average human’s Reviews > The 13th Zodiac > Status Update

Twenty minutes later, I was lacing up my running shoes at the trailhead where Lydia was already stretching, her dark curls pulled into a messy bun. The moment she saw me, her expression shifted to concern.
“You look like shit, Jupe.”
“Thanks. That’s exactly what I needed to hear right now.”
We set off at an easy pace, the forest path soft beneath our feet. The academy grounds extended far into these woods, but the wards kept us safe from anything lurking beyond, especially humans who might wander too far out here. Birds chirped overhead and sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating dappled patterns on the trail. It felt normal, which was exactly what I needed.
“So,” Lydia said after we’d settled into a flow state, “I heard about what happened yesterday.”
I groaned. “Of course you did. The whole damn academy probably knows by now.”
“That Lyssa girl is a piece of work. I almost punched her myself when I heard what she said.”
“I should have,” I muttered. “But that would’ve just confirmed everyone’s suspicions that I’m some kind of unhinged freak.”
We rounded a bend in the trail, our footfalls synchronizing naturally.
“I need some advice,” Lydia said, changing the subject, “I’ve been spending more time with Rafe.”
“Rafe? The leader of the Dreadwatch Shield?” I raised my eyebrows.
She smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly. “He’s not so bad once you get to know him. Actually, he’s really interesting. Did you know he specializes in ancient zodiac texts?”
“Fascinating,” I said dryly. “And the fact that he’s built like a Greek god has nothing to do with your interest?”
“I mean, it doesn’t hurt.” She laughed. “But seriously, I think our magic might be compatible. When we train together, there’s this... resonance. It’s hard to explain.”
“That’s a good sign,” I said. “Have you met the rest of his shield?”
Her pace slowed slightly. “Yeah, so that’s where your advice would come in super clutch right now. Most of them seem great, but there’s this woman, Valeria. She’s territorial.”
“Territorial how?”
“Like she thinks she has some kind of claim on all of them. She’s not an axis, but a shield warrior, so she already has a bond with them. Whenever I’m around, she makes these little snide comments, touches Rafe’s arm, and stands too close.”
We jogged in silence for a moment while I considered this. The path narrowed, forcing us to run single-file until it widened again.
“Shields already share bond mates. Would it be so hard to share another woman? You’re bi anyway so it’s not like it’s out of the realm of possibility.”
She snorted. “I don’t think she feels the same way. She seems very male centered, and she’s never had a legitimate challenge for their attention. Which sucks because she’s pretty hot, and I wouldn’t have been opposed to it.”
“Exactly. See? You just need to break her down. Maybe spend some time with just her and see if maybe there’s something there. You’re sexy as fuck, so she probably doesn’t stand a chance. If you and Rafe have genuine compatibility, then I think it’s at least worth trying. The worst she can do is tell you to fuck off. It’s not like there aren’t a dozen other shields who would salivate at the thought of bonding with you.”
She laughed. “Maybe.” Lydia didn’t sound convinced. “But what if she makes things difficult? What if the rest of the shield chooses her side?”
“Then they’re not the right shield for you,” I said simply. “A true bond has to be mutual. All parties involved have to want it. Otherwise, it becomes... well, exactly what I’m dealing with right now.”
The sound of running water reached us, and we slowed as the path opened to a small clearing with a stream cutting through it. By silent agreement, we stopped, both of us breathing hard from the exertion. I knelt by the stream, splashing cool water on my face and the back of my neck. Lydia joined me, groaning at the coolness on her skin.
“You really think I should keep pursuing this with Rafe?” she asked after a moment.
“I think you should trust your instincts. If it feels right with him, don’t let someone else’s jealousy get in the way. But make sure the whole shield is on board before you commit to anything. Don’t step on any toes if you don’t have to.”
She nodded, looking thoughtful. “How are you really doing with all this?”
I sighed, trailing my fingers through the cool water. “Honestly? I don’t even know. One minute I’m dying in a cave, and the next I’ve got four guys in my head all the time. I never wanted this. Not like this anyway. Now I’m stuck with four men who didn’t want me either.”
Lydia winced. “That’s rough.”
