“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.”

  “Do you know how to find this man?” I asked.

  “I know exactly where I met him before. But it means opening back up Pandora's box.”

  They all stared at Zoe, and she rolled her eyes. “It was the guy from the record company. My only tie to him is through Dr. Lucci. Do we have time for that mess again?”

  “We don’t have time not to,” Raz said. “Every day without finding Samael or Micah's Gemini is one day closer to the Eternal war, which could happen at any time.”

  “If Zoe has a lead, we can use human measures to find him without getting that woman back in her life,” I said.

  I didn’t trust her. And since Raz confirmed Dr. Lucci was not who she presented herself to be, I disliked the idea of involving her again in Zoe’s life.

  “Maybe getting back in with Lucci is what we need?” Raz suggested.

  I glared at Raz. “What the hell are you thinking?”

  “She may have ties to Lilith,” he said. “We have to assume any tie to Zoe in Chicago could also be tied to Lilith and Azriel.”

  “So if I find him, how can I know for sure it's him?” Zoe asked.

  “I’ll be there to help.”

  “That won't work,” Zoe said. “She'll get suspicious if you're there. Lucci's smart, and if she's working for Lilith, she'll report straight to her.”

  “Zoe's right.” Elijah agreed. “The only way to do this is to appear Zoe's detached from you.”

  “That makes no sense either.” I growled. “She's Eternalized. Why would Lilith believe Zoe would defect?”

  “The prophecy?” Lailah asked. “I'm sure Lilith knows of it.”

  “I'll call Lucci.” Zoe exhaled. “She’ll lead us to Lilith.”

  “Finally, we must discuss Phoebe and Remie,” Raz said.

  “Phoebe can help me. Lucci would expect it. I can keep her safe then.” Zoe held my hand, squeezing to reassure me. “I wanted to spend time with her anyway.”

  “So you're prepared for this, love? I hate the idea of spending time apart.”

  “I know, but it's the best laid plan. And it's all we've got.” Zoe turned to Raz. “So what happens when we find Samael?”

  “We tell him everything,” Raz said. “And hope after so many lives, he still wants Lilith.”

  “Yeah, well do you really think she's going to want him?” Zoe shook her head. “You didn't hear my conversation with her in the dark realm. She's a bitter woman. She wants power. She won't sacrifice for love.”

  “You'd be surprised what people will do for love, Chayah.” Gabrielle said from the corner.

  We all stopped talking and stared, having forgotten Gabrielle was even here.

  “Maybe?” Zoe said. “But she's got to be one of the coldest people I know. I have a hard time believing she'd bend.”

  Gabrielle came over, laying her hand on Zoe’s shoulder.

  “Work your magic, cupid.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Zoe

  “Hey Phoebs.”

  “Zoe.” Phoebe greeted me at her front door, pulling me into a hug. “I’m so excited. I can’t believe you’re staying for a week.”

  “Right?” I grinned. “Just like old times.”

  “Yeah, and I’ll play bodyguard. I hear Whitney singing.” Micah scoffed.

  “Funny.” Phoebe shot Micah a look. “So what about Cade?”

  “He’s working with the Firstborns while we’re here, playing our spy games.”

  “Let’s sit in the front room.” Phoebe ushered us down a short hallway.

  “First I want the grand tour. So this is the place, huh?” Phoebe moved into a cute house in Connecticut, just a short train ride into New York City. “This is definitely your place.”

  “You want something to drink? I have soda, tea, whatever.”

  “Tequila?” Micah raised his eyebrows.

  “Funny.” Phoebe rolled her eyes.

  “Play nice, you two.” I pointed between them.

  Micah and Phoebe were never close. There was always some hidden tension between them, so this week together could be more hectic than I’d first expected, especially given Micah’s need of an attitude adjustment.

  “Follow me, I’ll show you to your rooms so you can get your things put away. Then we can hang out and talk about the plan. You do have one, right?”

  “Yep.”

  “Okay Micah, this is your room. There’s a bathroom between this one and Zoe’s that you two can share.”

  Micah hid in his room while me and Phoebe continued down the hall to another room.

  “This is yours. Bathroom’s over there.” She pointed to a closed door.

  “This is cute.” I sat on the full size bed, and Phoebe sat beside me.

  “Yeah, I love it here. The backyard is awesome. And it’s only a short train ride into the city.”

  “So school, how was the transition?”

  “Not bad. I love it here. I told you about the social worker that set me up at Memorial? Well I’ve been working with this little girl. She’s dying, terminal cancer, poor thing. She’s such an amazing kid. It’s been wonderful teaching her. Hearing her stories.”

  “What stories?” I narrowed my eyes.

  “She’s died, like five times? And they brought her back to life. It’s so interesting, when she comes back, she has all these stories of when she was dead. She tells me about the Angels she sees when she crosses over.”

