Gemini (22 page)

They each held out their hands, and I shook them.

Warm fingers lightly wrapped around my arm. I turned to see Cade standing there.

Seriously?
I pressed my lips together and sucked in a breath through my nose.

“I’m Cade.” He ignored my dirty look and reached his hand out to Sam and Chase. “How do you know Zoe?”

Lucci glared at me, then Cade. She could be anyone's worst nightmare, but she'd always been there for me.

“I’m Dr. Lucci, Zoe’s adviser at Northwestern. This is Sam and Chase from Infinity Records. They’re here to make Zoe an offer.”

Cade gave me an accusatory glare then turned to them. “Then you won’t mind if I join you.” He grabbed a chair from the table beside me, never taking his gaze from Lucci.

“By all means.” She gestured toward the table then sat across from him.

Everyone sat down while I stood for a second, holding in my imminent explosion.

Cade and Lucci engaged in a staring contest: Cade with his thick arms over his chest, and Lucci with her back against her chair.

“You were amazing,” Sam broke the silence. “And we want to make you an offer.”

“What kind of offer?” Cade remained focused on Lucci. His chest pushed out like he was claiming his territory over me.

Annoying, but still kind of hot.

“We believe you’re ready for the next step, and we’d like to sign you to the Infinity label. Initially, just for an EP, but we can extend it if sales are good.”

While Sam and Chase went on about the deal, Cade’s attention never strayed from Lucci. My excitement was overshadowed by the tension radiating around me. The negative energy at this table was palpable.

“We’ll consider your offer.” Cade stood the moment Sam stopped talking. “For now, we must go.” He looked down and reached his hand toward me. “Zoe?”

I narrowed my eyes.

His eyebrows pulled together and wrinkles crossed his forehead.

I’d never seen him angry.

He pressed his hand toward me again, determined not to leave without me.

I growled under my breath and stood from my chair without taking his hand, then turned to Sam.

“Thank you. I’ll let you know soon.”

“Of course,” Sam said. “We’d like to know by next week. We’re anxious to get started, ideally, after Labor Day.”

I nodded, then shook his hand, and then Chase’s.

“Walk me out?” Lucci nodded toward the door.

“Sure.”

I turned to Cade, who grabbed my arm and shook his head,
no
. Ignoring his directive, I pulled free then went to follow Lucci.

Cade grabbed my hand again. “Zoe, we need to speak privately for a moment.”

I huffed, and Lucci shook her head.

“Fine.” I grabbed his hand and sifted through the room toward the exit. We walked down the corridor to the foyer of the lounge, where it was quiet. “What is it?”

“You tell me.” He glared. “What’s this about? And why didn’t you tell me?”

I leaned back against the wall beside my picture, crossed my arms over my chest, and stuck my foot up behind me.

“Because I didn’t know if they were going to offer anything or even what I thought about it. I wanted to wait until I knew for sure.”

“You can’t keep things from me, Zoe.” He growled.

Man, was he pissed.

“I wasn’t trying to hide anything, I just wanted to know what the offer was, or if there even was one before I brought it up. Besides, you said if I needed this, I could do it.” I put my foot down and stepped closer. “Well I need it.”

Raz came through the doorway. “How’s it going here?”

I rolled my eyes.

“Zoe failed to mention she’s being offered a recording contract. And that she intends on accepting.”

Raz lifted his eyebrows. “How do you plan to pursue that and your duties at the same time?”

“I was just thinking about it, that’s all. Cade said it could happen, so I agreed to meet them. That’s it.”

“It is not a good idea,” Raz said. “I understand your need for closure, but this is not closure, it’s an opening to a situation you won’t be able to resist.”

“So you think once I get a taste of humanity, I won’t be able to give it up?”

“Yes,” Raz said, matter-of-fact.

“That’s exactly what I think, too,” Cade agreed.

“Why does everyone think I have no self control?” I stomped my foot. “Unbelievable,” I huffed, and turned to Cade.