“The worst part is—” I hesitated, splashing more water on my face to hide the emotions I knew were showing through. But this was Lydia, she would understand. “The worst part is I feel guilty for being frustrated. They saved my life. I should be grateful. But instead, I’m angry that this choice was taken from all of us.”
“You’re allowed to feel that way, Jupe. Gratitude and frustration aren’t mutually exclusive.”
“I know.” I stood up, stretching my arms above my head. “I just wish I could shut off my brain for a while, you know? Stop overthinking everything.”
Lydia’s face brightened. “Actually, I might have the perfect solution for that.” She grinned mischievously. “There’s a party tonight in the Sagittarius recreation parlor. Just music, drinks, and normal college bullshit.”
“A party?” The concept seemed so foreign after everything that had happened. “I don’t know...”
“When’s the last time you just had fun? Let loose a little? Before all this Ophis destiny crap took over your life?”
I thought about it and realized I couldn’t remember. The Assembly had kept me so busy fighting bane that I’d barely had time to breathe, let alone party.
“You know what? You’re right. I need this.” A smile spread across my face, the first genuine one in days. “What time does it start?”
“Nine. I’ll meet you at your room at eight-thirty so we can get ready together.” Lydia looked pleased with herself. “It’ll be good for you. You’re a bad bitch, and I need to remind you every now and then, apparently.”
We finished our run at a more leisurely pace. By the time we reached the academy grounds again, I was actually looking forward to the evening.
Back in my room, Noodle greeted me with a hiss. ‘You smell like outside,’ he commented, his tongue flicking rapidly.
“That’s because I was outside, genius.” I flopped onto my bed, staring up at the ceiling. “I’m going to a party tonight.”
‘Party?’ He tilted his head curiously. ‘Will there be mice?’
“Definitely not. And you’re staying here.”
‘Boring,’ he huffed, coiling himself into a tight spiral on my pillow.
I felt a tentative brush against my mind, one of the shield testing our connection. I’d been blocking them as much as possible since yesterday, but it was exhausting to maintain the walls constantly. After a moment’s hesitation, I let the barrier thin slightly.
Concern filtered through. Draco, then. His mental presence was distinctive, cooler and calmer than the others.
Are you alright? his thoughts whispered.
Fine, I replied curtly, not inviting further conversation.
A pause.
We need to talk eventually, Jupiter.
Not today, I answered, then reinforced my mental walls.
I heard him sigh in the back of my mind before his presence receded respectfully. At least one of them understood boundaries.
Rolling onto my side, I checked the time. Hours yet before I needed to get ready, but anticipation was already building. Tonight, I wouldn’t be the Ophis designation or the Nightfall Shield’s axis. I’d just be Jupiter Black, a normal student at a normal party, having a normal good time.
For one night, I could pretend my life wasn’t a complicated mess. For one night, I could just be me.

WHEN LYDIA KNOCKED on my door that evening, I was already dressed in black jeans that hugged my curves and a casual black crop top that showed off my serpent tattoos. I’d let my hair down, the long black waves reaching my waist, and had applied more makeup than usual—smoky eyeshadow that made my silver eyes pop and deep red lipstick.
Lydia whistled when I opened the door. “Damn, girl. You clean up nice.”
“You’re lookin sexy, Lyd,” I replied, taking in her fitted blue dress that perfectly complemented her dark skin. “Ready to raise some hell?”
She grinned, linking her arm through mine. “Absolutely. Let’s get fucked up.”
As we headed toward the Sagittarius dorm, I felt the weight of the past weeks lifting from my shoulders.
We arrived at the party a little after nine, and I immediately felt the thrum of magic in the air. The Sagittarius recreation parlor had been transformed completely. The ceiling was a breathtaking illusion of the night sky, constellations swirling and shifting above us like we were standing beneath an open universe. Stars occasionally shot across the darkness, leaving trails of silver light that lingered for seconds before fading.
“Holy shit,” I breathed. “This is incredible.”
The large room was packed with bodies moving to the low, pulsing beat. Most of the lighting came from glowing drinks that people carried—cocktails infused with luminescence magic that cast pretty blue, purple, and green glows across faces.
“Sagittarius always throws the best parties,” Lydia said over the music, leading me toward a makeshift bar in the corner.
They were astral projectors if I remembered right. Many of them specialized in the entertainment industry, and I could see why.
