Chapter 1 #2
I wanted to love Dominion too, and I had, having fallen in love with the library on the first day, but that turned out to be a bust. Maybe it was a good idea to remain detached.
We reached the base of Ophiuchus Tower, and next to it was a smaller stretch of building that connected it to what I presumed was the Scorpio dorm.
A narrow door was set into the dark stone, and above it, carved into the lintel, was the symbol of Ophiuchus—a serpent eating its own tail, right next to a scorpion.
“Home sweet home,” I muttered, stepping inside the unlocked wooden door.
Instead of the dusty, abandoned space I’d imagined, the circular room was warm and welcoming.
A fire crackled in a stone hearth, casting dancing shadows on walls lined with bookshelves.
Comfortable furniture was arranged in clusters, and a spiral staircase wound upward along the tower’s inner wall on both sides, leading to each tower.
“Your private quarters are at the top,” Will said, heading for the stairs on the right. “The common levels are shared with Scorpio students, though there aren’t many this term—just ten. They’re good people.”
Ten. Back at Dominion, each designation had dozens. In a way, this might actually be better. Less pressure, less social climbing. Unless it was worse in such close quarters, with their own batch of powerful families vying for a spot at the top.
I followed him up the winding staircase, passing several landings with doors leading to additional rooms or hallways. As we climbed, the staircase narrowed until we reached a small landing with a single door.
“This is you,” Will said, setting down my bags and stepping aside.
The room—or rather, rooms—were stunning.
A large circular space formed the main living area, with windows on all sides offering breathtaking views of the misty forest. A four-poster bed stood against one wall, draped in deep blue hangings.
A desk, wardrobe, and sitting area completed the furnishings.
Two additional doors led off to what I assumed were a bathroom and another room with a small kitchenette.
I whistled low. “It’s not what I expected at all, and that’s a good thing.”
Will grinned. “Imperium takes care of its own.”
I set Noodle’s case on the floor and opened it fully. He slithered out immediately, tongue flicking as he explored his new surroundings.
‘Warm,’ he approved, moving toward the fireplace. ‘Better than the last.’
“Noodle likes it warm. Does it get drafty all the way up here? I know the tower is ancient and it’s always rainy here…”
“The heating system runs through the stones,” Will explained, watching Noodle with fascination. “The tower stays warm year-round, so your familiar should be completely comfortable. There’s a hearth over there as well.” He pointed to the far wall in the sitting room.
Will set my bags near the wardrobe and backed toward the door. “I should let you get settled. Dinner is at seven in the Great Hall, but remember to see Professor Winters before that. Her office is in the Administration Wing—I can show you the way if you’d like.”
“That would be nice, thank you, Will.”
“I’ll come by at six-thirty, then?” He grinned as I nodded. “It really is amazing to meet you, Jupiter Black. A real Ophis.” He shook his head in wonder. “If you don’t mind me asking... What’s it like when you use your powers?”
I considered the question. No one had ever asked me that before; they’d always cared more about what I could do than how it felt.
I held up my hand, letting a small swirl of silver light dance across my palm. “It feels like touching something ancient and alive. It’s scary, and thrilling, but mostly fun too.”
Will’s eyes went wide, reflecting the starlight. “Incredible,” he breathed out excitedly. “Thank you for sharing that. I can’t wait to watch you in combat. You’re going to kick ass, as the Americans say.”
After he left, I sank onto the bed, suddenly exhausted. Noodle slithered up beside me, his cool scales soft against my hand.
‘You like?’
“I’m not sure yet. I think we could be comfortable here as long as everything goes exactly right for the next three years.”
Yeah, not fucking likely with my glorious track record.
‘The boy asks many questions.’
I smiled. “He does. But he’s kind.”
‘Kindness can be deceptive.’
“I know.” I stroked his head gently. “Believe me, I know. But I’ve got you to protect me, right?”
‘I shall vanquish all enemies…’
I must have drifted off, because the next thing I knew, my phone was buzzing insistently beside me.
The room had darkened as the sun began its descent, casting shadows across the unfamiliar floor.
For a moment, I forgot where I was, my hand instinctively reaching across the bed for someone who wasn’t there.
I blinked sleep from my eyes and grabbed my phone, seeing Tye and Lydia’s faces lighting up my screen for a video call.
“There she is!” Tye’s familiar grin filled half the screen, Lydia squeezing in beside him. “The London lady herself.”
