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heartbeat calm my nerves.
    Thump.
    Thump-thump.
    Another heartbeat pulsed in my ears.
    I peeled open my eyes and stared into Cade’s.
    I was surrounded by Elders.
    “Zoe?” Their lips moved, but I didn’t hear a thing, just some weird static noise. “Focus. You’re safe.”
    “Help them.”
    “Who? Help who?” I muttered.
    A dull drum beat against my head as I pushed out the pain. Grabbing my temples, I squeezed my eyes shut. “Cade.”
    “You’re safe, love. Just focus.”
    “Let’s get her somewhere more private,” Raz said.
    Cade lifted me into his arms and carried me off.
    Ramblings from around the room grew louder as the lights behind my eyes nearly blinded me, even with them shut.
    My stomach lurched.
    A door opened, then closed.
    Cade lowered himself and pulled me into his chest. “She should not be having visions so severe this soon.”
    “I tried to warn you,” another voice said. I think it was Raz, but I wasn’t sure.
    I kept my eyes and mouth shut as the Elders’ muffled voices argued out beyond the high-pitched screams still assaulting my ears.
    “Can you see them, Cade?”
    “No, she’s shut me out. I told you, we need time alone. Time to bond. This isn’t just about our reunion. If she doesn’t bond with me, she won’t trust me. Her memories will remain hidden, and we’ll all be in jeopardy.”
    “Help them.”
    “Stop it,” I yelped at the mystery voice in my thoughts.
    My Gemini mark seared my wrist as the voice grew louder.
    Thrashing in Cade’s arms, I grabbed at my wrist to soothe the burn.
    “Wake up.”
    “I am awake, stop it.”
    “Help them, Zoe. Help him. Help Samael.”
    “Who’s Samael?” I asked to nobody in particular.
    Cade held me close, keeping me from moving while the voice faded away.
    My heart settled to a slower pace. Finally. I relaxed into Cade’s arms as the room fell silent, the only sound now came from my slowing pulse.
    I peeled open my eyes and took in a deep breath, staring at Cade as tears streamed down my heated cheek.
    Cade wiped them away and rubbed my temples. “Is it over, love?”
    I nodded, the burn subsiding in my wrist.
    “I don’t think the feast will happen today,” Raz said.
    “I’ll take Chayah home to rest. We’ll meet later once she’s recovered.”
    “Take her out the back. We’ll deal with the guests.”
    Cade picked me up once more and carried me out a private exit into the warm air.
    “I’m sorry,” I whispered into his chest.
    “Do not apologize. I should have known it was too soon. All the auras and voices in your head pushed you too far, and you weren’t prepared.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “You’ve only just Eternalized. Your senses are heightened. In past incarnations, you had Eternalized long before entering the Eternal City. This time, however, it was just days. You’ve not had time to adjust. I should have known better, Chayah. I won’t fail you again.”
    We made it home, and Cade laid me in our bed. He pulled the blinds down to shut out the light from the terrace.
    Residual beats pulsed against my head, and a dull ache returned.
    Cade laid beside me and pulled me into his arms.
    “I’ll make this right, love. I swear.”

Chapter Seven
    Cade
     
     
    Raz called incessantly the moment Zoe fell asleep.
    I carefully removed myself from beside the bed so not to disturb her. Zoe had endured so much in such a short time, I was more cautious to protect her.
    When I stepped into the front room, Raz was pacing the floors, leaving scuff marks in his wake.
    “What have you learned?”
    “Let’s take a walk.”
    “I won’t leave Zoe. We can go on the terrace.”
    Raz moved toward the back door leading outside.
    I followed him out and sat on the deck overlooking the Chayah Fountain while Raz continued to pace.
    “You’re making me dizzy. Sit. Please. Tell me what you know.”
    He was never in a panic over anything, so this behavior forced a knot to my chest.
    “Do you remember Samael?” Raz sat on