I walked into the adjoining bathroom and turned the shower on full blast, as cold as it would go. I stepped beneath the freezing spray, letting it shock my system, letting it wash away the lingering phantom warmth of the dream. I leaned my hands against the black tile, hanging my head.
I was falling for her. It was a terrifying, undeniable fact. I, who’d spent two years perfecting the art of absolute emotional isolation after Eliza’s betrayal, was unraveling for a woman bonded to another shield. A woman who was currently being hunted by four men who’d destroyed her and likely had no interest in someone like me.
I turned off the water and dried off, avoiding the mirror out of habit. I dressed in my training gear—a sleeveless black shirt that left a network of silver scars on my arms and shoulders visible, and dark trousers. I strapped my weapons on, thefamiliar weight of them the only thing that calmed my racing pulse.
When I entered the common room, the others were already awake. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a blade.
Lucas was pacing in front of the hearth, his phone gripped tightly in his hand. Rowan sat on the leather sofa, his jaw clenched so hard a muscle ticked visibly beneath his beard. Theo and Phoenix were standing by the window, looking out toward the main gates.
“Morning,” I said, my voice a flat drawl as I moved to the kitchenette to pour a cup of tea.
“Winters just updated me,” Lucas said, not stopping his pacing. “The Nightfall Shield is currently occupying the entirety of the local inn. They’ve refused to speak to Assembly liaisons, and Percy Callahan explicitly threatened to burn the whole thing down if anyone tried to force them onto a plane back to New York.”
“Arrogant prick,” Rowan spat. “They think they can terrorize their way back into her life.”
“They’re desperate,” I noted, leaning against the counter and taking a sip of the bitter tea. “The bond is a physical tether. Being denied access to their axis when she’s literally walking distance away is likely driving them feral.”
Theo turned from the window, gaze narrowing on me. “You sound remarkably calm about four highly lethal, emotionally unstable warriors camping on our doorstep.”
“Panic serves no purpose.” I didn’t mention the dream. I didn’t mention that I had felt their desperation firsthand, pressing against Jupiter’s mind like a physical assault. That secret belonged to me and her. “Jupiter has barred them from campus. The wards will hold them unless they decide to declareopen war on Imperium, which even Callahan isn’t stupid enough to do.”
“Don’t underestimate a wounded Aries,” Phoenix rumbled, crossing his massive arms. “If they decide to breach the gates, we need to be ready.”
“If they breach the gates, I’ll put them in the ground myself,” Lucas said, his icy blue eyes flashing with lethal promise. He stopped pacing and looked at each of us. “Jupiter trains with us. She eats with us. She is under our protection. Is that understood?”
“Crystal,” Rowan said, his voice a low growl.
“We don’t push her,” I said, setting my mug down. “She’s suffocating under the weight of their betrayal. If we swarm her, we’re no better than they are. We give her space, we give her a shield, but we let her set the pace.”
Lucas studied me for a long moment, and I held his gaze firmly. He might be our leader, but I wasn’t easily moved. Finally, he nodded. “Agreed.”
Four hours later, we left the dorms together, moving as a unit across the misty grounds toward the combat hall. The morning air was biting, but the cold felt good. It kept me sharp. When we pushed through the heavy wooden doors of the training facility, Jupiter was already there.
She was stretching on the mats, wearing dark leggings and a sports bra that left her sexy as fuck tattoos fully exposed. Her black hair was pulled back into a tight braid, and her skin held a healthy flush. But it was her eyes I looked at first. Always those damn eyes.
8
Jupiter
Just before dinner,my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, expecting a message from Lydia or Tye, but the notification was from the administration. It was an urgent summons to Professor Winters’ office, effective immediately.
I didn’t bother changing out of my dark training leggings and fitted tank top. I just grabbed my father’s old ballcap, pulled it low over my braided hair, and headed straight for the Administration Wing. Noodle slithered rapidly up my leg and coiled himself securely around my neck.
I rounded the final corner toward Winters’ office and nearly collided with a wall of solid muscle. Large hands caught my shoulders, steadying me. I looked up into Rowan’s eyes.
“Whoa there, where’s the fire?”
I stepped back, realizing the entire Stardust Shield was gathered in the corridor. Lucas, Theo, Phoenix, and Jamie were all there.
“I was called to Winters’ office. Did you guys get summoned too?”
“Yeah,” Lucas said. He pushed open the door. “Let’s find out why.”
We filed into the office, but it was already crowded. Professor Winters stood behind her massive desk, a glowing magical illusory map of London hovering in the air above the wood. Professor Crespin and Professor Ellis stood on either side of her. Two full shield teams of upperclassmen stood at attention. I recognized a few faces from the Great Hall, battle-hardened warriors who looked ready for war.
“Close the door, Mr. Bennett,” Winters commanded without looking up from the map.
Lucas shut the door, sealing us in.
