Pisces: Book 1 in a Young Adult Paranormal Romance Series (The Zodiac Twin Flame Series) (5 page)

Father chuckled and I bit my lip in an effort not to smile too.

‘What’s the point of that?’ Antony asked.

I looked at him and wondered what star sign he was. It was often the first thing I thought of. It wasn’t technically fair to judge someone on a stereotype. Just because someone was born under an astrological sign, didn’t mean that they embodied the qualities of that sign. Especially humans. They were complex and diverse with lots of different planets in different places when they were born.

‘I have no idea.’ I sat back in my seat and crossed my arms.

‘Defensive.’ My father nodded towards me.

Glaring at him, I tried to loosen my posture but it didn’t work.

‘Why are the others not coming?’ I asked again, remembering that he had easily diverted my attention.

‘Because they’re not ready.’

‘Ready for what…?’

‘Bed…’ Derek said, throwing his arms up into the air and yawning.

He yelped when Antony punched him under the table. ‘He’s a good bodyguard. It’s the only reason he’s here.’

Dismissing them both with a look, I grabbed Father’s hand. ‘Ready for what…?’

A slow smile spread over his lips. My heart started to drum in my ears. My union was coming. There was a look in his eyes that confirmed it to me. I was going to meet my soulmate soon and everything would be perfect. I swallowed as I realised that it wouldn’t be long until I was madly in love. I returned his smile as he nodded once.

‘There is one thing.’ Father squeezed my hand. ‘The people that are trying to stop you...they also know that it’s coming.’

‘You people talk in riddles,’ Derek said.

‘If you’re such a genius, you should work it out,’ Antony replied.

Ignoring them, I focused my attention on Father. ‘Tell me about the people that will try to stop me.’

‘They are trying to prevent…’ He sighed and glanced at his bodyguards. Did he trust them enough to speak about it in front of them? ‘Twin flames from getting together. Not just you and your siblings but all of the couples that have come here.’

‘What’s a twin flame?’ Antony asked.

Derek had tuned out and was playing with his food. I wasn’t surprised that Antony had paid attention. He seemed to be interested in what we talked about.

‘A soulmate,’ I said.

He blinked but didn’t say anymore.

‘Why are they doing that?’ I turned back to Father.

‘It’s best you all know so that Antony and Derek can do their job properly. One hundred and forty four thousand twin flames are on the planet right now. If more than half of those soulmates unite, the Dysfunctionals will cease to exist. They don’t want people to have a happily ever after. They don’t want children to be brought up in good homes. They like humanity as it is and want to keep the world negative. Twin flame relationships show people that love is real and everything else isn’t. When enough soulmates live together and love each other unconditionally, the balance of good will outweigh the bad. The Dysfunctionals will no longer be needed, because our mission will be complete.’

‘I remember Mother telling us about them, which is why we’ve kept such a low profile and been sheltered our whole life.’

Father rested his chin on his fist as he leant his elbow on the table.

It was finally becoming clear. The whole good versus evil had been around for thousands of years. It wasn’t a religious thing, it was polarity. There were opposites of everything. The people that were part of a twin flame soul wanted to help humanity by showing the world that true love existed. Apparently, other twin flame couples who didn’t have that luxury of loving guiding parents as we did, struggled with their relationships.

The men that wanted to stop us had one mission. To make sure the world didn’t become overrun with loving couples that set an example of what true love was. They wanted abuse and dysfunction. They fed off negative thoughts and emotions.

‘What do I do?’

Father cocked his head and put a hand on his chest. ‘Listen to your intuition and always follow your heart.’

That was his advice? He had told me to do that when I was growing up. I didn’t really understand what he meant back then but it seemed that it was time to take him seriously.

‘Is that all you got?’

‘Well, yes. Although, there is one more thing,’ he said, taking my other hand and looking into my eyes.

My intuition instantly told me that I wasn’t going to like what was coming next. My heart burned before the words even left his lips.

‘I’m no longer your father. I’m your guardian.’

Chapter Six

‘What’s your mission?’ Antony asked as we sat waiting for the train.

I had kicked up such a fuss about my freedom that Father had taken away all privileges, including a lift back to London. Letting the others know I was alive was my first job. I also had to tell them that my mission had started and Father was no longer a threat.

I often wondered why our parents had been so vague about what it was we were supposed to be doing. Antony’s question had triggered me. Why had they told us that we had to achieve something but not given us any clues as to what and how? Father’s excuse that we needed to find our own way didn’t cut it with me.

‘It’s none of your business,’ I replied, looking at the people that waited with us.

It was cold but I didn’t take any notice. I was excited about the future, regardless of my clueless state of mind. Would my soulmate be tall and dark like Aries, or blond like Leo?

‘You’re fascinating.’

‘I’m not so sure,’ I said, not able to look away as he leaned in closer to me.

‘I think there’s much more under that arrogant exterior.’

My mouth dropped open as the train pulled into the station. Antony got up and climbed on as soon as it stopped, leaving me on the bench. At the sound of the doors closing, I jumped up and hopped on. I walked straight past the seat he sat in and moved down the carriage. There was a small table with six seats around it so I settled there. It was the middle of the day. I was grateful that the train wasn’t full.

