Chapter 12 #2
I braced myself for the usual stares and whispers that followed me everywhere, but surprisingly, people just nodded or smiled as we passed. No one seemed particularly bothered by the presence of the infamous Ophis in their midst.
“Two cosmic crashes,” Lydia told the guy mixing drinks, who nodded and began pouring glowing blue liquid into glasses.
“People seem oddly normal tonight, should I be worried?” I asked, scanning the room.
Lydia handed me a glass pulsing with blue light. “That’s because everyone’s here to forget about zodiac politics for one night. It’s a party rule—leave your designation drama at the door.”
I took a sip and nearly choked. “Fuck, that’s strong!”
“That’s the point!” She grinned, clinking her glass against mine. “To forgetting for one goddamn night!”
The drink burned going down but left a pleasant warmth spreading through my limbs, along with a slight tingling sensation I recognized as magic. Not harmful, just a buzz enhancer that made colors more vivid and sounds more intense.
After a second drink, Lydia pulled me into the crowd of dancers. The music had shifted to something with a deeper bass that I could feel in my chest. We moved together, and for the first time since the Abyss incident, I felt like myself again, just Jupiter.
Three songs and another drink later, I realized someone was watching me.
A tall guy with dark hair was leaning against a wall, his eyes, a striking green even in the dim light, fixed on me.
When our gazes met, he didn’t look away.
Instead, he smiled, raising his glowing drink slightly in acknowledgment.
He was gorgeous in that effortless way that some guys managed, with broad shoulders, strong jawline, and arms that strained against his shirt sleeves. A Leo, based on the glowing golden flecks I could see in his eyes even from this distance.
“Go talk to him,” Lydia nudged me, following my gaze.
“I don’t know...”
“Oh please, he’s been eye-fucking you for the last ten minutes. Besides, you’re not technically committed to anyone.”
She was right. The healers had made it clear that while the preliminary bond was established, it wouldn’t be permanently fixed for at least another two weeks. I was still my own person. The Nightfall Shield didn’t own me. Besides, they were clearly fucking other women.
Maybe this was exactly what I needed to remind myself and everyone else that I wasn’t just an extension of those four men. I could make my own choices, including who I wanted to spend my time with.
“Fuck it,” I said, handing Lydia my empty glass. “I’m going in.”
“Get that dick, girl,” she said as I left.
I made my way across the dance floor, never breaking eye contact with the Leo. When I reached him, he straightened, his smile widening.
“I was hoping you’d come over,” he said, his voice deep and smooth. “I’m Leo.”
I laughed. “Yes, I can tell. Your designation is pretty obvious.”
He grinned, showing perfect teeth. “No, I mean my name is actually Leo. Leo Daniels.”
“Of course it is,” I said, rolling my eyes but smiling. “Jupiter Black.”
“I know who you are. Everyone does.” His eyes traveled over me appreciatively. “The rumors don’t do you justice. You’re fucking stunning.”
Normally, a line like that would have made me cringe, but the drinks had dulled my critical faculties just enough that I found it charming instead.
“Want to dance?” I asked directly.
He didn’t hesitate, taking my hand and leading me back to the dance floor. The music had slowed to something with a sensual, hypnotic beat, and Leo pulled me close, his hands settling on my hips.
“I’ve been watching you all night,” he admitted as we moved together. “You’re not what I expected.”
“What did you expect?”
“Someone way more intimidating.” His fingers traced lightly over the serpent tattoos on my exposed midriff. “The way people talk about the thirteenth zodiac, I thought you’d be shooting lightning from your eyes or something.”
I laughed. “Sorry to disappoint. The lightning eyes are strictly a Tuesday thing.”
His hands were warm on my skin, and I leaned into his touch, letting myself enjoy the simple pleasure of being wanted. Maybe this was exactly what I needed, a night with someone who saw me as desirable for who I was and not because of magic.
As we danced, I let my mind wander to possibilities.
I could take him back to my room. Noodle would be annoyed at the intrusion, but he’d deal with it.
I could have one night of normalcy before the bond solidified and my life became irrevocably entangled with four men who hadn’t chosen me any more than I’d chosen them.
“What are you thinking about?” Leo asked, his lips near my ear.
“Just considering my options.”
His pupils dilated slightly. “I like the sound of that.”
We danced for another song, our bodies pressed closer with each passing minute. His hands were confident, sliding from my hips to the small of my back, fingers occasionally dipping just below the waistband of my jeans.
“You know,” he murmured against my neck, “my roommate’s away for the weekend.”
