by Dylan Quinn
I felt Phoebe's small hand cover my forehead again. "She's burning up. Are you sure this won’t do some irreversible damage?"
"Yes, Miss Kincaid. She’ll recover, stronger than ever," Raz replied. "You’re caring and loyal. I'm glad you're part of her life."
The door to my room flung open, and Cade stormed in, breathless. He sat next to me and rubbed my temples like he knew just what to do to make me feel better. It worked. The throbbing let up slightly.
"I'm here, love." He kissed my forehead. "Phoebe, can you please get me a bowl of ice water? We need to keep this on her."
He crawled into bed and then pulled me into his arms.
I tucked my head into his chest, focusing on his heart strumming beneath me, settling my nerves.
A rush of light flashed in my head. Another vision.
"Please,” I moaned. “No more."
A hammer beat against my skull. My stomach clenched, twisting from the inside.
I let out a moan and squeezed my palms against my head to push out the pounding.
"Don't fight it, love. Focus through the visions." He tightened his grip and rubbed my arms. It calmed me for a second, but not long before another run of pain dashed into my temples.
I didn't know what he meant. I never brought any details back with me.
"You need to try. It will help us find who’s threatening you," Raz cut in, like he heard my thoughts. Like at the bar. Great.
"You can hear her, too?" Remie asked.
Raz laughed. "You’re a strong one. What a fine Firstborn.”
"Cade," I whispered against his chest. "I don't want to fall asleep again. I can’t. It’s… It hurts. I can’t breathe."
"I’ll be right here, love," he whispered. "For Eternity."
~Chapter Fifteen~
Cade
"Wake up." Raz's voice broke through the deepest sleep I'd had in years.
"What’s wrong?"
Raz had that expression again. If only I could read his mind like he could mine. Although I knew Raz better than anyone, save for Sophie, I’d still not mastered the art of mind reading. I suppose one could not beat the master of wisdom at his own game.
"Her visions have been back for some time."
Not what I cared to hear. If she was having visions of the future, it meant she was in more danger than we once thought.
"I will make this right,” Raz said.
"Make it right?” I narrowed my gaze. “What do you mean?"
"She's been having them all her life, but I just saw them because we were away." He sighed. "I’ve made my decision. It's time to call in the Firstborns."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." He answered without hesitation, eyes narrowed. "And the Newborns.”
I pulled myself up and rested against the wall.
His words caused a tremor of cold to run through my veins. We’d only once needed the aid of the Firstborns, and never the latest generation. This was not good news. Not at all.
"If the level of danger is insurmountable, these Firstborns may not be ready to handle it.” I ran my hands through my hair. “They must be trained."
"All the more reason to call them in. All of them. We can train them here, at the Chicago sanctuary. It's unorthodox, but necessary. I’m sure of it."
Zoe lay beside me. Her visions had finally subsided, and for the first time in hours, she was in a restful state.
I didn’t want this for her, or any of the Firstborns, but I’d do anything necessary to keep her safe. And I trusted Raz’s council above all others.
"What should we do first?"
"I’ll alert the Elders of my decision. Then we’ll talk with Zoe and these Firstborns. It's time for our first meeting."
Raz tipped his head and left the room.
I settled back in beside Zoe and pulled her into my arms.
Her eyes opened. "Hi," she whispered. "How long was I out?"
"I’m not sure, I cannot not see the time from here."
She sat up, craned her neck, then laid back down. "Wow. It's almost nine. I've been out for hours."
"And how do you feel, Chayah?"
She raised her eyebrow. "Chayah?"
I smiled and stroked her cheek with the back of my hand. "It is your… nickname? I believe that’s what Raz named it."
"Ah, well. That explains it." She sighed. "I'm okay, I guess. Just tired."
"When you’re ready, we’ll join everyone in your great room.” I touched her cheeks, and heat from the fever had subsided. “But I’m in no rush."
"Me neither." She yawned and stretched her arms out in front of her. "What happened to me?"