“So you didn’t mean it at all, did you? When you said my happiness meant something to you, and that I deserved closure.” I stepped closer to him. “You don’t trust me.”

Lucci showed up then. "I’m off, Zoe. Walk me out?”

I shot Cade a dirty look then took off with Lucci toward the parking lot.

Cade followed close behind.

Lucci pulled me into a hug. "I'm so proud of you. This is your moment, don't let anyone—I mean anything ruin it for you." She nodded at Cade and then got in her BMW and sped away from the Lighthouse.

I turned to Cade. “Okay, spill. Whatever you’re going to say, just say it.”

"I don't know what to say except this is something we need to discuss."

"What's there to talk about? You said I had time for closure. I want my closure.”

“I’ve always supported you in everything, but this is unwise.”

“Why? Because it’s counterproductive to what you want? To keep me in bubble wrap, locked up in your tower like some fragile princess? This helicopter routine is getting old, Cade. You need to decide which side of the fence you’re on. Either you support me and my happiness, or you don’t.”

He reached for me, but I stepped back.

“I support you. I want you to be happy, to find this closure you seek, but Lilith is a constant threat, and we need to be on guard. I’m not sure this kind of distraction is safe.”

“I’m a big girl. I handled my business just fine before you came along. Sophie left me for a reason. You need to trust me.”

“It’s not you I don’t trust.”

“About that. What’s up with you and Lucci? There was obvious tension between you two.”

“I’m unsure, but—there’s something not quite right about her.”

“Lucci’s been like a surrogate mom to me since Sophie and Eli left. If you guys didn’t want me to depend on someone, then maybe she shouldn’t have left.”

“Zoe, there are things at play here you don’t understand.”

“Enlighten me, then.” I widened my eyes, waiting for Cade to say something. Anything that would make sense, but he didn’t. He just stood there in silence, as always.

“That’s what I thought. When you’re ready to trust me with your intel, you let me know. Until then, leave me alone.”

I turned around and started to walk away when Cade called behind me. “We’re running out of time.”

I stopped in my tracks and spun around on my toes. “What does that mean, running out of time?”

He hesitated, like he said something he shouldn’t have.

“Cade? What aren’t you telling me?”

“There’s a deadline.”

“My birthday, I know.”

“No, Zoe. A different deadline. Sooner.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What kind of deadline?”

“To make your intentions known.”

“So? I never said I wasn’t going to do this, I just said I needed time to get this out of my system. You said that was cool, now you’ve changed your mind?”

“It’s more complicated than that.” He hesitantly moved closer, hands behind his back.

“Okay, then tell me. Uncomplicate it.”

He shoved his hands into his pockets and stared at his feet. “I must consult Raz first.”

“Are you serious?” I gripped my hips. “You need permission to tell me something that directly affects my life? Again? I thought we were past all that.” I shook my head. “You know what? No. I’m not doing this now.” I pointed at Cade. “You should’ve told me.”

“Zoe, you cannot leave. It’s not safe,” his voice trailed off as I ran down the pier in my three-inch heels.

How could he keep that from me?

I wouldn’t get to graduate. I’d never tour, never record.

My life is over.

How did this even happen? Did Eve really do all this for Cade? I got the refilling the souls thing, I had no problem doing that, but Eve sacrificed any chance at happiness of her own. For him.

So he’d have her another thousand years.

And okay, I can understand doing it once, maybe even twice, but how long of a commitment did she sign up for? Two terms? Five? Eternity?

This really was an Eternal Sacrifice. Infinite.

What the hell was Eve thinking?

Cade kept saying it was my choice, but in the reality of it all, Eve never had a choice to begin with. At least not one she could live with.

And neither do I.

I’ll have to choose Cade, this life, and this never-ending sacrifice. Not because I want him, although I do, but because the alternative is an impossible choice to live with.

My heart raced, and every bone in my body longed to punch Cade in the face.

Eve chose this. Not me.

Her choice didn't make any of this fair, and it sure as hell didn't make me, this Zoe, want to run into Cade's arms, declaring my undying love for him with intentions of Eternity—or another thousand years until I had to do this again.

