Origin (Eternal Sacrifice Saga Book 2) (18 page)

“So now that you’ve mastered portals, we have one more thing to train on.”

“Umm, I have all the basics down, what else is there?”

“Healing.”

“No.” My eyes went wide, shaking my head. “No way.”

“It’s all right. I’ve not been injured in some time, a measure of pain won’t kill me.”

“Not happening.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

I wasn’t about to hurt him, then fail at healing him. I couldn’t do that to Cade. Didn’t have it in me.

Cade pulled out his dagger and held it out to me.

“No, I’m not doing it.” I shoved out my hands, pushing his away.

“It’s part of your training. I insist.” His tone was stern. “Just a slight cut right here.” He pointed at his palm with the tip of his dagger. “Won’t hurt at all.”

I stared at his weapon, a knot forming in my gut. Even the thought of hurting my Gemini made me sick to my stomach.

“Take it. One small healing lesson, then we’ll be off on our island adventure. You know I have much planned for us.” He wiggled his eyebrows and shot me that sexy crooked smile.

“Come on, Cade. Please. Don’t make me do this.”

“I promise, I will hardly feel a thing.” He nodded toward the dagger, the handle pushing toward me.

I stared at it for a second, sucking in a deep breath, then hesitantly took his weapon.

It looked a lot like mine, practically identical. Only heavier. And the handle was larger, must be made for his hand. The blade was a dark indigo color like mine, like our auras, but his had a serrated edge, while mine was smooth.

Cade pushed out his hand, palm out.

I eyed his palm, then the dagger.

In the few months I’d spent with Cade, however brief, I’d learned to pick my battles. Some I could win, some I couldn’t. When it came to training or protecting me, there was no winning with him.

But I also learned something else.

Although I couldn’t win, I could at least change the rules.

I closed my eyes, taking a slow, measured breath. Turning my left hand over, I slit a shallow line down my palm, inhaling a harsh breath between my teeth at the pain, then dropping his dagger to the floor. I stared at the blood seeping out from the wound, dripping, staining the plush cream area rug beneath our feet.

“Zoe.” Cade snapped at me.

“Show me how it works?” I bit my lip, holding out my palm, shaking slightly. “Heal me.”

Glaring and pursing his lips, Cade took my hand in his and raised his palm over the wound. He adjusted his feet then closed his eyes. A second later, a warm ball of purple light grew out of his palm, something like a portal, but not.

I admired Cade’s face, concentrating on his mission, though totally distracting me from mine.

His messy chocolate hair was swept back over his forehead. Straight nose. Long eyelashes. High cheekbones and strong jaw.

My Gemini really was beautiful. I could stare for hours.

I glanced down as Cade’s healing glow penetrated my skin, and the cut gradually cinched its way back together.

Just like before I Eternalized, my body was healing, only this time, healing didn’t come from within me, it came from my Gemini.

“Why did you do that?” Cade grumbled.

“Because I can’t hurt you. I do it enough accidentally, I won’t ever do it on purpose.”

He pursed his lips and stepped closer, holding my cheeks, staring into my soul. “That was reckless.”

I shook my head. “It was harmless.”

Cade let go of my cheeks, pulling me into his arms, so tight, I could hardly breathe. I didn’t mind though. Not one bit.

I nuzzled into his neck.

“I love you, Cade. It’s my job to protect you, too.”

He pulled back and kissed me, then stared into my eyes. “I adore you, Chayah.”

I smiled. “I know.” I kissed his nose. “Okay, have I earned my day off now?” I widened my eyes.

“Yes. You most certainly have.”

I tightened my arms around his waist. “What’s on the agenda?”

“It’s a surprise. I will tell you though, we’ll be gone all day—and if I have my way—awake all night.”

Zoe

The sky was dark, but lights from the hills of Capri lit up around us as Cade carried me inside Villa Adams.

Shopping in Capri and an impromptu bridge jump to a beach in the Maldives had totally wiped me out.

Cade flipped on the lights and laid me in our bed.

I let out a breath and glanced up at him standing over me.

“How about a bath? Your hair is full of sand.”

“That sounds amazing.”

He nodded, disappearing into the adjoining bathroom.