"There is much we must tell you. Information we can share now that your transformation has begun, but I don’t want to overwhelm you. Tell me, love. What took place within your visions?"
"I was alone. Running from people with swords and blue-black auras.” Wrinkles creased her forehead. “One in particular.”
"They were demons." I sighed.
The color drained from her face. "Demons?"
"Yes. The one in particular you spoke of. Did he tell you who he was, or give any indication what he sought?"
It was a she.” Zoe shrugged, rolled into me, and nuzzled into my chest.
A female demon. There were not many who took to attacking Zoe. This could be useful.
"I need to know as much as you can tell me, so we can remedy this."
She trembled against my chest. I'd never seen her so emotional during an incarnation. I yearned to take away her pain, knowing well I could not. I was nearing full humanity with every passing day—waiting for Zoe to bring me back to life.
"Okay." Her muffled breath heated my chest. "But can we talk about it later? I need some time."
I held her tight and kissed the top of her head. "Yes, but please understand discussing this will help. Whenever you’re ready, Raz and your friends are waiting. There is much to tell you."
Zoe exhaled loudly, then pulled free from my embrace. She sat up and rubbed her temples.
"Do you still have a headache?" I sat up beside her.
"No, I just… I don’t know, this is. Too much. Demons? Seriously?” She shook her head and pursed her lips. She sat back against the headboard, crossed her arms over her chest, and tilted her head toward the ceiling.
"We will get through this. You must trust me."
"Why couldn’t Sophie have just warned me?” Her gaze met mine. “Seriously. This keeping secrets crap is a bunch of BS.”
“BS?” I narrowed my gaze.
“B.S.” Her eyes grew wide. “Bullshit. Everyone knew about all this but me. What’s the point in that?”
“I’m sorry. It’s an archaic rule, but necessary. It’s imperative you make your choice based on love for me. Nothing else.” I uncrossed her arms and held her hands in mine. “With each passing day, you learn more. About us and our history. Our legacy. It’s not always this difficult, and I regret this incarnation has not begun as it should. But we’ll get through this. Together.”
She stared down at her ring and released my hand, then spun the band around her finger.
“You know, before you got here, I thought my Gemini ditched me. That I wasn’t good enough for him.”
“Your Gemini?”
“Eli.”
That explained much. She believed Elijah to be her Gemini. Of course she would feel abandoned when he left.
“After Sophie gave me this ring, I met Eli in Central Park.” She shook her head. “He dumped me that day. Said I wasn’t the one. I quit believing in the whole Gemini thing after that.” She cleared her throat. “Then you came and, I don’t know. I didn’t want to believe it.”
“Why?”
“Because I’d moved on, and, I fell in love.”
“In love?” My pulse quickened.
“With myself.” She laughed. “With music.”
The knot in my chest eased. A little.
“For the first time since my eighteenth birthday, my life h
ad direction. I had a really good thing going, too,” she scoffed. “But now you’re here, and—” She inhaled a heavy breath. “I don’t know, I guess I’m scared.”
After being left to her own devices, it was no surprise she would have a difficult time bonding with me. Zoe’s time apart from her guardian until her twenty-first birthday was meant as a time for her to grow and mature, not to regress.
In this particular incarnation, her growth period did more harm than good.
The Convergence was in jeopardy.
I gently lifted her chin, took her hands and placed them on my chest to share my heart's frantic rhythm. "Do you feel that?"
She nodded. Her gaze never left mine.
"That’s my heart. And it beats only for you. You’re my Chayah. My life.” I held her cheeks. “And if you’ll let me, I promise to never leave your side or let anyone hurt you again."
“Zoe? I made you soup.” Phoebe’s voice echoed from outside. “You need to eat.”
“Be right there.” Zoe broke our connection. She got up from her bed and moved toward the door.
I caught up with her, then turned her to face me. I draped my arms around her and pulled her into an embrace.
There were no words between us, but there didn’t need to be. She needed only time.
