“Stop,” I said between my teeth as my right arm came up before he could grab it.

  The barrel of the gun pressed into the side of his temple. He froze, releasing me instantly.

  Gasps and screams came from the passers-by. They had seen that there was a small confrontation and mainly stayed away. But, my little trick had brought their attention to the gun. Not good.

  “You will let me go.”

  Nodding, Nick looked down at me, his face suddenly clearing and water coming to his eyes. “I won’t take you up on your offer. As you won’t take me up on mine.”

  I gulped as a strong arm wrapped around my waist, dragging me back. Keeping the gun pointed forward, I let Taurus drag me to the van. Sirens would sound at any moment, which meant we had to make a quick escape.

  “I’ll be seeing you, Virgo,” Nick shouted, his arms shaking by his sides.

  Saluting him with my free arm, I tucked the gun away when Taurus pulled me into the side of the van and tugged the door closed. Leo put his foot on the accelerator as soon as it was shut. How he had managed to get in as quickly as he had, I didn’t know. But, I was glad that I was back with my family.

  “We’ll need to change the colour and number plate of the van again,” Taurus said as I scrambled into a seat.

  Calmly taking the gun out of my hand, he unloaded the bullets and put it in his pocket. Kerry was next to me, her hands shaking as she reached out. I backed away, still conscious of not having contact with anyone. Especially as I’d just been in a lab and exposed to Anthrax again.

  “Sorry,” I said when she frowned. “I’m paranoid about infecting you.”

  She nodded as I moved to the seat furthest from them. Taurus watched me, his eyebrows pulled low. “How did you end up in his car?”

  The inquisition would come now. It always did. As I’d watched my six siblings go through this process before, I had envisioned that it would be different for me. Easier. Logic told me that Nick wouldn’t be too worried about me because he thought that Leo had failed. Obviously, I was wrong.

  “He offered me an antidote to the Anthrax.”

  Leo glanced at me in the rear view mirror, his eyes almost hidden under the hood that covered his hair. “What did he want in return?”

  The others had obviously kept him up to date on the health of Aries, Natalie and Libra. Not one of our family didn’t know what was happening, every single day. Mother had tried to persuade me to let her visit but the risk was too great. It was better that the healthy people stayed away.

  “He wanted me to promise not to unite with my twin flame.”

  My words made them both glance at each other. They knew it was a tough call for me. I needed to save my family, especially Natalie. But, could I throw away our whole mission?

  “Where do you need to go now?” Leo asked, not even asking me about my response to Nick’s request.

  “Home. I need to try and change Natalie’s antibiotics.”

  Taurus glanced at Kerry, who looked at me. “Is she as bad as they’re making out?”

  Licking my lips, I stared at the floor. How could I look her in the eye and deny it? Preparing them for the worst would be the kindest thing to do.

  “I was trying to create a new antidote. A stronger antitoxin, but it dropped and smashed on the floor. Consequently our floor went into lockdown. Which means we got no work done. I’m not sure...”

  “Don’t say that,” Taurus said, his brain working quickly. “You can heal them. You’re Virgo. You’re a healer.”

  “Not only that,” Leo interrupted. “You’re a pain in the arse. One that won’t stop analysing what to do. So, believe that you can do it.”

  My chin wobbled, my faith in myself wavering. For days I had hardly slept, trying to figure out the best way to save Natalie’s life. That’s all it boiled down to. Saving the life of her and her baby. Especially as there was a wedding being planned in the whole process.

  “You can do it, Virgo, we believe in you.”

  That was all well and good, but if I didn’t do it, they would blame me for the death of two of our family members.

  “I’ve asked Antony to come and get you from us. He can drop you back home while we change the number plates on the van.” Taurus patted Leo on the back. “Take us to the park.”

  Nodding, I gazed out of the window in a daze. I didn’t even realise we had stopped until the side door slid open and Antony stuck his head in.

  “Let’s go,” he said.

