Gemini Asunder: Zodiac Assassins, #5

By Artemis Crow

Thirteen Zodiac Assassins

Forged in the Darkness of the InBetween,
Ruled by the Shadow Side of their Stars,
The Only Hope for the Light of Humanity.

What Would You Sacrifice To Have Your Own Life?

A Zodiac twin created, not born 

The product of the demon ritual that split Gemini in two, Gemma is hungry to prove her worth to the powerful males surrounding her. When offered access to the knowledge that might free the Zodiacs of their demon soul, will Gemma cling to the succor of her passive role or risk it all to make her mark?

A brother torn asunder each time she rises 

Gem wanted to be a super-paranorm like the other Zodiac males, but instead the demon ritual that ripped him apart makes him feel lesser every time his twin rises out of the Gemini cuff. He's desperate to feel whole again, but what is he willing to sacrifice to that end?

A human who stumbled into a strange new world

Special Agent Treadwell was investigating a missing persons case, but instead found a hidden world of fantastical creatures on the precipice of a war that threatens everything he holds dear. What will he choose: protect his family from a demon king or follow the woman who stole his heart on a mission to save the worlds?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Artemis Crow
• Release date: Dec 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393649533

Book preview

City of Portam, Hell

Lilith paced her expansive suite. Her impatience drove her back and forth, the weight of her floor-length, red hair already starting a headache at the base of her neck. She swiped at the rich, red and gold, brocade curtains—so long that they puddled on the floor—with each pass. It was that or amuse herself with a Portamarian, but strangely she wasn’t in the mood to soil her hands with blood and odium, nor had a craving for the shrieking.

Finally, a small tap on her door stopped her. Enter.

A servant woman approached, head down, her sparse, white hair exposing a pale, freckled scalp. The message has arrived.

She held out a small bit of linen.

Lilith snatched the cloth and rubbed it between her fingers. This was Portam, the only city in the realm of Hell; paper wasn’t an option.

She read the words and smiled. Leona did the impossible. She survived the journey through Hell and set the Master free.

She tossed the cloth in the fire and watched the words burn; funny how a few letters placed in the right order could have such power.

Tell the guard it’s time.

Time, my queen?

To prepare the dragons for release.

The servant finally looked up at Lilith, her head craned back to see the queen’s face so far above her own. Which ones and how many?

Smart woman.

Very few of Portam’s souls had figured out the differences between dragons living among them.

All of the grown black dragons, but none of the others, especially not the hatchery; the babies are far too young to survive.

Hopefully, the strong will make it.

The servant turned to leave.

"Wait. Release her as well."

The white?

Yes, she is powerful and clever.

Perhaps too clever to obey.

True, but I have something she wants very badly. She will do as I command.

And the red? the servant whispered. You have spoken of him many times recently.

Lilith looked past the servant to the huge tapestry hanging on the wall. Woven centuries earlier, it depicted a medieval battle scene of blood and slaughter. Dead knights surrounded a red dragon; above the beast, three Furies stared down, looking for signs of human life.

No, not the red. Not yet.

The servant ran off.

Lilith closed her eyes and smiled.

Leona.

She touched her lips and recalled her visit with the Zodiac female. The young woman had reminded Lilith of herself at that age so full of anger and bursting for a fight, with a mind wide open to exploration by anyone powerful enough, subtle enough.

And, oh, the information she had gleaned while traipsing about the girl’s mind: Leona’s past—so filled with boring angst—the Zodiacs, their power…and the potential of that power begging to be fulfilled and exploited.

By me.

Lilith eased into a chair on the balcony outside her suite. Mud dropped in great globs from the turrets, splatting on the buildings and the souls below, but her balcony was pristine. That was her servants’ first priority: Portam rises from the mud—clean Lilith’s balcony. They might be denizens of Hell, but there was no need to live in a sty like a pig.

She waved a hand, calling an elderly servant over to brush her long hair.

Will it be soon? she asked the old woman who had served her for centuries.

"Any time now, ma petite."

"My little one? After all these years, you still feel the need to call me that? With me towering over you."

"You will always be ma petite to me. The woman set the brush down. Hair up or down today?"

Why don’t you take the shears to it? I feel no need for hair.

Lilith swept the mane forward with a hand. The weight of it was a headache-inducing burden; soon she would have a migraine.

