Origin (Eternal Sacrifice Saga Book 2) (24 page)

I closed my eyes, focusing on his chest rising below my cheek.

Cade knew exactly what I needed.

His heartbeat slowed to a steady rhythm, evening out.

My eyelids grew heavy as visions of the Chayah Fountain drifted through my mind.

Cade’s breathing slowed, and his heartbeat synced with mine.

One heartbeat at a time, I drifted off to dreamland—or so I thought.

Like Cade always said, it was never just a dream.

Cade

“Zoe?” I held her shoulders. “Wake up love.”

She lay in our bed, sleeping soundly. She wasn’t moving and hardly breathing, her eyes fluttered beneath her lids. She’d been like this for hours.

She was either in a vision or projecting.

I suspected the former, as she wasn’t as practiced on intentional projection yet. Though she was too calm and peaceful to be in a vision.

“Zoe?”

I set my hand on her head and closed my eyes, trying to see the visions in her mind, to find out if she’d allow me into her thoughts…

Lilith. Another face. Her adviser, Dr. Lucci. Phoebe. Micah. A woman’s face I didn’t recognize…

There were no words, only faces in her visions. I opened my eyes and tried focusing on Zoe, but she would no longer allow me into her mind. I removed my hand and sat beside her, listening to her breathe. Perhaps she was dreaming? Though I’d never known her to simply dream.

“Cade, please bring Zoe downstairs. It’s time to begin our Elder Council meeting.”
Raz spoke in my head.

“Zoe is deep within a vision. I can’t get through to her.”

“May I come up and try?”

“Yes.”

A moment later, Raz arrived.

Zoe almost appeared dead. If it weren’t for her sparse human breaths, I would think she was.

Raz sat beside Zoe. He set his hands on her forehead and closed his eyes.

I closed mine, trying to see what Raz did or hear any voices through his visions. Nothing. I opened my eyes and watched Raz as he attempted to breach Zoe’s mind once more.

A moment later, Raz opened his and exhaled. “She’s blocking me out as well.”

“And you’re sure she’s not projecting?”

“I cannot be sure of anything, brother. Except whatever she is doing, we’re not meant to see.”

“How the hell are we supposed to remedy this or anything if we’re not allowed to know what’s going on? Who is behind this, Raziel? The Archs?” I stood. “We’re running out of time. We have less than four months to find Micah’s Gemini, to convince Lilith to find this Samael and agree to Converge. And we both know it’s more likely we’ll be fighting the Eternal war before that happens.”

“I wish I had better news, but I don’t. We’re doing the best we can.”

“Bullshit.”

Raz raised his eyebrow. “She’s rubbing off on you.” He chuckled.

“She’s right. This is bullshit.” I folded my arms over my chest. “We may as well find Lilith and the Fallen, and just hand them a key to the Eternal City.”

“Cade.” Raz rose to his feet. “There are things at work here we do not yet understand. But I know one thing. I know how the Archs work. How the Genesis Origin works. And after five millennia, I understand one universal truth. We must remain steadfast in our faith. The unseen design. There is one, and just because we don’t know what it is, does not mean we shouldn’t trust things are as they should be.

“Your Gemini is growing into her own. Strong. True—the Eternal Mother we all know she is, and our role is to follow her lead. This is her journey, Cade. It always has been, from the beginning of time. Your Origin is from the earth, but the root of humanity is within the her.

“Humanity’s fate is in Chayah’s hands, and after watching her grow these past six months, I have no doubt she will prevail. But we must trust her. Follow her.” Raz braced my shoulder. “Let her lead, Cade. It’s her destiny. Let her live it.”

When I agreed to the Doctrine, I surrendered my position as ruler of Genesis to my Gemini. She’d earned it. From then on, it was not my role to lead Genesis or to protect humanity itself, but to protect its sovereign.

The Eternal Mother.

Zoe’s sacrifice—her decision to give her soul—earned her the right to lead humanity and the immortals protecting her legacy. Even if we often disagreed with Zoe’s methods, we never disagreed with her motives. They were always led by love.

Humanity was our family. Our children.

Our Legacy.

I learned long ago, Zoe would never forsake her family. Her selfless gift is what kept the whole of Genesis fighting and sacrificing.

Because as Zoe once said, every soul is worth fighting for.

Especially Chayah’s.