Water filling the ginormous tub echoed through the open room as I buried into Cade’s pillow, inhaling his yummy scent.

A dull throb began to pulse in my head. A vision was trying to break through.

I closed my eyes, relaxing my body as Eli and Sophie had suggested.

Focusing on my breathing, I inhaled slowly, the throb grew with a constant unbearable rhythm.

Sophie said there was a way to avoid the headache, but it took super concentration on my part to work. She said I was strong enough to tune out the pulsing, so I tried that for a second, focusing on steadying my breaths and relaxing my body.

I listened to the water running in the other room and let it take me into a trance-like state…

“Zoe.”

I’m talking to someone, but I can’t see their face. I can only hear a voice.

“What have you learned about the prophecy?” The voice asks.

“Not enough,” I respond. “You?”

“There is truth in them,” the voice says. “The signs. They have been revealed. And it does, indeed begin with your Gemini. With your bond.”

“When I spoke to him about my fears, he ignored my warnings, as if they were useless female banter. I’m losing his faith.”

“We must prepare, then. Without the infallible bond of the Genesis Origin, the Eternal light does not stand a chance against the darkness. There are rumblings from the dark realm, of weapons our arsenal will be incapable to defeat. We must devise and execute a plan. Of all Genesis, only you, Chayah, are capable. Your mind. Its power. Your connection to the Origin. It is the only weapon we have to defeat the darkness, but I fear it will not be enough. Yours is the only Eternal mind that cannot be breached. This is your journey, sister. Until it’s time, it’s a journey you must make alone.”

“So it’s done, then.” My heart speeds up. “The Eternal war. It is truly coming. And the burden rests solely on my shoulders.”

“It’s only for this time. The prophecy will be derailed, but to keep our plan safe once we’ve devised it, you must have your memories hushed well. Thoroughly hidden, even from yourself, so no one learns of our strategies. Not even Raziel. No one may know. You must play the fool until your Origin awakens.”

“But what of the incarnation?” I ask. “How will Cade and I find one another again? And if I am not myself, will my Gemini even want me?”

“Chayah,” the voice says. “Your Gemini loves you above all else. He will never forsake you. You must trust in your Gemini’s love. The imprint he has made upon your Origin.

“And above all else, trust in your instincts. It’s the foundation of your soul. And do not worry about playing the fool. It will keep you safe during the incarnation, until your Origin recognizes its time to awaken from its slumber. It is imperative,” the voice says. “If you or any of Genesis knows before the plan is set into motion, it could jeopardize everything.”

I exhale, a knot tightening deep within my chest.

“Until your memories awaken, until your Origin reaches for you, trust no one, Chayah. Only yourself…”

“Cade?”

“I’m right here, love.”

I opened my eyes.

Cade sat beside me, running his hands over my hair. “Are you all right? Did you have a vision?”

I wasn’t sure what to say. He’d want answers and now, more than anything, there were no answers I could give. There’d been a reason all along I’d become so secretive this incarnation, not telling anybody anything.

Because I couldn’t.

Was that a warning?

Man, I needed to talk to someone, but the message was clear.

Trust no one.

A hundred-pound brick pressed onto my chest, crushing me.

I was alone in this until my memories returned. Maybe even after.

“Chayah?” His icy blue eyes bore into me. “What is it?”

“Nothing. A dream, maybe?”

“Zoe.” He pursed his lips.

“I know, I know.” I sighed. “It’s never just a dream.”

“What did you see?”

“It was nothing.” I gave a reassured smile. “I didn’t see anything. It was just a voice. A conversation.”

He lifted his eyebrows and pursed his lips. “Must we have
this
conversation again about how important it is you share things with me?”

“The important thing is I had a vision. Or rather, heard a voice. And I pushed out the headache. No pain.” I smiled, trying to soften his mood.

Cade’s expression visibly changed. “You’re right, Chayah. How did you get through it?”

“I just did what Sophie and Eli taught me. I focused on the voice and pushed out the pain. Then I just kind of drifted into it.”

He smiled. “I’m proud of you, love. Raz will be most pleased.”

At least I now kind of understood why I couldn’t remember anything. Not that it made feeling lost any easier. I was truly alone in this, at the mercy of my own Origin.