We’ve tried that countless times and it always grows back within hours.

Lilith heaved a sigh. It is a punishment almost as tedious as being stuck here.

Then it’s good the tedium is about to be broken.

Lilith dropped her hair and looked out across Hell’s lone city. She’d ruled it for an eon, had been bored to tears for most of that time. Thankfully, the servant was correct. Leona’s success had triggered a long-sought change. The time of inaction was over.

A deep rumble echoed through the air, blowing over Lilith and her servant, the force lifting a few strands of hair.

Lilith leaned forward. Yes, it is.

She saw wing tips first. Thick webs of white skin spanning between long bones ending in sharp claws.

Another flap.

The tips disappeared for a moment then reappeared along with more of the wings.

Flap.

A huge, pearlescent, white-scaled head appeared, triangular like a venomous snake, craggy, with long, razor-sharp teeth and blue eyes.

Flap.

The white dragon’s full body broke free of the heavy mud and jetted into the sky. A scream pierced the air.

Brilliant, Lilith said under her breath.

More dragons—smaller than the white with black scales and red eyes—punched through the muck and into the air until the majority of Portam’s greatest protection circled the city, waiting.

So many? the servant said.

Yes, but far from all.

Lilith stood and walked to the carved, stone railing.

And our safety?

Lilith gripped the stone and squeezed to control her ire. The girl succeeded; he is free. We don’t need so much protection anymore.

Portam without the white; I never thought I’d see the day when even one of the seraphim would be freed.

Fallen seraphim. Do not give them greater import than they deserve. They fell just as surely as their brethren angels and Lucifer did. Lilith watched the white dragon approach. She is the cleverest of them all; if anyone can find what I seek, it will be her.

The old woman stood next to her queen, putting them on an equal level that Lilith would never have tolerated from anyone else. Yet, who will the dragons serve in the end? Your husband, your son, or your former lover?

Asmodeus has his demons; Cain will soon have his witches. And Lucifer? Well, he always seems to find a way despite being half-buried in ice. No, I don’t think they will serve one of them.

Lilith watched the dragons roll and twist in the air. Perhaps the dragons will tolerate my hand ruling them; I have kept them safe and wonderfully fed these many millennia. Giving them a haven to regroup and reproduce in a number far greater than they’ve ever known.

If that is not enough to secure their loyalty?

I have my Ardat Lili. Lilith’s eyes narrowed. And a hell of a grudge to fuel me.

She raised her hands to what passed for sky in Hell.

The white dragon screamed, sleet and snow jetting out of her mouth and nostrils.

You know what to do, Lilith bellowed.

The group of dragons roared as one, belching fire and ice, before flying away.

Lilith dropped her arms. But this will all be for naught if they can’t rise to the Overworld.

1

Gemma scanned the Corvus Ward warriors who had formed a semi-circle around them—their spear tips level, their scalp feathers standing straight up.

The warriors were seriously agitated.

The Zodiacs and the human interlopers were trapped beside the hole in the ground that led to Hell. There was only one passage out of the Great Cavern accessible to them now, and it led nowhere safe.

The Zodiacs were seriously screwed.

Cold morning air poured down from the open roof, chilling the large space until puffs of mist exploded out of the mouths of the frozen warriors. They’d never faced the Zodiacs—their being alive proved that. All paranorms knew that if you fell at the hand of the demon-souled hellions of the Great Cavern, your end would be brutal and final.

But in battle, greater numbers tended to breed bravery…and fatal arrogance.

Surrender and you’ll be shown mercy, one Corvus Ward warrior yelled.

Soft growls sounded a few feet away. The alpha Fenrir Wolf and a few of his pack had taken a stand between the males and the hole, their heads low, their hackles high.

Sag crouched, one hand clenched around his bow, the fingers of the other hand open, ready to draw an arrow from the quiver on his back. Lyon?

Gemma bent her knees in imitation of the archer, her head swiveling toward their leader. If only she had a weapon: a sword, a stick, anything more than her fists and feet and a freaking maxi dress that was great for comfort, but shite for fighting.

Gem stood on her left. Stay close, little sister.

He placed a hand on her shoulder. The human male stepped up to her right.

Lyon turned in a circle. His claws extended to their full length, his eyes shifted to molten gold, and his canines dropped. Blood painted his lips and ran down his chin.

Taurus grunted, but said nothing.

