Page 15 of Capture of Capricorn (The Thirteenth Zodiac #3)

Used to Tower’s tricks, Capricorn didn’t freak when he and Zora were suddenly being zoomed upwards.

However, his skeptical beauty shrieked and cursed. “Mother fucking holy god Jesus fucking Christ I’m going to die.”

They wouldn’t, but he could understand her qualms, given they were encased in a clear bubble that rose rapidly, with no care for the ceilings and floors, even furniture, in their way. They rocketed through the levels of the tower so fast that everything they passed appeared as a blur.

By the time Zora ran out of breath and panted, their cocoon emerged onto the very top of Tower, a massive stone terrace, well above the clouds, high enough in the atmosphere that it should have been tremendously cold and hard to breathe.

However, Tower wasn’t one to let its inhabitants suffer, even those who refused to believe.

The protective bubble released, and Zora heaved in a lungful of air, but before she could expel it in a harangue, Capricorn said, “How do you like the view?”

Zora glared. “What the fuck just happened?”

“Tower got tired of your disbelief and gave you the proof you demanded.”

“Where are we?” Zora glanced at her feet, standing on solid stone.

“The very top of Tower.”

“How did we get here? It’s like we turned into ghosts and zipped through solid walls.”

“Floors and ceilings actually, and we didn’t lose our corporeal bodies so much as Tower encased us in a cocoon that could pass through solid substance. And, yes, I know that’s supposed to be impossible. However, as I’ve been trying to explain, Tower can do things. Things science can’t explain.”

“Says you,” Zora muttered, looking around. “How high are we?”

“Thousands of feet. You’d have to ask Aquarius exactly how high. I’ve never cared. As a matter of fact, this is my first time being up here. I’ve never had the inclination to climb that many stairs.”

Zora eyed the smooth stone surface inlaid with symbols. “More Zodiac shit.”

“Well, it is our home.”

“Built by who?” she asked.

He shrugged. “I would imagine the Astraeus had a hand in it, but I couldn’t tell for sure. Tower has existed since the first Zodiac Warrior transformed. It’s our home. Our refuge.”

“It’s not run by a supercomputer, is it?” A soft statement.

“No. Like our constellations, Tower appears to be imbued by some otherworldly presence. It provides for us. Food, shelter, clothing, furniture, hobbies. The only thing it struggles with are complex machines and electronics.”

She pursed her lips. “So you don’t have any here?”

“We do. However, those are usually procured and transported here rather than brought into existence by Tower.”

“It conjures stuff out of nothing?” Zora asked, only to exclaim, “Wait, was that fried chicken I ate magically made?”

“I don’t know. Tower doesn’t explain how it provides. For all I know, some of its levels could be filled with animals and crops.”

“Aren’t you curious?”

“Not really. My job is to protect the planet from threats. Tower’s is to ensure we’re taken care of when not on missions.”

Zora wandered from him to the edge and peered over, briefly, before recoiling. “Fucking hell, I can see clouds way below us.”

“I told you, Tower is tall.”

“There’s tall, and then there’s impossible.”

“Impossible by your scientific standards. Tower operates on a whole other level.” He paused before querying, “Now do you believe?”

She exhaled loudly. “Yes, and no. While my eyes can see, my mind is struggling to make sense of it.”

“Why does it need to make sense?”

“Because.” He thought she’d leave it at that, but she slowly added, “Because I like my life to have a sense of order, and before you ask, there’s a reason for that.

My father left when I was young, meaning my mama had to raise me alone.

Being poor meant we moved, a lot. Apartment to apartment.

Some better than others, depending on how Mama’s job was doing.

Our fridge and cupboards rarely held more than a day or two worth of food.

Every day I had to wonder if I’d have enough to eat.

A place to sleep. It left its mark. Turned me into a person who likes order.

Stability. Who needs to understand what’s going on around me so I don’t feel overwhelmed or taken by surprise. ”

In other words, a shitty and erratic childhood left her with control issues.