  Being a bodyguard, he was in protective mode, which suited me fine. It meant that he would be on the lookout, not wanting to engage in conversation with me.

  Shuffling out of the van, I smiled goodbye to Kerry. She went to say something but Antony took my arm and dragged me away, ready to make sure I was protected.

  “Virgo,” Leo called, leaning out of the window. “Stay strong and keep looking at the sexy birds.”

  Flipping him my middle finger, I laughed as I got into the car and allowed Antony to drive me home. He didn’t say a word until the car pulled up outside our building.

  “Pisces wishes she could see you all, but she understands that she can’t. She said that she hopes you’re coping okay. If not, she wants to come home. No matter the cost.”

  Smiling at him, I knew full well that he wouldn’t let her do as she said. He loved her fiercely and would never allow her to come into contact with any danger. It was in his nature.

  “Tell her I’m fine, but thank you. Also, tell her I love her.”

  The last was a quick add on, but one that I didn’t want to forget. We rarely let each other know how much we appreciated one another. Sometimes we needed reminding why we lived and fought for the whole family.

  Saying goodbye, I left Antony and made my way upstairs. As soon as I went into the living area, I froze. Alice’s voice came from the bedroom. She was ordering Scorpio to do something. How had she got there so quickly? And, why didn’t I know she was even there?

  “Virgo, your doctor friend is amazing.” Aquarius came skipping down the stairs, his laptop in his hand.

  Capricorn and Saggi were in the kitchen area, making food. They waved at me, their gloved hands reminding me of how careful we still had to be, even though we were basically out of the danger time zone.

  “She is,” I muttered, almost in a daze as I watched them carry on their life as if...

  “Come on!” Scorpio interrupted my thoughts as he came out of Aries’ bedroom. “She’s waiting for you.”

  Taking a deep breath, I went to join Alice. She smiled at me when I entered the room, pointing towards Libra. She was sitting up, her eyes more alert as she watched me approach her.

  “Are you feeling better?” I asked, almost not believing it.

  She nodded as she wiped old sweat from her forehead. “Yes, I’m feeling a lot better today.”

  My shoulders relaxed. The antibiotics were starting to work on my sibling. She even reached for her phone, backing up when I snatched it away and placed it out of reach.

  “No work, yet!”

  It had been days since any of the siblings were able to leave the house. They were starting to get irritated with each other, which was understandable. Yet, they had worked well together to try and help our sick family members.

  “Virgo, can I have a quick word?” Alice gestured with her head to go out of the room. Her blonde hair flicked as she moved.

  Nodding, I looked around her and focused on Natalie. Alice had hooked her up to another IV. Her skin was red, sweat lining every pore.

  Aries was sitting up, his eyes still red as he gazed at nothing ahead of him. He would hopefully start feeling better, but if we didn’t do something with Natalie soon, she would die. And, I couldn’t let that happen.

  Alice went out of the room. Following her, I thought about what I could do to make things different. How could I heal Nat?

  “I have a lab at my house,” Alice said. “My father built it for his research. We can go there and use it to try the antitoxin again.”

  My mouth hung open as I watched her lick her lips. My palms broke out in a sweat as my heartbeat increased. Now was not the time to be incredibly attracted to my boss. Especially as she was putting her whole career on the line for me.

  “Okay, let’s do it,” I said, calling Scorpio from wherever he had disappeared to.

  He replied from the kitchen area, his head coming out of the fridge. “What’s up?” he said, speaking with his mouth full.

  “Really? You’re spitting crumbs everywhere.”

  Shrugging, he grinned at Alice, winking when she raised her eyebrows. “Hey, doc, maybe when all this is—”

  “I’m sorry, I’m not into men,” Alice snapped, going back into Aries’ bedroom.

  She appeared a moment later and made her way towards the stairwell exit. We stared after her, all of our mouths dropping open.

  “Are you coming?” she asked me, glancing over her shoulder as she ignored everyone else.

