Virgo--Book 7

  Virgo

  A Zodiac Twin Flame Novel

  By Rachel Medhurst

  Copyright © 2017 by Rachel Medhurst

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  This book is dedicated to Charlotte

  CONTENTS

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Free Books

  Copyright

  Author

  Chapter One

  “Oh, what about this one?” I asked Natalie, rushing across the boutique shop and stroking the lace over the bodice of a wedding gown.

  Screwing up her face, Natalie shook her head. Huffing, I glanced around again. Every dress we’d pointed out hadn’t been the one.

  Both Libra and I had been honoured when Nat had asked us to help her find her wedding dress. Now that we were hunting, it was quickly becoming obvious how hard it was to find the right one. I didn’t blame Natalie, her hormones were all over the place.

  Going over to her, I took her hand. Her palms were sweating, her cheeks flushed. The front of her top clung to the huge baby bump. It wasn’t long until she was due to give birth. No wonder she didn’t feel like shopping.

  “Why is Aries insisting that you order your dress now?” Libra asked as she ran her eyes over a long lacy dress that was carried past by the assistant.

  Libra was tall with a long, slim body. Her hair was black to her waist, straight, with a glorious sheen. She had plump lips which stretched into one of the biggest smiles, especially when she was happy. We were all curious regarding her heritage. Her eyes were oval, but flicked up at the edges. She had no idea if she was from Japan, China, or any of the other Asian countries. I had a feeling she would find out one day.

  “He wanted to get married before the baby was born, but I refused. I didn’t want to be huge in my wedding photos.” Natalie’s small smile was an indication that she was remembering her disagreement with my brother.

  He was a hothead, always ready to fight in order to get his way. Luckily, Natalie always gave as good as she got. Which meant, he rarely won. Which made a nice change for his siblings. Watching the way she handled him, made me feel better about the way he’d treated us over the years. She was good for him, and for us.

  “It’s okay, we’ll try one more shop and if you’re not happy, we’ll go and get something to eat. You do need to eat, otherwise you’ll start feeling—”

  “Okay, Virgo, we get it,” Libra said, flicking her hair behind her shoulder.

  Laughing, I tucked my arm through Natalie’s and led her out of the shop. My heartbeat skipped as a pretty woman walked past, her eyes watching me in the way only someone who was attracted would stare.

  Swallowing, I looked away as I pointed to the other wedding shop nearby. The heavy breathing of my friend made me slow down. I had been dragging her along with me as I tried to run away from my discomfort.

  “Sorry,” I muttered, glancing at Natalie’s sweat-lined forehead. “Shall we just go home? It’s been a long day for you.”

  Shaking her head, which flicked her brown ponytail, she pointed forwards. “Nope, we must go on. Aries will kill me if I don’t at least check out this last shop. Especially as it’s just there.”

  Libra followed behind, her face glued to her phone. She was a prime example of a millennial, always on her phone. Yet, I had no idea what she did on it. Her skills had always been in buying and selling art. She ran her own online business, which was quite successful.

  “Libra, you promised not to stay on your phone for the whole day!” I berated.

  “Stop being so fussy.” Her reply made me stamp my foot as I stopped.

  The ground juddered, making the people around me pause and look around. Biting my lip, I smiled an apology and went to move again.

  “You can’t just do that,” Libra said. “It’s dangerous.”

  Trying my best not to snap back at her, I carried on walking towards the shop. Natalie caught up with me, her hand on my arm slowing my footsteps.

  “Are you okay? You’ve been a bit jumpy the last few months.” Her kindness made my throat tighten.

  Swallowing, I kept looking forward, unable to let her see the water that formed a film over my eyes.

  “It’s because it’s her turn. Have you met anyone yet?”

  Ever since Leo had united with his soulmate on a spiritual level, I had been on edge. I couldn’t help it. Nick had threatened me outside Leo’s concert, but that didn’t mean it was him that made me nervous. No, I didn’t care about his pathetic attempt at keeping us separate. His belief that Leo hadn’t united meant that I had a bit of time. It was the fact that my secret could come out. That’s what made me wish it wasn’t my turn.

  “No, I haven’t.”

  Shoving ourselves into the shop, I went straight up to the assistant and asked for her help. Luckily, she wasn’t busy, so she guided us straight to the rails abundant with cream and white gowns. Natalie waddled over, rubbing the bottom of her back as she sat down.

  “Don’t worry,” she said to the assistant. “She’ll be out by the time the wedding gets here.”

  Freezing, I gasped, my hand mid-air as I reached for a pretty gown. Turning slowly, I glanced at Libra, who’s eyes were just as wide as mine.

  “She?” I whispered, ready to explode in excitement.

  “Oh shoot,” Natalie muttered. “I was supposed to keep that secret.”

  I rushed over and knelt on the floor in front of her. “Are you having a girl? Are we going to be aunts?”

  Libra came over, too, although a little slower and with more grace, but her hands were clenched into fists and her eyes sparkled.

  “Yes...” Natalie got caught up in the excitement. “You’re both going to be aunts.”

