My mind released the worries of the past thousand years, our spirits pulled from our bodies.

  There was no fear. No pain. No sadness.

  Only love.

  It had been twenty-one years since my soul was united with my Gemini. I had missed Chayah more than she would ever know.

  “Cade?” Zoe’s anxious voice pierced my thoughts. “What’s going on?”

  “We’re Converging, love.”

  “How? I don’t...”

  “Our Twin Souls have Converged. Like soul projecting. When you project during the initial Convergence, we exist only in our Origin state. It’s not always like this, though. Are you afraid?”

  “No. It’s just—disorienting.”

  “Yes, but it’s also rejuvenating. And beautiful.”

  I desperately wanted to kiss her, but our initial Convergence was imperative. To seal our bond.

  “How long do we stay like this?”

  “As long as your Origin needs. Once you learn to move within a Convergence, we can go other places. As this is our first projection, it is disorienting.”

  “Yeah, it doesn’t feel like when I rescued you.”

  “In time, you will learn to project beyond us, to actually take me with you to other places.”

  “Wow. Like where?”

  “To the Garden. The Chayah Fountain. Earth, even. Wherever you like.”

  “Hmm. This is going to take some getting used to. Does this happen a lot? You know, during sex?”

  “A Convergence does seem to occur more spontaneously when you…I don’t know the word for it.”

  “Um, orgasm?” She released an innocent laugh. “Okay, I get it.”

  Having Chayah back by my side, fused once more with my soul, brought me such happiness.

  “Cade?”

  “Yes?”

  “This is very, um, sweet and all.” She giggled. “But I kind of want to get back down to them. That was—wow.”

  “Yes, it often is. There are pleasures of the body, mind and soul. This is our soul. We regenerate this way.”

  “Yeah, still. I’d rather be down there.”

  I laughed. “I adore you, Chayah.”

  “Love you, too.”

  “It’s your Origin sustaining the Convergence, and so shall you release us. When you’re ready.”

  Zoe’s mind went quiet then, and our Origin’s were at peace for minutes, perhaps hours, suspended above our human bodies.

  Sometime later, the familiar, yet always disorienting rush of energy erupted as our souls were drawn back into our bodies.

  Despite the pleasures of making love to my Gemini, I was now reconnected to her pain.

  It rattled my soul.

  She was withholding things. And now, unlike just moments before, she was protecting her mind from my innocent intrusions.

  I could no longer read her thoughts.

  Lying beside her, I drew her into my arms.

  Zoe nestled close, concealing her face into my chest. “That whole thing was just—I don’t even know.”

  I stroked her cheek, brushing my hands through her long ebony curls, listening to the steady rhythm of her heart as it slowed to a normal pace.

  Twenty-one years without her just slipped away as if she’d never left, although without her memories, she was an innocuous version of herself.

  Zoe’s Origin, the source of her strength of will, was concealed deep within her shielded memories.

  As her Gemini, it was my responsibility to be strong when Zoe could not, to protect her soul until she accepted it, allowing every memory of integrity and censure, each bout of fortune and fault to consume her, to become one with her Origin once more.

  Until Zoe accepted her life—her past, she would never find peace with her soul or the power and dominance that lay buried within it. And that was a dangerous place for humanity to be, unprotected, without it’s Genesis Origin.

  But that was a worry for another day.

  For this night, I only wanted to focus on us. This moment.

  Having missed my Gemini for so long, embracing her mere presence was all that mattered.

  As Zoe lay silent beside me, I took a brief moment to appreciate her beauty. The curve of her shoulders. Her breasts. Her hips. The defined muscles in her abdomen. The polished sheen of her ebony hair. The softness of her light olive skin.

  Zoe was perfection. Pure beauty, both in body and spirit.

  And she was mine once more.

  “Cade?”

  “Yes, Chayah?”

  “I’m really tired.” She let out a sigh. “I’m never this tired.”

  “It’s the Convergence, love. Your new body needs time to heal. To adjust to the changes and to accept our soul filling you. Don’t fight it. Embrace it. Get some rest now. You’re safe. No harm will come to you under my watch.”

  She pressed deeper into my chest and settled into my arms as I tightened my hold.

  “Thank you,” she whispered. “For loving me. Being patient. I know I’ve been kind of a butt-head the past few months.”

  “Chayah.” I ran my hands over her hair and tilted up her chin. “Even if I didn’t want to, Aravot forbid, I could never help loving you. We’re Twin Souls. Part of each other for time and Eternity. Or as humans say, for better or worse.”

  “I can’t imagine worse. You’re pretty amazing.”

  I couldn’t withhold the smile wrenching the corners of my mouth.

  “As are you.” I released her chin, and she returned to my chest. “Sleep now, my love. When you wake, the entire world will have a different light.”

  “It already does.”

  As Zoe’s breathing slowed, and she drifted off to sleep, a renewed light descended upon the Eternal city, celebrating our Chayah’s return.

  “I adore you, Eve,” I whispered as sleep overtook me. “For Eternity.”

  ~

  “Cade. I apologize for the intrusion. But when you can, we need to speak for a brief moment.” Raz’s words broke through my brief slumber.

  Zoe was in a deep sleep, safe in my arms.

  Home.

  My soul was whole once more, and I had no interest in leaving my Gemini to deal with Eternal business. Our Convergence was complete, and this was our time to be free from such interruptions.

  “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.”

  Chapter Five

  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.