I braced myself for the usual stares and whispers that followed me everywhere, but surprisingly, people just nodded or smiled as we passed. No one seemed particularly bothered by the presence of the infamous Ophis in their midst.
“Two cosmic crashes,” Lydia told the guy mixing drinks, who nodded and began pouring glowing blue liquid into glasses.
“People seem oddly normal tonight, should I be worried?” I asked, scanning the room.
Lydia handed me a glass pulsing with blue light. “That’s because everyone’s here to forget about zodiac politics for one night. It’s a party rule—leave your designation drama at the door.”
I took a sip and nearly choked. “Fuck, that’s strong!”
“That’s the point!” She grinned, clinking her glass against mine. “To forgetting for one goddamn night!”
The drink burned going down but left a pleasant warmth spreading through my limbs, along with a slight tingling sensation I recognized as magic. Not harmful, just a buzz enhancer that made colors more vivid and sounds more intense.
After a second drink, Lydia pulled me into the crowd of dancers. The music had shifted to something with a deeper bass that I could feel in my chest. We moved together, and for the first time since the Abyss incident, I felt like myself again, just Jupiter.
Three songs and another drink later, I realized someone was watching me. A tall guy with dark hair was leaning against a wall, his eyes, a striking green even in the dim light, fixed on me. When our gazes met, he didn’t look away. Instead, he smiled, raising his glowing drink slightly in acknowledgment.
He was gorgeous in that effortless way that some guys managed, with broad shoulders, strong jawline, and arms that strained against his shirt sleeves. A Leo, based on the glowing golden flecks I could see in his eyes even from this distance.
“Go talk to him,” Lydia nudged me, following my gaze.
“I don’t know...”
“Oh please, he’s been eye-fucking you for the last ten minutes. Besides, you’re not technically committed to anyone.”
She was right. The healers had made it clear that while the preliminary bond was established, it wouldn’t be permanently fixed for at least another two weeks. I was still my own person. The Nightfall Shield didn’t own me. Besides, they were clearly fucking other women.
Maybe this was exactly what I needed to remind myself and everyone else that I wasn’t just an extension of those four men. I could make my own choices, including who I wanted to spend my time with.
“Fuck it,” I said, handing Lydia my empty glass. “I’m going in.”
“Get that dick, girl,” she said as I left.
I made my way across the dance floor, never breaking eye contact with the Leo. When I reached him, he straightened, his smile widening.
“I was hoping you’d come over,” he said, his voice deep and smooth. “I’m Leo.”
I laughed. “Yes, I can tell. Your designation is pretty obvious.”
He grinned, showing perfect teeth. “No, I mean my name is actually Leo. Leo Daniels.”
“Of course it is,” I said, rolling my eyes but smiling. “Jupiter Black.”
“I know who you are. Everyone does.” His eyes traveled over me appreciatively. “The rumors don’t do you justice. You’re fucking stunning.”
Normally, a line like that would have made me cringe, but the drinks had dulled my critical faculties just enough that I found it charming instead.
“Want to dance?” I asked directly.
He didn’t hesitate, taking my hand and leading me back to the dance floor. The music had slowed to something with a sensual, hypnotic beat, and Leo pulled me close, his hands settling on my hips.
“I’ve been watching you all night,” he admitted as we moved together. “You’re not what I expected.”
“What did you expect?”
“Someone way more intimidating.” His fingers traced lightly over the serpent tattoos on my exposed midriff. “The way people talk about the thirteenth zodiac, I thought you’d be shooting lightning from your eyes or something.”
I laughed. “Sorry to disappoint. The lightning eyes are strictly a Tuesday thing.”
His hands were warm on my skin, and I leaned into his touch, letting myself enjoy the simple pleasure of being wanted. Maybe this was exactly what I needed, a night with someone who saw me as desirable for who I was and not because of magic.
As we danced, I let my mind wander to possibilities. I could take him back to my room. Noodle would be annoyed at the intrusion, but he’d deal with it. I could have one night of normalcy before the bond solidified and my life became irrevocably entangled with four men who hadn’t chosen me any more than I’d chosen them.
“What are you thinking about?” Leo asked, his lips near my ear.
“Just considering my options.”
His pupils dilated slightly. “I like the sound of that.”
