Professor Hartwell didn’t leave. Instead, she shifted uncomfortably. “Jupiter, I don’t know what happened between you and the Nightfall Shield, but?—“
“With all due respect,” I cut her off, “you have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Maybe not,” she conceded. “But I know what a broken bond looks like. I’ve seen zodiacs waste away from it.”
I laughed harshly. “Is that what this is? A wellness check?”
“It’s concern from someone who doesn’t believe you’re capable of what they’re saying.”
That caught me off guard. “What?”
“The emails,” she said simply. “I’ve known Director Orion for twenty years. Sensitive information like that would never be allowed via email.”
Something cold lodged in my chest. “You… don’t think I wrote them?”
“No,” she said firmly. “I don’t. And I’ve told Director Waverly as much.”
Before I could process this, heavy footsteps announced Tye’s arrival. He rounded the corner, his broad frame filling the hallway, eyes narrowing when he spotted Professor Hartwell.
“Everything okay here?” he asked, positioning himself slightly between us.
Professor Hartwell stepped back. “Just delivering a message. Think about what I said, Jupiter.”
After she left, Tye turned to me. “What was that about?”
“Nothing,” I said, the first flicker of something other than despair sparking in my chest. “Just another write-up.”
“Well, grab your stuff. Lydia’s waiting for us at the training hall.”
“Tye, I can’t?—“
“Yes, you can. Jupe, you can’t keep hiding. That’s exactly what they want.”
“Who?”
“Whoever set you up.” His eyes darkened. “I’m going to find them, by the way. And when I do, they’re going to wish they’d never been born.”
I didn’t argue as he practically dragged me to the training gym. My legs felt like lead, and every step closer to where I mightsee them filled me with dread. But Tye was right. Hiding was getting me nowhere.
The hall fell silent when I entered, dozens of eyes turning to stare. I kept my gaze fixed on the floor, letting Tye guide me to where Lydia waited.
“You look like shit,” she said by way of greeting, but her eyes were soft with concern.
“Thanks,” I mumbled.
“I got us a corner spot,” she said. “Away from everyone else.”
I nodded gratefully, and we began basic warm-ups. My body protested every movement, weak from lack of food and sleep. But gradually, the familiar routine began to calm my frayed nerves.
Until they walked in.
All four of them. They didn’t even glance in my direction, but I felt their awareness of me. Through the bond, I sensed their emotions shift—anger, disgust, and underneath it all, a confusing thread of longing they immediately suppressed.
The pain hit me so suddenly that I doubled over, gasping.
“Jupe?” Lydia was at my side instantly. “What is it?”
“Nothing,” I managed, straightening with effort. “Just a cramp.”
