Page 11 of Pisces Rising
Aquarius put a slender white finger to her mouth in thought. “To accomplish either of those options, it would have to be a very cunning Zodiac.”
“Well, that eliminates at least half of us,” Gemini said with a smirk. She held out her hand like she was holding a list. “Crossing Leo out.”
Aquarius responded with a tight smile and a curious gaze.
"We don't believe Scorpio would have been able to take the Cerulean Tear," Sag stated, his tone almost scornful. "Pisces would have never let him get close enough. And Aries, well, let's just say I don't think he's patient enough for something like this."
Aquarius nodded, adding, "It had to be someone else. Someone close." She turned her bright eyes on Pisces. “Who was last with you at Star Castle?”
Pisces shook her head. “I don’t remember. I don’t remember anything at all before falling.”
Aquarius’ eyes flared with fascination. “So, it’s true, then. You’ve really lost all memory.”
A solemn nod was Pisces’ answer.
The bright Aquarian sat back on the couch, her hand to her mouth and eyes fixed on Pisces as though she were trying to read her mind. “Losing the Tear must have left you vulnerable enough for someone to get in your mind. It sounds like something?—”
“We think the Tear is somehow linked to her identity, to her memories,” Gemini said, appearing as eager for answers as Pisces felt. Have you heard anything at all about it? You said you suspected Scorpio’s jealousy. Is there anyone else?”
Aquarius narrowed her eyes in thought. “An argument of guilt could be made for at least half of us. Things haven’t always been peaceful in the stars.” She sat back with a shrug. “All I can tell you is that I had nothing to do with it. I haven’t been at Star Castle in decades.” She sipped her drink and added, “And if I had that kind of power, I wouldn’t be spinning emotions in a club in the human realm.”
Sag nodded, seeming to believe the water carrier. “And not only that, you’re nearly as illuminated as our dear Pisces here. I don’t believe you would risk your place in the cosmos to dethrone her.”
Aquarius’ eyes sparkled at the acknowledgment of her status. “This, my wandering Sag, is why you’re my favorite fire.”
Pisces picked up the energy that passed between the two and smiled, recalling what Gemini had said in the car and what she’d been told at the hotel about the Zodiacs and their rendezvous.
A sensual gleam crossed Sag’s face, but Gemini jumped to her feet before he could respond. “Okay, peanut butter and jelly, make a sandwich some other time. Right now, we’ve got a Tear to find.”
Pisces laughed but stifled it when she noticed Aquarius cast a hostile glare at Gemini before her demeanor quickly cooled. Perhaps there was an old rivalry between the two signs.
The tension quickly broke when Aquarius sighed and smoothed the skirt of her dress. “I would visit Cancer if I were you.” She gave Pisces a sympathetic smile. “Perhaps your fellow water sign might know how this happened, especially considering Scorpio could be at the helm of it all.” She opened her arms, and Pisces rose, accepting her embrace. However, as Pisces pulled away, Aquarius clutched her close and whispered in her ear, “The wind can carry whispers unseen. Things aren't always what they seem. Be careful, my friend.”
When she released Pisces and stepped back, her smile was warm, but her eyes conveyed a warning that made Pisces’ nerves hum.
“You’re not coming with us?” Gemini asked flatly, as though she expected the Aquarian to let them do all the heavy lifting.
“No,” Aquarius said, adjusting the bracelets on her wrists. “I think bringing us all together while you’re doing the Zodiac tour de Universe could do more harm than good.” She turned back to Pisces. “But if you call for me, I will come. I promise you that.” There was no room for doubt in her tone. She was ready to fight.
“She’s right,” Sag added. “We need to focus on current events. Bringing everyone together now will just be a distraction.”
Aquarius nodded and opened the door to bid them farewell. The noise from the club suddenly struck them with a tsunami of sounds, scents, and vibrations that nearly knocked Pisces off her feet. Gemini was behind to steady her. “Easy now, water girl. We need you in one piece to find the Tear.”
Pisces steeled herself as they went out into the madness.
“Hold on a second,” Sag shouted over the noise. He stepped back into the room, and the door swung nearly closed, remaining open just a crack. Pisces stared at it, willing Sagittarius to hurry. She wanted to get out in the open air.
“Oh, for the love of the gods,” Gemini shouted over the music, a scowl on her face. Clearly, she didn’t want to hang out in that place a moment longer than she had to, either. The flashing lights disoriented Pisces. The sounds silenced her inner voice. She scanned the room, watching the humans revel in the chaos, and when she looked back, the lights danced on Gemini, flickering with shadow and light that gave her impish appearance a more menacing air.
Pisces cast her gaze back on the humans and noticed the same unnerving phenomenon on each face. “I have to get out of here!” she shouted to Gemini as all her nerves fired at once. Danger was near. She felt it in her core.
By some miracle, Aquarius’ door opened just at that moment, and out sauntered Sag, looking more ruffled than before. He dragged a thumb across his lip and grinned as Aquarius slipped out behind him. She gave Pisces a wave and headed back to the DJ booth.
Without hesitation, Pisces took the lead toward the exit of The Aqua Mirage. She didn’t know if exhaustion, the noise, or something more nefarious was causing the panic to swell inside her. All she knew was that she had to get out—fast.
Chapter
Nine