We danced for another song, our bodies pressed closer with each passing minute. His hands were confident, sliding from my hips to the small of my back, fingers occasionally dipping just below the waistband of my jeans.
“You know,” he murmured against my neck, “my roommate’s away for the weekend.”
I was about to respond when a sudden chill ran down my spine. A presence—no, four distinct presences—pushed against my mental walls. The Nightfall Shield had entered the room.
Instinctively, I turned toward the entrance. Percy was the first one I saw, his dark gaze scanning the room until it locked on me. Beside him stood Draco, his white hair gleaming under the starlit ceiling. Aiden and Eris flanked them, all four looking like they’d coordinated their outfits without trying. All black, as usual.
At the same moment, Lydia appeared at my side, her eyes wide. “Dreadwatch just walked in,” she hissed, nodding toward the opposite side of the room.
I followed her gaze to see Rafe and his shield entering, commanding almost as much attention as the Nightfall Shield had. The woman on Rafe’s arm was striking, tall, with long dark chestnut colored hair and piercing blue eyes. Valeria, I presumed. She certainly lived up to Lydia’s description.
“That’s her?” I asked, watching how possessively Valeria kept her hand on Rafe’s arm.
Lydia nodded, her earlier confidence visibly deflating. “I should go. This was a mistake.”
“No,” I said firmly, grabbing her wrist. “Don’t let her intimidate you. If you want him, show her you’re not backing down. Maybe ask her to dance. Throw her off her game.”
Through the bond, I felt waves of hostility rolling off the Nightfall Shield. Their emotions hammered against my mental barriers—anger, jealousy, possessiveness. Percy’s was the strongest, a burning rage that made my skin prickle even across the room.
Leo’s hands tightened on my hips. “Everything okay? You suddenly tensed up.”
I forced myself to relax, turning back to him with a strained smile. “Everything’s fine.”
I pulled him closer, making sure the Nightfall Shield had a clear view of us. If they thought they could control me, they had another thing coming. The bond might have been forced on all of us, but that didn’t give them the right to dictate my life.
Leo responded enthusiastically, one hand sliding into my hair as we moved to the music. I could feel the Nightfall Shield’s reaction, a spike of collective fury that was almost satisfying.
“You’re playing with fire,” Lydia whispered as she passed us, heading toward the bar where she could keep an eye on Rafe and Valeria.
Maybe I was, but fire had never scared me. I let Leo spin me around so my back was pressed against his chest, his hands splayed across my stomach. The bond thrummed with increasing anger, and I knew without looking that at least one of them was moving toward us.
“Want to get out of here?” Leo suggested, his lips brushing my ear.
For a moment, I was tempted. So tempted to walk out with him just to prove I could. But then I caught sight of Draco’s face across the room, his expression not angry like the others but hurt, genuinely hurt, and something in me faltered.
Before I could respond, a hand clamped firmly on Leo’s shoulder, pulling him back slightly.
“Do you have a death wish, Leo Daniels?” Percy’s voice was deceptively calm, but I could feel the rage boiling beneath the surface.
Leo looked between us, confusion giving way to understanding. “You’re with the Nightfall Shield? I didn’t realize⁠—“
“She’s the Nightfall Shield’s axis,” Percy stated flatly. “Which I think you knew perfectly well.”
“It’s not official,” I snapped, anger flaring.
Percy’s dark eyes fixed on mine. “We need to talk. Now.”
“I’m clearly busy,” I replied, moving closer to Leo again.

Aiden appeared beside Percy, his golden eyes hard. “Either you come willingly, or we make a scene. Your choice, princess.”
The hostility radiating through the bond was so intense it was giving me a headache. Or maybe it was cosmic crashes catching up with me.
Leo raised his hands in surrender. “Look, I don’t want any trouble. I didn’t realize there was already something⁠—“
“There isn’t,” I insisted, though the bond pulsing between us made that a lie.
“Jupiter,” Draco’s voice came from behind me, softer than the others but no less insistent. “Please.”
Something in his tone made me turn. The hurt I’d glimpsed earlier was still there in his eyes like a kick in the throat.
I sighed, turning back to Leo. “I’m sorry. I need to deal with this.”
He nodded, stepping back. “I get it. No hard feelings.” He shot a wary glance at the four men now surrounding me. “Though you might want to tell your shield that the territorial caveman act isn’t a great look.”
