Chapter 27 #2
Cameras flashed as we made our way up the steps.
I heard my name being called from all directions, questions about my Ophis designation, about the bond with Nightfall, about the rumors of unrest at Dominion.
I ignored them all, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other, on maintaining the facade for just a few more hours.
“Jupiter! Is it true you can create portals?” someone shouted.
“Nightfall Shield! How does it feel to be bonded to the first Ophis in recorded history?”
“Ms. Black! There are rumors you’re transferring to London—is there trouble in paradise?”
That last question made Percy’s hand tense against my back again. I kept my expression carefully neutral as we reached the top of the steps.
As we entered the grand ballroom of the Celestial Hall, I felt Noodle tighten slightly around my wrist. His dark scales glinted under the crystal chandeliers, drawing curious and sometimes fearful glances from nearby guests.
A woman in an emerald gown stepped too close, trying to get a better look, and Noodle lifted his head, hissing softly in warning.
She retreated quickly, nearly spilling her champagne.
“He’s getting protective,” Aiden murmured close to my ear, his breath warm against my skin. “Can’t say I blame him.”
I didn’t respond, just stroked Noodle’s head with one finger to calm him. Through our frayed bond, I could feel the Nightfall Shield’s anxiety as they positioned themselves strategically around me, all of them scanning the crowd like they expected an attack at any moment.
The ballroom was stunning, with constellations magically projected across the ceiling, moving slowly as if we were watching the actual night sky. Zodiac symbols adorned the walls in glowing light, twelve of them arranged in a perfect circle. No thirteenth. Of course.
“Jupiter!”
I turned at the sound of my name, and my heart stopped. Standing near one of the tall windows were my parents, both dressed formally and looking utterly out of place among the Assembly elite. My mother’s face lit up when our eyes met, her arms already opening.
Before I could think, I was moving toward them, breaking away from my shield without a backward glance. Tears blurred my vision as I crashed into my mother’s embrace, her familiar scent of vanilla and sandalwood wrapping around me like a security blanket.
“Mommy,” I choked out, clinging to her like I was drowning. “Daddy. What are you doing here?”
My father’s strong arms surrounded us both. “Did you think we’d miss seeing our daughter presented as an axis to the most prestigious shield at Dominion? Director Waverly arranged everything.”
I pulled back slightly, wiping at my eyes and praying my makeup wasn’t ruined. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
My mother cupped my face in her hands, her eyes searching mine. “We wanted to surprise you.” Her smile faltered as she studied me more closely. “Oh, baby. You look beautiful, but your eyes...”
“I’m fine,” I lied, forcing a smile.
“No, you’re not,” she said quietly.
In the darkest moments after the Nightfall Shield had abandoned me, I’d called my mother and sobbed until I had no tears left, telling her everything about the emails, about their betrayal, about how they’d tried to erase me.
“We support your decision to transfer,” my father said, his voice gentle but firm. “London will be good for you. A fresh start.”
Fresh tears threatened to spill over. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
“Jupiter.” Percy’s voice behind me made me tense. “We should greet the Assembly Council.”
I turned to find all four of them standing there, watching my reunion with barely concealed anxiety. They knew what I’d told my parents. They knew exactly how my family would view them now.
“Mr. and Mrs. Black. It’s an honor to finally meet you. I’m Percy Whitlock, and this is Aiden Reece, Draco Hawthorne, and Eris Grant.”
My father’s smile was glacial as he extended his hand. “Mr. Whitlock. We’ve heard quite a bit about you and your shield.”
The temperature seemed to drop several degrees. My mother didn’t even attempt a smile, just nodded curtly at each of them in turn.
“Jupiter speaks very highly of you both,” Draco said, clearly trying to salvage the situation.
“We can’t say the same, I’m afraid,” my mother replied, her voice dripping with polite venom.
Eris actually flinched. Good.
“The Assembly Council is waiting,” Aiden reminded us.
“Go,” my father told me. “We’ll be right here. We’re not going anywhere.”
I hugged them once more before allowing the shield to guide me toward where several distinguished-looking Assembly members stood conversing.
Each touch from them felt like a burning brand.
Percy’s hand at the small of my back, Aiden’s fingers brushing mine as he handed me a glass of champagne, Draco’s arm against mine as we stood listening to some Council member drone on about cooperation between academies.
