Page 65 of The Bound Zodiac

“Or,” Rowan said, “giant carnivorous moths with tusks.”

Draco raised a hand. “I read once about something called a lunar mantis, which could decapitate you with one swipe of its claws. They were apex predators on at least two planets.”

“‘Lunar mantis’ is a metal band, Draco, not an animal,” Jamie deadpanned.

Theo grinned. “I’m holding out for asteroid-sized jellyfish that float through the upper atmosphere. Like weather balloons, but full of acid.”

Lydia perked up. “Ooh, yes! And, like, rainbow tigers. But they’re psychic, and they can make you hallucinate if you look them in the eyes.”

Valeria just looked at her with a fond, soft expression. “You’re adorable.”

Lydia didn’t even blush. “I am adorable. Next.”

“Sentient fungus,” Tye announced. “Like, you step on a mushroom and it asks you a riddle. Fail, and it eats your legs.”

Theo considered this. “Would the mushroom have a face? Or is it, like, a vibe?”

Tye thought about it. “Face. Definitely. With really creepy human-like teeth.”

There was a long moment as everyone processed that. Then Lucas said, “The only thing worse than a predatory mushroom with human teeth is, possibly, a carnivorous root system that snatches you through the soil. Bonus points if it screams while it eats you.”

The conversation dissolved into even more unhinged ideas.

Eris grinned at me, eyes bright. “What’s your vote for most menacing magical beastie?”

I tapped my chin, pretending to ponder. “Honestly, I think it’s gonna be the bugs. Some kind of bug that gets under your skin and turns you into a zombie.”

The group groaned in unison.

“That’s horrific,” Jamie said, shuddering.

Lucas raised his palms. “As long as there aren’t any giant spiders, I’ll take my chances.”

Aiden gave him a look. “You’re afraid of spiders?”

Lucas didn’t even bother to look ashamed. “Absolutely. Spiders can get all the way fucked.”

Noodle flicked his tongue. ‘Spiders delicious.’

I snorted. “We’ll send you on the first scouting mission, Nood.”

‘Try and stop me.’

After a while, when everyone was tipsy and the fire was burning low, Theo announced, “Alright, children. Truth or dare. We’re doing this.”

A chorus of groans followed, but not a single protest. Everyone knew where this was headed. Theo took charge, naturally. “Rules are simple. No chickening out. We go around the circle, clockwise, starting with…” He set down an empty bottle of beer on a stump and gave it a spin. “Ah, yes, Jamie Fraser, you get to go first, you sexy Scot.”

Lord kill me now.

Eris didn’t even blink, he just locked his fingers behind his head, smirking as he said, “Truth.”

Theo grinned. “Who was your first crush at Dominion?”

Eris snorted. “Easy. Professor Navari, hands down. The way she threatened to set me on fire first semester? Hot.”

Lucas snorted. “Well, you definitely have a type.”

I shot Lucas a glare as he winked at me.