‘I deserved that,’ Antony said as he sat opposite me.

I stared out the window, choosing to ignore him.

‘Excuse me, I can’t help but notice your bracelet.’

The voice belonged to an average sized man with a wicked smile. He sat next to me, causing me to freeze. I glanced at Antony and caught the glare he threw at the stranger.

‘My sister loves anything to do with astrology and it’s her birthday soon. Your bracelet has a little charm on it. She would love something like that. Where did you get it?’

The man was friendly and not bad looking so I smiled back. ‘I’ve had it since I was young. I don’t remember where my parents got it from,’ I replied, offering my arm when he gestured for me to show him. He took my hand and goose bumps sprung up over my skin. I suddenly had the urge to rip my arm away but I didn’t want to be rude.

‘That’s my girlfriend, mate,’ Antony said.

My gaze shot to him as heat flushed over me. His eyes were narrowed on our joined hands. The stranger was stroking my thumb. I pulled away. It didn’t feel right.

‘Sorry, I didn’t realise you were together…you didn’t look it,’ the man said, winking at me.

Antony leant forward and took my other hand. A different type of goose bumps rose up on my arms and I fought the urge to shiver.

‘I get your point, mate, don’t worry. I was genuinely interested in the bracelet.’

Looking into the man’s eyes, I felt fear bubble in my stomach. Father’s warning came into my head. I wondered if the man knew about my mission. He got up suddenly and sat in one of the opposite chairs. Antony let go of my hand and came to sit next to me. The electronic voice announced the next stop over the speakers so a few people stood to get off. Our stranger friend watched me closely. I felt exposed and squirmed in my seat.

‘Are you okay?’ Antony whispered in my ear.

I shivered as his breath hit my sensitive skin. My heightened senses were good for some things. Our eyes met. He leant into me. I had been so worried about the stranger, I hadn’t even noticed how close he had come.

Chuckling as I went cross-eyed, he pulled back slightly so I could focus on his face. His nose almost touched mine. It was slightly bigger than normal but it suited him.

‘What are you doing?’ I whispered.

‘Just play along,’ he whispered back, bringing his hand up to cup my jaw. His thumb stroked my cheek as his fingers caressed the hair behind my ear.

I got lost in his gaze, unsure what I should do. This wasn’t how I was going to find my soulmate but he was just warning the stranger away.

When his lips brushed mine, my eyes closed. The kiss was so gentle I barely felt it. His tongue flicked out and traced my lips. I held my breath as sensation flowed through me and something snapped inside. I wanted to reach up and grab his head. I wanted to force him to kiss me properly, instead of teasing with tiny touches of his lips, never fully connecting with mine.

The electronic voice announced our stop and we pulled apart. The stranger was gone. I put my hand to my chest as Antony smiled at me. He looked cool and calm but his gaze wouldn’t meet mine. He stood and went to wait by the door. Taking a deep breath, I joined him. He looked straight ahead, ignoring me as the train rolled to a stop at the platform.

‘You’ll be okay from here, won’t you?’ he asked as I got off the train.

Clapham junction was busy. I wasn’t far from home. I nodded so he stayed on the train. Confusion overtook me as he waved. Wasn’t he supposed to be keeping an eye on me? Why were the doors to the train now closing with him still inside? After he had kissed me like that, he should still be with me!

I plunged into the crowd at an attempt to get off the platform quickly. Gulping, I tried to pull air into my lungs. Black spots danced across my eyes. I recognised the feeling of being overwhelmed and forced myself to breathe deeply to calm my senses. The last thing I needed was to faint in front of so many people.

‘Are you okay?’ someone asked me as I stopped for a second.

Black mist started to creep in at the corner of my eyes. I sat on the ground and leant against the station wall. I had to normalise my senses before they escalated into overdrive and I passed out. I nodded at the person who had asked the question and they left me alone. After a while, the crowd thinned out and I felt safe enough to make my way back to my siblings.

*

‘Pisces, where the bloody hell have you been?’ Cancer shouted as I came through the door.

The others rushed forward and gathered. I held up my hands but they threw their arms around me. The black mist started again but luckily my siblings knew me well.

‘Leave off, you lot. She needs space,’ Scorpio said. He wrapped his arm around me and pulled me out of the group.

‘Sorry.’ Cancer took my hand as Scorpio led me to the kitchen table.

Our new flat was much more Bohemian than the old one. There were wooden floors, high ceilings and funky big windows. There were five bedrooms on one side and a separate room with its own bathroom on the opposite side of the apartment. They had given me the private room to myself so I would stay.

All eleven of them stared down at me.

‘Where have you been?’ Sagi asked.

I smiled at her. She was small with curly red hair. Her stature was nothing compared to her quiet but deadly personality.

‘I’ve been with Father.’

They gasped in unison and started to talk all at once. Aries stepped forward and whistled.

‘Firstly, let the girl breathe.’

They shuffled to a seat and sat around the table. I loved it when Aries took control. He was the one who always knew what to do.

‘Go ahead,’ he said as he joined us.

