‘We’ve been here many times before.’ Nick looked at me. ‘I’ve never seen you so…pathetic.’
Natalie launched from me and flew across the path. She tackled Nick and sent him to the ground.
‘He’s not pathetic!’ she cried. ‘He’s amazing!’
She threw out her arms, punching Nick in the side. He managed to roll her onto her back.
‘Get off her!’ I shouted as he pinned her with his body.
Natalie didn’t scream. She was fighting. She kicked out at him but he was too strong for her. I looked around. There was no one nearby. I couldn’t do anything. I felt stuck. How could I help her? My veins started to pound with heat. How dare he touch her like that? He was my enemy, not hers. I was going to kill him.
‘I mean it, get off her.’ I growled.
He ignored me. The struggle continued. My arms vibrated where they gripped the chair arms so hard. I wrenched them away from the burning plastic and cupped my hands together. Closing my eyes, I pushed the heat out of my hands. When the energy flowed out of me, I opened my eyes.
Flames sparked in my palm, gradually growing into a ball of fire. It was small but it was enough.
Raising my hands, I took aim and threw it at Nick’s back. It hit his shoulder and dispersed around him, the flames singeing the black jumper he wore. He howled and jumped up. He spun towards me but stopped when he saw that I had another flaming ball ready for him.
‘You’ve still got your little talent, then,’ he muttered, trying to rub his burnt shoulder.
Natalie scrambled over to me and climbed onto my lap.
‘Leave now,’ I told him.
He wiped his mouth and spat on the ground. ‘Always did admire you, Aries.’
‘I never admired you. Actually, before you go. Where’s my father?’
Nick paused as a grin spread over his thin lips. ‘I thought you’d forgotten about him.’
I shook my head as Natalie buried her face in my chest. I had one arm around her and the other held to the side of us. The fireball still sat in my palm. I couldn’t feel it. It was like I was holding fresh air.
‘No, we’ve not forgotten him. We’re coming to get him,’ I said.
He laughed. The sound made Natalie look at him. ‘I recognise you. I’m going straight to the police.’
For the first time ever, I shared a smile with my enemy. We both knew that she wouldn’t go to the police. I wouldn’t let her. The feud had lasted for hundreds of years. The police didn’t need to be involved.
‘You do know that this is it, don’t you?’
My words made him still as he was about to turn. He looked at me, his gaze searching mine.
‘I have a feeling that this is the last time round. Which only means one thing, doesn’t it?’
My lack of legs had been forgotten. My useless life had been put to the side. There was only living in the moment. As I sat there with a fireball in my hand, and the girl by my side, I felt alive. Nick was a reminder of why I was on Earth. The sweet eyes of the woman that looked to me for reassurance was the only confirmation I needed.
‘What’s that, then?’ Nick asked, scratching his stubble.
‘That this lifetime will be the last time we ever meet.’
His eyebrows rose as the corners of his lips lifted. He didn’t believe me. I knew it was the truth. Somewhere in my human bones, my soul tried to tell me that I was right.
‘You’re still so young. Do you seriously think that all twelve of you will be successful? Maybe I should kill her now to prove that you’re wrong.’ He pointed at Natalie. She tried to pull away again but I squeezed her tight against me.
‘This is my fight,’ I whispered.
She went still in my lap. I let my breath rush out of me.
‘You like a challenge. It would be boring for you to kill her now. When I’m at my weakest.’
I moved the fireball in front of me so he took notice of it again. Natalie’s big eyes were glued to the flames. I glanced around quickly and saw a dog walker approaching. Snapping my hand shut, the fireball disappeared.
‘You’re right. I’m bored already, because you’re not trying to fight me. Let me give you a little reminder.’
He stepped forward. I opened my hand, pulled fire onto my palm, and threw the ball at his chest. It blasted into him and he stumbled back, patting the burn mark on his jumper.
‘I like that you play dirty. You always have. You’re more ruthless than the others. You’re not afraid of anything. I think this will be the thing that kills you, though.’ He gestured to my wheelchair.