For the next hour, we moved through the crowd like the perfect unit we were supposed to be. I smiled and nodded and answered questions about my Ophis designation, all while feeling like I was being torn apart from the inside.
“You’re doing great,” Percy murmured as we moved away from a particularly tedious conversation. “Just a few more hours.”
“Don’t talk to me like we’re friends,” I hissed through my smile.
His eyes darkened with hurt, but before he could respond, a new group approached us. Five men, all strikingly handsome in tailored suits, moved through the crowd with the confidence of shield warriors, but not ones I recognized from Dominion.
“Nightfall Shield,” the tallest of them greeted, extending his hand to Percy. “Lucas Bennett. We’ve heard a great deal about you.” His accent was heavily British.
Percy’s grip visibly tightened as they shook hands. “Bennett. I wasn’t aware Stardust Shield would be attending tonight.”
“Last-minute invitation from the Assembly,” Lucas replied with a charming smile.
His eyes shifted to me, and his expression softened with interest. “And you must be Jupiter Black. The Ophis designation. I’m afraid everyone failed to mention how breathtaking you are.
Your director was just telling us about you and your time at Dominion. ”
I couldn’t help but smile back.”All good things, I hope.”
“Absolutely fascinating things,” he corrected, his icy blue eyes glowing slightly. The other members of his shield moved closer, forming a loose semicircle around us.
Lucas introduced them one by one. James, with his bright cat-like green eyes and quick smile, Theo, with dark slightly wavy hair falling to his shoulders, Phoenix, whose golden-brown skin seemed to glow under the chandelier light; and finally Rowan, with muscles, a beard, and dark curls pulled into a knot, with an easy laugh that made something warm unfurl in my chest.
“We’ve heard you might be joining us in London soon,” Rowan said, leaning in close enough that his words were just for me. His eyes flicked to the Nightfall Shield and back, one eyebrow raising in silent question.
I felt a surge of possessive fury through the bond that nearly made me gasp. All four of my shield members had gone rigid, their expressions hardening into barely contained hostility.
“Yes,” I confirmed, meeting Rowan’s gaze directly. “I’ll be transferring in a few days, actually. Alone.”
“Wonderful,” Lucas said, stepping closer. “We’d be happy to show you around, help you get settled.” His eyes traveled appreciatively over my dress, lingering just long enough to be flattering without crossing into disrespectful. “London can be quite overwhelming at first.”
“I’m sure Jupiter will manage just fine,” Percy cut in, his voice tight. “She’s extremely capable.”
“Oh, we’ve heard,” James said with a knowing smile. “The stories from Philadelphia are impressive. Taking down a Class Five bane breach single-handedly? That’s not something we see every day.”
I blinked in surprise. “You’ve heard about that?”
“Of course,” Theo said. “Word travels fast in our world. Especially when it concerns the first Ophis designation in recorded history.”
“And especially when that Ophis is as stunning as you, love,” Rowan added, his smile making my cheeks heat.
I felt the Nightfall Shield’s collective anger spike to dangerous levels.
Aiden’s hands were clenched at his sides, golden light flickering beneath his skin.
Draco’s expression had gone completely blank, which I knew meant he was furious.
Eris looked like he might actually throw a punch at any moment.
And Percy—Percy was radiating such intense rage that I was surprised the champagne glasses nearby didn’t shatter.
“I’m looking forward to London even more then,” I said, deliberately ignoring their reactions. “A fresh start sounds perfect right now.”
Lucas’s eyes sparkled with understanding. He knew exactly what was happening, what the rumors said about me and the Nightfall Shield, and he was clearly enjoying their discomfort.
“If you’ll excuse us,” Percy said stiffly, “dinner is about to be served.”
“Of course,” Lucas replied smoothly. “We’ll catch up later, I’m sure.” He turned to me with a warm smile. “Save me a dance, Jupiter?”
I nodded, but before I could respond, Aiden’s hand closed around my upper arm. “We should find our table.”
I yanked my arm free, giving him a cold look.
The dinner that followed was excruciating.
I sat between Percy and Aiden, forced to make small talk with Assembly dignitaries while pretending I wasn’t acutely aware of every breath, every movement, every glance from the men surrounding me.
The food was exquisite, but I barely tasted it, too preoccupied with maintaining my facade of calm.
When the orchestra began playing and couples started moving to the dance floor, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Rowan stood there, hand extended and a mischievous smile on his face.