“Perfect.” Zoe stood straight. “How am I supposed to know which one is empty?”

  “It’s got the seal of Genesis on it.”

  “Infinity? Seriously?”

  “Yeah, that’s it,” Eli said.

  “You look on that side.” She pointed. “I’ll search over here. If we don’t find it soon, we’ll release.”

  Zoe dropped to her knees and crawled along the wall, searching through the small vaults.

  Screams howled out, begging to be set free, making it impossible to focus. I was beginning to understand the dangers of this plane.

  We needed to get out. Soon.

  Zoe and I searched along the walls for the empty vault, and we soon met in the middle.

  “It’s not here, Eli, where the hell is it?”

  “Shit.” Elijah’s voice etched through us.

  “What?” Zoe sat up straight on her knees.

  “You’re not going to like it,” Elijah said. “You’re partner in crime has an evil sense of humor.”

  “Where is it?” Zoe’s voice grew heated.

  I rose to my feet and pulled her up beside me, setting my hands on her shoulders to calm her.

  “It’s not in those vaults,” Elijah said. “It’s in THE vault.”

  “What?” Zoe glanced to me, eyes wide.

  “No.” I stood straight.

  Zoe pursed her lips.

  “No.” I said firm. “Absolutely not.”

  “Cade.” Zoe wrapped her arms around my waist. “I won’t leave her here.”

  “You will not survive there for more than a few minutes. I won’t allow it.”

  “I have to.”

  She released her grip and stepped away, staring out toward the light of the corridor.

  “I’m going to the Seventh to find that dagger. I can do it with you or without you. Either way, I’m going. I won’t let Phoebe die.”

  I closed my eyes, drawing in a breath, taking in the disgust of the realm. I couldn’t argue with her motivations.

  Zoe would risk her life for her family, and if she didn’t at least try, she would never live with herself.

  I had to let her go, but I would not let her do this alone.

  We had to be smart if we were to survive the Seventh.

  “We must regenerate. Then materialize. Not just our souls.”

  She narrowed her eyes.

  “If you want to save Phoebe, it’s the only way I’ll allow it.”

  She exhaled, nodding. “Okay.”

  “We’re going home, Elijah,” Zoe said, wrapping her arms around me once more. “Meet us there.”

  “Got it.”

  I held her in my arms, and we closed our eyes.

  In a heartbeat, our bodies and souls returned to Aravot.

  Zoe inhaled a sharp breath as she returned.

  In the light, it was clear what the stagnation of her mission had done to her body.

  Lying dormant for too long, her form showed signs of extreme exhaustion. She had darkened swelling beneath her eyes, her skin was pale and clammy, and her heart was beating at an alarmingly strange pace.

  She was run down. Not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. Sustaining her wits within the Sixth for so long had drained her, and I had doubts she could withstand any amount of time within the Seventh.

  “Zoe, I demand you rest before another rescue attempt. You need to be at your best if we’re to save Phoebe.”

  Zoe nodded, closing her eyes, resting her cheek against my chest.

  “Thank you for coming, Cade. For knowing I needed you, even though I was too stubborn to ask for help.”

  I tightened my grip. “We’re not meant to do these things alone. And I won’t allow it again. We’re in this together, love. Always.”

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Zoe

  Despite the immediacy of this mission, Cade was right. My body and soul had become exhausted. I fell into a deep sleep for what felt like ages, only to find it had only been hours.

  It would have to be enough.

  I woke to the pulse of Cade’s heart beating against my cheek. I took slow, deep breathes trying to relax.

  His heartbeat made me feel like we were one soul, although we technically weren’t.

  I didn’t want to move, but our time was running out.

  Phoebe’s life was in jeopardy.

  The Sixth plane of the dark realm would make any sane human mad within a short time.

  It was evil.

  But the Seventh? Scared the shit out of me.

  The Origin of all evil resided there. Rumor was any more than a few minutes within the Seventh, and your soul would be lost forever.

  How either of those crazy bitches managed to even put the dagger there was beyond me. I only hoped it was easily accessible, and I could slip in and out, both undetected and unscathed.

  Yeah, I made a deal with the devil.

  I had no choice.

  My Gemini’s soul was in danger, and I would not lose my family.

  When rumors spread that the Fallen and demon factions in the dark realm were planning to overtake Lilith, she came to me with a deal I couldn’t refuse.

  Lahnie, a Fallen Angel from centuries before had been asking the Elder Council for her wings back since my second incarnation.

  She’d lost them because she fell in love with the wrong person. As cupid of Genesis, I wouldn’t hold that against her. Honestly, I’d believed she should have been granted them back ages ago, but rumblings of this impending war had been looming just as long, and we needed to keep our players in check until the time was right.

  Few people realized this whole thing had become a tactical game.

  Moves and countermoves.

  My gift of foresight was helpful in many ways, seeing our enemy’s moves before they were made, allowing Genesis to plan our counters before making them and having some foresight to see the outcome.

  I didn’t know everything, wasn’t blessed with total omniscience, and with my memories being gone too long, two of my strategically planned moves just blew up in my face.

