Origin (Eternal Sacrifice Saga Book 2) (4 page)

“Please, brother. It’s important.”

I growled, my chest vibrating so much, Zoe stirred.

“Can it not wait? Really, Raz. I just got her back.”

“I understand, but there have been some new developments we should discuss before she wakes.”

I released an irritated breath.
“Fine. Meet me on the terrace. Ten minutes, that’s all. I will not ruin this for her.”

“Understood.”

Heat rushed to my face.

Raz knew better than to bother us, now, of all times. This drivel would not be tolerated. Zoe and I had no time together the past few months, and now that we had Converged, I intended on spending every waking moment dedicating all my focus to sealing and strengthening our bond, so she could find her own strength that lay dormant within her.

Our Eternal duty to protect humanity from the darkness was sustained by our Gemini bond, so while spending time with Zoe may seem selfish to the uninformed, it was anything but.

Just as the strength of our Origin is grounded in accepting our past, a Gemini’s power—our Eternal gift—is grounded in our union. In our love. Should it falter, so would the strength of our ability to protect humanity.

Zoe and I had to protect our love at all costs if we were to protect the world from the darkness seeking to destroy it.

I carefully released my grip of Zoe’s waist, and thankfully, managed to rise without waking her.

Zoe’s soul was at peace, for the first time in years, which was how she should be. She needed to rest, to rejuvenate and find her strength.

I quietly dressed, left our room, and stepped outside on the terrace overlooking Aravot.

Raz was already waiting.

“This had best be good.” I folded my arms across my chest.

“I apologize.” Raz rose to his feet. “But we need to speak before she wakes. Once her memories return, she’ll resume her leadership within the Council. With all the unexpected threats going on, we should discuss your holiday.”

“What threats?”

“There have been numerous breach attempts the past twelve hours. More so than we’ve been able to handle, especially with what Zoe did to Lilith yesterday.”

“What is unusual about breach attempts? Every evil threat is lurking, waiting to breach the gates. Especially during the transition. Call in reinforcements.”

“I’m afraid we don’t have enough. Our Eternal forces are outnumbered. Whispers of Fallen and demon coming together are everywhere. We need to train the Newborns. I’ve called in the Firstborns, but we’ve had to recruit more Angels and Guardians. We must also consider soul retrievals, human Eternals who are worthy. The Firstborns aren’t enough any longer.”

“And what do you need from me? You obviously have a plan. Why can’t Zoe’s involvement wait until March?”

“It may, but I wanted you to know what we’re up against. What will be happening during your holiday, so you’re prepared to come back if need be. I cannot promise we won’t need you to return before March. Her gifts are too valuable.”

The heat returned to my face, and my chest tightened.

“Do you realize how unfair this is to her?” I pointed toward the open French doors. “After all she’s given up, all she’s gone through this incarnation, and now you want her to sacrifice this as well?” I shook my head. “No.
She
is my priority, her happiness and well being. There are more than enough Angels and Guardians to assign for a few meager weeks so we may have a normal Convergence reunion.”

“I understand your frustrations. I just need you to understand I can’t make any promises.”

“Again.” My voice rose. “Work it out. She deserves a fragment of peace, however brief, before returning to this life.” I moved closer. “Promise me, Raziel. If you love her, you’ll do this. Leave her out of it. Three months.”

“You know we need her gifts, she…”

“Stop.” I growled. “She’ll never regain those gifts or even reach her Origin if she can’t make peace with her past. And she will never make peace if we can’t bond and rediscover our love that lies there. It’s one in the same. You know that. Let her find happiness. Humanity will never be safe without it.”

“I’ll do my best, brother. I solemnly promise. But beyond that...”

“Fine.” I exhaled. “I suppose it will have to be enough.”

Zoe

“Wake up, Chayah.” Cade’s voice echoes in my head…

I’m standing ten feet from him. Frozen.

I hardly recognize this place. I’ve never been to this part of the dark realm before, but I know immediately we’re there.

Evil and the smell of death are hard to forget.

A second later, I scream, helpless as I watch a demon or Fallen, or whatever that thing is bury its lethal dagger into my Gemini’s heart, then just as quick as he arrived, the demon disappears in a cloud of dust.

