Page 8 of The Bound Zodiac

Percy didn’t let that thread drop. “Just seems odd, doesn’t it? The attacks happen at the most convenient time for someone wanting to disrupt her new life in London. Get her back here. Make her dependent on the bond all over again.”

Hanz smiled. “If you’re making an accusation, just say it.”

I put my boots up on the table-top as I leaned back unnecessarily far, earning a scowl from Charles. “We’re not accusing anyone. But if you have enemies in the Assembly, they’re probably watching closely to see how you handle it.”

Charles drummed his fingers on the table. “True. But that goes both ways, Eris.” Charles turned to Percy. “You should consider this. If someone did orchestrate this, it means they have access to restricted toxins from the home world, knowledge of your schedules, and information regarding your axis’s new…friends at Imperium. That narrows the list substantially.”

I could see the gears turning behind Charles’s eyes. Maybe he’d planned this, maybe not. But either way, he fucking loved being in control. He thrived on knowing everything first.

“Let me state for the record,” Charles said smoothly, “that my only interest is the stability of the academy. If someone is targeting my son’s shield, I want them found. Period.”

He looked at Percy, then down the table at Gray and Hanz. “Keep looking.”

Gray nodded. “We’ll dig. If this is internal, we’ll know.”

For a moment, nobody said anything.

There was a tug at the bond, like a fist in my chest. Jupiter. She was awake, and I could feel her using her magic. Probably training, as she usually did around this time over there. Fuck, I missed her. I wanted to be the one training with her, helping her discover what she was capable of. But those Stardust fuckers were stepping in and taking over what should have been our jobs. Not that I entirely blamed them. Didn’t mean I had to enjoy feeling it every fucking day.

Charles’s eyes sharpened. “You’ll be transferring to Imperium next week, if I’m not mistaken.”

Percy didn’t blink. “Correct. We’ve all come to the agreement that if Jupiter chooses to train at Imperium, then it’s our job to follow her. We’re too vulnerable apart.”

Of course, he was leaving out the fact that being away from Jupiter felt like someone was physically feeding each of us into a wood chipper one at a time feet first.

“Anyway, it’s not up for debate. The transfer is already complete,” Aiden added curtly.

His father looked at him, and for a second there was something almost fatherly in his eyes. A second later, it was gone, replaced by the coldest golden light I’d ever seen from a Leo.

I watched Aiden, but he didn’t even flinch. Poker face locked and loaded, jaw set, every inch the soldier he’d been bred to be. The tension between them was so thick you could bottle it. It made me want to get up and pace, but I didn’t. I just turned my attention to Charles, who was lighting a cigar and smiling like a king.

“You know she’ll never trust you,” Aiden’s father said, almost conversational. “No matter how many times you move continents.”

A muscle ticked in Aiden’s cheek. “That’s not the point. The bond is unsustainable at this distance. You of all people should understand what that feels like.”

He held his father’s gaze, and it was full of violence and cold hate and a kind of fucked-up pride.

“You think she’ll take you back?” Hanz said, feigning curiosity.

Draco exhaled smoke in his direction. “If she does, it won’t be as mates.”

I could have sworn something deep in my chest began to crack. There was a good chance that Draco was right. Jupiter might never take us back fully. We might be staring down the barrel of a lifetime of torment, watching from a strictly professional distance while she moves on with better men.

There was nothing else to say. Charles gave us all a last, thin smile. “See that you don’t embarrass us. The Assembly will be watching.”

Percy crushed his cigarette into the ashtray. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

We left without another word. The door clanged behind us and the corridor sucked all the heat right out of my bones. Outside, the sun was setting behind the towers.

“Drinks,” Aiden said. “Now.”

It was a perfect fucking idea.

By the time we hit the Aquarius common room, the whole place was buzzing with conversation and music. The whole common room was full of blue light. In the middle of the room, there was a water hearth, where magic compelled the water to behave like fire, even giving off waves of heat throughout the room.

I poured myself a double from the makeshift bar and tossed it back immediately, groaning at the much-needed burn. The room was full of familiar faces, but I couldn’t give a shite, not right now. Not when we’d be leaving this place behind in less than a week.

Jupiter’s best friend Tye was slouched in an armchair by the window wall. There was a human woman in his lap. She had bright blue in her long hair, a kind smile, and very clearly besotted with him. She was laughing at something he’d just whispered in her ear, and I could see Tye’s hand proudly splayed across her thigh. Good for him. Even better for her, considering the rumors I’d heard this morning. Apparently, the Assembly had cleared her to stay at Dominion, provided she signed enough NDAs to rival a blood oath.