Lyon looked beyond the belligerent bull; his eyes narrowed.

Gemma followed his gaze and saw a group of winged women standing behind them, many of their number bandaged and looking worse for some unknown wear.

You’re going to have to trust me, Lyon said to the others.

Gemma’s stomach dropped. Whatever Lyon had planned depended on the reclusive, highly dangerous Pestilence fairies, a group shunned for centuries by everyone in the InBetween, and rightly so.

I don’t like the sound of that, Aquarius said.

Bring the wolves and the humans.

We care about the humans why? Taurus muttered.

Lyon shot him a hard glare.

The bull shrugged and dropped his arms, his eyes glittering.

A single warrior stepped closer, his scarred face and the shots of silver in his long, black hair marking him as a leader. What’s your answer? Surrender or die?

Lyon opened his fists, relaxing his arms, and stood tall. Fuck you. I choose option C.

He took off at a run, reaching down as he passed the alpha Fenrir Wolf, scooping the huge, black canid into his arms without slowing.

A deep rumble vibrated the cavern floor followed by a burst of air out of the hole.

The warriors surged back a step, surprised by both Lyon’s abrupt charge and the rush of wind blowing over them.

Gem grabbed Gemma’s left hand and jerked.

Oh, shit. Gemma snagged Treadwell by his sleeve and pulled him forward. We have to go.

The human male grunted once then fell into a matching stride with the twins. What are we doing?

Following Lyon.

To that hole?

Looks like it!

The other Zodiacs fell in behind their leader, pounding after Lyon.

The human woman named Cat screamed ‘no’ as Taurus wrapped one huge arm around her waist and tucked her against his side.

One by one, the wolves yelped their surprise as they were grabbed.

Two wolves remained, one a lanky, adolescent male and the other the oldest female, a real bitch who knew what she wanted and kept the pack in strict line. Her one good eye watched as her pack was snatched up, yet she remained completely still, the only sign of her distress the line of hackles standing tall down her scar-ridden, graying, black coat.

Gemma pulled on the human male’s sleeve again, lining him up for the catch. Get her.

What? She’ll eat me alive.

Do it!

That’s one big ass dog.

For goddess’ sake.

Gemma released the human and bent at the waist in sync with Gem, both scooping up motionless canids with their free arms and pulling the wolves into their chests.

The line of Corvus Ward warriors took another step back, but the males in the front raised their spears to shoulder height.

Stop them! their leader yelled.

Lyon launched his body out into the air over the hole leading to Hell, instantly enveloped by darkness when he dropped.

The warriors pushed forward until they reached the edge of the hole; three spears followed Lyon.

Oh, hell no, the human female yelled.

Treadwell sped away, trying to reach his partner’s outstretched hands, but the huge male holding her followed Lyon over the edge, straining against Cat’s struggle.

Treadwell slid to a stop at the edge. A spear flew past his head. He jerked away but not before the tip grazed his bare scalp, splitting open the thin skin.

Gemma slowed.

Gem gripped her hand tighter. Leave him.

Let me go, Gem!

She yanked her hand free and angled toward the human, ignoring Gem’s shout.

There wasn’t time to stop and talk about what needed to happen. No explaining that the greater risk to Treadwell’s life was the warriors surrounding them, not the miles-long fall to Hell. If he was to live, she had to make him commit.

Gemma twisted at the waist and slammed a shoulder into the male’s back.

He flew into the void, his scream of terror laced with rage and disbelief.

She flung her body after him, the spears flashing past her startling her out of fear of the fall. Grunts and cries below her punched through the shouts of the Corvus warriors.

The darkness changed to a thick black, unrelieved by the weak light streaming through the hole in the roof of the Great Cavern created by the resurrected witch goddess Circe and the demon king Asmodeus. Their ritual had opened this hole to Hell she was falling through and released a demon army into the human world. So much had changed since then, this craziness only one thing in a long list.

Another round of spears whooshed past her, another grunt, more protestations by the males. The Corvus warriors were hitting their targets; how accurately wouldn’t be learned until they landed…if they didn’t go splat at the bottom.

Before her fear ratcheted up to a panic, a bright flare of red and orange light erupted far below her, followed by a roar that curdled her already-churning guts.

What the hell was that? she yelled.

