Page 8 of Legend of Scorpio (The Thirteenth Zodiac #1)

CHAPTER 7

With impossible odds that offered capture or possible death, Scorpio took a third option.

Escape.

Out in the open air, feeling the tug of his stars, he chose the cowardly route—mostly because he didn’t want to see Rebecca injured or killed. However, his abrupt departure meant leaving the orb in the hands of the malfeasants who’d ambushed. But only for a short time because, once he’d made sure of Rebecca’s safety, he would hunt them down and take it back.

Scorpio activated his power, the tattoo on his back heating, enveloping him and everything touching him—including the woman in his arms. The constellation and the tower did the rest. He, and everything touching him, dematerialized and shot to the stars, a streak of light only rarely caught by those watching that ricocheted back to Earth and reassembled them inside the portal room on the bottom floor of Babel Tower.

Home sweet—and safe—home, where Aries would likely give him shit for bringing an outsider. Only humans who’d taken the oath could visit the tower. An oath that bound them with star power and kept them from revealing their secrets.

It wasn’t just Aries who’d likely freak. He had a feeling the doc wouldn’t be too impressed. He’d apologize later.

He exited the portal room and carried the limp doctor to his room on the ninth floor. They did have rarely used guest quarters on the second. However, in his mind, she belonged in only one place.

His bed.

Not a thought he’d ever had before. As a matter of fact, she was the first woman he’d ever brought home. Although, technically, this probably didn’t count because of extenuating circumstances.

His quarters were spacious. Larger than many apartments, the ceilings ten feet high, the living area with his couch and recliner spacious enough for his virtual game system to be played without smacking into furniture. His bedroom accommodated a king-sized bed on a platform with a few wardrobes and a recliner for relaxing in front of the fire. Not that he did that often. He usually gamed when bored. If he got lonely, he went to a bar.

Rebecca didn’t wake as he lay her on his comforter, ensuring he pillowed her head. She appeared pale. Not unusual, especially for a first voyage, just like fainting tended to be common. Starbeaming took a toll on humans.

She’d most likely sleep a few hours while her body recovered. Then, when she woke, he’d have some ‘splaining to do. Would she be angry? Scared? Curious? A blend of all those emotions?

While he waited for her to rouse, time to report to the boss.

A boss waiting outside his suite with arms crossed.

“What. The. Fuck.” Aries snapped.

“So, I ran into a bit of an issue,” Scorpio stated with a shrug.

“You brought a stranger to the tower.”

“With good reason. She was about to be either abducted or shot.”

“And?”

“I was also going to be abducted or shot.”

Aries lips pinched. “What happened since our last conversation?”

“Quite a bit. The doc found some kind of ruin inside the glacier she was studying.”

“A ruin? In Antarctica?” Aries repeated.

“Yeah, carved out of a meteorite and buried in ice. The entrance had the ancient Zodiac sigils carved, and when I touched the walls inside, they glowed.”

The claim raised Aries’ brows. “What else did you find?”

“Traps.” Scorpio explained how they managed to gain entrance, the various pitfalls, the final chamber and?—

“You found the artifact!”

“I did.”

“Where is it?” Aries asked before pursing his lips to correctly surmise, “You lost it.”

“Not exactly. It was stolen, by the same company that hired Rebecca. They were waiting for us when we escaped the ruin.”

“Wait, her company was the one that threatened to shoot you?”

“Or kidnap us. We emerged to find a dozen dudes armed with rifles. They had a massive helicopter waiting to take us to their evil lair.”

“How the fuck did you not hear a goddamned helicopter?”

“I assume it landed while we were dealing with the cave-in.”

Aries’ expression pinched tighter. “How did they know about the artifact?”

“Because they have a seer of their own,” Sage announced, startling Scorpio.

Aries didn’t flinch. Most likely used to his wife’s sudden eerie appearances.

“They knew exactly when we were going to find it?” Aries asked without turning around.

“They did,” Sage confirmed.

“And you couldn’t warn me?” Scorpio huffed.

“I did. You were told to be on guard.”

“I was on guard. I got us through the traps in the ruin. Got us out of it when the thing collapsed. Didn’t expect to be met with guns.” Scorpio complained mostly because of his own sense of guilt. He should have been more aware. Blame the fact the kiss, and Rebecca in general, had him out of sorts. Again, not something that usually happened.

“I can’t believe you found and lost it,” Aries groused. “Not good. Not good at all.”

“Scorpio will get it back,” Sage declared. “Eventually.”

“How?” he and Aries asked.

“You know who took it, and you smartly kept the one person who can help you get it back.”

“You think Rebecca can get us into Cetus headquarters?”

“She will be key to retrieving it,” Sage’s next cryptic reply. “If you can convince her to help you, which is a question hanging in the balance.”

“Meaning you need to be nice to her,” Aries admonished.

“I’m always nice,” Scorpio rebutted.

“For one night, because usually you don’t have to see them again.”

“Ouch,” Scorpio exclaimed, even while knowing Aries spoke the truth. He didn’t do long-term things or anything, for that matter, that lasted more than one date.

Aries’ jaw shifted. “Maybe I should have someone else?—”

Sage shook her head, interrupting. “No. It has to be Scorpio. Only working together will they prevail.”

“Um, I don’t do partners,” Scorpio reminded.

“You work with the other warriors just fine,” Aries countered.

“Warriors being the key word. She’s a human. A delicate one at that. Not a fighter. I don’t see how she’d be much help.”

“There is more to a fight than strength and skill with arms.” Sage’s next words of wisdom.

“True. I couldn’t have found the orb without her, but at the same time, being smart doesn’t stop a bullet.”

“Neither does being dumb,” Sage offered with a smile.

“Okay, so the object has been found but needs to be retrieved. You’ll need this doctor to help you. Anything else we need to know?” Aries addressed his wife.

“Yes. I need ice cream. Chocolate and strawberry, drizzled in melted marshmallow and topped with a banana and some of those tiny crunchy dill pickles.”

Both he and Aries blinked at her.

Sage smiled. “The baby’s hungry.” With that announcement, she turned and glided away, utterly missing how Aries’ jaw hit the floor.

Scorpio helped him pick it up by slapping him on the back. “Congrats, bro. You’re gonna be a daddy.”

“Oh fuck me. Sage! SAGE!” Aries bellowed as he bolted after his wife.

Scorpio grinned. His serious friend needed someone like Sage to keep him on his toes.

He glanced at his suite door. What would it be like to have someone like that in his life?

Probably hazardous to his health, because, when he walked back in, he was met with a videogame remote being thrown at his head.