I was about to respond when a sudden chill ran down my spine. A presence—no, four distinct presences—pushed against my mental walls. The Nightfall Shield had entered the room.
Instinctively, I turned toward the entrance.
Percy was the first one I saw, his dark gaze scanning the room until it locked on me.
Beside him stood Draco, his white hair gleaming under the starlit ceiling.
Aiden and Eris flanked them, all four looking like they’d coordinated their outfits without trying. All black, as usual.
At the same moment, Lydia appeared at my side, her eyes wide. “Dreadwatch just walked in,” she hissed, nodding toward the opposite side of the room.
I followed her gaze to see Rafe and his shield entering, commanding almost as much attention as the Nightfall Shield had. The woman on Rafe’s arm was striking, tall, with long dark chestnut colored hair and piercing blue eyes. Valeria, I presumed. She certainly lived up to Lydia’s description.
“That’s her?” I asked, watching how possessively Valeria kept her hand on Rafe’s arm.
Lydia nodded, her earlier confidence visibly deflating. “I should go. This was a mistake.”
“No,” I said firmly, grabbing her wrist. “Don’t let her intimidate you. If you want him, show her you’re not backing down. Maybe ask her to dance. Throw her off her game.”
Through the bond, I felt waves of hostility rolling off the Nightfall Shield. Their emotions hammered against my mental barriers—anger, jealousy, possessiveness. Percy’s was the strongest, a burning rage that made my skin prickle even across the room.
Leo’s hands tightened on my hips. “Everything okay? You suddenly tensed up.”
I forced myself to relax, turning back to him with a strained smile. “Everything’s fine.”
I pulled him closer, making sure the Nightfall Shield had a clear view of us. If they thought they could control me, they had another thing coming. The bond might have been forced on all of us, but that didn’t give them the right to dictate my life.
Leo responded enthusiastically, one hand sliding into my hair as we moved to the music. I could feel the Nightfall Shield’s reaction, a spike of collective fury that was almost satisfying.
“You’re playing with fire,” Lydia whispered as she passed us, heading toward the bar where she could keep an eye on Rafe and Valeria.
Maybe I was, but fire had never scared me. I let Leo spin me around so my back was pressed against his chest, his hands splayed across my stomach. The bond thrummed with increasing anger, and I knew without looking that at least one of them was moving toward us.
“Want to get out of here?” Leo suggested, his lips brushing my ear.
For a moment, I was tempted. So tempted to walk out with him just to prove I could. But then I caught sight of Draco’s face across the room, his expression not angry like the others but hurt, genuinely hurt, and something in me faltered.
Before I could respond, a hand clamped firmly on Leo’s shoulder, pulling him back slightly.
“Do you have a death wish, Leo Daniels?” Percy’s voice was deceptively calm, but I could feel the rage boiling beneath the surface.
Leo looked between us, confusion giving way to understanding. “You’re with the Nightfall Shield? I didn’t realize—“
“She’s the Nightfall Shield’s axis,” Percy stated flatly. “Which I think you knew perfectly well.”
“It’s not official,” I snapped, anger flaring.
Percy’s dark eyes fixed on mine. “We need to talk. Now.”
“I’m clearly busy,” I replied, moving closer to Leo again.
Aiden appeared beside Percy, his golden eyes hard. “Either you come willingly, or we make a scene. Your choice, princess.”
The hostility radiating through the bond was so intense it was giving me a headache. Or maybe it was cosmic crashes catching up with me.
Leo raised his hands in surrender. “Look, I don’t want any trouble. I didn’t realize there was already something—“
“There isn’t,” I insisted, though the bond pulsing between us made that a lie.
“Jupiter,” Draco’s voice came from behind me, softer than the others but no less insistent. “Please.”
Something in his tone made me turn. The hurt I’d glimpsed earlier was still there in his eyes like a kick in the throat.
I sighed, turning back to Leo. “I’m sorry. I need to deal with this.”
He nodded, stepping back. “I get it. No hard feelings.” He shot a wary glance at the four men now surrounding me. “Though you might want to tell your shield that the territorial caveman act isn’t a great look.”
With that, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving me alone with four very angry warriors.
“What the actual fuck?” I hissed, crossing my arms over my chest.
Percy’s jaw was clenched so tight I thought he might crack a tooth. “Outside. Now.”
“No. I’m having a good time, and I don’t answer to you or any of you.”
Eris stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Jupiter, please. This isn’t the place for this conversation.”