No answer came from the Zodiacs or the fairies who’d followed them; silence fell as fast as they did. There was no screaming, no moaning, not even a whimper from the wolves. It was as if they had jumped into a different dimension. Or was this Hell? Relentless darkness and an eternity of choking on the air that filled your mouth and nostrils as the rock rushed past your face.

A hissing bounced off the walls, grower louder with every falling foot. Before Gemma could figure out where the sound was coming from, the air pressure buffeted her body and an invisible source of heat rushed past her, heading for the Great Cavern.

A fairy screamed below her. A ‘crunch’ sounded and the scream abruptly stopped.

The wolf buried her huge head in Gemma’s neck, seeking comfort maybe…or deciding if now was a good time to have Gemma as her last meal. Either way, she was dead; they all were dead because Lyon had decided to trust those damn fairies.

The thought had barely finished passing through her mind when she was hit hard in the small of her back. She grunted, then stiffened when long legs wrapped themselves around her waist and wings stroked hard around her. Her fall slowed.

A Pestilence Fairy had latched itself onto her.

Human!

Yeah?

Don’t touch their skin!

He roared past her, unaided. No fairy had snatched him up.

Fire billowed several feet below, lighting the hole and the chaos all around her. Gemma craned her neck around, but couldn’t see the fairy’s face.

Get him, she yelled, the words she spewed out crammed back down her throat by the air.

He is human.

I don’t care what he is, get him.

The fairy hesitated before releasing her. She tucked her ragged wings and angled her body down, flying past Gemma with a blast of air.

Another roar washed over Gemma, closer, louder, and filled with rage. Death above and a fast-approaching, unknown threat below; this was officially a clusterfuck moment.

Gemma squeezed the wolf tighter. Sorry, old gal, guess we’re out of luck all around.

She had no sooner said the words than her ankles were grabbed by cloth-wrapped hands. Her body jerked. She grunted, her arms automatically squeezing the wolf tighter against the hard jolt as the skirt of her maxi dress yielded to gravity and covered her head; so much for modesty.

At least carry me right side up so I’m not exposing myself to everyone.

You are stupid, Zodiac, helping the human at your own expense, a voice said above her.

Guess my need not to display my all-under isn’t a concern for the fairy.

You would have let him die, Gemma snapped, holding the wolf and wrestling with the need to swipe hanks of hair out of her face and push her skirt down with her lone free arm.

Last time I wear a goddess damn dress.

There are billions of humans; what’s one death?

"And that right there is why no one wants to be friends with you people."

Prejudice from the abomination. That’s rich, the fairy yelled over the shouts buffeting them.

The only abomination here is you.

The fairy released one ankle and shook Gemma. Say that again.

The wolf whined and wriggled, forcing Gemma to abandon modesty and grip the nervous creature with both arms. She growled at the canid and the fairy. Between the Corvus Ward warriors and whatever the hell is flying at us from below, your threat is falling flat.

Not as flat as you will be if I let you fall.

Before the Gemma could reply, a huge, black body appeared just below them, the rough form almost masked by the craggy, rock walls. Almost.

Shit! the fairy yelled.

Gemma’s body twisted then flew toward the closest wall, the fairy trying to avoid a mid-air collision. Just as they righted, a spiked tail flashed inches from Gemma’s face.

For goddess’ sake, get us out of here! Gemma hollered.

What do you think I’m trying to do?

The fairy flapped her wings hard, slowing them, hugging the wall.

Gemma grit her teeth and finally managed to hold her tongue. She squinted into the darkness and listened to the retreating shouts of the other Zodiacs.

The fairy eased them into a hover.

Watch out! echoed past them.

A burst of fire superheated the air and illuminated the flapping, writhing bodies of the black-scaled, red-eyed dragons hurtling their way to and through the Zodiacs and struggling fairies.

Get to the wall! Get to the wall! Gemma yelled.

She drew a much-needed breath while staring at the Gordian knot of mythological creatures that threatened to take them all down, willing the fairy to shift them sideways faster. The stench of singed hair, burnt cotton, and scorched flesh assailed her nostrils; she drew a breath and held it as the yells and screams died down, leaving only the disparate combination of long, deep flaps and short, desperate ones.

Just past the chaos, a faint glow—from a fire or a torch—shot out from a large passage a few yards below them, growing bright enough to pierce the darkness that reclaimed the hole after the inferno dissipated.