Cade’s gaze fixes on me.

“I’m sorry, Chayah,” he whispers. “I will always love you.” His eyes roll up into his head as his body collapses.

“Cade!”

I run, stumbling over bloody dead bodies on the charcoal dirt below my feet.

The smell of death is everywhere, blood seeps down slate walls, making my stomach wrench. My heart races. My soul cries out, begging someone, anyone to save my Gemini.

I reach Cade and fall to my knees before him, grabbing his shoulders. His now clouded eyes stare lifelessly into the red sky above our heads.

I can’t feel his soul in me. Can’t feel his heart beating in my wrist.

He’s dead.

“Cade.” I cry out, refusing to look into his eyes.

A moment later, a heart begins to beat. Slow.

Thump.

Thump-thump.

I peel open my eyes, pleading to see some sign of life in my Gemini, but it’s not Cade.

It’s Lilith.

The beating stops, and her light fades away.

I’m kneeling over her, now holding a bloody dagger in my hand.

Lilith’s eyes are shut. She’s not moving. Or breathing.

I killed her.

I hold my breath, watching. Waiting for signs of life, but there are none. I grab her shoulders, but she won’t wake up.

“Wake up, damn it. You’re not dead.”

I shake her vigorously, but there’s no use.

She’s gone.

As I sit there, eyes turned to the floor, something echoes through the empty cell.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump-thump.

My wrist begins to burn. Heat pushes from my Gemini mark, up through my arms and into my chest. My shoulder throbs, the one Azriel stabbed me in months ago.

I stare at the Fallen Genesis.

“Lilith?”

Her eyes pop open, and she stares at me. Brown eyes turn red. Then black. Then back to brown.

My wrist is enflamed, pulsing like my erratic heart. Like hers.

Burning like the flames of hell.

Lilith sits up and grabs my shoulders. Eyes wide, she sucks in a deep breath. “Wake up, Zoe.”

“What?” I narrow my eyes.

“It’s time to wake up…”

“Zoe.” A raspy voice sings my name from somewhere. “Momma’s home.”

“Son of a bitch.” I sat up in a rush, my wrist on freaking fire. Sucking in a breath, I glanced around the room, trying to remember where I was.

“Home. Zoe’s home. Momma’s home.” A strange voice from outside stole me from the nightmare.

Night was gone.

Sitting alone in this huge bed, I scanned the bright bedroom. No sign of my Gemini.

I missed Cade already.

A gentle breeze blew across my cheek from the French doors standing wide open. I glanced toward the terrace as a ginormous bird flew inside and landed on a perch beside me.

She was real.
Wow.

Crimson and deep purple tail wings blended into darker red, then black. She had long crimson plumes atop her head that bounced as she tiptoed up to me and bent down, nudging her black beak against my hair.

“Momma’s home.” The mythical phoenix squawked.

“You must be Journey.” I reached out cautiously, and she brushed up against my palm. I rubbed her neck as she leaned into me and cooed. “Momma.”

A longhaired, blue-eyed black cat strolled in from the terrace. It hopped on Cade’s empty pillow and stared at me. Meowed at me.

“Who are you?”

The kitty meowed again as Journey stood straight, then hopped up to her perch.

The cat lay down and stared at me from across the bed.

Music drifted in from outside the bedroom door. My piano.

I didn’t know Cade could play.

I peeled my exhausted form up from the bed, wrapping the light blue sheet around me, and wandered out to find him.

Cade sat at my piano on the other side of the room, bare feet. Naked chest. Sexy as hell. Nothing but a pair of grey PJ pants.
Yum.

“Good morning, Chayah.”

Just the tone of his words sent goose bumps rising over my arms. He had the sexiest voice ever. And when he called me
Chayah
, it sent tremors racing straight to my heart. And now, between my thighs.

A flush spread to my cheeks.

What’s wrong with me?

Cade laughed as I strode toward him.

“What’s so funny?”

“I adore you.” He grinned, continuing to play as I approached and sat beside him.

“You never told me you played.”

“You’re so much better. I wouldn’t want to humiliate myself trying to compete.”

I smirked.

“It’s wonderful to hear you laugh again.” He nudged my shoulder. “Why don’t you play for me?”