  I looked at the siblings gathered in kitchen area. Each one of them had a huge grin on their face. No. Just no. Whatever they were thinking. No.

  Chapter Ten

  “This place is huge,” I muttered as we went into the lab.

  Alice’s home was a mansion; the rooms bigger than any I had ever seen. She had brought me straight here from my house. We had a mission; to create the antidote that would help Natalie.

  A part of me had wondered whether it was worth agreeing to Nick’s terms. If I gave up my chance of being with my twin flame, I would be able to save Natalie and the baby. As It was, I didn’t know who my soulmate was, or if I would ever meet her.

  “My father had it built for him so he could experiment. He left the house to me, so when my parents died, I decided to use it for my own studies.”

  My thoughts flew out of my mind as I focused on her. We were just outside the lab, ready to go inside. The extensive lock reminded me of a film I had seen a few years ago. It was very professional, even better than the one we had at the hospital.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, not really knowing what else to say.

  Alice had lost her parents at an extremely young age. It must have been such a lonely time for her.

  Shaking her head, she pushed her way into the lab, indicating that I should follow. Her eyes stayed averted as I joined her, allowing her to close the door behind me.

  “They were on their way to America. My father was going to speak to the President about his work with antidotes to biochemical warfare. He worked closely with several governments. The jet they were travelling in crashed into the sea. My parents were never found.”

  Blinking, I tried to get Alice to look at me. She went to spin away, but I grabbed her arm, stalling her.

  “Alice, that’s...”

  Waving her hand, she tried to wrench me off.

  “Wait!” I said, stamping my foot.

  The floor vibrated under us, causing Alice’s eyes to widen. “You caused the tremor at the hospital.”

  The attention had gone from her to me, just how she liked it, apparently. Releasing her arm, I went over to the biohazard suits that were hanging up.

  “Don’t ignore me, Virgo, how do you do that with your foot?”

  She stood with her hands on her hips, her blonde hair falling forward over her shoulder. Her cheeks were red as she stared at me, willing me to answer.

  There had been a lot of tension between us since the moment we met, why? Why was she so difficult? Yet, so...caring.

  “I...I can’t explain,” I muttered, reaching for the suit.

  Her hand whipped out, grabbing my brown hair at the scalp. As she tugged it back, I cried out, my hands going to hers where she held me.

  “What are you doing?” I yelped as she pulled me so far back, I bent over her knee when she raised it.

  A scowl coloured her face, violence in her eyes. Her teeth were gritted together and her lips pulled back. “You’re not telling me the truth! Who are you?”

  “Get off me!” I shouted, bringing my foot down on the ground hard enough to make the whole lab vibrate this time.

  She released me, stepping back as I straightened up and rubbed my head. The bitch had almost pulled my hair out. What was she playing at?

  “You said you had to unite with your soulmate. Well, surely that’s what everyone is here for. But, that...” Alice pointed at my foot. “...that’s freaky.”

  Raising my hands, I tried to steady my heavy breath. She had scared me. Adrenaline wriggled its way around my veins, my heart pounding.

  “Why...?” A lump rose in my throat. “Why did you just get so aggressive?”

  Pressure was a harsh reality in the environment we worked in. Alice’s family had a history of trying to save the world from disaster viruses, so she probably felt it more than most. But, to hit out at me like that? It was uncalled for.

  “I...I’m not sure why I did that, I’m sorry. It’s like there’s this anger I feel towards you, and I don’t know why. You blame me for something...”

  “I do?” I interrupted.

  Alice ran a hand through her hair and faced away from me. “Ignore me, I have no idea where that came from. I don’t know what’s come over me.”

  My heartbeat vibrated harder in my chest as I stared at her back. The lab coat she wore blended into an old fashioned long nightgown. Her skin turned dark, the light reflecting how smooth it was.

  Closing my eyes to clear the vision, I clenched my hands by my sides. “It can’t be,” I whispered.