A roar rumbled up my chest and escaped my mouth. I had no idea where it came from. When Natalie flinched from the sound, I stopped.
‘I will never give up and you know it. How do you think I’m even alive today? I’m going to be fit again, and when I am, I’ll come looking for you.’
Nick winked at me. I almost threw Natalie off to pounce on him. The dog walker had diverted his path and gone away from us.
‘I wouldn’t want to fight you like that. It wouldn’t be fair. But, by all means, come looking for me. I think I’ll find you first, though. Just to make sure that things aren’t too cosy here.’ He winked again and turned to go. ‘Oh, one more thing,’ he said, looking back over his shoulder. ‘Your mother sends her regards.’
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself reacting. The burst of pain brought the taste of metallic on my tongue.
‘What was that about?’ Natalie asked, climbing off my lap as Nick disappeared out of the park.
I pulled my phone from my pocket without replying and dialled home. ‘Gemini?’
‘Yeah…?’
‘Is Leo there?’
‘No, everyone’s at work. It’s just me and Taurus,’ he replied.
‘Okay, you need to come to Clapham Common. Bring the van and get Taurus to drive the car and meet us somewhere away from here. I’ve just had a run in with Nick. We need to make sure he can’t follow us home.’
I hung up the phone when he agreed.
‘Aries…?’
I looked up at her. She stood in front of me with her arms folded, looking pale. Her foot tapped the ground as she waited for me to explain.
‘There’s a lot about me you don’t know,’ I said, grabbing my wheels and setting off down the path, towards the exit. I didn’t want Nick, or his men, to track us.
‘I guessed that when I met your brothers and sisters. It’s a bit odd that you all have names of the Zodiac.’
She walked beside me. Her hands shook by her sides. The experience had scared her. It was the first time she had let me push myself.
‘Yes, there’s—’
‘What was the fire, Aries? Did I imagine that? Is it a special trick?’ Her eyes were wide as the words rushed out of her.
She grabbed my arm as I was about to push the wheel again. I rolled to a stop but looked ahead. A confrontation with Nick wasn’t quite the way I had planned to tell her about my ability.
‘Can we just go home? I promise to tell you everything when we get back to safety.’
She looked down at me. It took her a moment to agree and start walking again. My chest burnt with adrenaline. A part of me wished I had hurt Nick. Just to get some of the frustration out. I was powerless in the bloody wheelchair. I couldn’t even get up to rescue her.
‘Why did you tackle him, are you mad?’ I snapped when she put a hand on my shoulder.
‘Yes, I am bloody mad! I’m here with you, aren’t I? When I could be living a normal life!’
My gaze snapped to her as I grabbed my wheels and came to a halt. She walked ahead a few steps, then came back.
‘That’s exactly what you should be doing,’ I said, grabbing her hand and pulling her down. She had no choice but to bend to me. I thrust my face towards her. ‘Don’t you see how messed up my life is? You need to get out, while you still can.’
‘You need me,’ she hissed, her voice strong with conviction.
I swallowe
d but the fire in my gut helped me to push through. ‘No, I don’t. I don’t need you, and I don’t want you. I have no idea why you would want me like this. I don’t want you the whole time I’m in this chair.’
Her eyelashes fluttered as she blinked. The look that flashed into her eyes sent a wave of heat through me. She didn’t really want me. Why would she? Why did it feel like I was breaking her heart, when I was actually setting her free?
The van waited outside the entrance. Gemini leant against it. ‘Aries, let’s go,’ he shouted.
I let go of Natalie and she straightened up. ‘Have a nice life,’ she said quietly, before sprinting in the other direction.
I wanted to call her back. What if Nick kidnapped her? He wouldn’t, there was no need. We weren’t going to unite as soulmates any time soon so there was no risk to him.
‘What happened?’ Gemini asked when I wheeled over to him.
‘Nick was here.’
Gemini pushed me up the ramp and into the van.
‘You said. So why have you let Natalie go when he’s nearby?’
I was tempted to hit him as he secured my chair to the floor.
