“It doesn’t have to be the end,” Eris said.
I finally looked at him, letting him see the emptiness in my eyes. “Sorry doesn’t fix what’s broken,” I said simply. “And Iambroken. You all made damn sure of that. But if I want to glue myself back together strong enough to replace you with a better shield, then I will. Because I’m better than what you turned me into.”
The raw pain that flashed across each of their faces should have satisfied me. Instead, it just made the ache in my chest worse. I turned away again, focusing on the city lights beyond the window as we crossed the bridge into Manhattan an hour later.
“For what it’s worth,” Draco said, “Melissa has been expelled. The Assembly is investigating her family.”
“Good for them,” I said flatly.
The rest of the ride passed in silence, tension thick enough to choke on. I kept my eyes fixed on the passing scenery,pretending I couldn’t feel their stares, their longing, their regret pulsing against the barriers I’d erected.
When we finally arrived at the Celestial Hall, I had to fight to keep my expression neutral. The historic building had been transformed for the evening, its grand facade illuminated with magical lights that shifted through the colors of the zodiac designations. The red carpet leading to the entrance was lined with reporters and photographers, all eager to capture the arrival of the elite zodiac warriors and their axes. To any human, this would look like some kind of movie premier, but they’d walk on me without a second thought.
“Remember the plan,” Percy said as the car stopped. “We present as a united shield tonight. No matter what’s happening between us privately.”
I nodded stiffly. “I know my part.”
Eris exited first, extending his hand to help me out. I took it briefly, the first physical contact I’d allowed any of them in weeks. His fingers tightened around mine for just a moment, his amber eyes searching my face. I pulled away quickly, steeling myself as cameras began flashing around us.
The others emerged, arranging themselves around me in the protective formation of a shield with their axis. Percy at my right, Aiden at my left, Draco and Eris flanking us. To anyone watching, we would appear exactly as expected—the prestigious Nightfall Shield and their powerful Ophis axis, united and formidable.
Only we knew the truth. That this was the final act in a tragedy none of us had seen coming.
“Smile, honey,” Percy murmured close to my ear as we began walking toward the entrance. “They’re all watching.”
I did smile, a perfect curve of my dark red lips that never reached my eyes. His hand at the small of my back tightened fractionally before relaxing again. Through the bond, a waveof such intense anguish crashed against my barriers that for a moment, they nearly buckled. I reinforced them quickly, refusing to be drawn in by his pain.
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 façade 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 werewatching 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...”
