights merged, exploding like fireworks into the air.
Gemini.
My breath caught and the room began to spin. I nearly stumbled.
Eli steadied me and directed me to my chair. "I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting this."
The woman smiled and laid her hand on my shoulder. Her warmth radiated through me, just like Eli's did when I was a kid. When he protected me.
"Zoe, this is Lailah. My Gemini."
Eli was glowing. His vivid light radiated around them both, and I understood. Eli was happy. He must have been matched all along. He chose to return to earth to protect me. He gave up his Gemini to be with me, to watch over me and keep me from harm.
"I'm so glad you're safe. I've been so concerned about you." Lailah sat next to Eli and glanced over at me. "May I?" She gestured toward my palms that rested on the table.
I nodded, then she took my hands, and drew them to her.
"So you two are matched?"
Eli and Lailah gave each other knowing grins.
"You matched me with Eli long ago. We've been together since your first incarnation when you recognized his soul."
"I'm so sorry, Eli. I didn't know."
All these years, I’d blamed Eli. Held this animosity for him, for a reason that wasn’t even relevant now.
"It's all right. Neither did I until I died. Again." He laughed. "You were there. Somehow, in a dream state, you projected to my side when I died. We were together when Lailah appeared. You placed my hands in hers, and she took me on to Aravot. That's when I met Michael and Gabrielle. They explained everything.” He grinned. “Reminded me.”
“They told me not to come back to see you,” Eli said. “They believed it would be best if we ended things as they were, but I knew you, and insisted I find a way to be there. You couldn't bear being stood up like that. Lailah taught me how to project myself to you."
"How did you come to be human again?" There was so much I didn't understand, so many who had sacrificed for me.
Lailah smiled and squeezed my hands. "Eli made a choice. You were in danger, and he needed to protect you. He petitioned the Elder Council to allow him to be reborn and placed by your side. We all gave consent.”
"So you left your Gemini to protect me?" Goose bumps raced over my arms and into my chest.
Eli and Lailah looked to each other and smiled.
"And we’d do it again. We all have to make sacrifices," Lailah explained. "This is never just about our Gemini, but humanity. Although we've been granted the gift of Eternal love for our sacrifices, it's not the only thing motivating us. Your sacrifice, Zoe—the one you made for humanity in the beginning has inspired all of us to give up something in return.
"You were willing to sacrifice your soul so others would have a chance to live. That sacrifice has not been forgotten. Had you not done that, Chayah, I never would've found Eli." Lailah turned to me. "We all love you for that. We’ll all sacrifice for you. Do whatever it takes to ensure this life you’ve instituted continues."
Eli jumped in. "So you see why I had to do what I did." He beamed at Lailah, and his color exploded around him.
That did it.
The wall crumbled.
All the pain and heartache I held for Eli slipped away.
"I feel so stupid." I pulled my hands from Lailah's and dropped my head onto the table.
"No, don't.” Eli laid his hand on mine. “We've all had those moments. Look at me, hell, I didn't know until I got hit by a car, for Aravot's sake."
I raised my head and gazed at the Gemini sitting beside each other. So in love.
"Are you an Eternal, too?" I asked Lailah.
"I'm an Angel. Like Raz, I was assigned to help you and Cade once your first incarnation took place. I'm part of the Elder Council. While you assign gifts to Eternals, you and I have been close friends for many years. Sisters. We work together protecting the Tree, assigning souls."
"Lailah has an amazing job." His expression lit up. "She imprints each soul with all the mysteries of the world. She hushes their memories, which are awakened when they pass on."
Their love for each other was clear. Now this entire thing felt so stupid and petty. There was so much yet to understand, but the weight that had been sitting on my chest lifted.
I was free.
"So when you protected me, was it from Lilith?"
"There have been demons and Fallen surrounding you all your incarnation," Lailah said. “We suspected, but were not sure until now. Lilith did have a hand in this all along.”
Yeah, that sounded about right.
"We don't think the foster guardian was initially in on it, but we suspect he made a deal for his soul, and that's why he began—hurting you." She sighed. "That's when Sophie chose to leave Raz and come to be your guardian."
"What do you mean, leave Raz?"
"As I told you earlier, we all watch out for one another. It's what we do. We're Genesis. We all have something to gain or lose, but it's all part of the plan and the journey set in motion thousands of years ago. We fight for each other, for our family. For the light."
All the people sitting around—laughing, eating, talking—they lived. I stared out the window at the bustle of the city moving with a force of its own.
I was part of that.
My breath pulled away when Lailah squeezed my hands.
"I know this has been much to comprehend. We're hoping once you knew the truth, you’ll be able to focus on your task. You’ve always been there for us when we needed you to protect us or to fight for us. Now we're assembling to fight for you. Raz was right, this is your battle, but we’re all behind you and won’t leave you to fight alone. We're your family, Zoe. For Eternity."
"Thank you, Lailah. For sacrificing your time with Eli for me, and Eli. For being there when Cade couldn't. I owe everyone so much.”
