Page 104 of The Misfit Mage and His Darling Demon

“Borrowed? Wait. You made an inventory list?” Kell pursed her lips, somewhere between a frown and surprise. “For everything here?”

“Of course.” Wally beamed.

He’d hardly slept since recovering, his body buzzing with essence, and showing great strides early on in these many changes.

“Can’t have you taking what we properly pillaged and plundered,” I teased.

“Exactly.” Wally winked, playful, light-hearted, and for the first time in a long while without the weight of the world or its many demanding pressures pressing down on him.

We finished packing everything from the library and moving it into storage, to which Kell attempted to slip another artifact in her hat unseen. I used a tail to pry it from her hands. She’d gotten better about lifting things, something undoubtedly learned from Mora’s influence, but as the best thief among these fools, I wouldn’t let anyone deprive Wally of his wants. Once the pocket dimension had been created, he’d nominate himself to account for everything, creating the perfect cataloging system, which Kell would definitely tweak. Mora wouldn’t care because she clearly had bigger goals in mind, and I could enjoy the humor of their bickering.

Speaking of bickering, Kell had begun to call Wally’s inventory system into question, so I took the opportunity of a deserved break and drifted toward Mora who instructed witches to set up preparations on conduits that’d funnel and disperse the Four Corners.

“Why the witch magics?” I asked. “Thought this was Fae and Diabolic workings.”

“Had to make alterations on Kell’s behalf,” Mora said, flipping the blonde bangs from her face. “Plus, the Diabolic essence will end up eradicated. It’s merely the match to spark the creation. Fae magic from the villa and witch magic will remain the kindling that keeps this place safe and empowered.”

“And how will that work?”

Mora sauntered toward a case, unfazed by the knee-deep snow around her host’s exposed skin in a short skirt. Opening the case, she revealed Agatha’s Heart. A stone artifact strong enough to magnify any beings power to challenge an army if theyso foolishly sought, such as the arrogant Ian who used it and myself to challenge the Collective.

“That’s the artifact Wally gave you back in Seattle.”

“Quite astute,” Mora said, delicately centering it in the freshly laid foundation.

“How long have you been planning this?”

“A few centuries.” She shooed the working golems. “The world’s a big place but everyone seems to have already laid their claim. Fighting over limited territory seems wasteful, so I thought I’d make my own. I could visit the splendors I enjoy and have someplace lovely to lay my head.”

“Hence why you needed this particular artifact.”

Mora crinkled her brow, almost confused by the accusation. “I’ve collected a lot of wonders over the years, knowing any one of them might be the key to giving me the kingdom I always wanted. It’s mere happenstance the artifact you and Wally retrieved is the one I’m using.”

“We ready to flip the switch?” Kell asked, delighted, and approaching with Wally at her side.

“I thought you said it was a button?” he asked.

“It’s a figure of speech.”

“With you, you never know.” Wally stared at the switch that’d ignite the secret city Mora dreamed up for a kingdom all her own. “So, this is the button? The one that’ll blow up the villa and set everything into motion?”

“Yes,” Kell said, adjusting her hat.

“And everything’s ready?” he asked, almost hiding that perfect minxy expression.

“Just about, but—”

I smirked at the glint in Wally’s lovely hazel eyes and the joy on his face as he jabbed the big red button reserved for Kell.

“What the fuck, Walter?” Kell snapped. “You didn’t even let me finish what I was saying.”

Agatha’s Heart thumped.

“I thought you were done.” He shrugged. “Your explanations are usually quicker.”

Kell glared, visibly infuriated; her pulse beating almost as loudly as the slow drum of Agatha’s Heart.

“Sorry.” Wally had the cutest, coyest, fakest apologetic expression. “I thought this was one of those ‘we do it together’ things like with the lever.”

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