This Evanescence Prophecy stated a Genesis would fall and if it was Zoe, I must stand behind her so when she fell, I would be there to help her rise again.

Zoe’s protection was my foremost responsibility. I would take no prisoners in the war against the darkness, and I would take no prisoners in any war against my Gemini.

A moment later, Zoe’s eyes drifted open, and she sat up abruptly, inhaling a harsh breath. “Gabrielle?”

“Are you all right?”

She peered around the room, then at me and Raz, pursing her lips.

“What is it?”

She shook her head. “I’m not sure.” She quickly stood and rushed to the bathroom.

Raz glanced to me, narrowing his eyes.

I stood from the bed and moved to the closed bathroom door. I could hear her sobbing behind it. “Zoe?”

“Yeah,” she answered, her voice weak. “I just need a minute.”

“I’ll be downstairs with Raz, the Elders are waiting for us.”

Raz and I went down to the meeting hall below my living quarters. All the Elders were there, including Gabrielle. They stood from the table and greeted me.

“Where’s Chayah?” Gabrielle asked.

“Upstairs. She was in a vision then rushed off to hide. I believe she’s upset, though she won’t speak to me. She did ask for you, Gabrielle. Perhaps you could check on her?”

“Of course.” Gabrielle nodded. “We’ll return shortly. While you're waiting, Elijah and Sophie. Lailah, please fill Raz and Cade in on what we’ve discussed.”

Elijah bowed as Gabrielle went upstairs.

“What do we know so far?” I asked.

“Lilith is roaming with Azriel. They’ve been spotted at several entryways into Aravot. And Brennan. Rarely, but it has happened. They’re building their numbers. And it appears Brennan is leading teams.”

“Preparing for war,” Raz said.

“I'm afraid so.” Elijah agreed. “The number of souls turning dark has risen drastically over the past few weeks. With all the breaches at the borders and the chaos breaking out on earth, the stress on society, souls are turning in record numbers.”

“It's concerning.” Sophie sighed. “Their world is falling apart, and if we don't do something quickly, we won't be able to control it any longer. I think we need more Eternals.”

“Recruiting our own?” I narrowed my gaze. “Like the demons?”

“It's something worth a discussion,” Sophie said.

I rubbed my chin.

“What a shame the world is coming to this.” Lailah sighed.

Elijah placed his arm around his Gemini.

“So we need another team, then?” I asked. “Soul harvesters?”

“It's unprecedented, but necessary,” Elijah said. “It may be the only way humanity survives.”

Raz nodded. “Alright then. We’ll bring it to a vote with the Firstborns, see who will take on the duty. We’ll need permission for Gemini, of course.”

It was written all Eternals have a Gemini due to the nature of our work. While all souls have a Twin of some sort, they don’t always meet each other while human, but it was imperative Eternals found theirs after death.

“Agreed.” I nodded. “Now, where to begin?”

“The Firstborns need more training,” Raz said. He looked to Elijah and Lailah. “And there’s Micah.”

“He’s on edge,” Elijah said.

“Zoe will locate his Gemini and determine what duty would best suit him,” I said. “Micah could help Elijah and Julian with Tree duty? Perhaps if he was in direct guard of the Aravot borders, he’d feel his worth is recognized, and it would hold off his resentment while Zoe searches for his Gemini.”

Elijah exhaled.

“You don't agree?” I asked.

“I’m worried. I've not had time to spend with him since he got here, and I’m afraid to say, I think he’s a bit of a liability. Given his recent outbursts, I’m concerned. Afraid he's going through what Zoe did. The resentment from his human life. I’m not sure he’s gotten past it yet, which puts him at more risk. And with the next Summer Solstice coming—”

“What does that mean exactly?” Zoe came in behind Gabrielle.

“Chayah.” Lailah walked over to her, extending her arms for a hug.

“Hey. How does that work? With the Firstborns?”

“They’ve Eternalized, but the official ceremony is not until the Summer Solstice,” Gabrielle said. “Your birthday.”

“What happens if they don't do the ceremony? Julian didn't find his, and he's been alone the past millennium. It didn't affect him.” Zoe narrowed her eyes.

“During each incarnation, you search for the Eternal’s Gemini, and if they don’t find their mate, they’re to be alone until the following rebirth. As there will be no more now given the demise of the Gemini Doctrine, it's necessary you find Micah’s. Or he will be Eternally alone. And no Eternal can survive that,” Gabrielle said. “There was a reason Julian did not find his, and it was because she was not born yet. But Micah, his Gemini must be here. It is written, no Eternal will be alone.”

