Page 1 of The Bound Zodiac

CHAPTER ONE

JUPITER

The car from Imperium idled at the curb outside Heathrow’s arrivals terminal, its engine purring low while I leaned against the hood and scanned the crowd spilling through the doors. A week had crawled by since that conversation with the guys. My parents stepped out together, Mom in her sensible travel jacket, Dad already grinning when he spotted me. Instantly, the knot in my chest loosened just enough to let me breathe.

“Hey, kiddo,” Dad said, pulling me into one of his rib-cracking hugs. Mom too, her arms warm and blessedly familiar, the faint scent of her lavender soap like a balm to the nerves.

The driver loaded their bags without a word, and we slid into the back seat. The village appeared around us in soft English twilight, stone cottages and narrow lanes glowing amber under the street lamps.

“Oh my gosh, it’s like a postcard,” Mom said, pressing her fingers to the window.

“A whole block that doesn’t have a single deli on it,” Dad said with a low whistle. We dropped their luggage at the inn first, a cozy place with ivy crawling up the front. Dad studied the facade with his hands on his hips. “No doorman. Charming.”

I snorted. “You’re not in New York anymore, dad.”

We wandered the streets after, Mom stopping to admire every flower box while Dad read the menu boards outside each restaurant with increasing skepticism. “Mushy peas,” he said, at the third one. “I’m just supposed to order mushy peas.”

“There’s always beans,” I suggested, only half teasing. Dad made a face of horror. He was a pizza guy through and through.

By the time we claimed a corner booth at the pub, the same one I’d visited with the Scorpios, the air smelled like ale and shepherd’s pie. I waited until the food arrived before I started talking, fingers tracing the rim of my pint glass.

“I made a decision,” I said, letting out a long breath. “About Nightfall. They’re officially transferring here next week, but strictly as a combat unit. Nothing romantic. Professional only.”

Mom and Dad exchanged one of those looks married couples did when they gossiped without the need for words.

Dad took a slow sip of his beer before answering. “Professional. Right.”

Mom reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “If that’s what you need to do, sweetheart, we’re behind you.”

Dad set his glass down with a soft clink. “I’m not a shield warrior, and I don’t pretend to understand half the nonsense you kids juggle, but if those boys hurt my baby girl again, I’m going to rip them some new assholes. Just so we’re clear.”

I laughed, shaking my head, but knowing he was serious. “I’ll be sure to give them a stern warning when they get here.”

He looked smug. “Good. Let them fear me.”

Mom kissed him on the cheek. “You’re absolutely terrifying, hun.”

“There’s this meeting coming up,” I said. “With the Order. It’s all very cloak and dagger, but I’m willing to hear them out. If it helps me figure out the Ophis stuff, maybe even points us toward the home worlds…”

Mom’s brow creased, that familiar worried line appearing between her eyes. “Honey, that’s an awful lot of pressure for one person to carry.”

Before I could answer, Noodle poked his head out of my sleeve, tongue flicking as he tested the air.

Mom’s face lit up. She stroked the top of his head with two gentle fingers. “There’s my good boy,” she crooned.

Noodle slithered straight into her lap. Mom reached into her purse and produced a small tupperware container, popping the lid to reveal a neatly coiled dead rat. She set it on a napkin and watched with pure delight as he struck.

I muttered into my pint, “You’re going to spoil him rotten.”

Dad chuckled, and Mom just grinned. Noodle coiled contentedly in her lap, soaking up the attention she gave him, fat and happy after his rat dinner.

Mom’s fingers paused on Noodle’s scales. “Are you sure this isn’t just another group trying to steer you toward their own agenda?”

“I’m sure they have an agenda,” I conceded. “But they’ve been straight about it. Lucas said outright it’s my choice whether I ever try to open a portal, and I believe him. They thought I was going to freak out when they told me, but honestly I should have seen it coming.”

“How on earth would you have seen this coming, Jupe?”

I sat back, running a hand over my face and fighting a yawn. “It’s just not a surprise, that’s all. It makes sense to try and get back to the home worlds, doesn’t it? I’m the first Ophis since the crossing, so can you even blame them for hoping I could be the one to make it happen?”