Gemini (25 page)

“Its settled then.” I blew out a breath. “Let's make our deal with the devil."

Zoe

Bizarre cries blasted from somewhere outside. My heavy eyelids protested at the noise.

Where am I?

Cold shivers flooded into my chest and to my weak limbs.

Back in Lilith’s cellar—red beams of light filtered in through slanted windows, casting odd shadows onto the granite walls. I was lying on a bed in a corner of an otherwise empty room. Alone. No ties binding me, and no guard.

I lifted my shoulder in an attempt to sit up, but it refused to budge, so I used my other arm to brace it, rolled to my right side, then shifted onto my elbow. After a few failed attempts, I finally flipped over and rested against the wall.

My nose twitched at the stench of sulfuric death burning into my lungs. I scanned the room, but there was no sign of life anywhere.

Not even mine.

Familiar throbbing rocked my temples. My entire body ached, screamed at me to roll over and go back to sleep.

I pulled back the sleeve of my shirt to inspect Lilith’s badge of honor. The pus had darkened from slate to coal, seeped out through the open wound, and stained the skin down my arm. It was literally rotting off.

A dull burn travelled beyond my shoulder, down into my hand and up into my chest.

What was this, acid?

I sucked in a breath, and even that hurt.

The doorknob jiggled, then Azriel strolled in.

"Finally awake." He closed the door behind him. "How’s our princess today?”

I quickly assessed the situation before I spoke. Of course if Cade and Raz were right about my arm, I was literally lying on my deathbed, so it didn't really matter what I said.

"What do you want, Azriel? I’m not really in the mood.”

"Ah, there she is.” He grinned. “I’ve kind of missed the old you.”

"How long have I been here?"

"Whoa." He pushed out his palms. "Down, girl." He laughed. "Since we're waiting on Lilith anyway, let’s play a game to pass the time.”

Azriel strolled over, and leaned in. His breath reeked. The temperature dropped. A putrid stench flooded into my nose as he drew closer, and his hands cupped my cheeks. “You are beautiful.” He moved in like he was about to kiss me. “Not surprised Cade can’t let you go.”

Hell no.
I gathered every ounce of energy into my good arm, and I shoved him off me.

He lurched forward and slammed my head against the wall, and it bounced off the granite behind me. The room went dark momentarily as blood rushed into my temples.

So worth it.

“Unlike Lilith, I’ll end you.” He narrowed his gaze, pointing his finger at me, and flicked my wounded shoulder. “Don’t tempt me, princess.”

Searing pain flooded through my head and shoulder, but I sucked in a breath and held back the tears.

"What am I doing here?"

"Hmm." The wrinkles faded from his forehead. His face relaxed, and he paced in front of the bed. "The Council doesn’t play fair.”

“And you do? Lilith?” I scoffed. “Please. I mean, what a lame move, attacking a human. Phoebe didn’t deserve that.”

Phoebe.
I had no idea what happened to Phoebe. Was she safe? Injured?

Dead?

My heart sunk into my stomach.

“Word is your girl survived. Not that you deserve any favors by me sparing her.”

As much as I needed to believe him, I couldn’t. Unfortunately, hope was all I had left.

"How long have I been here?"

"Four weeks? Give or take. Like I said, the Council doesn’t play fair. You should be dead or demon by now.”

I’d been here, locked in this prison for nearly a month. It was what, October now? November? And nobody had rescued me?

Well, that was it. If they hadn’t found me by now, I was as good as dead.

No need to play nice any longer.

“So what did I do to piss you off that keeps you coming after me?”

"Ah." He paced in front of the bed. "You?" He pointed at me. "Nothing, except your pompous attitude. But the first Zoe, well. She and I have history. See, I made a mistake. It was many years ago. Zoe called me out on it. Back when I was an angel, she sent me before the Council, and I was stripped of my wings. And that's our history. I must say though, karma's a bitch. Ain't it, sweetheart?" He turned and stared out the window.

He was tall, but damn. He must have been close to seven feet high.

Super.
Is this what my future with Cade would consist of? Hunted by Fallen? Demons?

"Yes," he answered my unspoken question.

"So you can read my mind, too?
Perfect.
I can’t keep anything to myself. From anyone.”