Almost there, wolf, Gemma whispered in the creature’s ragged ear.

Another dragon ricocheted off the opposite wall and missed them by inches, crashing into the rock above. Its claws scratched at the wall before it pushed off, flapping its great wings again.

The old alpha growled for a moment before whining. She wriggled in Gemma’s arms again, her alarm rising with each second.

Stop moving. I can’t hold you if you don’t stay still.

What’s wrong with the—?

The air pressure changed a moment before another huge body flew by them.

A wing tip pummeled the fairy; she slammed into the wall—Gemma and the wolf with her—and slid down, her wings spread wide, the claws at the ends of the bones in her wings grasping for anything to hold onto.

Another burst of air; another body flew past them.

The lit passage appeared and the fairy heaved, flinging her body back before flapping her wings once and jetting inside the large space. She dropped Gemma on her head and rolled past her.

Gemma landed, a sharp pain in her neck making her grunt, then hit her back hard against the ground. The wolf shoved away from her and ran off, probably to join her pack, leaving Gemma alone.

Run! the fairy yelled, leaving Gemma as fast as the wolf.

What?

Gemma struggled to her feet then winced when something went crunch under her boot. She glanced down and saw the bloody torso of a dead fairy, her lower body just gone.

Goddess.

She stepped over the body, peered into the huge, vertical shaft they’d just left, and saw the continuation of the passage on the other side.

A burst of snow and ice exploded only few feet away from her. She staggered back and a huge, white head appeared, followed by a massive body, its size dwarfing the passage, its blue eyes zeroing in on Gemma in a heartbeat.

Holy hell!

Gemma fell back, landing on her butt then crab-walking as fast as she could to a turn in the passage, but the dragon’s tail whipped out and grabbed Gemma around the waist, lifting her off her feet. Pulling her close, the beast exhaled a cloud of sulfurous stench right in Gemma’s face.

Oh, Goddess help me. That stinks.

The dragon’s eyes widened and it snapped its mouth shut. That’s not nice.

Gemma stopped squirming, surprise overwhelming her fear. What?

You can hear me?

You can talk?

In your mind, yes.

Gemma stayed still, hoping the beast wouldn’t kill her. No one had seen dragons before; hell, they hadn’t even been referenced in writings save for the odd fantasy novel.

The beast worked its scaly, winged body deeper into the passage then settled on its belly. I need you.

For what? A snack? Gemma scrunched her face and turned her head sideways, just in case the dragon’s answer was a snap and ‘gulp’.

Snacks are always welcome, but in this case, I need you to check my back. There’s something stuck in it. The dragon sighed. It hurts.

Gemma relaxed, her eyes on the creature for any sign of aggression, but it didn’t move. You need to release me.

You’ll run.

No, I won’t.

Humans always run. And yell and scream and try to hurt me.

Do you blame them? Gemma pushed against the tail squeezing her waist. Number one, I’m a paranorm; we’re made of stiffer stuff—

Sterner.

What?

It’s sterner stuff, not stiffer.

Well, forgive me for being a little nervous.

If you’re going to use clichés, at least get them right.

Gemma glared at the overgrown reptile before continuing. Two, I promise to do none of the above.

Butcher clichés? Because that doesn’t make me want to put you down.

How does a dragon know about clichés?

Don’t judge what you don’t understand.

Yells from deep inside the cave system were followed by a huge bang, ending the crazy conversation abruptly.

What was that?

Sounds like the dragons have crashed your little paranorm realm.

Put me down!

The dragon squinted and closed the distance between its nostrils and Gemma’s body. It took a deep sniff. Who are you?

I’m Gemma. Now put me down so I can help my friends.

You smell…empty. No, that’s not it. You smell…you have no smell. None at all.

I don’t know in comparison to what, but I’m a paranorm and the Zodiac Assassin Gemini. Since I’ve never seen a dragon before, I suspect that’s why you can’t tell what I smell like.

Hmm, that’s not it. No matter. Make the pain in my back stop and I’ll let you go.

Fine. Let’s get this done. Show me where it hurts.

The dragon lifted Gemma and stopped just left of the spine, mid-back.

Ah, I see the problem. One of your friends left behind some claws.

Pull them out.

Gemma grabbed one claw and jerked it out, flinching when the dragon grunted and its tail tightened around her waist. Easy now. We still have three to go.