With that, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving me alone with four very angry warriors.
“What the actual fuck?” I hissed, crossing my arms over my chest.
Percy’s jaw was clenched so tight I thought he might crack a tooth. “Outside. Now.”
“No. I’m having a good time, and I don’t answer to you or any of you.”
Eris stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Jupiter, please. This isn’t the place for this conversation.”
“There doesn’t need to be a conversation at all. I was dancing. That’s it.”
“That wasn’t dancing,” Aiden said, his golden eyes flashing. “That was foreplay with an audience.”
I felt my cheeks burn, both from anger and the uncomfortable truth in his words. I had been putting on a show, deliberately trying to provoke them.
“Fine,” I finally said. “Two minutes. Outside.”
I stormed past them, pushing through the crowd toward the terrace doors. Cool night air hit my flushed skin as I stepped outside, the music immediately muffling behind me. The terrace was mercifully empty, everyone else too busy enjoying the party to bother with fresh air.
I heard the door open and close behind me as all four of them followed. I turned to face them, arms still crossed defensively.
“Well?” I demanded. “Say whatever it is you need to say so I can get back to my night.”
Percy stepped forward first, his dark eyes glimmering with red magic. “What were you thinking? Do you have any idea what you’re doing to the bond?”
“What I’m doing to the bond?” I laughed incredulously. “That’s rich coming from you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Aiden asked.
“You don’t get to judge me for dancing with someone when one of you is literally fucking someone else,” I said, my eyes landing on Eris.
Eris at least had the decency to look uncomfortable. “That was before⁠—”
“Let’s not pretend any of you want this.”
“That’s not fair,” Draco said quietly, moving closer. “The circumstances weren’t ideal, but⁠—“
“But now you’re stuck with me, so I should just fall in line? Become the perfect little axis who doesn’t talk to other men? Should I climb you and ride your dicks right now? Beg for you to want me?”
Percy ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “That’s not what this is about. The bond is still forming, still fragile. What you were doing in there was destabilizing it.”
I hesitated. “So what, I’m just supposed to never interact with anyone else ever again?”
“No one’s saying that,” Draco said. “But there’s a difference between interaction and whatever that was. With the bond this fragile and new, we’re likely to put someone in the hospital for even thinking of you, much less putting their hands on you.”
“And what about you four?” I demanded. “Are you planning to become celibate? No more Lyssas or whoever else you’ve been sleeping with?”
The silence that followed was telling. I laughed bitterly.
“That’s what I thought. Double standards are fun, aren’t they?”
“None of us would do what you were doing in there. Not with the bond forming.”
“Because you’ve all had each other for years!” I exploded, the frustration of the past weeks finally boiling over. “You chose each other! You built something together willingly! I didn’t get a choice. I was dying, and now I’m tied to four men who see me as an inconvenience at best and a threat at worst. You don’t fucking want me, so why should I want you?”
My voice cracked, tears threatening despite my best efforts to hold them back. I felt their shock at my outburst.
“Is that really what you think?” Eris asked with a deep frown. “That we see you as a threat?”
“What else am I supposed to think? When the bond happened, you all looked like you’d been sentenced to life imprisonment. I know being magically chained to me isn’t ideal, but maybe extend me the same fucking respect you give each other for once.” I yawned suddenly, the several drinks I’d chugged catching up with me. “I’m going back to my room. Alone.”
I moved to walk past them, but Percy stepped into my path. “We need to figure this out. All of us. The bond isn’t going away.”
“I know that,” I said quietly. “But tonight, I just wanted to feel normal. To forget for a few hours that my life isn’t my own anymore.”
His eyes shuttered slightly. “I understand that better than you might think.”
Before I could respond, the terrace doors burst open. Lydia stumbled out, her face flushed and eyes wide.
“Jupiter! Thank god,” she grabbed my arm. “You need to come. Now.”
“What’s wrong?” I asked, immediately alert.
“It’s Noodle. He’s in the hall, and he’s not happy.”
“Shit! How did he even get out?”
I felt the Nightfall Shield’s collective concern spike. They’d all grown surprisingly fond of my familiar over the past week. I followed Lydia back through the party and out into the hallway. As we hurried toward the main hall, I could already hear the commotion.