A moment later, we set out to her great room. Raz and the Firstborns were sitting about the room, and Phoebe brought a tray with soup.
"How are you feeling?” Raz asked.
"I'm okay."
Rainah and Micah got up from the sofa and moved to the floor so we could sit.
Phoebe set the food tray over Zoe’s lap. “I’m so glad you’re okay. Now eat.”
“We’ve been catching up,” Raz said. “Getting to know them a bit. I’ve not shared any of the news yet, though. I needed to see how Zoe fared first."
Raz eyed Zoe and tipped his head to the side, likely listening to her thoughts.
Phoebe studied Raz and Zoe as if trying to distinguish what he was doing. Raz said she was an Empath, and I could sense her gifts of observation were strong.
Remie and Micah sat next to each other on the floor, and Phoebe sidled up to Remie.
"Introductions are in order. This is Remliel and his twin sister, Rainah."
They nodded.
"They are my Firstborns." Raz smiled and bowed his head in their direction.
Rainah's mouth opened, and her eyes widened while Remie appeared to have known all along.
"So, you’re like, our dad?" Rainah asked.
Raz nodded. "In a sense, yes. I am."
She pulled up her knees and wrapped her arms around them, then hid her face in her lap.
Raz got up, knelt beside her, and placed his arm around her.
“But who raised us?" Remie asked.
"When Newborns are—well, born, the Council assigns Guardians, Angels to watch over you until you're of age and ready to find the Firstborn Daughter." Raz nodded toward Zoe.
"But they died." Remie’s gaze fell toward the floor.
"They did," Raz said. "But not in the sense that humans do. Yes, they were involved in a horrific car accident, but they didn’t suffer. They’ve since returned to the Eternal realm.”
"Will we ever see them again?" Rainah lifted her head.
Raz nodded. "I'm sure. Someday, you’ll be reunited with Henry and Amelia."
Micah was listening quietly in the corner, his arms crossed over his chest.
"Micah, do you have concerns?" I asked.
It was important all the Firstborns understood their duty and were willing to take on the roles they were destined to fulfill.
He glanced at me, then to Raz. "I was dumped like trash,” he said frankly. “I never had any parents."
“Of course you did.” Raz reached beside him and braced Micah’s shoulder. "You too had Guardians, but they were also killed when you were very young. I’ll admit, we had quite a few mishaps this incarnation. And this is why we’re pushing through your powers earlier than usual."
"So, if you're not my father, then who is?"
“Your parents are two strong, loving Genesis,” I interjected. “They loved you and have watched over you from the Aravot."
“You’ll meet your parents soon,” Raz said.
Micah nodded. He kicked his feet out, crossed them at the ankles, and put his hands behind his neck. “Okay then.”
Remie sat up. "So we're Firstborns, what does that mean, exactly? For us? And for Phoebe?"
I cleared my throat. "Firstborns are direct descendants of Genesis. You’re granted special gifts to help the Firstborn Daughter in her journey. Once the Convergence is complete, you’ll go on to have Gemini and journeys of your own, either as Guardians to humans on earth or as Eternals in Aravot."
"Does that mean we're—immortal?" Rainah asked.
"In a sense,” Raz said. "All life in the physical form is fleeting, but as long as you’re serving your purpose with honor, you’ll continue in your position indefinitely.”
“What do you mean, gifts?” She asked.
"You each have your own special gifts that we’ll discover during your training."
"Training for what?” Rainah was an inquisitive one.
"For this mission. We're in need of your wits, strength and courage," Raz said.
"Courage?" Micah sat up. “Sounds dangerous. What’s going on?”
"Zoe’s being hunted," I said.
Their skin paled.
"Hunted?" Phoebe’s voice trembled.
“Hunted by what?” Remie asked.
"Demons," I looked over at Zoe, she stared into her soup bowl. "They don’t want the Convergence to take place.”
“What’s a Convergence?” Micah asked.