“Hey,” I said, my voice still rough with sleep. “Sorry, I dozed off.”
“Already making yourself at home, I see.” I could hear voices in the background—laughter, conversation, the familiar sounds of Dominion’s common areas. My heart gave a painful squeeze.
“The room’s actually pretty nice,” I admitted, angling my phone to give them a quick view. “Better than I expected.”
“Fancy,” Tye whistled. “Is that a fireplace in your bedroom? Meanwhile, we’re still dealing with radiators that sound like they’re summoning demons.”
“They gave me the top floor of a freaking stone tower.”
“Of course they have a stone tower,” Lydia rolled her eyes. “Leave it to the British to be extra about everything.”
I shifted to sit up, propping myself against the headboard. “How are things there?”
Something passed between them—a quick glance I might have missed if I didn’t know them so well.
“Same old,” Tye said too casually.
“Lydia,” I pressed, knowing she’d crack.
She sighed. “They’re miserable, if that’s what you’re asking. No one sees them except for in training, and it’s only because they’re hard to miss. Aiden lost his shit yesterday and burned down one of the training rooms. Almost got expelled.”
“Unfortunate,” I said, trying to sound as bored as possible.
But I’d felt it, what she was describing. There’d been a massive wave of heat and rage through the bond, but instead of prodding to find out what was happening, I masked it with a mental wall of ice.
“Oh!” Lydia suddenly brightened. “Someone wants to say hi—Rafe!”
The camera shifted, and I caught sight of Rafe walking past in the background. He paused, then leaned into frame, his easy smile exactly as I remembered it.
“Hey, Jupiter,” he waved. “How’s London treating you?”
Rafe was a massive man, with muscles for days.
I could see exactly why Lydia was all moon-eyed over him.
Last I heard from him, he’d actually called me right before I left Dominion and apologized for the way he treated me, even if it wasn’t to my face.
I appreciated it though, and gave Lydia even more of my approval.
“So far so good. I hear Dreadwatch is top ranking since you bonded with Lydia. Congrats.”
His smile widened, genuine warmth in his green eyes. “Thanks! We got fucking lucky.” He glanced at Lydia with such obvious affection that I felt another painful twist in my chest. That was how a shield should look at their axis. “Anyway, don’t be a stranger, okay?”
He disappeared from view as quickly as he’d appeared, leaving me with a lump in my throat.
“So,” Tye said, “have you met any hot British shield warriors yet?”
I snorted. “I’ve been here for all of three hours, Tye.”
“That’s plenty of time. Remember when we met? You threatened to stab me within the first five minutes. That’s called connection, sweetheart.”
“You deserved it,” Lydia and I said in unison.
She told me all about her progress with her new shield, Tye’s latest escapades, campus gossip I no longer had any stake in but still found myself hungry for. It felt normal, this connection to my old life, but also increasingly distant, like watching a movie of a place I used to live.
I glanced at the time and sighed. “I’ve got to go soon. Meeting with Professor Winters before dinner.”
“Already getting called to the principal’s office?” Tye teased. “That’s got to be a record, even for you.”
“It’s just to go over my schedule,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Though I’m sure I’ll find a way to get in trouble by tomorrow.”
“That’s our Jupe.”
“I miss you guys,” I said roughly, trying my hardest to keep the pesky tears at bay.
“We miss you too,” Lydia said softly. “It’s not the same here without you.”
“Call us anytime,” Tye added. “Day or night. Doesn’t matter.”
“I will.” I swallowed hard. “I should go.”
We said our goodbyes, and I ended the call before they could see the tears that had begun to gather in my eyes. I sat there for a moment, phone clutched in my hand.
‘Sad?’
“Just tired,” I lied, wiping at my eyes with the back of my hand. “Come on, we’ve got a meeting to get to.”
I stood and moved to the bathroom to splash cold water on my face.
My reflection stared back at me, eyes a bit red but otherwise composed.
I brushed out my long black hair until it fell in smooth waves down my back, then threw on a dark gray ballcap that used to be my dad’s before returning to the bedroom.
“Ready for an adventure?”
Noodle slithered up, coiling comfortably around my wrist, his scales gleaming in the fading light. ‘Off to find the rats...’
I grabbed my long coat, headed for the door, and took one last look at my new room. It was beautiful, comfortable, everything I could want, and yet it didn’t feel like mine. Not yet. Maybe it never would.