“Jupiter,” I gasped, the name escaping before I could stop it. I came with a groan, spilling into my hand as the water washed the evidence away.
What the fuck was wrong with me? This woman was a potential threat to everything we’d built, and here I was jerking off to thoughts of her.
NINE
Jupiter
I stifleda yawn as Professor Simon droned on about the bane, my pen tapping idly against my notebook. It was the third class this week covering material I’d memorized during my Assembly training. The lecture hall was filled with first-years hanging on his every word, and a few third years who were probably taking it as an elective, but for me, it was like sitting through a children’s bedtime story I’d outgrown.
“The bane, as we understand them, are composed primarily of dark matter,” Professor Simon explained, his voice carrying the same enthusiasm as someone reading a grocery list. “This composition makes them invisible to human perception, but visible to those with zodiac designations—or as we were originally known on our home worlds, the Aelari.”
I’d heard this lecture so many times I could probably give it myself. The projector behind him displayed images of bane encounters—grainy footage that didn’t begin to capture the horror of facing one in real combat. The smell, the way reality warped around them, the bone-deep chill that settled into yourbody when they were near... none of that translated to academic slides.
“We Aelari fought the bane for thousands of years across multiple galaxies,” Simon continued, adjusting his glasses. “Our ancestors’ portal magic allowed our species to spread throughout the stars, creating vast networks of societies. Each of these societies developed their own shield warrior traditions to combat the bane threat.”
I felt a tug on my hair and stiffened. Without turning I knew exactly who it was. Aiden Reece had deliberately chosen the seat directly behind me, and now he was playing with my ponytail, rolling the end between his fingers. I ignored him, focusing on Simon’s lecture.
“While we can’t be certain of their exact origins, many scholars believe the bane emerged from the event horizons of black holes,” Simon said, clicking to the next slide. “Their ability to create portals themselves is limited compared to what the ancient Aelari could do. This limitation is why it took them so long to locate Earth after the First Crossing.”
Another tug, harder this time. I clenched my jaw but kept my eyes forward.
“The bane can sense zodiac magic across vast distances,” Simon explained. “They track these energy signatures, hunting our kind specifically because they feed on what we might call the soul or life force.”
I felt fingers actually running through my hair now, and it took all my self-control not to whip around and slam Aiden’s face into his desk. Instead, I shifted in my seat, trying to pull my hair out of his reach without making a scene.
“Ms. Black,” Professor Simon called suddenly, and I snapped to attention. “Since you’ve had practical experience with the bane, perhaps you could share some insights with the class about their vulnerabilities?”
Great. Now every eye in the room was on me.
“They’re extremely resilient,” I said, keeping my voice steady despite feeling Aiden pinch a strand of my hair again. “Physical weapons have minimal effect unless infused with zodiac magic. Different designations have varying levels of effectiveness depending on the type of bane you’re facing.”
“Could you elaborate on that?” Simon prompted.
I nodded, trying to ignore the persistent tugging at my scalp. “Scorpio magic tends to work well against the smaller, faster varieties because the venom properties slow their movements. Leo magic burns through their outer layers effectively. Ophis magic...” I paused, feeling the room tense at the mention of my designation. “Ophis magic can disrupt their ability to create portals, trapping them in our dimension where they’re more vulnerable. We can also manifest starlight weapons, which when plunged into a bane’s body, can destroy them.”
“Fascinating,” Simon said, actually sounding interested for the first time. “And how would you describe?—”
I felt a sharp pull on my ponytail and finally lost my patience. I turned abruptly, fixing Aiden with an icy glare. “Touch my hair again and I’ll portal your fingers up into your own asshole.”
Aiden’s golden eyes widened slightly, but his lips curved into a smirk. Beside him, Eris stifled a laugh, disguising it as a cough.
“Is there a problem, Ms. Black?” Professor Simon asked.
I turned back around. “No, Professor. Just clarifying something with a classmate.”
“As I was saying,” Simon continued, “the bane’s feeding process is what makes them particularly dangerous. They don’t simply kill. They consume the very essence of their victims.”
Aiden leaned forward until I could feel his breath on my ear. “I’d like toconsumesomeone else, I think.”
I ignored him, but felt another tug on my hair almost immediately. This time, I didn’t react, which seemed to annoy him more than my threat had. Small victories.
“While the bane are formidable opponents, properly trained zodiac warriors in shield formations can dispatch them efficiently. The bond between shield members and their axis amplifies individual powers to levels that can overwhelm even the most resilient bane entities.”
I felt something new—fingers tracing the serpent tattoo visible on my exposed shoulder. I tensed, a strange shiver running down my spine that wasn’t entirely unpleasant. Damn it.
Aiden whispered, just loud enough for me to hear, “Do they move when you use your magic?”
I didn’t answer, but I couldn’t stop the goosebumps rising on my skin.