“Zoe and Cade’s Eternal union,” Raz nodded to us. “There are certain—drawbacks for humanity if Zoe and Cade don’t reunite. Which would make those demons very happy." Raz paused. "The Trees would be compromised."
Zoe kept her gaze on the spoon in her hand, pretending to ignore the conversation going on around her.
"There are many evil forces at work that would like nothing more than an open door to usher total darkness into the world,” Raz began. “Extinguishing the light we've worked so hard to protect.”
Zoe picked up the tray and moved it to the coffee table in front of her. She laid back against the sofa, crossed her arms over her chest, and closed her eyes.
“The Trees are the source of all that is pure in your world,” Raz continued. “The Tree of Life stores the souls of the unborn, and the Tree of Knowledge holds all secrets that evil would love to get their hands on. If its secrets were revealed to those who aren’t meant to have them, all Hell, for lack of a better word, would break lose, and the light in your world would disappear."
"Protect the Trees. Got it." Micah cracked his knuckles.
Remie let go of Phoebe and sat up straight.
"What we need from you is your understanding that you're ready to take on your duties as Firstborns." Raz scanned the room, looking to each of them. "There will be much danger. Your lives will never be the same. You must understand this before you’re confirmed."
“What about Phoebe?” Remie looked over at her, pulling her close. “What happens to her?”
Raz looked at me, then to Remie and Phoebe.
“There are things we must consider concerning your safety, Phoebe. The mission the Eternals will embark on is too dangerous for a human. While you are free to make your own choices, under the circumstances, I believe you should consider staying as far away from this as you can.”
“What?” Zoe sat up, her eyes narrowed.
“I guess it’s something to discuss.” Phoebe leaned into Remie.
Zoe widened her eyes and shook her head. She chewed on her lip, then crossed her arms over her chest.
Raz and I gave each other knowing looks, then we glanced to Zoe.
"What?” Zoe tilted her head, then rolled her eyes. “What do you need from me?"
"
Your decision," Raz said. “Your intentions must be made known to the Elder Council.”
She breathed deeply and sighed. "I'm not ready. There’s—something I need to do first."
Raz narrowed his gaze, stood, and then moved to her. He crouched beside her. "May I ask, what’s holding you back, child?"
Tilting her head to the side, she stared into his eyes.
I could tell he was searching for her concerns, sifting through her thoughts.
Perhaps she could as well, because the expression on her face, narrowed eyes and pursed lips, quickly showed the change in her emotion from apprehension to aggravation.
There was something she was keeping from me, something holding back her decision. And her visual confession confirmed that.
Perhaps it was her inability to trust, or the negative experiences she had as a child. Or Elijah.
Whatever was holding Zoe back, I had to know if we were to complete the Convergence before the deadline.
Every day that passed made the situation more precarious. Especially now, with threats against her.
There was no time to waste.
"I can't think in here." She got to her feet. “I need…” She glared at Raz, then me. “Forget it. It doesn’t matter to any of you anyway.” She moved quickly down the hall and disappeared into her bedroom, the door slammed behind her.
Raz stood, his gaze scanning the room. “Why don’t we go to Remie’s for a while? Allow Cade and Zoe some privacy.”
The Firstborns got up and gathered their things.
"I must speak to Cade in private for a moment. I’ll be there shortly."
Remie nodded, and they all left us alone in Zoe’s home.
Raz placed his hand on my shoulder. “Mixed emotions run through Zoe. She’s afraid. She still hurts for Elijah and Sophie. She fears she’ll be betrayed again."
I stared down, shifting my feet back and forth across the carpeting.
“And there’s something she’s withholding. I attempted to breach her thoughts, but her powers are growing, and she’s shutting me out.”
“How?” I’d never known anyone to shut him out, so much that he couldn’t read their minds.
“I’m unsure.”
"So Elijah and Sophie. Do you think we should have them visit?"
"Cade," he whispered. "You know we can't do that. This is something she needs to come to terms with on her own."
