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

time round. Which only means one thing, doesn’t it?’
    My lack of legs had been forgotten. My useless life had been put to the side. There was only living in the moment. As I sat there with a fireball in my hand, and the girl by my side, I felt alive. Nick was a reminder of why I was on Earth. The sweet eyes of the woman that looked to me for reassurance was the only confirmation I needed.
    ‘What’s that, then?’ Nick asked, scratching his stubble.
    ‘That this lifetime will be the last time we ever meet.’
    His eyebrows rose as the corners of his lips lifted. He didn’t believe me. I knew it was the truth. Somewhere in my human bones, my soul tried to tell me that I was right.
    ‘You’re still so young. Do you seriously think that all twelve of you will be successful? Maybe I should kill her now to prove that you’re wrong.’ He pointed at Natalie. She tried to pull away again but I squeezed her tight against me.
    ‘This is my fight,’ I whispered.
    She went still in my lap. I let my breath rush out of me.
    ‘You like a challenge. It would be boring for you to kill her now. When I’m at my weakest.’
    I moved the fireball in front of me so he took notice of it again. Natalie’s big eyes were glued to the flames. I glanced around quickly and saw a dog walker approaching. Snapping my hand shut, the fireball disappeared.
    ‘You’re right. I’m bored already, because you’re not trying to fight me. Let me give you a little reminder.’
    He stepped forward. I opened my hand, pulled fire onto my palm, and threw the ball at his chest. It blasted into him and he stumbled back, patting the burn mark on his jumper.
    ‘I like that you play dirty. You always have. You’re more ruthless than the others. You’re not afraid of anything. I think this will be the thing that kills you, though.’ He gestured to my wheelchair.
    A roar rumbled up my chest and escaped my mouth. I had no idea where it came from. When Natalie flinched from the sound, I stopped.
    ‘I will never give up and you know it. How do you think I’m even alive today? I’m going to be fit again, and when I am, I’ll come looking for you.’
    Nick winked at me. I almost threw Natalie off to pounce on him. The dog walker had diverted his path and gone away from us.
    ‘I wouldn’t want to fight you like that. It wouldn’t be fair. But, by all means, come looking for me. I think I’ll find you first, though. Just to make sure that things aren’t too cosy here.’ He winked again and turned to go. ‘Oh, one more thing,’ he said, looking back over his shoulder. ‘Your mother sends her regards.’
    I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself reacting. The burst of pain brought the taste of metallic on my tongue.
    ‘What was that about?’ Natalie asked, climbing off my lap as Nick disappeared out of the park.
    I pulled my phone from my pocket without replying and dialled home. ‘Gemini?’
    ‘Yeah…?’
    ‘Is Leo there?’
    ‘No, everyone’s at work. It’s just me and Taurus,’ he replied.
    ‘Okay, you need to come to Clapham Common. Bring the van and get Taurus to drive the car and meet us somewhere away from here. I’ve just had a run in with Nick. We need to make sure he can’t follow us home.’
    I hung up the phone when he agreed.
    ‘Aries…?’
    I looked up at her. She stood in front of me with her arms folded, looking pale. Her foot tapped the ground as she waited for me to explain.
    ‘There’s a lot about me you don’t know,’ I said, grabbing my wheels and setting off down the path, towards the exit. I didn’t want Nick, or his men, to track us.
    ‘I guessed that when I met your brothers and sisters. It’s a bit odd that you all have names of the Zodiac.’
    She walked beside me. Her hands shook by her sides. The experience had scared her. It was the first time she had let me push myself.
    ‘Yes, there’s—’
    ‘What was the fire, Aries? Did I imagine that? Is it a special trick?’  Her eyes were wide as