“Unless he’s not meant to be Eternal.” Zoe sighed.

Lailah gasped. “What are you saying?”

“Let them fall.” Zoe’s gaze dropped to the floor. “Maybe it’s Micah.”

Elijah sent a strange expression to Zoe, squeezing Lailah’s hand.

“I don’t believe that.” Lailah protested.

“It would make sense,” Zoe said. “His bad attitude, the problems we’ve had with him.”

Lailah’s gaze remained on the wall.

“Then we need to make sure it doesn’t happen,” Elijah said, attempting to reassure Lailah.

“We can’t. I’m not supposed to interfere,” Zoe said quietly. “But I may have a lead. On Micah’s Gemini.”

Lailah’s expression grew hopeful.

“Don’t get excited yet, I can’t discuss it. Just know I’m on it.”

Strange glares crossed the room.

I listened to Zoe’s mind, but it remained closed. You’d think one of these times I’d stop trying.

“Enough with the looks.” Zoe scoffed. “Next topic.”

“We work together.” Sophie grumbled. “No secrets.”

“This isn't a secret. But it is between Zoe and me.” Gabrielle interrupted.

We all narrowed our gazes toward them.

If Zoe was now working with Gabrielle in confidence, it
was
Origin business, and the Council was being excluded for a reason. I wasn't sure if her exclusion included me or not. Before her incarnation, Zoe would occasionally request we trust her with little indication of what was going on. With her memories intact, that would make sense.

But not now.

With Zoe’s memories absent, this new assertiveness and secretive stance was a change none of us were expecting.

“We'll talk about it, I promise,”
Zoe whispered to me privately.
“Just not yet.”

Zoe must be reading my mind, though I could not reach hers.

I nodded and pursed my lips.

“Next, Lilith. You know where she is?” Zoe asked.

“She's in the Fifth,” Elijah said. “Somewhere she can’t be detected or breached. She knows Samael's mark has been released.”

“And that means he knows?” Zoe narrowed her eyes.

“Perhaps,” Raz said.

“Or it means he understands something is going on, but doesn’t know what. His memories were hidden well for good reason.” Lailah added.

Lailah was the Angel of Secrets. It was her duty to impart all souls with the mysteries of the universe, then to quiet them until they could be awakened after death.

“So how is it different with Samael?” Zoe asked.

“I must find him when he dies after each human life. The process has become more tedious through the millennia. Each rebirth, he recalls a bit more, despite my efforts to hush his memories,” Lailah said. “And he's reborn continuously. He’s lived thousands of lives.”

“Oh, wow. So he's like a hundred times more exhausted.”

“Yes. Which means the variables to his case have us more cautious,” Raz said. “There’s no way to know how he’ll react once his memories have fully awakened. He could lash out in anger with all he's succumbed to, or he could become soft of heart. He could seek out Lilith, and they could reunite to battle against us as well. Any number of things could take place. Which is why if Lilith is not yet searching for him, we must find Samael first.”

“Do you have any leads?” Zoe ran her fingers down my arm, gripping my hand and squeezing.

“He returns each rebirth in a different body, taking on the human form of his parents. Not like you. He could be one of a million different people, so the only way to know for sure is to seek his aura and Genesis mark.”

“Wait. What?”

Lailah narrowed her expression.

“How can I tell it's Samael?” Zoe stood straight.

“His aura. And Genesis mark,” Raz said.

Zoe pursed her lips. “Nevermind. I thought I had a lead, but he had no aura.”

“Who?” I squeezed her hand.

Zoe looked to Gabrielle, who nodded her approval, confirming the two were definitely working together on something, though on what, was anybody’s guess.

“I met a man in Chicago. He had a similar pattern on his wrist, like our birthmarks before the dots connected, but he didn’t have an aura. Do all Genesis have an aura?”

“Generally. Do you not see everyone’s aura?” Gabrielle asked.

“I tend to tune them out. I learned to ignore them because otherwise I was too distracted playing matchmaker and never got anything done.”

“You've done a lot of tuning out during this incarnation.” Raz pursed his lips.

She glared. “Yeah, well it was necessary most of the time. Anyway, I'll turn back on my aura finder.”