‘Do you commute every day?’ a friendly girl asked as I waited on the platform staring out at the Thames.
We were bound for London Victoria. I had been so wrapped up in my own thoughts, I hadn’t even noticed her sit next to me.
‘No, I’m just coming back to work after a break,’ I replied, smiling at her.
I dreaded going back to work in a stuffy office doing admin.
Father had decided that I needed to get on with my life. Hanging around the house was boring and it annoyed him too. I avoided Antony as much as he avoided me so there hadn’t been anyone to talk to. It was pointless staying there.
The boys had agreed to protect me so that Antony could stay with Father. My hands clenched into fists when I remembered the conversation. I wasn’t a child that needed babysitting. I didn’t understand why they made such a fuss.
‘Today’s my first day. I’m so nervous,’ the girl said.
Smiling, I reassured her that everything would go well. We said goodbye as the train pulled into the station.
‘You shouldn’t be alone.’
The whisper was quiet but my ears picked up on it. I spun on the platform but couldn’t see anyone near me. Maybe Antony was right. I was going mad.
‘Why are you here?’
I stopped and he appeared. His hair was shorter but I recognised the grey eyes. Work was only around the corner, I was convinced I didn’t need anyone with me. It seemed I was wrong.
‘Walk with me,’ he commanded.
My legs started to move without my consent. He fell into step beside me and took my elbow. My body was calm but my mind screamed inside my head.
‘What’s your name?’
A part of me didn’t want to know. I needed something to distract him, before I tried to escape.
‘In this lifetime, I’m called Nick. In the last, I was called Jamie and then Markus and then—’
‘I get the point.’
Ripping my arm from his grip, I spun away from him. The people around us moved as I started to fight my way back through the commuters.
‘You can run as much as you like but you’re alone here. You’re getting too close to your twin flame and I need to prevent that.’ His voice was near my ear. I swiped behind me but there was nothing there. I didn’t turn to see if he was following me. I could feel his energy nearby. My breath puffed in and out as I tried to get through the never-ending platform full of people.
‘Pisces…?’ The call from ahead caught my attention.
‘Daniel!’ I called back as I ran straight to him.
I was so pleased to see him that I threw my arms around his neck. He returned the gesture, pulling me away from the crowd at the same time.
‘Are you okay? It looked like you were running from something.’
I smiled up at him, thankful that he was there to save me. He took my hand and started to walk out of the station. I didn’t know if I would make it to work on my first day back but at least I was safe now.
‘Where are we going?’ I asked as we walked down a quiet corridor near the exit.
‘I missed you. I just wanted some space to do this.’ He leant down and pressed his lips against mine. I allowed him to hold me against him. My muscles shook. Had Nick seen where we had gone? Had he given up?
‘Let go of her.’ His voice made the hairs on my skin stand up.
‘We need to get out of here,’ I said, taking Daniel’s hand. Nick blocked our escape. He stood with two men at his side. They all wore black trousers with heavy black jumpers. One of them held a gun discreetly only for Daniel and me to see. I yelped as Daniel stepped forward to face them.
‘Pisces, you can make this easier if you come with me now. I could just kill him…’ Nick turned to Daniel.
‘No!’
Doubt worked its way through me. Who was my soulmate? My enemy seemed to think it was Daniel. Either way, I didn’t want anyone to get killed.
‘Come,’ Nick said, gesturing for me to go to him.
My steps were slow as I did as I was told. Daniel took my hand as I passed and walked with me.
‘What are you doing?’ I was trying to save him. He should run.
‘I’m not leaving you. If you go, I go.’
Nick escorted us out of the station and into a waiting car. It felt like I was in a dream. Once again I was being taken against my will and I allowed it to happen. My hands clenched at my side. There was no way I could let anyone die because of me. Too many people worried about my safety and now someone else was being dragged into my fight.
Antony’s face came into my mind. My heartbeat increased. Would he have come with me? If Daniel wasn’t my soulmate, why did he risk his life for me?