Free Aries: Book 2 in a Young Adult Paranormal Romance Series (The Zodiac Twin Flame Series) by Rachel Medhurst Page A

knew me but she didn’t know anything about my mission or how Nick tried to stop us from achieving our goal. Every. Single. Lifetime.
    ‘That’s not very polite, is it, Natalie?’ Nick’s hands were fisted by his side. His weapon was probably hidden behind his back. The only weapon I had was my fire. I would be stupid to risk using it in the park. There were too many witnesses.
    ‘No, it’s not. Aries, who is this man?’ She turned to me.
    I glanced at her. Her eyes were wide. Her gaze flicked between us as she swallowed. She was a fighter, like me. I was surprised that Nick intimidated her.
    ‘Don’t worry. I won’t hurt your boyfriend. Today, anyway.’ Nick laughed.
    My gaze searched the dotted trees around us. Were his men hiding behind them? Civilians were nowhere to be seen. Could I risk it? A big fireball would do the trick.
    ‘Firstly, he’s not my boyfriend. Secondly, I will never let you hurt him.’ Natalie got up.
    I tried to grab her back but she skipped out of reach as she faced Nick.
    ‘Not your boyfriend? That’s good.’ Nick cracked his knuckles.
    I couldn’t see him now that Natalie stood in front of me. I wheeled forward, clamped my hands on her waist and pulled backwards. She tumbled and fell onto my lap, squirming to try and get off me. I clamped my arms around her to keep her still.
    ‘We’ve been here many times before.’ Nick looked at me. ‘I’ve never seen you so…pathetic.’
    Natalie launched from me and flew across the path. She tackled Nick and sent him to the ground.
    ‘He’s not pathetic!’ she cried. ‘He’s amazing!’
    She threw out her arms, punching Nick in the side. He managed to roll her onto her back.
    ‘Get off her!’ I shouted as he pinned her with his body.
    Natalie didn’t scream. She was fighting. She kicked out at him but he was too strong for her. I looked around. There was no one nearby. I couldn’t do anything. I felt stuck. How could I help her? My veins started to pound with heat. How dare he touch her like that? He was my enemy, not hers. I was going to kill him.
    ‘I mean it, get off her.’ I growled.
    He ignored me. The struggle continued. My arms vibrated where they gripped the chair arms so hard. I wrenched them away from the burning plastic and cupped my hands together. Closing my eyes, I pushed the heat out of my hands. When the energy flowed out of me, I opened my eyes.
    Flames sparked in my palm, gradually growing into a ball of fire. It was small but it was enough.
    Raising my hands, I took aim and threw it at Nick’s back. It hit his shoulder and dispersed around him, the flames singeing the black jumper he wore. He howled and jumped up. He spun towards me but stopped when he saw that I had another flaming ball ready for him.
    ‘You’ve still got your little talent, then,’ he muttered, trying to rub his burnt shoulder.
    Natalie scrambled over to me and climbed onto my lap.
    ‘Leave now,’ I told him.
    He wiped his mouth and spat on the ground. ‘Always did admire you, Aries.’
    ‘I never admired you. Actually, before you go. Where’s my father?’
    Nick paused as a grin spread over his thin lips. ‘I thought you’d forgotten about him.’
    I shook my head as Natalie buried her face in my chest. I had one arm around her and the other held to the side of us. The fireball still sat in my palm. I couldn’t feel it. It was like I was holding fresh air.
    ‘No, we’ve not forgotten him. We’re coming to get him,’ I said.
    He laughed. The sound made Natalie look at him. ‘I recognise you. I’m going straight to the police.’
    For the first time ever, I shared a smile with my enemy. We both knew that she wouldn’t go to the police. I wouldn’t let her. The feud had lasted for hundreds of years. The police didn’t need to be involved.
    ‘You do know that this is it, don’t you?’
    My words made him still as he was about to turn. He looked at me, his gaze searching mine.
    ‘I have a feeling that this is the last