Zodiac Academy Fated Throne - Caroline Peckham Page 0,46

my heart stammered as the shadows cleared and I spotted all of the Heirs’ siblings on their knees in front of Tory, her eyes swirling with darkness.

“Enough!” Nova yelled. “The King has agreed that any force necessary may be implemented to ensure his new law is upheld. You will all stand down or the punishment will fall on the Fae before us. This is your last warning.”

My throat tightened and I looked to the others, seeing the defeat in their eyes.

“Our hearts are made of sun steel and our wills cannot be broken!” Geraldine cried.

“We’ve got no fucking choice,” Darius growled as he gripped her arm, his eyes turned to golden slits as his Dragon form begged to come out.

He locked me in his gaze next and my heart cracked as I felt us being forced into line. He was right. Because what could we do? If we fought this, Lionel could have us arrested. We’d give him the excuse he needed to get rid of us. And we couldn’t risk the Heirs’ brothers and sisters getting hurt.

I dropped my hands and the others all followed suit. A smile tugged up Nova’s lips and anger washed through my chest like a deluge.

“My lady, we will fight if you wish it,” Geraldine spoke to me and I looked back at the A.S.S. who were standing behind me like they were ready to go into battle.

I shook my head, refusing to let them all put themselves in the line of fire for this. Lionel was going to ensure this law was upheld, and today was not the day to throw away our lives for a fight we were going to lose.

“Stand down,” I told them all firmly and they did so immediately, surprising me with how readily they listened to me.

“Sit!” Nova commanded and we reluctantly dropped back into our seats. She pressed her shoulders back, looking to the few teachers who’d risen from their chairs too, including Gabriel.

He slowly lowered back into his seat beside Washer then his eyes glazed with a vision. My heartbeat stuttered. Could he see a way out of this? I had to speak to him. If there was something we could do to stop this, I had to know. If anyone could see the way forward now it was him.

“Tory Vega will be leading the King’s United Nebular Taskforce here in the academy, and anyone selected will be allowed to mix with other Orders whenever necessary to uphold the new law at Zodiac Academy, reporting directly to me if ever there is a breach.” Nova spoke casually as if the fact that she had the Heirs’ siblings on their knees before her wasn’t totally fucking insane.

“Wait…oh my stars, they’re in the Kunt,” Tyler hissed from somewhere behind me, but even that couldn’t make me laugh right now.

Nova hushed everyone once more. “Now please make your way to your classes, ensuring that you divide yourself into your Orders. The teachers of your first classes will all get you acquainted with the new ways of the academy and answer any questions you may have about it. Please pass through the door in single file on your way out. An enchantment is now in place which will mark you with a symbol of your Order. Enjoy this wonderful day.”

Mark us?

“Meet at the Hollow at midnight,” Darius said under his breath and we all nodded before splitting apart and heading for the door.

“I’ll give that crab headed goon of a principal what for,” Geraldine hissed as she stalked off ahead of me. “The Almighty Sovereign Society will not stand for this.”

I queued toward the exit and caught Sofia’s eye as I glanced over my shoulder. She was standing close to Tyler and a look of worry filled their eyes. Just behind them was Xavier and a few other Pegasuses I vaguely recognised. His jaw was pulsing and rage filled his eyes over this. A rage I felt on a soul deep level.

I stepped through the door and the kiss of magic tingled over my skin, the sensation trickling over me and a flare of magic shining beside the Zodiac Academy crest on my blazer. I gazed down at it as the fiery symbol of a Phoenix glittered there. I ran my fingers over the mark with my upper lip peeling back. My sister was the only other Phoenix in existence, so Lionel’s little law held a double whammy for me. I was essentially cut off from everyone else in the