The floodgates opened. Alligator tears streamed down my flushed cheeks. Goose bumps raced over my skin. The Ring of Chayah—my wedding ring blazed to life on my hand.
I knew what I had, and what I lost. Knew what I had to do.
My Gemini was sitting in some cell, rotting away because he sacrificed himself for me.
My friends. My family. They all sacrificed their Gemini to keep me safe.
Raz gave up Sophie. Sophie gave up Raz.
Eli risked losing Lailah forever.
And Cade. My Gemini, a man who had loved me unconditionally gave himself. And all for what? For me to have spent the past six months whining over some music career—some mundane existence that in the scope of things, could never mean what the Genesis family meant to me.
“I’m ready now.” I gazed at Lailah and Eli. “Help me bring Cade home. Please.” I wiped away remnants of tears. “I love him.”
Lailah and Eli nodded. Said always in unison. They both let out a light laugh.
Eli placed his hands on Lailah’s cheek, gazed into her eyes, and kissed her.
I had to admit, this Cosmic Cupid gig was one cool job.
For the first time, this life—my destiny—no longer felt like a burden.
I would fight for Cade’s life, even if it meant giving up my own. I’d do whatever it took to get my Gemini back safe, with me. Where he belonged.
Because I had a family now.
And I would stop at nothing to protect
them all.
~Chapter Thirty-Eight~
Zoe
Raz texted Eli, and said they were calling it a day, so we headed to Cade’s. His apartment was quiet when we walked in.
Except for the brilliant golden aura that filed in from the other room, sending my Cosmic Cupid charge into high alert.
Someone else was here.
I headed down the corridor to the front room. Raz sat on the couch, and his arm was wrapped around his Gemini, their golden lights casting shadows around them, only I could see.
“Sophie.”
My heart sped up.
"Zoe." She got to her feet and swept toward me. Her auburn hair was longer now and framed her heart-shaped face. She reached me, her hazel eyes shimmering with threatened tears.
Sophie pulled me into her arms, and I lost it. I held tight, and couldn’t let go.
"I'm sorry, Sophie. For anything. Everything. I'm so sorry."
Tears fell and wouldn’t stop. I just couldn’t quit crying today.
I’d missed her so much. Sophie was the only mother figure I’d ever known and with her home, the hole in my chest hurt a bit less.
"Shh. Nothing to apologize for. I would do it again." She pulled away, and ran her fingers under my eyes, wiping away my tears. "Cade needs you.” She pushed stray hairs away that had stuck to my cheeks. “The love he has for you knows no bounds. You must understand how important it is that you quiet your mind so you can reach him. We're almost out of time. Eli and Raz can help, but you need to block out everything except Cade."
"I know." I swiped away the last of my tears. Sophie never was one to beat around the bush. “I can do this.”
She motioned to Raz and Eli. In a second, they were by my side.
"All right, Zoe. Are you ready to see Cade?" Eli asked.
With Sophie and my family beside me, a tad of confidence returned. I really just wanted this rescue over with, but the truth was the hole in my heart would never be healed without Cade.
"Tell me what to do."
"Where are you closest to Cade? Sense his presence?" Sophie asked.
They all stared as I scanned the room—my gaze fixed on my piano.
"Very good, let's sit there."
I reached the bench and sat facing them.
Eli brought in chairs from the kitchen, and they all sat around me.
"Now close your eyes and think of Cade," he said. "Whatever it is that brings him close to you. What draws you to him?"
I blushed.
Raz closed his eyes, suppressing a laugh.
"Sorry." I faced the floor, blood burned through my cheeks, and I covered my face with my hands.
"It's perfectly natural to feel that way.” Sophie rubbed my back. “Use whatever you can to reach him. If it's his kiss or his touch, use it. There’s no shame in love."
The heat in my cheeks subsided—for the moment.
"Okay, close your eyes. Think of the last time you were with him, felt close to him," Sophie nudged. "Relive the memory and when his presence sparks within you, speak to him. Let's see if you can communicate despite the enchantment keeping you apart."
I closed my eyes, remembered sitting on this very bench with Cade before Raz walked in…
Staring into Cade's eyes, I glance to his mouth and move closer. I can't help myself—my tongue grazes my bottom lip. I want to kiss him so badly.
He must sense this because he takes his finger under my chin and places his palm to my cheek.
I lose my breath trying to take in his intoxicating scent.
Cade leans in and nudges closer. A jolt of electricity runs through me the second our lips meet. Parting them, his tongue slips inside.
I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him close. His muscular body presses against my skin. I run my hands down his arm.
I'm so nervous, but I need him. Desperately need his body, his soft skin gliding against mine.
I fiddle with the button of his jeans and press down on his waist. Decide it's now or never, and move my hand down further. My heart flutters faster as my fingers tiptoe below the denim.
His hand covers mine, to stop it, but he doesn’t remove it, so I don’t budge. Just keep my hand steady as his body wakes to my touch.
I need him, his kiss. His lips move feverishly over my mouth, and his heat burns inside me, his electricity runs through me.
