Page 30 of Pisces Rising

Sagittarius hesitated, seeming to understand Virgo's unspoken suggestion. He shifted his weight, the leather of his boots creaking. "No, that won't work. I don't...I don't use that power anymore."

"It's our best shot," Virgo insisted, tilting his head, his tone growing more urgent. We can't leave her like this."

Like what? Pisces searched the faces of each man, seeing nothing familiar in their features. Was she kidnapped? Being held captive? What horrible things would they do to her if she ever emerged from under the desk? The chill of fear trickled down her spine.

Aries frowned, glancing between the two, his brow furrowed. "What are you two talking about?"

"Like Gemini, Sagittarius can get into people's minds," Virgo explained, his words measured and precise. "But instead of fragmenting them, he can share thoughts."

Realization dawned on Aries’ face, his eyes widening slightly. "Telepathically?"

Sagittarius cringed, running a hand through his hair. "Sort of."

"So, while he can't give Pisces her memories back, he can show her what he's seen. How he sees her, and everything he knows about the Universe." Virgo's tone was hopeful, his expression earnest. "It should be enough to bring her back."

Sagittarius shifted uncomfortably, his gaze darting around the room. "But she'll see everything. My whole life, my whole self. Don’t make me do it. You didn’t insist I use this power before."

"You've got to take one for the team," Virgo urged, his voice growing more insistent. “Before, we weren’t sure of her involvement in this whole scheme. Now we know she’s innocent.” His sympathetic gaze landed on Pisces.

Aries fixed Sagittarius with a stern look, his eyes hard and unyielding. "Do it, or I'll find a new place for you to keep your horns."

With a resigned sigh, Sagittarius said, "Fine. But I don't know that it's going to work. Who knows what Gemini really did to her."

"Now," Aries demanded, his nostrils flaring, his arms crossed over his broad chest, the fabric of his shirt straining against his muscles.

Pisces wished she could disappear as the mossy-eyed stranger approached, his footsteps soft on the carpet. His movements were slow and gentle as he knelt, the scent of leather and pine filling her nostrils. "It's okay," he murmured, his voice soothing, like a warm breeze. "I promise I'm not going to hurt you." His face was young and handsome, his eyes deep and kind. He wasn't aggressive like the other man. But that didn't mean he was safer.

Sagittarius offered her his hand, his palm rough and calloused. "Listen, I know this is confusing, and I know you're scared. Someone has taken your memories." He glanced over his shoulder at the other two, the fluorescent lights glinting off his hair. "You know us. You've known us for thousands of years." He held out his hand, his gaze earnest. "Come on, please let me help you."

Something about his tone put her more at ease, but not enough to make her want to leave the sanctuary of the desk. The hum of the computers filled the tense silence.

"Please," he asked again, his voice softer, almost pleading.

There was nowhere for her to run. No escape. Perhaps if she took his hand and got her bearings, she could find a path out of there. Finally, with a nod, she tentatively took his hand, his skin warm and rough against hers as he helped her to her feet.

"Now," he said, standing before her and holding her hands, his grip gentle but firm. "I'm going to show you who you are. By the end, you won't be so afraid." There was truth behind his eyes, a glimmer of sincerity that made her want to trust him. She nodded, taking a deep, shaky breath.

Sagittarius gave her a kind smile and lifted his hands to her head, his fingers cool against her temples. Like flipping an electric switch, she was suddenly flooded with images.

Thousands...millions of images blazed through her mind. Star Castle, the faces of each Zodiac, and glimpses of herself before she had lost her memories. Her glowing aura, the Cerulean Tear. She saw herself with Aries, walking down a hall hand in hand, sitting at a table, their eyes locked. She saw the Celestial Hotel, her journey on Earth, the fire serpent, and her bringing Aries back from the dead.

Then, just as the memories relevant to her drew to a close, she caught fleeting glimpses of Sagittarius exploring Earth, hiking through lush forests, the scent of damp earth and foliage filling her senses, and swimming in Amazon rivers, the cool water rushing over her skin. She caught flashes of intimacy, women of different faces, their soft sighs echoing in her mind. His affection for Aquarius...a giggle escaped her lips, the sound startling in the quiet room.

"That's enough." Sagittarius pulled away, a faint blush coloring his cheeks as he watched her expectantly, his breath warm on her face.

"Did it work?" Aries' voice boomed in the background, cutting through the lingering wisps of memory.

"I don't know. Give her a minute to get her bearings," Sag said, his gaze never leaving Pisces' face.

Pisces blinked, her eyes regaining their familiar clarity, the world coming back into focus. She was as close to her true self as she had been since the beginning of this ordeal. She was Pisces—mother of the Zodiacs, mistress of the ocean and the stars.

Without warning, she flung her arms around him, enveloping him in a fierce embrace. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for sharing yourself with me."

Sagittarius tensed, caught off guard by her sudden display of affection. A faint blush crept up his neck as he awkwardly patted her back. "It was nothing," he mumbled, averting his gaze. Pisces pulled back, her eyes shining with gratitude, and turned to Virgo. In a few strides, she closed the distance between them and threw her arms around him as well. "And thank you," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "For pushing him to help me."

Virgo returned the embrace, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I'm just glad to have you back, Pisces."

A pointed cough sounded from behind her as she disentangled herself from Virgo. Pisces spun around to find Aries standing tall and handsome, his hands clasped behind his back. A feigned look of annoyance flashed across his features as he arched a brow at her. Aries, her fierce protector, her eternal love. He looked disheveled as he watched her, his hair tousled and his clothes rumpled, with a dark shadow of uncertainty hanging over him.