  “That’s so cool, that she remembers.” I pursed my lips. “I wonder if that’s a Lailah problem? I didn’t think they were supposed to remember that stuff.”

  Phoebe shrugged. “I don’t know. Anyway, I love what I do. I love the kids at the hospital.”

  “So, graduation. You getting excited?”

  She got a wide grin on her face. “I am. I think I probably have a job lined up, too.”

  “That’s awesome, Phoebs.”

  “Yeah, I’m excited.”

  “So now that you and Remie are married, how’s that going?” I nudged her shoulder, wiggling my eyebrows.

  “I’m not talking about that.” She blushed.

  “That’s not what I was asking, exactly. But now that you brought it up, I’m curious. When you two, you know.” I tilted my head. “Have sex. Does anything strange happen afterwards? Like—how do I put this?”

  Phoebe narrowed her eyes.

  Hell, I had no clue how to even bring up this subject, but I was curious.

  “Geez, okay. So you know I can do this thing, called astral projection. It’s where my soul leaves my body and—”

  Her eyes lit up. “Okay. I know what you mean.”

  “You do?”

  I guess I could have asked Cade if others do it, but it was kind of cool asking Phoebe first. I missed this, the girlfriend thing.

  “Yeah. When we do it,” she whispered, her face a deep red. “Afterwards, there is this thing. It’s only happened a couple times, like a dream. Only I can see my body below me. Like I'm in between two worlds. And I could hear Remie.”

  “Hear him?”

  “His mind. Like he could talk to me in my head. Like you guys do. Like we’re really Gemini.” Phoebe grinned. “Isn’t it amazing?”

  I nodded, pursing my lips.

  “What’s wrong?” Phoebe set her hand on my knee.

  “This prophecy. Cade refuses to play around anymore. He’s afraid I’m going to get pregnant. Though I’m not sure how that could even happen. This whole thing is dumb.”

  “I know what you mean. Less than a year ago, we were a bunch of college kids playing music and going to school. Now you’re all immortal demon hunters and I’m a twenty-one year old married chick.”

  “Are you happy? I know it’s hard, with Remie not here. Does he know about what we’re dong?”

  “Of course, he’s my best friend.” She blushed.

  I sighed.

  “Oh, but I still love you.” She nuzzled up to me, laying her head on my shoulder.

  “I know, it’s okay. I’m happy for you, Phoebs.”

  “Thanks. Yeah, it’s kind of hard. Newlyweds aren’t supposed to be apart like this.”

  “Neither are Gemini,” I added. “We’re not built that way.”

  “You sure you’re going to be okay away from Cade this long?” Phoebe pressed her lips together, scrunching up her nose.

  “I’ll survive. And we’ll be so busy, we won’t know the difference.” I leaned on her.

  “Yeah, about that. So, I have to go to the hospital for a few hours each day, Monday through Thursday. I’m off on Fridays, though sometimes I volunteer anyway. Should you call Lucci?”

  “Maybe. I’m going to inquire about the record deal first. I was thinking I could call that Sam guy myself. I still have his card. I figured I would bypass Lucci this time around. If she’s working for Lilith, I don’t know if alerting her to your whereabouts is the best idea. After all, she knows she can hurt me by hurting you.”

  “Well, this house is protected.” She beamed. “No demon or Fallen can get in. And my ring has protective properties like yours.”

  “Yeah, we’re going to practice using them together. I’ll teach you.”

  She smiled. “Good. So about my birthparents. The social worker found my birth certificate and said she thinks it’s been forged.”

  “Forged?” My heart sped up, not sure why. “Really?”

  “Yeah, it seems a bit off. She thinks the names of my parents were changed, and maybe even the date. My birthday.”

  “Wow. So, are you thinking divine intervention?”

  She shrugged. “Do you think Raz or someone would know something? I know they placed me, but how did they find me? Did they choose me because of Remie? Like, was that in place before we met? It can’t be a coincidence I met you, then we meet Remie, and I'm suddenly his soul mate. Can you ask Sophie?”

  “I did,” I said. “Sophie said she had nothing to do with it. Michael set it up. I haven’t talked to Michael, but I can.”

  “You will?’ She glanced up, hopeful.

  “Of course.” I leaned in and hugged her. “You should have your parents. If they want to be found, that is. And if Michael had you placed, there’s probably way more to this story.”

  “See, that’s what I figured, but there’s so much else going on, I didn’t want to bother anybody with it. It’s just been a side project I’ve been doing on my own, till I hit a wall. I don’t know why, but something’s been leading me to this.” She sat up. “I have to know. But we need to find Micah’s Gemini, right?”

  “Yeah, I have a lead on her, too. But there’s more going on.” I lowered my voice and leaned closer. “Can you keep a secret?”

  I made an executive decision.