My throat contracted as I swallowed. Being centre of attention made me nervous. Luckily, it rarely happened. I tried to stay invisible, which was quite easy in a household of twelve twenty-year- olds.

‘I was taken to a house outside of London. In Surrey, I think. Father was there. He told me that I was about to start my mission.’

Cancer was sitting beside me. She grabbed my hand and squealed. ‘That’s so exciting. You’re going to meet your twin flame!’

Nodding, I pulled away, surprised that she wasn’t jealous. She always had lots of men around her. She was a brilliant flirt and I admired how easy she found it.

‘I’m going to stay with Father. He doesn’t want to kill us, he wants to protect us. I don’t know why Mother told us that he wanted to do us harm. There are people out there who want to stop the union, they are the ones that want to hurt us.’

Aries growled. ‘The Dysfunctionals. I don’t like it. We shouldn’t be separated at a time like this.’

A part of me wished they would understand and accept me. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be around them, I just needed space. My new bedroom was an improvement but even that wasn’t quite enough. The boys woke me at night when they came in late from a night out in the city. Cancer was always letting herself in and borrowing my clothes. Sometimes I just wanted to be alone.

‘I need to be with Father. He’s our guardian now,’ I replied.

‘What about Mother?’ Sagi said. Her light green eyes met mine and I had to look away. She was quiet for a fire sign but she spoke up when called for.

‘I want to be with Father right now.’ What else could I say? I couldn’t tell them that Father had always been my favourite. For some reason I trusted him more than Mother, especially after Mother told us that Father was a threat when all he wanted to do was protect us.

I loved them both equally but Mother was trying to control us. My intuition told me that something wasn’t right with her, however, I didn’t know what was wrong. Hopefully Father’s absence hadn’t made him want to control us, too. I hadn’t had the opportunity to ask him where he had been for the last five years. I needed to find out.

‘We all miss him but he abandoned us.’ Sagi stated the obvious.

‘He left initially because Mother wouldn’t let us have a life. We know that, we saw that.’

We had lived in the same house our whole lives. We’d watched our parents’ marriage break down because of us. There was a point when we’d plotted to leave so they could have a chance to rekindle their love but we didn’t have anywhere else to go.

‘But he had you kidnapped?’ Scorpio asked.

Aries’ knuckles turned white as he grabbed the wooden table surface. ‘That’s not right.’

‘I had the opportunity to get away but I was curious. He said that he knew none of us would listen if he just turned up.’

Aries let go of the table and thumped it with his fist. ‘He still did wrong.’

‘You can talk, Mr Lover Man,’ Leo said.

I glanced at my brother and he winked. Leo was the clown of the group and could always be counted on to try and lighten the mood.

‘Shut it.’ Aries glared at his best friend.

We had bonded into two groups. Scorpio, Leo, Aries, Cancer, Sagi and I made up the first group. The opposite fire and water elements made things interesting. Virgo, Taurus, Gemini, Capricorn, Libra and Aquarius stuck together as the second group, although we all got on well considering.

Looking down, my eye caught Aries’ bracelet. It had been ripped. I reached out and touched the thick band. The men’s bracelets were chunkier but they still had the same silver charm on them.

‘I caught it,’ he lied, pulling his arm away.

I had tried to cut mine several times, too. In fact, I was sure that we had all attempted to get them off in our teenage years. We were twenty now. All born in the same year. We had finally started to relax into the knowing that we had a battle ahead. Being older and having more freedom helped us to accept our fate. We had to fall in love and then go from there.

‘What does he mean, Aries?’ Sagi said as she leant forward on the table. She was a feminist. I often wondered how a man would tame her. Then I remembered how much she liked pretty things and knew that as long as a man treated her like a woman, but with respect, he would be fine.

‘He pulled two women last night but didn’t even give them his phone number.’ Leo sat back and rested his legs on the table.

‘That’s so…’ Sagi started.

‘Wrong,’ Leo said, ‘I agree. He could’ve at least let me have one.’

Sagi hit his arm. He raised an eyebrow at her. She was strong but his muscles absorbed the impact.

‘Pack it in,’ Aries grumbled.

I got to my feet. The others rushed to do the same.

‘Sit down!’ Aries’ voice thundered through the room.

They did. I didn’t. He glared at me and I felt the full force of his fire energy. I stepped back just before his hands burst into flames. His temper created fireballs and he often threw them. He breathed deeply before absorbing the fire back into his body.

‘Someone’s winding Aries up,’ Leo sang.

Scorpio pushed Leo’s chair over with a kick. The blond man flew across the floor. Aries’ lips broke into a smile. I lowered myself back into my seat.

‘What did Mother say about winding Aries up?’ Sagi asked Leo as he lay on the wooden floor.

‘She said that I would get burnt…literally,’ he mumbled.

‘And you did,’ Aries said.

I glanced at Leo’s arm. He had a burn scar on his right wrist, just above his bracelet. It made him look manlier now but he had been in a lot of pain when he was twelve. He had paid heavily for tripping Aries with his foot.

‘Can we just get on with it?’ I wanted to go back to Father’s house and get started. Once I had something in my head, I went for it. It took me a while to make a decision, but once I did, I instantly acted on it.