‘It’s fine. She’ll be safe. Why are you worried?’
‘It’s bloody obvious that she’s your twin flame,’ Gemini said as he got in the front of the van.
‘Just…shut up,’ I muttered.
I watched the world go past as Gemini drove us to meet Taurus. Cursing myself for being such an idiot, I couldn’t stop the questions that went through my mind. Why had I defied my boss that day? Why did I have to be the hero and go and get my legs blown off? I thumped my thigh. I wanted to give up. What did I have to live for?
Chapter Ten
Her eyes were lowered when she came into my bedroom.
‘The doctor has asked me to talk to you,’ she said.
I sat up in the armchair. She hadn’t come for three days. I had still done the exercises that she taught me.
She settled in the chair opposite me but didn’t meet my gaze. Her gaze was fastened onto the bottom of her dress where it rested on her knees.
‘What is it?’ I snapped.
‘They’ve had a cancelation. You can have your operation tomorrow. If you go in to be prepped now.’
Every muscle in my body froze. I had gone for my check-up the day before. Pisces had taken me. The doctor had asked where Natalie was. I had made up an excuse, not able to tell him that she wasn’t there because I was an idiot.
‘Why did he get you to tell me?’
Her dark eyes flicked up and finally met my gaze. My heart kicked my ribs. We had similar colouring, although her skin was paler than mine. She had makeup on her eyelids and mascara curled her eyelashes. Why was she dressed up? Was she going on a date? The idea made my skin flush.
‘He felt I was the best person to prepare you, because I’ve been working with you.’
She wrung her hands together. My stomach tightened as her knuckles went white. I made her nervous. Was it my mood swings? Or just my natural grumpy charm…?
‘That’s good, isn’t it?’
I let a glimmer of hope come into my voice. If I had the operation, it would mean I could be walking in six months’ time.
‘It’s really good,’ she whispered.
She couldn’t help smiling at me. I returned it. A warm glow tickled my skin as her shoulders relaxed.
‘Am I that bad?’ I asked, hanging my head.
She moved and knelt in front of me. Her hair brushed my thighs but I couldn’t feel it through my shorts. She looked up at me and took my hands in hers.
‘You’re an amazing person. You really are. What you’ve been through is…’
‘Life,’ I answered.
‘Yes…and that’s exactly it. You’re feeling sorry for yourself and there’s nothing wrong in that but you’re a fighter. You can wallow for a while but you need a kick up the arse to get you walking again. You can do it, Aries. If anyone can do it, you can.’ Her fingers stroked mine. I savoured the caress. Her words ignited a spark in me. A burning ember started in the pit of my stomach.
I had been sitting in my chair for most of the last three days. Without her there to motivate me, I had allowed myself to get lazy. The exercises were the only thing I had kept up.
‘Yes. I’m ready,’ I said, letting go of her hand and threading my fingers behind her neck.
She frowned but didn’t stop me when I leant down and kissed her forehead. ‘Thank you,’ I whispered, before I let her go.
She looked down at my lap and sighed. Why did she look so sad? Had she wanted me to kiss her?
‘Let’s get you ready. Shall I call the others so you can tell them? I can drive you to the hospital. You might want one of the others to come, too.’ She stood and ran a hand through my hair. It was way too long.
‘Can you get Pisces to get the clippers? I need to get rid of these curls.’
She chuckled as she left the room. I was going to have my legs. I hadn’t even been fitted for normal prosthetics. Having the operation would be much better. It would be a while until I was healed enough to start using the legs but at least I wouldn’t have to wait six months just to have it done.
‘I’m so glad you requested a haircut, you do need one,’ Pisces said as she came into my room.
She held the clippers in her hand. Her own hair was tied up in a messy bun. Antony followed her, grinning from ear to ear. He kissed her on the cheek. The skin his lips touched turned pink.
The intimacy between the pair was unlike anything I had ever seen. Love radiated from them and sunk into me. They were showing me what it was all about. The whole point of our mission was to bring more love to the world. They were the most sickly love birds in the universe. They made me, Aries, feel romantic.