  I completely underestimated Lahnie’s resolve to regain her wings and Lilith’s determination to keep Samael out of her life.

  I wouldn’t make those mistakes twice.

  But those were problems I’d have to save for later. Right now, today, all that mattered was saving Phoebe’s life.

  I wanted to tell Cade everything. Keeping this plan from him broke my heart and damaged my soul, but I had no choice.

  When I tried telling Cade the darkness was coming before all this began, he blew me off. I realized then, the Evanescence Prophecy had been realized. He was losing his faith. In me, and maybe even us.

  If I didn’t act quickly, Adam and I would fall, ushering in the darkness.

  And only I could stop it all.

  While humanity was always in the background of my motives, my Gemini was my first priority.

  I could not—would not spend Eternity without Cade.

  Genesis began and ended with us. If the foundation was broken, our house would fall. Cade and I were its foundation.

  When we didn’t work, neither did Genesis. Or humanity.

  The world would fall apart.

  Hundreds of years were spent searching for answers, putting together the pieces of the puzzle, of the prophecies set to tear us apart.

  Spies all around the realms were in on it.

  Eli was my most helpful ally until he was reborn and Lailah hushed his memories.

  And although her motives were self-serving, I had Lilith. For some strange reason, she and I shared many gifts. Her mind was safe from intrusion, like mine.

  Perhaps she ate from the Tree of Wisdom too?

  Our greatest threat was the Fallen. Their ability to breach Eternal minds. If they knew our plan, we’d lose control of it. Lose our upper hand.

  We had to keep our secrets, even from Genesis. No Eternal mind was safe from Fallen intrusion.

  None except mine.

  So Lailah, the Angel of Secrets, hushed my memories well. Almost too well, as we were so close to blowing it all this incarnation.

  On more than one occasion.

  The only thing holding it all together was my undying love for Cade.

  From the beginning of time, protecting my family was the goal. My reason for sacrificing everything. Not because I was forced into this by anyone, but because I believed love was worth preserving.

  Worth fighting for.

  Dying for.

  I chose the Gemini Doctrine.

  Because Adam taught me how to love.

  The second I saw him. The moment my eyes opened, and I took my first breath, Adam was there.

  His soul was pure. His heart was kind. Selfless. Gentle and patient. Everything was about his Eve. His life, his motivations.

  Adam loved me.

  And when humanity began to fall, there was only one solution.

  Continue the legacy of love that all started with us.

  The accident by design.

  Sometimes we have to do things we don’t like. Things others won’t like. What I had done, what I was about to do, would piss everyone off to the highest degree, but it was necessary. The only way to ensure our Genesis legacy survived.

  So yeah, I made a deal with the devil to restore balance to a world that was losing it faster than we could catch our breath. I only hoped in the end, my family and my Gemini would forgive me for the things I’d done.

  I took a deep breath, knowing well what lay ahead of us. I could very well go into the Seventh and never return. It was a chance I was willing to take.

  Phoebe was worth it.

  Humanity was worth it.

  Cade was worth it.

  “Okay, babe. You ready for this?” I pursed my lips. “Because I’m not.”

  Cade laid his hands against my cheeks.

  “You are the bravest, strongest, most beautiful soul I’ve ever had the honor to know. I believe in you,” he said. “I believe in us.”

  I nodded, a tear slipping down my cheek. I was scared as hell of what was coming but knowing I had Cade alongside me made it just a little easier.

  “And I forgive you, Chayah. For everything you haven’t told me, for everything you’re about to do. Because I know it all comes from love.”

  “Thank you. I promise after today, it’s us, together. No more secrets, no more hiding. I’m all in.”

  He nodded and smiled, trying to reassure me it was all going to be okay. “I’ll be by your side, and we’ll conquer the darkness together. One Origin, united.”

  “I love you, blue eyes.” I laid my hands over his. “My life was so empty without you the past twenty-one years, I couldn’t bear to spend Eternity without you.”

  “You never will.”

  “Seriously though.” I took a slow breath, blinking then refocusing on Cade’s amazing eyes. “If something happens to me—”

  He started to interrupt, but I put my finger to his lips and shook my head.

  “Just listen. If something happens to me, if I don’t make it back from the Seventh, please. Talk to Gabrielle. There are things happening, and…” I swallowed. “She’ll see you through them.”

  “You’re returning, love. Because if you don’t.” He shook his head. “Neither will I.”

  I opened my mouth to protest, but he put his finger against my lips, just as I had his a second ago.

  “Shh.” He held my cheeks. “Through the good and the bad, in darkness or in light, we are Twin Souls. We belong together, Chayah. And I will not allow you to spend Eternity alone.”

  Tears spilled like a waterfall. Not just baby tears, huge alligator ones. The kind that ruin your make-up.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck so tight, reminding me in that moment, all of this was worth it.

  The deaths and rebirths. The heartaches. The sacrifices. It was all worth it.

  Cade was worth it.

  “Zoe Adams.” He held my cheeks, running his thumb along my bottom lip. “You. Are my life. I’m incomplete without you. Whether in heaven or in hell, we will spend Eternity together.”

  Butterflies circled in my belly.