  Hugging her, I squealed as the assistant grinned at us. It wasn’t every day that a zodiac announced the sex of their baby. Well, Natalie and Aries had been the first couple to think about officially settling down.

  “That’s so exciting,” I breathed, stroking her baby bump. “I can’t wait to meet you.”

  A slow clapping made us get to our feet. The figure of Nick, clad in his dark outfit of trousers and jumper, came into the small room. I moved in front of Natalie, my arm out to protect her.

  If he came any closer, I would cause an earthquake big enough to shock him. “You need to leave!”

  My hiss went ignored as he came to stand just inside the door, facing us. It was as if my thought of him earlier had made him materialise.

  “She’s right, Sir, you’re not welcome here,” the assistant said.

  Nick’s steely grey gaze landed on her. He pointed towards the door, his arm shaking ever so slightly as he did. He was weakening. That was a good thing, wasn’t it?

  “I have two men positioned in the shop. If you go back to the front of the store, I’ll make sure they don’t destroy these pretty dresses.”

  The assistant looked at us. “Shall I call the police?”

  All three of us shook our heads at the same time. “No, it’s okay, we’ll handle it.” I fiddled with my leather bracelet, the silver looped Virgo symbol cold against my fingertips. It was secured to my wrist – a zodiac brand of commitment and loyalty to our mission.

  I knew Nick was there for me, it was obvious. I was next in line. But, that didn’t mean I wanted Natalie and Libra to be at risk.

  As the assistant went out, she ducked her head. I hoped she wouldn’t call the police. The last thing we needed was the law enforcement finding out about me and my siblings. It was hard enough trying to accomplish our mission as it was.

  “If you’ve come for me, let the others go,” I said, my small frame only coming up to his chin as I moved closer.

  He threw his head back and laughed. The whiskers on his jaw needed a good shave. The grey hairs were another sign that he was aging, struggling. His energy was nowhere near as strong as it used to be.

  “Don’t be silly, Virgo,” he said, putting his hands in his pockets. “I’m not here solely for you. What would be the point in that? No, it’s the human I’m interested in.”

  Stepping back, I covered Natalie at the same time as Libra. We formed a wall in front of her, ready to do whatever it took to keep her safe. She was part of the family now, and although Nick could never break the union that she’d achieved with Aries, he would be sick enough to try and prevent their happiness.

  Nick started to move, circling so we had to move opposite him. Natalie stayed back, her maternal instinct to protect the baby at all costs. If she left it to us, it would make life a lot easier.

  I was about to raise my foot when Nick pulled his hand out of his pocket and held up a spray can. “I wouldn’t if I were you.”

  Pausing, I lowered my foot slowly. What did he have? Why would he threaten us with something as simple as a can?

  “You need to leave us, right now. If you don’t, I’ll stamp my foot very hard and...”

  Laughing, Nick came forward. I moved to meet him, uncertain about starting an earthquake with Natalie right behind me. I rarely used my destructive power,
so I wasn’t always in total control.

  My leg swiped out at the same time as he raised his arm. His knee buckled, but his finger pressed down on the spray. His hand was over his mouth as he managed to right himself.

  A long puff of air fell over us all, causing me to cough. Libra threw a punch at Nick’s head, but whatever he released filtered down her throat. We both fell to the floor, choking.

  Laughing, Nick quickly backtracked out of the room, not taking his hand away from his mouth, even to say goodbye.

  “What happened?” Natalie gasped as she coughed.

  As the air returned to normal, we were slowly able to breathe normally. Natalie called Aries, telling him to come and collect us. I looked at Libra, my eyes watering as I realised that we weren’t able to protect Natalie.

  “That wasn’t your fault,” Nat said as she hung up the phone.

  Shaking our heads, Libra and I moved towards the main part of the shop. Checking around the side of the door, we waited, calling out to the assistant.

  “They ’ve gone,” she called. “I’m just ringing the police.”

  Bolting into the room, we shouted at her to stop. She jumped, the phone falling out of her hand. “Please, don’t call the police. We know the man and we’ve got a court case with him. We’ll go straight down to the station right now and report him. We’re sorry you got involved.”

  Libra’s lie slid off her tongue effortlessly. Her communication style was pretty good, like all of the air signs. Which meant their way with words could be slightly manipulative. But, often, with my siblings, it had only been used in a positive way. To protect us.

  “Okay,” the assistant said, her hands shaking as she placed the phone back onto the counter.

  Natalie followed us, urging us to go outside to wait for Aries. We went, apologising to the owner once more before exiting the shop.

  “What was that?” Natalie asked, cradling her swollen stomach.

  My gut flipped as the adrenaline started to wear off. Our gaze searched around the area, but there were no men in black outfits. It didn’t mean they weren’t watching, though.

  “Let’s move away from here, just in case Nick’s keeping an eye on us.” Libra tugged us away from the shop and towards the end of the street.

  It wasn’t easy for us to blend into the London crowd considering how pregnant Natalie was. It had been five months since the couple had announced that they were expecting. That time had shot by without me barely noticing it.