I leaned over. Cupping Cade’s cheeks, I kissed his lips, trying to push the voice out of my head.

There was nothing I could do, only focus on what I was meant to.

Being here. Right now, with my Gemini. Focusing on strengthening our bond. Our love. So once my memories returned, I could save my Gemini and my family.

Save them all.

Tonight was the end of the shortest vacay in Eternal history, and I intended on making the most of it.

I could never get enough of Cade’s lips. Or staring into his blue eyes. Or running my fingers across his taught muscles that covered every inch of his tan, toned body.

Cade held my hand and led me to an adjoining bathhouse on the terrace just outside our bedroom that housed a mini spa including a ginormous tub, so big, four people could fit in it.

I stood beside him, his eyes bearing into my soul. One article of clothing at a time, he peeled mine off until I stood naked.

Cade grabbed a pony from a vanity beside the sink and gathered my hair. Pulling it together, he put it up in a messy bun on the top of my head.

The lights in the bathhouse were dim, candles burning around the room, the scent of lavender drifting through the air. He really did stop at nothing to take care of me—so damned sweet, he was giving me a toothache.

I snickered at him fumbling with my hair. He was surprisingly good at it, I wondered if he’d done this a time or two?

Cade took my hand, kissing my knuckles, and helped me into the bath.

The water was so hot, but damn, did it feel amazing. Every sore muscle loosened.

I settled into the corner, stretching out my arms and legs, letting the steamy water cover each limb. I let out a sigh and stared at Cade, gathering things from beside the tub: Shampoo, body wash, and a bath sponge.

“Why aren’t you naked?” I narrowed my eyes. “Aren’t you going to join me?”

He shook his head slow. “You’ve worked hard this week. I’m very proud of you. Tonight, is about you. Let me take care of you. Close your eyes, love. Relax.”

Butterflies swarmed in my belly.

Cade was the most amazing, beautiful man I think I’d ever known.

He protected me. Now he wanted to take care of me.

I think my heart skipped a beat.

“Eyes closed. Now.” He glared.

“Oh, right. Sorry.” I smirked, closing my eyes, setting my head back against some pillow thingy behind me.

A moment later, Cade picked up my hand and ran the bath sponge across it. One limb at a time, he erased the sand and sea from my achy body.

For the next fifteen minutes or so, every inch of me was cleaned. Massaged. Caressed. His soft touch kneaded the knots from my muscles.

I opened my eyes and glanced at Cade.

Sitting at the foot of the tub, he rubbed my feet with his dexterous fingers while his heated gaze bore into me like the night we met.

My heart picked up its pace as my Gemini stared silently, never taking his eyes from mine.

He set my foot down and rose to his feet, walking around toward me, my gaze following him as he moved closer.

“Come.” Cade reached for me, sexy crooked smile on his face, and helped me stand. In less than a second, he had a towel wrapped around me and picked me up, carrying me inside our Italian villa, setting me on my feet.

He got on his knees and grinned. A quick tug at the towel exposed my wet, naked flesh.

I bit my lip, scrutinizing over sexy Gemini as he dried me off, starting with my feet, working the towel up my calves to my hips.

Who knew drying off could be so sensual.

Cade’s nose, now flush to my breasts, forced goose bumps racing through my body as he leaned in and kissed my belly. His lips dragging up over my ribs.

I set my hands on his shoulders and tilted my head back, closing my eyes, humming beneath my breath.

Every nerve woke.

A fire burned inside my soul as tingles raced straight to my thighs.

“Chayah.” Cade’s voice dripped with want. As he got to his feet, his hands roamed over my ass, up my back to my shoulders, and his teeth tugged gently on my earlobe. “Now it’s I who doesn’t want this evening to end.”

I sucked in a breath, focusing on the feel of his lips tracing along my bare skin.

Cade leaned down, and his lips met mine. Soft. Slow. Passionate. Filled with need, his body called to me.

I opened my eyes, running my hand along his cheek, across his scruffy face, which now stared blankly. “What wrong?”

My gaze followed Cade’s as his hands fell from my body, and he stepped back, staring with narrowed eyes, scrubbing his jaw with his fingers.

Naked chest. Bare feet. Cade wore nothing but a pair of tight jeans, showing off the curves of his firm assets.