Page 29 of Zodiac Hybrids

“That’s actually an interesting topic: The way an age gap or generational differences can play into astrological compatibility. But like any relationship, maturity levels can play a role in what characteristics are most prominent. We’ll discuss the Twelve Houses of Astrology later, but to put it simply, using your example of a young Virgo and an older Capricorn, Virgos have a tendency to over analyze to an extreme, and a younger, less mature person may not know how to identify their own over thinking versus reality.”

He paced as he continued his lecture, and I wondered if that was his own anti-anxiety coping mechanism. “Conversely, an older Capricorn, who’s already prone to be controlling, may take advantage of those insecurities that a more mature partner wouldn’t put up with. Intentional or not, that gap can be incredibly toxic when one is in a very different stage of life and confidence than the other.” The professor answered sharply, like he was accepting Marcus’ challenge while subtly digging at me at the same time. “Personally, I find Virgos can be too clingy for me. If you don’t call back the next day, they have a tendency to just show up at your door.”

God, kill me now. Laughter wafted quietly through the classroom, and it was definitely at my expense. Or maybe that was my overanalyzing, clingy Virgo mind that assumed so, I thought sarcastically. I’d have rolled my eyes if I wasn’t so mortified.

“I would think a Capricorn would like that, since they don’t date lightly.” Marcus happily parroted Adrian’s own words back to him, and I knew he was subtly sticking up for me, even if he was the one who put me in the spotlight in the first place. He disguised it well as being simple banter, and my blazing face started to cool a few degrees.

“Well, that’s probably why they’re largely considered compatible signs.” Adrian was nowhere near as good an actor as Marcus, which was… interesting. He was rattled easily when put on the spot like this. Despite paying me so little mind all week, now that he was forced to acknowledge me, in this context no less, he was sweating. Marcus seemed to know exactly how to get under his skin. “But while two earth signs have a chance at compatibility, two individual people can still deviate too far to be a functional or healthy unit. The stars may dictate some aspects of our personalities, but our experiences, relationships, and traumas can change our individual characteristics enough to null our innate energies.”

“Have you tested this though?” Marcus pushed again. I couldn’t help but wonder what he was trying to get the professor to admit. He seemed to either know something I didn’t, or he was just good at reading his discomfort and leaning into it.

“As a scientist, I know the importance of verifying theory, so yes, I’ve dated Virgos. I’ve also dated Gemini, Scorpios, and an Aquarius or two, just to be safe.” Adrian regained control of the conversation, bringing back his convincing smile. “I wouldn’t touch a Leo though.”

“Damn, that’s a bummer.” Marcus kept that shit-eating grin on his face the whole time. “Maybe in another life.”

“This is so interesting.” Linda chimed in again, and I could tell exactly how much Adrian loved that. The other students nodded along with interest or amusement, making it that much harder for the professor to back away from the topic he was obviously not interested in discussing. Some petty, vindictive part of me liked seeing him as uncomfortable as I’d been lately.

Linda situated her chin on her hands. “I’ve never had good luck with other air signs myself, despite being one. Maybe being too much the same is as problematic as being too different.”

“Excellent point.” Adrian latched onto that segue like a hungry stray with a steak. Or a desperate teacher who didn’t want to keep talking about his compatibility in front of the girl he fucked and ignored. “Which brings us to a much deeper dive into the way our lives play into our base personality traits.”

He masterfully redirected the conversation, and he finished out the hour on less volatile ground. Marcus kept a smug expression for the rest of the class, but was kind enough to say nothing further. As our club meeting came to an end, I got up at the same time that Marcus did, and I followed him to the door, hiding behind his larger frame.

I was almost home free when I heard “Lila” ring through the room, stopping me dead in my tracks.

“Good luck.” Marcus whispered over his shoulder. He gave me a wink, and I was suddenly not sure which one of us he’d been setting up. He walked through the door, and once again the heavy wood shut with a bang that sounded like the start of a prison sentence.

I swallowed, then slowly turned around to face Adrian Karras.

Chapter 15

“You just couldn’t let it lie, could you?” Professor Karras snapped the moment we were alone. “I was making a point to be impartial. To not say a thing when you waltzed into my class despite my warnings. It’s as if you completely forgot what I’d done to you.”

“It was Marcus who—”

“You wanted my attention. Now you have it. Don’t waste it with bullshit.” He cut me off, and the fact that he was sort of right had me backing down.

While I hadn’t told Marcus to do that, even in all of my horror, I was still glad it had bridged into a dialog. I didn’t know that I would have been able to work up the gall to do it myself in this lifetime.

I took a deep breath, then I lifted my gaze to his. “Fine. You’re right. I couldn’t just ‘let it lie.’” I allowed myself to feel all the anger and frustration I’d been storing. “I couldn’t just forget about what happened. Who the hell could? You… You’re not human. I didn’t even know things like you existed, and you expect me to just forget that my first time ever having someone else inside me…” He winced at the reminder, but I wasn’t going to back down. “That I would just brush off the fact that I was pinned down by a monster, taken against my will—”

“Bullshit.” He interrupted again. “I can’t fucking take you against your will in that form, even if I’d wanted to. You had to give me permission. Even ‘monsters’ are bound by rules.” He crossed his arms over his chest like he was creating a barrier between us. “Let’s be clear, Lila. You’re correct. I’m not human, and I never have been. Most of this goddamn school isn’t human, and I doubt you are either.”

“What?”

Adrian continued. “Half of my bloodline belongs to the Zodiac Shifters, and I’ve been ruled by the stars since the day I was born. The other half belongs to the incubus, who’s been ruled by emotion for just as long. And up until last week, I’ve kept both parts of me in check for thirty-four goddamn years.” He approached me, and I cowered back a step. “When you opened the door that night, you chose to be my prey. When you said yes to me, you sealed your fate.” He chuckled low and cruel before he shoved me back. I stumbled over my own feet. “And when you took my come in your tight, virgin pussy, you made yourself my mark.”

“W-what do you mean—”

“Oh, you sound so scared now. What happened to that bold, tough, brazen girl who sauntered into my class against my best warnings?” He closed the gap again, and my knees buckled when I backed into a desk. I fell back, thankful for the wooden surface that caught me. “I can’t wait to see how tough you still think you are when you get fucked by the Taurus.” He placed his hand on my cheek. “When you’re pinned down by the Scorpio.” He gripped my face roughly, not letting me turn away. “When you’re being hunted by the Sagittarius.” A low chuckle chilled me to the bone. This was a different face of the professor I’d only seen glimpses of, and it had me frozen and terrified. “So fucking bold, Lila.” He inched in closer, until his warm breath feathered my cheek.

“Y-you’re not that evil.” I didn’t know if I was saying that for him or for me. “You wouldn’t hurt me. I can see it in the way you keep pushing me away. The way you avoid me. Even that night, you made a point to heal every cut and scrape. You’re trying so hard to make me hate you, but I don’t believe it.” My obstinance surprised even me.

“Is that what you think?”

“I…” I didn’t have an answer. I didn’t know him well enough to back up any of my claims, but something in my heart told me it had to be true.

But then, maybe that was just talk from a scared, naïve, inexperienced kid, who cared that he took my virginity way more than I wanted to admit. Maybe I just didn’t want to say I was used and discarded by such an awful person.