Chapter 16 #2
“That’s how you burn the beans, genius,” Eris put in from the couch, where he was halfway through a box of shortbread. “Just lick the bottom of an ashtray and you’ll yield the same results.”
“Can’t we just drink it?” Jamie, from the kitchen table, sounding genuinely pained. “Please. I’d drink it cold, right now, if it meant I didn’t have to listen to this.”
“I can make some tea instead,” Theo offered, already moving to fill the kettle with water. “Proper English tea. None of that sludge they’re guzzling down.”
Draco’s eyes flicked up, catching mine. “You want some, Jupiter?”
“I want it intravenously,” I said, slumping onto the arm of the sofa. “But I’ll take whatever’s available.”
Percy, who had been standing with his back to the stove and arms folded, just grunted. “Coffee’s not going to fix you if you don’t sleep.”
“I slept,” I lied. “I slept so hard my ancestors felt it.”
Rowan eyed me, one brow lifting. “You look like the walking dead.”
“Flattering,” I muttered.
Noodle had draped himself across the top of the fridge, tongue flicking in and out as he surveyed the chaos below like an unimpressed god. He’d tried to swipe at the coffee scoop twice already, just to cause havoc.
I bit back a laugh and reached for my mug just as Draco slid it my way, the surface swirling with actual latte art. I stared at it. “Did you…? Did you put a little snake in the foam?”
He grinned. “An uncanny resemblance, right?”
Noodle preened, if it’s possible for a snake to preen.
I took a sip. It was perfect. I almost wanted to cry. Instead, I just wrapped both hands around the mug and tried to radiate ‘do not disturb’ vibes so nobody would make me do anything for at least ten minutes.
Which, of course, was when someone started pounding on the door.
Theo was closest, so he sighed, set his tea down, and strode for the door.
William Thomas stood there in the morning sun, smiling too brightly for how damn early it was. I hadn’t seen much of him since the very first day I arrived at Imperium.
He had a stack of envelopes in one hand. “Sorry to disturb. I’m looking for… the Horizon Shield?”
“That’s us,” Theo said, stepping aside so the guy could see the living room, which now looked like a frat house had invaded a medieval castle. William did a double-take when he realized just how many of us there were.
“Oh. Good. I wasn’t sure if the transition had been finalized yet.” He met my eyes and smiled again. “Nice to see you Jupiter Black.”
“Likewise, William.” I raised my mug at him.
William extended a navy envelope, the kind that screamed ‘official business’ in the language of pointless bureaucracy. “Your official invitations have arrived.”
Nobody moved to take it, so I pushed myself off the sofa and crossed the room. My legs felt like lead.
“What’s the occasion?” I asked, already dreading the answer.
“Bonding Gala,” William said, with the faintest hint of apology. “In London. Still another five months out. They want to present the new Ophiuchus shield to the wider Zodiac community.”
I groaned so hard it was almost a scream. “Are you kidding me? I just did this shit.”
“Yes, well, the Assembly likes to do things by the book. There’s a lot of excitement, given the, uh, size of your team. They’ll all want to see you in person.”
I retreated, envelope in hand and slumped onto the couch, letting my head drop back.
“Why do they have to make everything so hard? I literally haven’t even had time to figure out which of these idiots left their gym socks in my laundry basket, and now I have to parade around in front of the entire world’s worst people? ”
William shrugged. “If it helps, it’s not just you. There are several new shield teams from Dominion that will be in attendance too.”
“God,” I muttered. “And that means… Everyone’s blue-blooded asshole families will be there too.”
Percy’s jaw flexed, his eyes going dark. “Including my father.”
Aiden cursed under his breath. “And mine.”
William looked like he wanted to melt into the floor. “I’m just the messenger.” He stuck the rest of the envelopes into Theo’s hand, then made a hasty exit, offering a last awkward “Have a good one,” before vanishing.
The moment the door clicked shut, I dropped the envelope on the coffee table and put my head in my hands.
“Kill me now,” I muttered. I needed a second. Or maybe an hour. “I’m going up to my room,” I said, pushing to my feet. “Try not to kill each other while I’m gone.”
I closed my door behind me and flopped face-first onto the bed. The envelope was still in my hand, crumpled up now mostly. I rolled onto my back and glared at the ceiling.
There was a line on the invite that said: Please prepare a demonstration of shield-bonded technique for the evening showcase.
“Unbelievable,” I said to the ceiling. “They want a fucking talent show. What’s next, a swimsuit competition?”
I left the envelope on the pillow, grabbed my phone, and dialed Lydia’s number. She picked up on the first ring. “JUPITER FUCKING BLACK, HAVE YOU SEEN THE INVITE?”
I grinned despite my foul mood. “I just got it. You’re going, I assume?”
“Are you kidding? My mom’s already shopping for dresses. Tye’s groaning about having to wear actual pants, but they’re actually letting him bring his human girlfriend, which is a shock.”
God, I missed her. “Wow, they’re really on board with the whole thing then?”
She laughed. “It’s not like Tye really gave them a choice. There were threats involved.”
“I’m not even slightly shocked. I can’t wait to officially meet her.” I rolled off the bed, setting the phone on my desk as I changed for the day. “So is your shield coming with you?”
“Yep!” Now there was a massive smile in her voice. “A ton of the prominent shields are going. I guess they’re pulling out the big guns to introduce you guys.”
I groaned, securing my hair into a long braid. “Of course they are. Well on the bright side, we have four months between now and the gala. That’s plenty of time for me to get taken out by the bane so I don’t have to go.”
“You’re hilarious, have I ever told you that?”