“Hate to break it to you, Beauty, but some things can’t be explained by science or logic.

And forget order. The world has more secrets than you can imagine.

Creatures that shouldn’t exist outside of horror movies. Cursed objects. Aliens?—”

“Aliens?”

“Yes, because we are not the only life in the universe.”

“This is a lot to take in.” Her hugging of her upper body led to him stepping close and wrapping his arms around her as well.

“Yeah, it is. And I get it, you don’t like chaos, but that said, so long as you live within Tower, you will have shelter, clothing, and food—excellent food, I should add. And, if you’re nice, I’ll bet Tower will give you some of the answers you need to help you understand and make sense of things.”

“You mean another book on how to join the Zodiac cult?” her sarcastic reply.

“I’ll admit that was an odd choice, but I will add the library tends to give people what they need to read. Therefore, I imagine there’s a reason you got to learn about the process. You should count yourself special. It’s not something that’s really ever talked about.”

“Do you ever regret accepting?” she asked, turning in his arms and tilting her face to meet his gaze.

“Nope. I was supposed to die that day, and instead, I got a second chance at life. An opportunity to actually make a difference.”

“Those are hero-type words.”

His lips quirked. “What can I say? I’d have looked great in tights.”

Her laughter rolled husky and sexy from those luscious lips. “Only if you have the package to pull it off.”

“Anytime you want to be the judge, Beauty, you let me know.” He winked, and to his surprise, his brash new lady friend blushed.

She slipped out of his grip and looked to the sky before saying, “Do you think this tower of yours is going to zoom us back down, or am I going to be punished and made to walk all those stairs?”

“Why not ask it?”

She sucked her bottom lip before shaking her head and saying, while rolling her eyes, “Um, Tower, sorry I didn’t believe you before. Would you pretty please do your thing and maybe bring me to a room where I can freshen up?”

Capricorn stepped close to her just as the bubble once more encased them. This time Zora didn’t scream, although she did reach for his hand and held it with crushing strength.

No surprise, Tower deposited them in his quarters, an open-space apartment replete with a giant bed, a few recliners, a massive television, and a new piece of furniture, a chaise longue with a side table holding a stack of books.

Zora glanced around before arching a brow. “I take it this is where you live?”

“What gave it away?”

“The guy vibe. I’m surprised there isn’t a pinball machine or a foosball table though.”

“We have those in the game room.” He inclined his head toward the chaise. “Looks like Tower’s expecting you to bunk with me, because that appears to be for you.”

She wandered over to peruse the stack of books. She held one up with a grin. “ The Metallurgy of Asteroids . I didn’t even know a book about those ores existed.”

“It probably doesn’t, outside of Tower. What else did it give you?”

“A few books on metal working techniques, most of which I’ve never heard of and appear old. Cool.” She grinned in pleasure. “Oh, and here’s one with metal art designs.”

“Don’t be surprised if Tower assigns you a room to play with metal. It tends to encourage hobbies. Leo’s girlfriend got a professional kitchen, since she likes to bake.”

“It shouldn’t go through the trouble since I probably won’t be here for long. After all, once you’ve handled Crius and find the real sphere, it should be safe for me to go home.”

It shouldn’t have bothered to hear her indicate her intention to depart, and yet, Capricorn found himself wanting to argue in favor of her staying.

“If you still want to freshen up, bathroom’s that way. Don’t scream if you find some clean clothes when you’re done showering.”

“Planning to peek?” she asked in an almost teasing tone.

“While it is tempting, I won’t. Tower will ensure you have something to wear.”

“I guess there’s no point in asking how it will guess my size.”

“Tower knows.”

“Okay, then I’m off to check out your water pressure. See ya.” Zora’s round ass wiggled as she strode to the bathroom, and Capricorn resisted an urge to follow.

Barely just met and yet the woman was like a worm wiggling into his thoughts. But more scary? The way she also seemed to be wedging herself into a spot in his heart.