"When I fell, I retained watered down versions of my powers. Like reading human thoughts, opening portals. I'm a resourceful Fallen. And yes, I hunt you. In retaliation, mostly. A good lesson to learn if you ever get out of this alive, which I wouldn't count on.”

He stuck his finger deep into my shoulder.

I swung at him with my good arm. “Ya know, that didn’t go over so well the first time.”

"That ugly pus is eating you alive, it should hit your heart soon. Frankly, I'm surprised it hasn't gotten there yet. But again, the Council doesn't play fair. And since Lilith has this odd fascination with you, well. If I had my way, you’d be dead by now."

The door flung open, and Lilith sauntered in. Grinning. Her porcelain skin radiated, her violet aura burning stronger today.

"Look who’s awake. My favorite semi-human. How are you, darling? You look like death." She smirked at her joke.

Not funny.

"What do you want from me? Is this some kind of woman-scorned thing? Cuz if it is, get over it. It's been like millenniums. Haven't you found a better suited man by now?"

Lilith narrowed her gaze and set back against the wall. She propped her foot up behind her, and crossed her arms over her boobs that were spilling out of her too tight black top.

“You think this is about Cade? Ha." She shook her head, and her midnight locks swung around her waist. "No, it's certainly not about
your
man. Did you know when Adam turned immortal he changed? He isn't the same Adam. Newly generated body, new Cade. You, however, stayed the same. Reborn body, same appearance. Cade loved you just as you were. As Eve.”

"That’s it? Is that your big secret? Cuz I'm dying here. Give me the short version."

My head was dizzy, and I could hardly keep myself upright. I was seconds away from passing out.

Or death, whichever came first.

Lilith inched closer, and her smile faded.

"Fine. The Adam I knew had no interest in sharing his throne or his kingdom. All I wanted was equality, but he and the Council made it clear that was never going to happen. So I left. And when you were created, I'll admit. I was— offended. How easily I was replaced, without a second thought. Things were difficult for some time, but it got easier. Angels began to fall, and I was there to catch them. We formed quite an alliance as you can see with Azriel here."

"If this is about revenge, just get on with it. I’m exhausted. Either kill me or let me die in peace.”

"This is not about revenge. You’re allowing them to hold power over you. When you continue to choose Cade, you become the oppressor. Until you choose yourself over him, things will never change, and frankly, I'm ready for a shift in power."

So the truth comes out.

"Everyone knows there's inequality, but I doubt I'm the problem."

"Not all, but you feed the monster. You’re reborn every millennium, given a choice to live a life you desire, but out of some misinformed duty, you never choose you. Until you stop sacrificing your own happiness for him, nothing will ever change. And while I've made many attempts to convince you in the traditional manner, I, unfortunately, am not beyond sacrificing one for a greater cause. That sacrifice would be you."

"This is stupid."

"Say what you will. I've been close to getting my way many times. But as Azriel said, the Council doesn't play fair. Never has. That diseased wound should've killed you by now, but here you are, still kicking. Well, mostly sleeping. I give you a couple weeks at best. The shadows will hit your heart, turn dark, and you’ll either see things my way, or die. The Trees will be unprotected, and we'll get our due. Oh, the Council will probably step in then too, but hey. Makes a statement, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, it says something." I smirked. "Cade is too good for you. You never deserved him. No wonder the gods created me."

Oh crap.

Lilith lunged forward, and her dagger scraped my throat, just short of drawing blood.

I craned back as far as I could, the frigid blade nearly puncturing my neck.

"You were sloppy seconds," she growled. She blew out a breath, then eased the blade's pressure.

"I don't want to hurt you, Zoe. I never meant to hurt you, just show you—why you're wrong. Convince you that you're making a mistake by allowing him to rule your life. And you can spin it any way you like but the truth is, I’ll always have the upper hand. Just like in the garden."

“What?” I narrowed my eyes and pushed my head as far back as I could.

She pulled off the bed, so I relaxed against the wall, keeping my gaze glued to her.

"You may not remember back then, but I do. You were so innocent, always pure of heart. But naive. And when I whispered the truth—that you could have everything, including the upper hand, you were so quick to break the one rule that kept you immortal. Eve craved equality, even then. So see? You and I aren’t so different. Curiosity runs as deep through your veins as mine. We can't help it, really.” She shrugged. “It's in our nature."

