As we walked, I noticed he kept a respectful distance, close enough to lead but not invade my space. It was a thoughtful gesture. I wasn’t sure how much overbearing male brooding I could physically take.
“How are you settling in?”
“I just arrived,” I reminded him. “But the tower’s nice. Different than I expected. Will mentioned… prophecies or something?”
James’s mouth quirked slightly. “Thomas needs to learn when to stay quiet.”
“So no prophecies.”
“I didn’t say that.” He gave me a sidelong look. “But some things are best explained by the informed.”
We turned a corner, revealing the Administration Wing, an impressive Tudor-style building with warmly glowing diamond-paned windows.
“The others are eager to meet you again,” James said as we approached the entrance.
“The others?”
“Stardust Shield. My brothers.”
“Oh, right. Yeah, it’ll be nice to see them again. They—you—were really kind at the gala. That night was uh, rough.” Internally I was cringing. That night wasn’t just rough. It fucked me up, and I was still crying myself to sleep at night.
He stopped at an ornate wooden door. “Winters’ office. I’ll wait and walk you to dinner after.”
“You don’t have to?—“
“Go on.” He leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “I’ll be here.”
I hesitated, then nodded. “Thank you, James.”
“Jamie. Call me Jamie.”
I smiled, and knocked on Professor Winters’ door. Her office, smaller than anticipated, was beautifully furnished with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a large desk against a window with a view of the grounds. Star charts and maps lined the walls, giving the room an academic feel without being overly stuffy.
“Ms. Black,” she greeted me, looking up from a stack of papers. “Right on time.”
“Professor.” I took the seat she offered, feeling Noodle tighten a bit around my arm.
“I’ll be direct,” she said, clasping her hands on the desk. “Your transfer is very unusual. Mid-year moves between academies are rare, especially for someone with an established shield team of such prestige.”
“I needed a change.”
That was putting things lightly.
“Indeed.” She examined me for a moment longer. “The official paperwork from Dominion cites ‘irreconcilable differences with current shield placement’ as the reason for transfer.” I kept my expression as neutral as I could despite the pain clanging through my chest. “Yet you were their axis at the Assembly gala.”
“Appearances aren’t always the entire story, Professor.”
She nodded absently, pulling a folder from her desk. “Quite so. I must say, your combat scores are exemplary. Director Waverly and Director Orion both speak highly of your control, though I do see a note here suggesting prioritizing field training.”
My lips twitched. “At first they had me in the field with an Assembly team. Mostly Class Three and Four bane incursions.”
“And you’re confident in your ability to handle real-world incursions without your shield?”
My heart gave a painful lurch. “Of course I am. I survived three years out there without them. I have no problem being alone.”
“Good to hear.” She closed the file. “At Imperium, Ms. Black, we have different expectations than Dominion. We’re older and more traditional in some ways, but also flexible, and I like to think we’re more understanding than our American counterparts. We understand the thirteenth designation operates by different rules.”
“You seem well-versed in Ophiuchus magic.”