  No matter how many times we’d kissed, touched. Made love. Everything about this man brought my Origin to life.

  We would return from the dark realm, because we had an Eternity to look forward to.

  To live. To fight.

  And to love.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Cade

  While I held Zoe, nearly all her secrets came to light. How she’d kept things from me, from Raz and the Council. And why.

  Every stage in this incarnation had been strategically planned from the start. Each move. Each motivation.

  Every step.

  My heart ached for my Gemini, for all she’d endured on her own, simply because I did not trust her when she came to me with concerns of an uprising.

  I would never make that mistake again.

  Zoe was the strongest soul I’d ever known. From the beginning of time, she’d held hope for humanity. Her time as a human was the touchstone that brought the Gemini Doctrine to life, and I would not allow her to fail.

  I would not let my Gemini fall.

  We would rise up, together. From today until Eternity.

  Elijah and Lailah stepped into our room.

  Zoe released a distressed breath. “I need to know exactly where the dagger is, Eli. We can’t afford to be stranded in the Seventh. We need a time clock. Literally. Two minutes.”

  “Let me ask Raz for his help. Please.”

  Zoe nodded.

  Moments later, Raz and Sophie arrived.

  “There’s much preparation one must make before descending into the Seventh. Unfortunately, we don’t have that kind of time, so you’re going to get a crash course.”

  “Then let’s get to it.” Zoe pulled from my embrace. “Every minute Phoebe spends in the Sixth is leading her soul to darkness. I can only imagine the horror she’s feeling, her empathy being used against her.”

  “Rule number one of the Seventh. Everything you think you see? It’s an illusion. To distract you. Keep your mind clear,” Raz said. “Above all else.”

  Remie came in. “Raz said you needed me.” His clothes were disheveled, his skin was pale, and his shoulders slumped. It had been far too long since he’d seen his Gemini, and it had taken its toll on him as well.

  “We’ve discovered that Remliel has the gift of projection. Like you, Chayah,” Raz said.

  “I’m learning.” He shrugged. “I’m not that good yet.”

  “Doesn’t matter.” Zoe moved beside him. “You’ll need to be there to find Phoebe. Her mind is slipping into darkness and only you, your Origin can bring her mind back.”

  “What do I need to do?” He stood straight.

  “First, you must understand the problems of the Sixth,” Raz said, setting his hand on Remie’s shoulder. “It’s the second lowest level of the dark realm. A mind can go mad there. You could lose your soul to the darkness. Zoe believes your soul to be strong enough to withstand it. She believes with Phoebe present, along with your family, you’ll be able to resist. Do you agree?”

  “Even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t care. I need her back. I’ll die trying.”

  “So will Zoe, all of us, for that matter.” I braced his shoulder.

  “What do I need to do?”

  “There’s something you need to know.” Zoe stood and walked over. “First, please. Forgive me for involving you and Phoebe in all this. I did what I had to do.”

  He shrugged, pursing his lips, expression narrowed. “Doesn’t matter anymore. I just need her back.”

  “I know. I don’t expect you to understand my motives yet, but you will. And I hope when you do, you’ll recall our conversation in Chicago about sacrifice. This has been yours. And there will be more. This life is full of them, but I promise, you won’t have to do it alone. Phoebe’s a gift. An unexpected gift, one we didn’t intend on being yours, but destiny chose you to be together, and I’ll make sure you get her back.”

  He nodded. “Okay.”

  “You’re not going to like me much, but I’m on your side. I’m doing this for both of you. All of us, even if at first, it doesn’t appear that way.”

  “I need a moment with my Gemini,” I said. “She needs to focus.”

  They all nodded and filed out of the room.

  Zoe and I sat on the bed beside each other.

  She picked up my hands and ran her fingers over mine then turned over my wrist and traced the Gemini mark etched on it. “Remember in Chicago at the diner on Navy Pier? Geez, it seems so long ago.”

  I held her hand against my chest so she could feel my heart beating. “Feel that? It’s my heart. And it beats only for you.”

  Zoe laughed, leaning her forehead to mine.

  “I’ve fallen in love with you, Zoe Adams. You’re mine.” I held her cheeks, gazing deeply into her blue-green eyes, the same color as the Chayah Fountain. “Ab Aeterno, ad infinitum.”

  “I love you too, blue eyes. For Eternity.”

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Zoe

  Eyes closed, I visualized Phoebe. My beautiful, sweet girl stuck in the Sixth, trapped mostly by her own mind.

  The plan was in motion, no going back.

  Of all the missions I’d led in my five millennia as the Eternal Mother, to date, this was the most daunting.

  Sure, I’d saved souls from the dark realm, but never one so closely tied to my own. Never one with so much at stake.

  The dark realm stole our secret weapon in the looming war against the darkness. And I was going to get her back.

  Cade and I held hands, focusing our hearts, our minds, and our bodies on uniting as one Origin.

  Converging was easiest to do after sex. Sure, that sounded strange to a human, but it was the one moment Cade and I were completely together. Body and soul.

  Doing it this way was much harder. Especially for Cade. His gifts weren’t grounded in the mind like mine.