  “I don’t know what that was,” I said, rubbing my throat. “But, I’m worried.”

  The others nodded, both also stroking their necks. Whatever was in the can couldn’t have been good for us. Otherwise, why would Nick spray it over us? He had attacked us. But, his weapon of choice was unknown. Which made me extremely nervous. The only thing that kept springing to my mind made my stomach churn. If he had done what I thought he might have done, we were in big, big trouble.

  Chapter Two

  “I still can’t understand what that was all about the other day,” Libra said, pointing at a beautiful sunset painting on the gallery wall.

  We often walked to work together, but today, I had snuck into the art gallery with her. I had an hour to kill before my shift in the hospital, so it was nice to actually spend some time with my sister. We hadn’t been too close, but over the last few months, we had been speaking more. It was her turn for the zodiac union after me, so we both felt the pressure that the other siblings experienced.

  Except, now that more and more of us were successful, they were expecting us to fulfil our mission. Of course, we both wanted to, very much, but...our confidence was low. Especially after Nick defeated us so easily in the wedding dress shop. He shouldn’t have been able to get that close. Even if we still had no idea what he’d done.

  “That’s gorgeous, although I’d prefer it if it had a little more green. Then, it would be perfect.” I moved on to the next painting. “I also can’t get my head around it. Nick attacked us, but...how?”

  We’d all been healthy over the last few days, with no reports of anything other than bafflement. Aries had been furious and ordered Natalie not to go anywhere without him. Of course, he didn’t say it, but I could feel the resentment he aimed towards us. He was right, we should have been able to defend ourselves and Natalie.

  “Nothing’s ever going to be perfect enough for you,” Libra muttered, writing a note on her handheld tablet.

  She was shopping today, ready to do another art deal. Her eye for paintings was top quality. She was starting to make a bit of a name for herself online. I often caught her snapping a picture for social media and sharing it with the world.

  Ignoring her snarky remark, I wandered over to a watercolour. The streaks were browns and greens, which always caught my eye. There was a female figure painted within the grass, merging in as if she was a part of the earth.

  “Now, that’s you.” Libra took my arm and spun me round.

  Without warning, she held her phone high above her head and took a selfie of us in front of the picture. I cringed, laughing when she showed me what we looked like. Taking the phone, I deleted it before she could stop me. Her pout made me smile.

  “I’ll do one with you, but...I need more warning.”

  Smiling, Libra took back her phone and gave me plenty of time to pose. Once I was happy with the outcome, I allowed her to upload it.

  “Right,” I said, glancing at the picture one last time. “I need to get to work.”

  Hugging me, Libra laughed when I stared at her before turning to leave. She rarely gave her siblings affection, although I had often seen her more comfortable with her friends. It was amazing how some of the zodiacs were closer than the others. I often hung out with both sets of groups. The water/fire group were interesting to me, but so were the others. We were starting to mix a little better since more partners came into the mix.

  Walking swiftly towards the hospital, I hummed a tune as I glanced up at the sky. The people who crowded the pavement often didn’t see me until the last minute because I was so short, but they were very apologetic when they bashed into me.

  My phone rang as I reached the sliding doors. Going through, I answered it as I made my way to the research lab. I was a nurse, but I’d been concentrating on helping scientists with their medical research.

  “Hello, Leo,” I greeted my famous brother as I waved at the receptionist.

  “Well, hello there, beautiful.” He smacked his lips as if he was sending me a kiss. He was so dramatic. “I was just wondering when you’re going to come clean to the rest of the group. Only because...well, people are talking about your union. You know, like they did with all of us when we were due to find the one.”

  My heart went into my throat at his words. At the same time, my gaze landed on a woman who was signing in to the lab floor. Her blonde hair was cut just above her shoulders, long enough to be thick and wavy.

  “I’m waiting for the right time,” I muttered, looking away when the woman glanced at me.

  She was taller than me, by a fair bit considering how small I was. When I walked past, a waft of fresh perfume, reminding of the sea, swept up my nose.

  Going straight into the staff room, I plonked my bag on the counter and concentrated on what Leo was waffling on about.

  “...it’s not fair that I have to keep it a secret.”

  “Aren’t you going on tour soon? You’ll be out of our hair...I mean, out of hearing distance.” Sighing, I slouched against the work surface.

  A small sofa and chairs were in the corner. Kitchen appliances were on the side, a sink available for our use. It wasn’t a big space, but it did the job.

  “I’m going on tour in a month, yes. But...sis, seriously, you’ll feel so much better once you’ve got it off your chest.” Leo’s bandmates called him in the background.

  Good, hopefully they would get him off my back. He cared, I knew that. Yet, every time I spoke to him, he mentioned my sexuality. Maybe I shouldn’t have told him. If I’d kept it to myself, I could deal with it in my own time.

  My muscles froze when the female who had been standing at the desk came in. I had assumed she was not going to be hanging around. Smiling, I looked anywhere but at her as she found her locker and started to put her things inside.

  “Leo, I’ve got to go. Enjoy your day, and make sure you write a good song.”