His fingertips glide over my waist and dip beneath my T-shirt. With his hands on my waist, he slides them up toward my breasts. My skin puckers at his touch, giving me goose bumps as he runs his fingers gently over my belly...
"Cade."
I missed him. Needed him home where he belonged.
"I need you."
"Zoe. I'm here."
My eyes shot open. Eli sat across from me, the widest grin set across his face.
"I heard him."
"So did I. You did it, Zoe." Eli nodded, grinning. "Now if I can get that tryst of yours out of my head."
A flush spread across my cheeks, and my eyes rolled up to the ceiling.
"It's okay, Zo. Whatever it takes." He winked.
~
We worked on it for hours and around one in the morning, my brain had its fill.
Eli was right, astral projection was mentally taxing.
I took a shower and crawled into Cade's bed. His scent was starting to fade, but its remnants still wrapped around me, pulling me a little closer, though never close enough.
Before I fell asleep, I made a last attempt at reaching Cade, but this time, I had to do it on my own. Raz and Eli said it was likely since I’d become more introverted this incarnation. That maybe I needed some time alone with Cade in my mind to reach him.
I laid on my back and scanned the room, thinking about my Gemini.
I closed my eyes, and the night we met reeled through my head. How my heartbeat soared. How I couldn’t stop gazing into his beautiful cerulean eyes.
Everything around us disappeared the moment his heart pulsed beneath my cheek.
And the first night I woke in his arms. He took care of me. Held me all night and refused to let go. So protective. Loyal. Loving. His scent filled me as I laid beside him, nuzzled into his chest.
"Cade, please be all right. I need you. I miss you."
I buried my head into his pillow, taking in whatever trace of him was left lingering.
I relaxed, took slow breaths, and focused on his face. I brushed my fingers across my lips. Memorized his kiss.
My vision cleared, and then he was there. I’d found him.
“Cade.”
He was curled up like a roly-poly bug, lying on the dirty floor of a room similar to the one Lilith kept me in. Only different. A dark, shimmering bubble surrounded his lifeless body, protecting him from spying eyes. Probably why the Firstborns couldn’t sense him or breach the cell.
But I could. I did.
The visions started to drift away with my waning focus, so I cleared my mind and returned to thinking of Cade’s presence beside me.
He reappeared.
His pain, his heartache wrapped around me, squeezing my chest.
I struggled to breathe.
My skin was ice cold, and my heart slowed to match his cadence. Every limb began to ache, to scream for sustenance. For warmth.
For life.
Cade was dying.
A sudden shift of force came over me, and my body felt weightless, as if I were hovering over him, watching from the ceiling.
“Cade?”
His eyes were closed, but he began to stir.
“Please. Answer me, tell me you hear me. Please let him hear me.”
"Zoe."
“Oh, thank you. I'm here, Cade. I'm with you. I’m going to get you out of here. I promise."
The glow of Cade’s aura had faded to a faint scattering of energy. His skin was sallow and pale, and his once soft lips, whose kiss I needed desperately, were grey.
Time was running out.
Cade opened his eyes, their once vibra
nt cerulean hue was now dark and lifeless.
"Zoe."
I needed to pull him into my arms, to feel him, to take him home, but I didn't know how. I reached for him, but had no control over myself.
"Cade, I'm here, baby. How can I help you? I don't know what to do."
I started crying, and he faded away.
“Zoe. I…”
The room went dark. My soul pulled back, though I fought desperately to stay. Air rushed through the room, and my eyes opened.
Cade was gone, and I was back in his apartment.
I jumped out of bed and ran into the front room.
Sophie and Raz were still awake, holding hands on the couch.
"Zoe." Raz stood and rushed over. Sophie followed.
"What's wrong?" Sophie asked.
"Your glow," Raz said. "You found him."
Sophie nodded.
Eli and Lailah came out of their room. "What's happened?" Eli asked.
Tears stung my eyes. "He's dying. Isn't he?"
Raz pursed his lips.
Sophie reached for my shoulders. "Yes, he is."
"Why didn't anybody tell me? He’s dying!”
"We know, Zoe."
“You should have told me." I fell to my knees.
"We couldn't," Sophie said. “If you knew, you would have chosen Cade for the wrong reasons. The Doctrine can only be upheld when your soul chooses to Converge out of love, not duty or even kindness.”
“What the hell’s the difference?”
“Zoe. You’ve chosen Cade out of love. You’ve done everything right. We never anticipated Lilith would have found a way to keep you from Converging. But take heart. All is not lost.”
“It sure seems that way.” I gasped for air and bent over, laid my palms to the floor. I was drowning. Hollow.
“Stop this.” Sophie grabbed my shoulders. “Cade has no powers as a human, only those you share with him. You have until the Winter Solstice. All is not lost, but it will be if you don’t pull yourself together.” Sophie was never one to coddle.
I sat up and leaned back on my heels, taking in a deep breath.
“You can do this. We believe in you, Chayah.” Raz set his hands on my shoulders to settle my nerves.
And I let him.