Ruthless Fae (Zodiac Academy, #2)

by Caroline Peckham

I didn’t want to remember the way her heart had been beating too slowly when I’d strained my ears to listen for it. I didn’t want to think about the way she’d kept her eyes to the floor instead of glaring right back at us.

So why does it make me feel like a piece of shit?

The actions of each of you are the actions of all of you. You stand together. If you falter, the whole of Solaria will fall.

“Do you think I enjoyed doing that?” he demanded. “Do you think I want to be terrorising people and preying on their worst fears? You think I don’t realise what that makes me? Who that makes me?”

Everyone knows, karma’s a bitch. And today her name was Tory Vega.

“Fae fight for their place in the world, Blue. They don't ever bow out of a fight. If the Heirs have beaten you, then you're not one of us. And you never were.”

“We're Fae, Tor. Screw the Heirs.”

I think you know me better as the 'bourbon drinking Professor with a permanent scowl stamped on his face and a general air of failed dreams about him.'

“The Hydra Order is the most recent to become extinct after King Vega died twenty years ago.”

“Iron is made stronger in the hottest part of the fire, Seth. You didn't break me, you forged me.”

“By the stars I’ve seen you naked way too many times.”

“Well it’s not my fault that you’re so obsessed with me,” I joked. “Yeah, maybe tonight’s the night I’ll finally pluck up the nerve to act on my undying love for you,”

“I sure hope so,” I replied. “All the other girls will be so jealous if I’m the one who finally bags hot Professor Orion.”

The Orions and Acruxes were bound by more than the stars. We were bound by power and greed, our families' gifts used for each other's benefit.

I clenched my fists and bit down on the cries of pain which wanted to tear their way out of my throat. I knew each noise I allowed free would only earn me another kick. Another punch.

They only ever scarred me in ways that weren’t visible.

This bond is so screwed up in so many ways.

But if he took too much joy from someone it left them sad and he hated that.

“Your love line tells me there's a forbidden romance in your future,”

“Because you're beautiful and every time you're in a room he stares at you. And when you're not there he can't stop looking at that disgusting bracelet of hair he made. He wants you to bow to him, but given half a chance he'd have it both ways and have you under his arm too,”

“But I learned a long time ago that blood doesn't define a person, so I shouldn't have judged you so quickly. You're unlucky to bear the title that you do. And I would never bow to either of you for many reasons. But you aren't bad people. That being said...” His eyes travelled down me, the sensation of a zip opening along the line he cast with his eyes. “I will do

whatever it takes to ensure Darius and the other Heirs sit on the throne of Solaria. And I urge you to never underestimate that vow.”

“Leo and Libra,”

Will the ends still be blue?

Lance: Maybe green this time? Although 'Green' as a nickname isn't quite so catchy. The suspense is killing me.

“That's the problem,” I giggled. “Whenever I try to pull off something impressive, I always end up on my ass.”

Orion must care very deeply for Darius to have agreed to such a role.

“I am a crazy bitch,” I agreed, glaring down at him. “And if you try that screwed up Siren shit on me ever again you’ll find out just how much of a bitch I can be.”

“What are you doing?” I asked before he could move any closer. “Hoping to convince you to kiss me again,”

“I had no idea you were such a huge Taylor Swift fan,”

“It suits you,” he said. “What does?” I asked. “Smiling.”

“You are walking on damn thin ice with me, Roxy,” he growled. “If you keep pushing me you’re seriously going to regret it.”

Damn super-hot asshole. He knows exactly what he’s doing.

I wanted to turn and claim his mouth with mine. I wanted him to keep up the torment he’d started on my flesh and give my body over to his mercy.

I bet his kisses taste like bourbon and power.

The Three Types of Star Bond: Nebula Allies Elysian Mates Astral Adversaries

“Elysian Mates are the most unpredictable of all the Star Bonds,” Zenith started. “An Elysian Mate is your absolute perfect match. Your other half, your soul mate, your twin flame, your one true love. It has many names. But in Solaria we call it this. Your Elysian Mate is Star Bound to you

somewhere in this world. And if you come into contact with each other, the Zodiac will draw you together like two ends of a rope bound to a turning wheel. And the more time you spend together, the more you will be pulled magnetically and inescapably toward one another.

“The stars will test you. The longer you are in each other’s company, the more volatile the universe will become. And if you pass all of the tests the stars throw at you, you will be presented with your Divine Moment.”

“Your Divine Moment is the moment the fate between you and your Elysian Mate is decided. You will both be called under

the night sky and be presented with the choice to seal your bond forever more. If you choose to stay together, your love will be branded on you, forming a ring of silver around your irises. But if you choose to part...”

“You will be Star Crossed and a black ring will form around your irises, marking your love as doomed by the stars themselves. From that day forward, every celestial being in the universe will work against you, forcing you apart.”

“Stop looking at me like that,”

“Like what?”

“You know what,”

“I'm your te...

“Then stop looking at me like that.”

“Then stop looking back, Lance.”

I just had to hope that doing so wouldn’t undo the hard work I’d put into winning her around to me.

I can't be alone. I hate being alone.