“Play what?”

“Raz said you’d been writing. This one I learned just for you.”

It was
Adore
, the song that played at the Lighthouse the night we met.

Our first dance.

“Sneaky.” I grinned. “And incredibly romantic.” I leaned my head on his shoulders.

“I have my occasions.” He finished the song then glanced over. “Your turn. I love when you sing to me.” He brushed his hand across my cheek.

I stared down at the keys and let out a breath.

After I saved him from hell, I decided to break up with my piano. It was the only way I could start fresh. A sacrifice I’d have to make.

Cade deserved my undivided attention. He was worth it.

We
were worth it.

“Eh, I’m good.”

“What’s troubling you?” He pressed his lips together and titled his head.

“Nothing.” I gave a reassuring smile, trying an attempt at my poker face.

Cade frowned. “We’re Converged now, you mustn’t keep things from me.”

“I’m not, I just—” I rolled my eyes and blew out a breath. “Fine. I just think playing music is a bad idea. It took up too much of my focus before, and I just want to be devoted to you for a while. Especially now, while we’re figuring things out.”

“Zoe.” He braced my cheeks, running his thumb along my bottom lip. “Music is part of who you are. A beautiful part. There are enough sacrifices to this life, I will not allow you to give up something you love for me. Not anymore.”

“I’m not giving it up, just taking a break. While we figure things out.” I kissed him on the cheek. “Promise. Besides, now that we’ve Converged, I have a ton of questions. Can I ask them? Ones you’ll answer?”

“Of course. Everything is open to you now.”

“So how many times have we done this? I mean, how many times have I been reborn?”

“This was your Fifth incarnation.”

“Five? As in, I’m five thousand years old?” My stomach wrenched as I stared at the wall across the room. “Oh gawd.”

“Chayah.” He laughed out loud.

“I’m ancient.”

“But stunning as ever.” He kissed my cheek and set his hand on my bare knee, firm, sending a tickling feeling creeping up into my thighs.

“And it’s set forever, right? Like, I do this indefinitely?” I swallowed.

“Please don’t worry over this. We have another thousand years to concern ourselves with such things.”

“Okay. What happens now? That we’re official and all?”

“We go on holiday.” He reached around, grabbing my hips, shifting me into his lap. “Then we return in the spring to resume our duties.”

As I sat on Cade’s lap, my body wasn’t the only one stirring.

“What kind of duties?” I asked, trying to distract myself from whatever was happening inside me. And Cade.

“You choose your missions. In times of peace, you assist Lailah at the Tree. In times of war, and whenever you choose, you accompany me, and sometimes take your own missions alone.”

“Guarding or fighting Fallen and demons? Like the Eternals?”

I wrapped my arms around his neck, inhaling his intoxicating scent.

“Right.”

“But before that, we take a three-month vacation? Really?”

The idea of being alone for three months with Cade sent shivers racing back through my body. Though at that moment, it was hard to focus on anything but my Gemini’s body waking beneath me.

“Yes…” His voice trailed off, and he pressed his lips together. “If I have my way.” His aggravation replaced with longing as he gazed into my eyes. “But be warned,” he said low. “I enjoy getting my way.”

A spark raced to my heart. Between my thighs.

Memories of last night returned, and I wanted more.

This was a new side to Cade I craved to explore.

Three months off?
Yes, please.

Tingles pulsed to naughty places as Cade’s hands skated over my hips, tracing infinity circles. He stared hungrily, waking places in me, too.

“So what will we do?” I squeaked out. “Three months.” I swallowed, blowing out a breath. “Sounds like forever.”

“In the scope of thousands, three months is not nearly enough.” He nibbled on my ear, blowing a puff of warm air, giving me shivers. “We’ll do whatever we wish.”

His kissed me gently, running the back of his hand along my cheek.

There were no words.

I was at Cade’s mercy.

All that time putting up a fight, and to think I even considered walking away from this?
No freaking way.
I’d be kicking myself into the next century over that dumb decision.

“I nearly forgot to ask.” He rested his forehead against mine. “How
are
you feeling this morning? Did you sleep well after last night?”

Cade puckered his lips, gazing hungrily, his crooked smile burying a scrumptious dimple into his cheek.