‘I’m getting my operation tomorrow,’ I blurted.
Pisces’ jaw dropped open as she tore her gaze away from her soulmate.
‘That’s fantastic!’ Antony said.
‘Can you go and tell the others?’ I asked him.
He ran off to let them know. It was late. He would need to hunt to find them at various spots in the house. Natalie was off somewhere, packing a bag for me.
‘Do you think it will work?’ I asked Pisces.
She nodded as she plugged in the clippers and came to stand behind me. I leant back so my hair wouldn’t go all over the chair.
‘You’re going to be absolutely fine. You’ll be walking again in no time.’ I could hear the choke in her voice and smiled.
‘Pisces, do you think Natalie—?’
I was interrupted by the sound of singing as Leo came down the hallway. The clippers buzzed as Pisces shaved off my hair. It would be a little longer on top and short at the sides.
‘I’m driving you to the hospital to get your legs,’ Leo said, sitting opposite me.
‘I hate your driving.’ I smiled at him.
He laughed and slapped the arm of the chair. ‘Don’t lie, you love it!’
‘I think I prefer Pisces driving, although—’
She smacked me on the side of the head. I ducked too late.
‘Careful, or I’ll accidentally, on purpose, cut your ear.’
Natalie came into the room, ignoring us as she got on with her job. I watched her tall toned frame move around efficiently, trying to find what I would need for my hospital stay.
‘I love you lot, you know that, don’t you?’ I said suddenly.
They looked at me and nodded, dismissing my unusual show of emotion.
‘I mean it.’
‘We know, mate,’ Leo said, getting up and pulling the van keys out of his pocket.
I shook my head. I wasn’t very good at being sentimental, but when I opened my heart, they didn’t believe me. I remembered what an arsehole I had been over the last few months and could see why.
‘Right, we’re ready.’ Natalie threw my bag over her shoulder and left the room.
She was distant. I didn’t blame her. I had told her tha
t I didn’t want her but it wasn’t true. I wanted her more than I had ever wanted anyone. The problem was, I wasn’t good enough to have her. She was a fit, active woman. She should have someone who could run alongside her, play sports, and be able to stand beside her at the altar.
‘Yes, she is your soulmate. And yes, she does love you,’ Pisces whispered in my ear as she turned the clippers off and brushed away the loose hair.
I couldn’t do anything but nod as Leo brought the wheelchair over. I transferred myself and turned towards the door. It was time to go and get my legs. My stomach fluttered. Who would I be when this ordeal was over?
‘How’s your album coming along?’ I asked Leo as we went through the house and to the van out front.
‘Yeah, it’s good. Just one more song to finalise and then we’re done,’ he said, closing the back doors. Pisces and Antony waved from the pavement as Natalie climbed in the front with Leo. I was alone in the back as the van pulled away. Pisces said that Natalie loved me. I wasn’t sure. I had been such an idiot when I pushed her away.
My chair shifted as we pulled out of a junction. Leo had forgotten to secure it to the floor. I didn’t say anything, there was no point. The others talked but I couldn’t hear them. I hoped Leo wasn’t flirting with her. He would see the end of my fist if he was.
‘You alright back there?’ Leo called.
The van jolted suddenly. It was exactly why I hated Leo’s driving. When it happened again, I twisted in my seat, forgetting that there were no windows in the back of the van.
‘I hope you haven’t slept with someone’s wife again, Leo,’ I shouted as something moved the van again and my chair hopped to the side. Leo put his foot on the accelerator which made my wheelchair fly forward into the other chairs.
‘What’s going on?’ I shouted.
‘We’ve got a tail. It’s not a disgruntled husband this time,’ he shouted back.
The van swung. I assumed it was around another vehicle. Natalie squealed as Leo flung the van over the road. I had no idea how he dodged traffic in South London. It was usually chocker-block.
Aries: Book 2 in a Young Adult Paranormal Romance Series (The Zodiac Twin Flame Series) Page 7