My heart pinches when I watch the overwhelming relief wash over my friend’s face.
“Veil, we’ve been so worried,” they say in a rush.
I pull them into a tight embrace as they continue to mutter their relief into my hair. Pushing me back, they keep their hands on my arms while they survey my body.
“Are you okay? Where have you been?” Their voice is tight with emotions, and tears prick my eyes at the thought of what I’ve unintentionally put them through.
“I’m so sorry, Zazel.” The ball in my throat grows bigger and bigger as I try to find the words while a small voice in my head hisses at me not to tell them that I was kidnapped. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I, uh … it’s just been a weird few weeks,” I say weakly, feeling guilty.
I turn my head to look at Gemini over my shoulder. He’s watching us, but to my surprise, he seems to have no care in the world, and I realize then that he wouldn’t even be bothered if my friends knew the truth.
He’s above it all.
And …
By the same logic, I am too.
I feel a large, gaping fissure start to form between me and Zazel before I even know how to process it. I turn back to them, their gray eyes narrowed as they bounce between Gemini and me. “Have you been with Gemini this whole time?” they ask slowly, their tone suspicious and somewhat incredulous.
My shoulders fall just as their hands let go of my arms.
“It’s complicated,” I reply with defeat.
We stare at each other for a few tense seconds until Zazel breaks the crackling silence. “Well, whatever this is, I hope you’re being careful. I’m happy for you.”
Gemini’s powers flare inside of me.A lie. But I wouldn’t have needed it anyhow. Their false statement hangs heavy between us like an accusation.
Zazel’s hard expression shifts, as if just noticing my leotard and loose jogging shorts. “Are you working here now?”
I rub my hand on the back of my neck, suddenly feeling awkward. The shift in mood is giving me whiplash, squashing the happiness I originally felt at finally seeing Zazel after three long weeks.
Now I’m desperate for this conversation to end.
“I am.” I pause. “Contortionist,” I add with a shrug of my shoulder.
Zazel’s brows dip in confusion. “You never told me—” They stop abruptly, their expression shuttering, as if realizing something I’m not privy to. They study me like it’s the first time they’ve ever set eyes on me.
My throat tightens, but my words stick to the roof of my mouth.
“I guess … I’ll be seeing you around,” Zazel mumbles.
They turn their back to me and walk away. I do nothing to fix the chasm between us as I let the confusing relief of this conversation ending settle over me.
I sense Gemini approaching, and a wave of anger crests, engulfing my confusing feelings. Spinning to face him, I shoot him a hard glare. I can’t decipher if the anger is misplaced or not, but I direct it at Gemini nonetheless.
“What have youdoneto me?” I hiss under my breath.
Gemini throws his hands in the air in a show of surrender as he laughs darkly.
“This isn’t funny,” I snap.
“What have Idoneto you?” he repeats, the spark of amusement dancing across his irises. “Why? Because you feel no connection to the people from your past life?”
His words stun me.Past life?My mouth opens, then shuts. Why does he always seem to be one step ahead of me? Always the one with the answers?
“You speak as if I died,” I snarl.
“Have you not?” he muses, stepping closer as his eyes darken. “Am I not witnessing the most beautiful of rebirths before my very eyes?”