So much of me wanted—no, needed to stop.

To be done with all of it once and for all.

After ditching Cade, I slowed my pace and strolled along the pier. It was peaceful and for the briefest of moments, a calming vibe hung in the air.

A few stragglers strolled along, but not many, since it was almost midnight.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.

Cade:It’s not safe to be wandering alone this late.

Please tell me where you are and that you’re all right. I’m sorry.

Did I want to text him back?

I chose to ignore him, stuck the phone back into my pocket, and returned to my people watching. I missed this, the stillness of the pier at night.

I sat on the same bench where Cade cleaned up my knee.

An older couple strolled along, holding hands.

"Keep close, hon," he said. "It's getting chilly."

She nudged him as they passed by.

Growing old together was never something I considered. It was something I’d never done. And never would.

For the first time, I was jealous. Of all the human things I’d never have: A wedding, a family of my own. I’d never be a mother, at least not a real one. I scarified everything human for some immortal existence I wasn't sure I wanted.

What was growing up and growing old like? It was something no Zoe had ever done.

Eve did—once, ages ago. But never Zoe. Once she was born, she lived a short, twenty-one years, died, and became immortal.

It was a vicious cycle: Birth. Death. Repeat.

My phone buzzed again, of course. Cade wouldn't stop until he heard from me.

Cade: Zoe, please. Where are you? This is not smart, now text me back.

Nope, I wasn't ready.

I heard my name called behind me.
Busted.

I closed my eyes and took a cleansing breath to prepare for my surrender, then pulled myself up off the bench.

Fine.
I Guess I’d have to find another time to disappear.

"There you are," a voice said behind me.

A sharp pain pierced through my back.

My legs shook, and I stumbled to my knees as a dagger was pulled from my shoulder.

Azriel.
The Fallen stood in front of me, freaking dagger in his hand. He grinned and tilted his head to the side, a red ring in his eyes flared to life.

"We meet again, princess."

I took a second to compose myself.
Damn, that hurt.
My instincts took over, and I got back up, jacked up my foot and clipped him in the chin.

Didn't do a damn thing.

Guess this human thing sucked. Not good for fighting ginormous demons who could knock me over with their stilted breath.

Running was my only option.

I threw a punch, not sure where I was aiming, but hoped to at least distract him so I could run.

Nope.
On to Plan B.

I’d been training some with Cade and the Firstborns, and had taken enough self-defense classes to know the only other option would be my foot.

I swung around, kicked like a ninja and put as much oomph into it as I could.

He caught my calf, laughed, and knocked me on my ass.

“Zoe.”

More voices came up from behind, and the Fallen sneered. As I sat on the ground, he hovered over me, scary sword in hand, and slammed it into my chest, just below my shoulder.

Searing pain pierced near my heart, burned through my soul as the lights from the pier faded into the midnight sky.

"Good night, sweet angel."

So much for Plan B.

Cade

I followed Zoe into the darkness, but she disappeared without a trace.

I’d messaged her with the phone, but she wouldn’t respond. She was not safe out alone, particularly this late at night.

I’d underestimated how she would react to news of the deadline. I thought we’d made progress, but I apparently misjudged the situation.

"Let's go, old man. Boss lady's being jumped by Azriel." Julian came up behind me.

A growl welled within my throat, and I picked up my pace.

Azriel was a Fallen angel. Zoe had reported his transgressions to the Archangels ages ago, and he’d sought revenge ever since. We’d fought his threats for centuries. He’d most likely joined forces with Lilith. That only made her more of a threat.

Being human was limiting. I had few of my powers, and I could not sense her in danger.

I ran with Julian but couldn’t keep up in this condition. The closer we neared our deadline, the more vulnerable I became.

Nate reached me, then he, Micah and Remie passed me.

I slowed my pace, caught my breath, and scanned down the path to see where they’d gone. It was dark and my senses were weakened, so I couldn’t see well in the night.

Julian’s voice echoed from up ahead, so I followed it.

As I got near, I saw what the commotion was about.