“So that was you. With that apple mess?”

She shrugged. “I had a hand in it. Then Adam fell, you were both expelled from the garden, and my plan was sprung into motion. The Tree was near empty, and my reign was on deck. Everything was in order, until Raz stepped in. And you.”

“The Eternal Sacrifice.”

“That, I have to admit, was a shocker.” She shook her head. “Didn’t see that coming.”

“Lot of good it did me.” I muttered.

“You really couldn’t help it. Your need for control is ingrained in your DNA, as much as your selflessness. It’s the push and pull. Your internal struggle. That’s what makes you human, unique in your own right. But don’t blame yourself. The whole thing was part of a plan much greater than you. It was a test to see just how far one could fall. It's too bad you took the blame, but I'm here to rectify that. And it's all up to you now. To take back what’s yours by right.” She moved close. “What’s ours.”

“You really think after all this I would even consider taking your side? Lilith, please. You seriously underestimate my naivety. I would rather rot and die than stand with you."

She straightened her stance and relaxed her shoulders.

“I’d think a little longer before making that decision. You’re not really in your right mind at the moment.”

“I may be near dead, or evil, or whatever this damn pus is doing to me, but to be honest, your plan was an
epic
fail. I’ll never stand with you. If I die, good luck with your endeavor, but in all of history, evil never wins. And if for some reason I do turn dark—” I leaned up. “Game on.”

Her eyes went wide, and she held back a smirk.

“Oh really?”

“Ya know Lilith, I’ve learned enough about Zoe 2.0 to know that if you piss her off enough, she’ll set fire to you so bad you’ll regret the day you ever took her on. And whether I die in here, turn evil or escape, I can promise you this. There’ll never be an alliance between us…” I cleared my throat and stared so hard, my head began to hurt. “Because you’ve just started a war.”

Her body got stiff and she clenched her fists and teeth, trying to keep her composure. Her poker face was failing as bad as mine had.

"Fine.” She shook it off. “If you're so intent on maintaining your stubborn streak, fine. I’d hoped this incarnation had evolved you enough to know better, but you'll never see beyond that man. Even with all you have going for you this lifetime, you still choose him.” She threw her hands up in the air and rolled her dark eyes. “Enjoy rotting in your dungeon, Chayah. I hope Cade was worth it."

Lilith left the room and shortly after, Azriel moved me to a more comfortable location, as Lilith put it. No idea why. She was being strangely accommodating under the circumstances.

The new room was like a suite at the Ritz—no granite walls. Queen size bed, pillow top mattress with indulgent bedding.

Azriel came in and out with food. Occasionally he carried on stupid conversations. I mostly stared at the ceiling. Or slept, Waiting to die.

Days—maybe even a week after being moved, Azriel flung open the door.

“Wake up, princess.” He opened a window to let the beams of light and red smoke filter in. The funky colored daylight from outside burned my eyes. I squinted.

Lilith bounced in the door. “You ready to get out of here?”

“Are you finally going to kill me?”

Lilith let out a snarky laugh. "You don't really want to die, do you? From what my spies tell me, you have a promising music career ahead of you.”

"Yeah, well that’s not going to happen." I laid my head back and stared at the ceiling, mourning my imminent death.

“I wouldn’t be so sure.” She stepped beside my bed, her spiky boots planted into the coal beneath her feet.

“A deal has been struck.”

I leaned up. "What kind of deal?"

"Oh no, I've been sworn to secrecy. Oh, what the hell. Let's just say your man is willing to sacrifice on your behalf.” Arrogance lingered in her tone, and she threw her hands up like a giddy girl. "I win."

I didn't even blink when the door flung open, and Julian, Nate and Remie stormed in.

Julian lunged for the bed and gathered me into his arms.

Remie and Nate aimed daggers at Azriel and Lilith.

"Now boys, no need to fight. This is an equal trade, yes?"

Trade?
Please, no.

"Nice to see you again, Julian. Nate. Who's this—Newborn?" She scanned Remie up and down, and her tongue brushed over her lips.