“What happened?” I asked as we ran.
“I don’t know exactly. Someone said he appeared in the middle of the dance floor, started hissing at everyone. Security tried to capture him, but...”
We rounded the corner and I stopped. Noodle was coiled, his body raised in a defensive posture. Around him, a circle of security personnel stood with containment poles, trying to figure out how to subdue him without getting bitten.
“Don’t touch him!” I shouted, pushing through the gathered crowd.
One of the security guards turned to me. “Ms. Black, stay back. This creature is dangerous.”
“He’s my familiar. He won’t hurt anyone unless he feels threatened.”
‘Jupe!’ Noodle’s voice filled my mind, agitated and strangely urgent. ‘Danger! Smell danger!’
“What kind of danger?” I asked aloud, confusing the security personnel who couldn’t hear his side of the conversation.
‘Bad magic. Wrong magic. In our room.’
I felt the blood drain from my face. “Someone was in our room?”
‘Yes. Left smell. Bad smell. Came to find you.’
The Nightfall Shield had caught up to us, and I felt their alarm through the bond as they picked up on my fear.
“What is it?” Draco asked, moving to my side.
“Someone was in my room. Noodle came to warn me.”
Percy’s expression turned thunderous. “We need to check it out. Now.”
I nodded, then turned back to Noodle. “It’s okay, buddy. I’m here now.” I held out my arm, and he immediately slithered up it, coiling around my shoulders in his preferred position.
The security guards looked relieved to have the situation defused, though they eyed Noodle warily. “Ms. Black, your familiar cannot be allowed to roam freely,” one of them said. “Academy regulations clearly state⁠—”
“I’d like to see you try to stop Noodle from doing as he pleases.”
We fled the hall and ran for the elevators, filing in as a collective group. As we approached my door, I felt a strange prickling sensation on my skin. Magic, and not the friendly kind.
“Wait,” I said, holding up a hand. “Something’s not right.”
Draco stepped forward, his Scorpio magic manifesting as he scanned the door. “There’s a ward on it.”
“What kind?” Aiden asked, his own magic flaring golden around his hands.
“Looks like a trigger ward,” Draco replied. “Set to activate when the door opens.”
‘Bad magic,’ Noodle confirmed, his body tightening around my shoulders.
“Can you disarm it?” I asked, looking at Draco.
He nodded, his fingers already tracing complex patterns in the air. “Stand back.”
We all moved away as Draco worked, his purple magic weaving around the invisible ward. After a minute of careful manipulation, there was a soft hissing sound, like air escaping a balloon.
“Done,” he said. “But we should still be careful.”
Percy moved to the front, his Aries magic forming a protective red shield around his body. “I’ll go first.”
He pushed the door open slowly, bracing for whatever might happen. When nothing did, he stepped inside, scanning the room before signaling for us to follow.
My room appeared untouched at first glance. Everything was where I’d left it—books stacked on the desk, clothes in the wardrobe, bed neatly made. But there was a strange smell in the air, a bit acrid and chemical.
‘There,’ Noodle directed, his head swiveling toward my pillow.
I approached cautiously, and that’s when I saw it, a small, folded piece of paper on my pillow. With trembling fingers, I picked it up and unfolded it.
Written in flowing script were five words: ‘Myths should stay in the past.’
Beneath the words was a crude drawing of a snake with its head cut off.
“Lovely,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant despite the chill running down my spine. I passed the note to Percy, whose expression darkened as he read it.
“This isn’t a prank.”
Eris took the note from him, examining it closely. “The magic on your door was designed to do more than just scare you. If Draco hadn’t disarmed it…” He trailed off, but I could fill in the blanks. Someone had wanted to hurt me, or worse.
“Who would do this?” I asked, sinking onto the edge of my bed.
“Someone who doesn’t want the thirteenth zodiac to exist,” Aiden said grimly. “There are plenty who think your designation upsets the natural order of things.”
Draco was still scanning the room, his magic probing for any other traps. Tendrils of purple like fanned out from his fingertips, traveling throughout the room, over surfaces, under furniture and even around the seam of my window glass. “We need to report this to Director Waverly.”
“And then what?” I asked. “Hide in my room? Let them win?”
“No,” Percy said. “Then you move into the shield quarters. Tonight.”