She grabbed the next two claws and pulled them out. More yells and crashes made her pause. What is going on? If they’re hurting my friends…

I don’t care what they’re doing; pull out the last claw.

Gemma removed it as ordered, eager to be free to run. Fine, I’m done. Now let me down.

The dragon lowered her to the ground. You may go. I wouldn’t recommend you join your friends; they’ll undoubtedly be roasted any time now, if not already.

One of them is my brother—

The ground vibrated under Gemma’s feet and she turned to the passage.

Sag ran around the corner like hellhounds were on his tail. Shit! He slid to a stop and raised his bow, an arrow already notched, and aimed at the white dragon. Get down!

2

No! Don’t shoot! Gemma yelled, waving her arms. I’m not hurt and you’ll just make it mad.

For fuck’s sake, Gemma, it’s a dragon. Get! Down!

Before she could argue, Pestilence Fairies ran and limped into view, their faces red and their clothes torn and scorched.

Lyon was the next Zodiac to enter, the human Cat on his back and Treadwell by his side, the two men running full out. They came to a sliding stop the moment they saw Gemma and the white dragon.

Gem appeared right behind them but he was running so fast he couldn’t stop in time. Instead of ramming them at top speed, he veered right and bounced off Sag before sliding to a stop.

The arrow flew from the bow, its path wobbly, and hit the wall just right of the dragon. It shattered and fell to the ground in pieces.

Son of a— Sag started.

More fairies and the rest of the Zodiacs flooded in.

Fire erupted behind them, the ground vibrating so hard Gemma struggled to stay on her feet.

She whirled on the dragon. I helped you; make them stop.

Gemma! Treadwell ran to her, grabbed her hand, and tugged. We have to go!

Go where?

Eyes wide and mouth open, the last of the Zodiacs—Cancer—ran into the space, an elderly fairy swaddled in his arms, yelling, Faster, faster, as she slapped his rump like a jockey approaching the finish line.

Cancer stopped and set the fairy down, looking around the space, taking in the scene.

In seconds, a second dragon—this one jet black with red eyes—appeared. It stumbled to a stop and took a deep breath.

Treadwell pulled Gemma into his chest and turned his back to the black dragon, curving around her.

Cancer sprinted toward them and kicked their feet out from under them, dropping them to their knees.

He wrapped his body around theirs. Stay down and stay tight!

Fire exploded out of the black dragon’s mouth. It slammed into Cancer’s back, burning off his clothes.

The white dragon roared.

When the black dragon didn’t heed the warning, the white blasted it with a blue flame that chilled the moisture in the air so fast it snowed. The blue hit the red and doused the fire in moments.

The black dragon stomped its feet and shook its head—grunting and rumbling its displeasure—but it backed up a step and stopped its attack, ceding to the larger dragon’s demand.

Cancer fell back and curled into a ball on the ground. Ouch.

Gemma shoved Treadwell away and crawled over to Cancer. You can’t take risks like that. What were you thinking?

Not thinking, just doing.

She ran her hands over his exposed back before peeling back the scraps that remained of his shirt. Miraculously, his skin was unmarred and uncharred…and hard as a rock. What is this? How is this possible?

Lyon hobbled over to her. He touched Cancer’s back with a finger before closing his fist and knocking on the hard surface like a door. Seems the Crab found his carapace.

Cancer sat up and looked at the hardened skin on his arms. So cool.

Get up, Gemma, Gem said, his voice tight and low. "We’re still surrounded by fire and ice-spewing dragons. Unless you want the great Zodiacs to be obliterated right here."

Gemma stood and faced the white dragon. Leave us. Take your kind and go.

Gemma, for goddess’ sake, Gem said, grabbing her arm and pulling.

Is there another exit? Lyon asked the fairy elder.

None, I’m afraid.

Gemma. That is your brother?

Yes. He is, sort of.

Who are you talking to? Gem asked.

The dragon dropped its head and took a long sniff. I can smell him, but not you. Why is that?

Maybe because I was created, not born, Gemma said. Now, will you leave us?

The dragon studied her for a moment as if memorizing her face then bobbed its head. It turned around, roared once and dove out of the passage, heading down the way it came.

The Zodiacs and fairies split apart, getting as far away as possible from the black dragon and its remaining brethren gathered behind it.

The ground rumbled as the beasts followed the white dragon out of the passage and into the hole.

