Page 69 of Dead Heat

“Of course. Who hasn’t?” Cedric surveyed the group, as though challenging one of us to deny it.

“Imagine the Castle is your house and we’re defending it from intruders,” I explained. “With magical pitfalls.”

Monica broke into a broad smile. “And that’s where we come in?”

“As you can imagine, we’re a bit useless in the snare department,” Cam said with a note of apology. “But we thought you two might enjoy the break from your routine.”

Cedric’s head bobbed. He seemed to be picturing the wide array of options right now. “I’m loving this plan already. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to exercise creative freedom in my work.”

“Monica excels in enchantments,” Gun shared. “And Cedric is an engineering wiz.”

Cedric continued his love affair with his goatee, giving it a few strokes. “This property is rife with possibilities. I can’t wait to draw up a mind map.”

I was glad one of us was excited.

“Is there a specific threat you have in mind?” Monica asked.

“Use your imagination,” I said.

“Will they only approach through the gate or is the air an option?” she pressed.

“Flying through the air. Tunneling underground. Scaling the fence. Resurrecting the bodies in the graves. You name it.”

“Sounds like you’re in dire need of a fortress,” Cedric remarked.

“That’s why you’re here,” Gun told him.

Monica’s face registered confusion. “What kind of creature can tunnel underneath?”

Gun and Cam tripped over each other in their rush to name species capable of such a feat.

“You’re professional assassins,” Gun said. “How do you not know all these potential threats?”

Cedric shrugged. “Listen, I thought this hand belonged to a ghoul until somebody said the word revenant. We all have our strengths.”

“The guild is in dire need of a supernatural education,” I said.

A sly smile slid across Gun’s face. “I’m sure your boyfriend would be happy to have you lecture us.”

“Ooh, I can totally see them rocking a teacher-student fantasy,” Cam chimed in.

I held up a hand. “Can we stay on task, please? This is important.”

Gun leaned over to his cousin. “He’ll lose his mind if she whips out a wooden ruler to point to the board.”

Monica cleared her throat. At least someone else was as uncomfortable as I was. “I could enchant marbles and bury them in certain sections of the yard. Create a containment area to hold the trespassers if the magic gets triggered.”

“Why marbles? Why not stones or something readily available in the woods?” I asked.

“Can’t do natural objects. The enchantments only work on manmade items. Plus, marbles are small and easy to work with.”

I stared at her. “You’re like the anti-Brody.” The nature mage could fashion a weapon from just about any natural item.

“Better than the anti-Christ,” Cam said.

Cocking his head, Gun pressed his lips together. “Is it, though?”

“Here’s the most important question, though,” I said. “How can we make sure we don’t injure innocent people?”

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