The Book of Gemma VOL. 2

18: THE COMPOUND TEMPTATIONS

"I got next!" Leo shouted, leaping from the balcony and shaking the ground as he landed. He walks over to Scorpz' body and gives it a small kick. "I told her to stay home today." He grins and gets into a combat stance.

I sigh, "Oh, Leo. I've wanted to snap your neck for eons." I crouch still needing to get more of my anger out.

Deecon and Aries didn't even try to stop me from fighting anymore, they knew being cramped in that coffin and pushing down every problem I had, finally boiled over. I think Deecon was just glad he didn't have his neck snapped in the field.

It took less time to get Leo to surrender, slapping my arm to make me release. He rolled off me, rubbing his neck and laughing. He stood up and offered me his hand but I swatted it away. "I still don't like you, Leo." I snarl at him. After all, it wasn't just Scorpz who tormented me as a child. Leo told my innocent child self that I was to be a monster, that no one would spend the time to love me. Scorpz wasn't the only one who tormented Deecon while I lay there lifeless with Virgo's hand tucked in my upper thighs. Aries and Deecon may have forgiven them but I have not.

"Oh, come on. That was years ago, I have changed, your grace."

I huff, "Then what do you see me as? Your God? Or your competition?"

He rolls his eyes, "I see you as the one who could free us from Vyx." He puts out his hand for me to shake but I refuse. "No... I want you to say it, Leo. Say that you are not the star of this show, that I am your God and you will listen to my orders to fight for the humans. For every race Vyx has taken control of."

He crosses his arms and looks back to Aries who shrugs his shoulders, letting Leo know he has no support from him against me.

He sighs, looking over at Scorpz' body trying to heal itself back together.

"You are the God of the Zodiacs and I will follow your orders into battle... I would like to see the fun side of you at least once before facing our doom." He sticks out his hand again, I grab it firmly. "Oh trust me, I've been having fun all day."

After Scropz finally rose from the ground, she tucked her tail between her legs and limped off to her housing development. I saw from afar as she tried to plead to Deecon to help bandage her wounds while they heal but he crossed his arms and remained silent. No matter how many times she tugged at him, he pulled away.

I was talking to Leo and Aries in front of the groups on how things would run tomorrow, to make sure they got rest and ate well for the brutal reboot they were about to get.

Leo showed me the long wooden table inside with how they have planned attacks, which sides of the planet Starzithians have shown up, the radars they have in place outside the atmosphere to alarm them. I hear every word but catch myself looking in the corner of my eye to Deecon slipping through the front door. He didn't want to interrupt or cause a scene between us, sneaking past us and ducking into a back door. I didn't know what was inside or where it led. The scent of him tickled my nose and I scrunched it, trying to block the smell from making me relive a nostalgic memory of him.

*Snap* *Snap* Leo's fingers click in front of my face, "Gemini?"

I shake it off, "Yes, I'm listening."

He looks over to Aries and smirks, knowing Deecon's small visit had distracted me.

Gemma, don't do it..

'Nothing happened.' I whisper into Aries' mind. He jolts up and looks at the clock, "Well it's been a full day wouldn't you say? Gemini? You want to continue this tomorrow?"

I nod my head eagerly as we both fast walk to the front door, trying not to be suspicious in front of Leo.

As soon as the front door opens, Aries pins me against the wall. "Is this because you saw Deecon?" He asks and I don't lie, "He really fills out that suit."