Silence finally reigned.

Well, that was interesting, Taurus said.

Lyon grunted. Regroup and retreat. We need to assess our injuries and figure out what to do next.

The two groups gathered, Treadwell carrying Cat on his back, and made their way down the passage. The light behind them dimmed before a new source of light grew brighter ahead; they were close to a juncture. Gemma slowed when she reached it.

The passage the group traversed ended; another passage ran perpendicular to it. She came to a stop at the entrance to a cave similar to the Great Cavern, only smaller, with walls more rough-hewn. It had a new hole in the roof, a rockfall below it marking the spot the dragons had broken through.

Is this part of the InBetween?

The fairy that had ferried her into the passage remained silent for so long Gemma thought she wasn’t going to respond.

Yes, this is part of that world.

That world? It’s your world, too.

No, it’s not.

Gemma stopped and turned to the fairy. What do you mean?

The fairy shoved her. Move, abomination.

Gemma clenched her jaw to keep from throwing a throat punch. She hungered to drop the fairy, but no violence was worth getting infected. More comments like that, though, and Gemma would be sorely tempted to risk the price for the satisfaction.

Why do you keep calling me that?

The fairy shoved her hard. Walk.

No, seriously, I want to know.

The fairy pushed her hard again.

Stop shoving me.

Keep moving and I’ll stop.

Gemma growled low, but did as the fairy demanded, determined to hold her tongue. Not that hard since she wasn’t much of a conversationalist to begin with; she restricted her questions and curiosity to the twin fascinations of science and magic, not people. But Pestilence Fairies rescuing Zodiacs? That had never happened, and Gemma wanted to know why they helped now. What could they gain from the newly formed brotherhood that, to date, had yet to find a single ally? And what was with this abomination business?

The fairies encircled the Zodiacs, creating a pestilence prison of sorts that the males clearly perceived and didn’t like. They yelled questions at the non-communicative women. The wolves stood among the Zodiacs and the humans, barking right along with the males, the combination a discordant cacophony that bounced off the rough cave walls and battered her ears.

That’s when she saw the blood.

Lyon had a red trail running down his left arm. Capricorn jerked, drawing her eye in time to see him remove the tip of a broken spear from his flank. A few other Zodiacs had nicks and torn clothing. Luckily, no one was seriously wounded, merely bruised and battered; unfortunately, that included the fairies. They were unscathed save for the wounds they’d received before they had entered the Great Cavern.

Then she saw the human female. The woman had fallen and was writhing on the ground, her hands around the spearhead rising out of her right leg. Her partner had knelt by her side and was studying the wound. He looked up and sought out Gemma.

Gemma! her brother called out, before the human could speak. He ran to her and pulled her into a hug. Are you okay?

I’m fine.

She slipped out of his arms and took his hand.

The fairy grabbed the back of her dress and pushed her forward. Go.

Dragons aside, are we here as friend or foe? ‘Cause what I’m feeling right now is foe, Lyon said, his voice rising above the din.

Just say the word, Aquarius said, his hands up, shimmering air rising from his digits.

One nod from Lyon and the threat all around them would begin to drown from the inside out. Who knew what other horrible, aqua-related skills the Zodiac male had perfected.

Lyon held up a hand to stop the water bearer.

You asked for our help and we gave it, but there is a price, an older, stooped fairy answered.

Do you want to live with us in the Great Cavern? Gem asked, leaning around Gemma, his voice dropping into the soothing croon that he’d always used to great effect. Because we can make that happen.

Gem, what the hell? Gemma ground out. She jerked away from him. They can’t live among us, she hissed under her breath. They’re too dangerous.

Gem grabbed for her arm but she stepped out of his reach.

I miss her too, Gemma, but it was a long time ago, he said, his voice a whisper.

Surely you can’t dismiss what happened so easily?

She crossed her arms over her chest, less out of anger than out of a need to protect herself.

It was an accident and you know it. Clinging to the past sacrifices the opportunities of the future.

For goddess’ sake, spare me the platitudes.

Stop! Just stop! Cat needs help. joined them and placed a hand on her shoulder. Please.

Gemma stiffened.

Gem bared his teeth, his usual smooth art of persuasion evaporating. Get your hand off her, human.

The Zodiacs shifted, surrounding the twins and Treadwell.