  “What can’t?” Alice’s harsh tone made me open my eyes.

  She was looking over her shoulder, her hip cocked to the side. There was a reason she was so angry at me, and there was an explanation to my own agitation. But, if what I thought was true, she was in for a big shock.

  “Nothing, I’m sorry. Shall we get on with it?” I pointed at the biohazard suit.

  She looked at the floor, her hair falling forward to cover her face. She was still caught up in the emotion of what had just happened. I didn’t blame her. My diversion tactic was the only way to give me some space to think.

  “Your foot, Virgo,” she said.

  Okay, apparently she wasn’t going to let me get away with it. Which was fair enough. If I knew someone who could do what I did, but wasn’t given an explanation, I wouldn’t stop asking until I knew how.

  Giving up the idea of an immediate release from telling her, I lowered myself onto the nearest stool. We didn’t have time for this, but the longer I let it drag out, the less time Natalie would have.

  “Every single one of us has a power. I told you about our mission. In order to fulfil it, we needed something to give us an edge. We’ve been trying to unite with our soulmates, all twelve of us, for many lifetimes. Every time, we’ve failed. So, we’ve been given an ability that coincides with our element to help us get the job done.”

  There. I had told her. No matter what she said or did now, she couldn’t claim that I had kept her in the dark. In fact, I had risked everything by telling her. And, yet, I still didn’t know whether she would keep my secret.

  “That’s...” She came over and stood in front of me.

  Reaching forward, she quickly pulled back as I inhaled a deep breath. We were hovering on the edge of something, anticipation rocking through both of us, but...

  “Let’s do this,” Alice suddenly said, deflating the moment.

  Releasing my breath, I followed her as she went over to the chemical storage box.

  “I managed to sneak out a couple of the antitoxin vials. I also have some of my own here.”

  “You do?” I choked, covering my mouth when she smiled.

  Shrugging, she went to a little door, opening it to reveal a small room with rows and rows of boxes and drawers.

  “My father was paid a lot of money to find cures and antidotes. He was given access to the many meds he needed to get the job done. I’m...carrying on his legacy.” Alice’s cheeks flared red as she glanced at me.

  My mouth hung open as I read some of the names on the boxes. Stuff I hadn’t even heard of lined the shelves.

  “You’re working for the government?”

  She nodded, her tongue coming out to lick her bottom lip. “Yes. I’m working at the hospital to give me some extra ideas. Gary is also a very well respected doctor, as you know. Working with him was the Prime Minister’s idea.”

  My high profile boss might just be my twin flame soulmate. That wasn’t a good combination.

  Standing back, I nodded, ready to get to work. My hands shook as Alice rummaged in the antitoxin drawer, bringing out a couple of boxes.

  “My father was working on something before he passed. It was an antitoxin, but not really for Anthrax. However, I liked his idea of combining two elements to make them stronger. I’ve been testing his theory and it works. We just need to blend the right two elements to get the right dosage for a human being.”

  Good, she had moved on from my earthquake ability, her attention drawn to our predicament. It was better that we both focused on curing Natalie and the baby. If Aries’ child was to have problems when it was born, I would blame myself.

  “You can test me,” I said, moving to a section labelled Homeopathy. “Now, this is my realm.”

  Picking up the oils and salves, I smiled to myself.

  Alice came over and stood directly behind me. Her breath hit my neck, sending tingles over my body. She quickly stepped back when I gulped loudly. It wasn’t the time or place to be fighting my attraction for her.

  “Help yourself to anything you want.”

  She quickly left, taking what she needed with her. I ran my eyes over the treatments, deciding that it wasn’t the right time to be taking her things.

  “What about the suits?” I asked as I came out and shut the door behind me.

  Dismissing me with a wave, Alice placed what she needed in front of her and proceeded to set up the box. “It’s super secure in here. This little baby was flown over by the US president. It’s the most secure box in the world.”