Page 24 of Capture of Capricorn (The Thirteenth Zodiac #3)

Lucky for you, I’m pretty sure Crius, the bad guy, is dead, which means you can choose whoever you like as your avatar, but might I suggest maybe following the Zodiac rules a little more closely this time?

You mean the rules imposed after my destruction? My avatar’s destructive behavior was the reason for them.

Seems to me the first rule should have been no more men, seeing as how they’re usually the ones most keen on war and world domination.

At the time, women were considered too weak to handle the burden. Being a warrior involves much fighting.

Not all battles are won with fists.

A wise thing to say. Tell me, female ? —

My name is Zora.

Very well, Zora, are you brave?

Not really. But when push comes to shove, I try to do the right thing.

Such as sacrificing yourself? You told the warriors to shoot, knowing you’d be injured.

Because it seemed better than allowing Crius to have your power.

Do you know how to wield any weapons?

Nope, although I can deliver a mean slap, and my insults have brought some to tears. That said, I am pretty good at making blades and stuff, given I’m a blacksmith.

A female who works metal? How the world has changed.

We also vote now too. Oh, and some of us choose to have careers instead of being pregnant and in the kitchen.

You are interesting, Zora.

Glad to hear it, and while this has been informative, what’s going to happen to me? You said I wasn’t dead, but it sure seems like I’m lacking a body.

Would you like to live?

Duh.

I will assume that means yes. And if given great power, would you wield it with compassion and restraint?

Hold on a second, you better not be thinking of ? —

I think you will make a good choice as my avatar.

You can’t do that. I never said I accepted. The rules say I have to agree.

Those rules came into effect after my banishment and don’t apply.

Don’t you dare. I’m not a Zodiac Warrior. I’m ? —

Zap. A bright light encased Zora, who suddenly found herself gasping for air, which only served to increase the stabbing pain of her body. Every nerve ending screamed in agony. She trembled. Thrashed. Arched and tried to scream.

The trauma was over as fast as it started, and it took a moment for her to realize she lived, but still hurt. Her chest throbbed something fierce, but some of that pain eased when Capricorn leaned over her.

“Beauty, you’re back!”

“Is Crius?—”

“Dead. Very much so. The fucker thought he could flee through a portal. A waiting Scorpio snagged him on the other side, and let’s just say, Crius won’t be bothering anyone anymore.”

“Oh, good.” Her breathing hitched at the stab of agony that went through her.

“Fuck me. We have to get you to a doctor. Aries!” Capricorn bellowed. “Goddamn it. He went looking for Sage. Hold on, Beauty. We’ll go through the portal that leads to Maine. There’s a hospital not too far from it. I’ll contact Aries once there for funds to pay for treatment.”

“I won’t make it,” Zora gasped, feeling her body failing. “Sorry.”

“Don’t you dare die on me!”

“She’s not dying, not today or anytime soon,” Sage suddenly announced. “That is so long as you move your big self aside.”

“What are you doing? The stardust doesn’t work on humans,” Capricorn exclaimed as he shifted to make room for Sage, who held a large clear jar full of dirt.

“You’re right, it doesn’t. Say hello to the thirteenth Zodiac.”

“Zora’s a Zodiac warrior?” Capricorn blinked in surprise, and she almost laughed but didn’t dare because she knew it would hurt.

“A perfect choice, seeing as how she was ready to sacrifice herself to save the world.” Sage leaned over Zora. “Close your eyes. This will hurt, but I promise you’ll soon feel much better.”

Zora gladly shut her lids and hoped Sage told the truth because the agony?—

Suddenly returned with a vengeance.

Zora screamed as she arched from the dais. Brawny arms held her tight, and a soothing voice murmured, “It will pass, Beauty. I promise.”

He told the truth because soon a languorous warmth spread through her limbs. All the aches and pains disappeared. The darkness tugging at her vision receded, and her voice returned to murmur a husky, “What was in that dirt, baby? Because I’m feeling great.”

“Thank fuck,” Capricorn huffed before pressing his mouth to hers in a kiss that did more to revive than anything else thus far.

Only as the embrace came to a lingering finish did she hear Aries bark, “For fuck’s sake, Sage. You fixed her. Now will you please let me take you to the hospital?”

“Too late,” Sage chirped. “Junior is going to be born here.”

“What?” Aries screeched.

“It will be fine.” Sage tried to soothe her agitated husband. “Just fetch me some clean towels and hot water. Oh, and make sure you have a sharp knife to cut the cord.”

“I’m not leaving you,” he growled.

“I’ll get the stuff,” Capricorn offered. “That is, if Tower’s unlocked the rooms. Back in a few, Beauty.”

Zora sat up as Capricorn dashed off. Aries sat with his wife’s head and shoulders in his lap. Sage bent her knees and panted.

“So impatient to greet the world,” the seer murmured. “Zora, if you could be so kind as to catch the baby.”

“Me?” Zora squeaked, but while daunted—and a little icked out by the request—she knelt between Sage’s legs.

Sage grunted as she pushed and, when she relaxed, in an amused voice said, “You might want to lift my skirt so you can actually see the babe.”

Zora bit her lip but folded back the fabric and did her best to not actually look, at first anyhow. But before long. Zora was droning on, repeating things she’d heard in shows and movies. “Doing great. I can see the head. Hairy thing. Get ready to push. You can do this.”

By the time Capricorn returned, Zora had delivered her first baby, a red and shriveled little thing with insanely good lungs.

Her lover dumped a load of white linens and set a jug of water down beside it. “I found some stuff in the kitchen. Cool place by the way. More modern than expected.”

Zora quickly swaddled the baby, poorly, given the loose fit, but the new parents didn’t care as Sage cradled the child while Aries stared on, dumbstruck.

A bright flash had her blinking then blinking again at the stranger that suddenly appeared in the portal room. “Did someone need a doctor?”

“Virgo! How did you know to come?” Aries exclaimed.

“A little star told me. Let’s see how baby and mama are doing.”

As the man went to check between Sage’s legs, Zora decided it was her cue to leave. She rose, and Capricorn followed her out to the main entrance with the many holes blown in the walls and debris from the explosions littering the floor.

“Damn. This mess will take forever to clean,” she commented.

“Not really. Once Tower recovers from whatever was in that box, it will happen quick.”

“Crius found a way to make and harness black holes.”

The claim widened his eyes. “Shit.”

“Big shit,” she somberly agreed.

“Even though he’s dead, we’ll have to make sure any knowledge about how to make them is destroyed. Fuck.” He raked fingers through his hair.

“Does it have to be right this second?” Zora asked.

“No. We’ll need Aquarius first to find all of Cetus’ and Adam’s secret spots. Why? What do you need?”

“A shower, for one,” she replied, eyeing her dust and blood-caked skin. Her lips curved as she added, “And you.”