Easy Gem, Cancer said softly, stopping Gem before he could lunge. He’s not hurting her.

He’s touching her; that’s offense enough.

Heat burned through Gemma’s clothes, setting her skin on fire. The alien flood of desire nauseated her, chilling her until the cold extinguished it.

She shrugged his hand off and stepped back. Stay away from me.

Treadwell studied her for a moment, his face neutral, before walking away to stand next to his partner.

Gemma swallowed back her creeping gorge and forced her attention back to their predicament. The Zodiacs were ogling her.

What? I’m not allowed to be pissed off?

You’re allowed any feeling, Gemma, Lyon said. We just don’t understand your antipathy.

Antipathy? Since when does the Beast of the InBetween use five-dollar words? Fuck. Mates are the ruin of a person.

She trembled from the force of the rage that had gripped her. She might not be affable like her twin, but she wasn’t usually one to go off on her fellow Zodiacs.

She was the darkness, where Gem was the light. She was smart and saw the world as harsh and cold, but she wasn’t cruel. And she sure didn’t fault someone for finding the one thing she could never have—a mate. Why did she choose now to snipe at Lyon?

Stress. It’s just stress, old girl. Pull it together.

Unable to bear the hurt in Lyon’s eyes or the incredulity in the rest of the Zodiacs, she turned toward the fairy who had brought them here. Since you obviously didn’t help us out of the kindness of your hearts, what do you want?

The fairy elder craned her neck back to look in Lyon’s face. Libra and the woman you call Taryn have injured my people.

Lyon crossed his arms. I find that hard to believe.

That’s not Taryn. She’s a healer, Gemma added.

The elder turned her head slowly, nailing Gemma with a dead-eyed stare. Healer or not, that’s what they did when we tried to reclaim what belongs to us. We ask that you help us, as we have helped you.

The other Zodiacs closed in on the diminutive fairy.

Lyon bent down to put his face closer to hers. And what exactly do you think belongs to you?

But the fairy continued to stare at Gemma, her lips thinning to a fine line. My granddaughter, Meri.

And if we don’t help you? Gemma asked.

The fairy elder laughed. You can use the hole to escape us, but there’ll be no one to stop your fall. You can try to fight us, but you will die, the humans and wolves as well. I would prefer to make a deal with you. She leaned closer to Gemma. Choose.

3

The cave remained silent for a long moment before Lyon spoke.

We choose to help, he said with a hard scowl at the old woman. But not until we’ve tended our wounds, and not until we know more. Like were those really dragons?

Of course they were dragons, the elder said.

I thought they were a myth.

Like you and trolls and elves and all the others are just myths?

Okay, fine.

Dragons, Cat said before giggling. I must be delusional.

Yep, and he said trolls and elves, so we’re both delusional, Treadwell said. I need bandage supplies for Cat’s wound.

The fairy elder broke eye contact with Lyon and glanced around.

Adrenaline abating, Gemma shivered, suddenly aware of the cold pressing against her, penetrating the thin dress she wore. The extensive network of geothermal activity around the Great Cavern kept the place warmer than here, and provided them with delicious, hot water for bathing. This part of the InBetween felt too far removed from that life-sustaining heat. How cold would they get in a few hours? A few days?

You are shivering, the elder said, waving a hand toward the center of the cave. Come, sit by the fire and tend your wounds. You will be our guests, while I tell you why we must get Meri back.

The younger fairies surrounding the Zodiacs, humans, and wolves looked at each other before parting and releasing their ‘guests’, the pause speaking volumes. There was dissension in the ranks and that piqued Gemma’s prodigious curiosity.

She moved out of the broken circle.

Treadwell waved Lyon and Taurus away when they offered to carry Cat, instead gently lifting her and following the elder as she led them to a large fire pit surrounded by flat rocks.

Please, take a seat. She waved a pair of fairies over. Retrieve the healing supplies. Quickly now.

The pair ran out of the cavern.

Lyon sat, followed by the rest of their group. The wolves tucked themselves inside the circle, clinging to the legs of the Zodiacs.

The elder snapped her fingers and four fairies stoked the fire. In minutes, flames rose high and delicious heat washed over them, the light exposing more of the cavern.

Fairies brought food and drink, the offerings wrapped in cloth. They released the ties binding the cloth at the top then carefully peeled the material away.

The food and drink are safe for you to consume, the elder said.

What is that?