Page 15 of All's Fair in Love and Magic

“I’m not going to be able to rebuild these spells if we let them fall. Most of my training is with runes,” I admitted. “I’ll have to focus on repairing them instead, and it’s not going to be fast.”

“That’s fine. We have time.”

He didn’t sound worried, but I could see the state of the magic. Time really wasn’t on our side.

When my coven started sending spell witches, it wouldn’t take them long to destroy the wards in their current state. Even with Liam’s magic in the way.

I leaned closer to the anchor, carefully placing two fingers on it and using them to slowly turn the sphere around.

Studying it, I watched for something familiar. A common spell that hadn’t been altered too much, or?—

There.

I leaned in until my nose nearly touched the magic.

The innermost layer was the most structured. The most whole.

And thank fuck, Irecognizedit.

“This one’s a bubble spell.”

“Okay.” Liam clearly had no idea what that meant.

“It’s basically a shield that surrounds a person, place, or thing. Your mom’s is only altered a tiny bit, and it’s in better shape than most of the others. It’s the center of the wards, too. It looks like…” I trailed off, squinting. “It’s mostly being used for detection. And maybe keeping people out.”

“Anyone who wants to harm someone in the resort is prevented from coming in,” Liam agreed. “And we do have a circle of detection around us. It ensures that I know who enters and leaves the resort at all times. A lot of the other spells are tied to that circle.”

Relief rolled through me. “I should be able to repair it fairly easily, and since most of the others are connected to it, the fix should take a lot of the pressure off you.”

“Alright. What plants do you need?”

“I’m not sure. Hold on.” I studied the bubble, carefully nudging the anchor with my magic. If it was healthy, I wouldn’t need to be careful. But it was covered in cracks, holes, and patches made of flame. Everything was held together by phoenix fire, but Liam clearly couldn’t heal the magic.

About twenty minutes went by before I finally knew what I needed. I didn’t have a name for it, or any idea what it looked like, but I would know its aura.

Without another word, I hurried into the jungle before I could forget what I was looking for. Going back to the anchor if it slipped my mind was going to be a pain.

“I can find whatever plants you need,” Liam growled, following me through the jungle. “We have a greenhouse. I knew I’d eventually need a witch’s help again.”

“I won’t know what I need until I see it. Where’s the greenhouse?”

He grumbled, but led the way.

My stomach growled when we reached the entrance of the building.

Liam didn’t acknowledge the sound, so I didn’t either.

Guess I’d eat after I fixed the bubble spell.

We spent half an hour going through the monstrous greenhouse before I finally found the leafy plant I needed. I was careful asI took multiple clippings, then snapped a picture of the plant with my phone before heading back to the bench. I’d need to put together a grimoire to keep track of all the spells and plants used for the wards, or I’d be in the same situation again in a few months when they started to age.

Someone intercepted us on the path.

I didn’t recognize the woman, but she smelled like a demon.

“I have a delivery order for you, Liam,” she said with a coy smile, holding out a paper bag with handles.

He grunted a thank you and took it. She put a hand on his shoulder, not even trying to conceal the fact that she was feeling up his muscles. He stepped away from her touch, and she took a step closer to him.

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