Page 73 of Faeheart
“You don’t need to change the wards,” Wild said. “Just flip their orientation.”
“I know, Wild,” I sighed, shaking my head. “Easier said than done. It’s not as simple as flipping a switch. And they have to be undetectable until the Purity Front gets inside. I can’t have them up at full power when they arrive. They’ll know it’s a trap.”
Wild’s eyes lit up with that familiar mischievous gleam that usually meant trouble. “What if we don’t flip the wards at all? What if we create an entirely new layer?”
“Explain,” Atlas said, his tactical mind already working through possibilities.
“The existing wards are designed to keep threats out,” Wild continued, his chaotic energy beginning to dance across his skin. “But what if we weave a secondary system underneath them? Something that activates only when the outer wards are deliberately lowered?”
Through our soul bond, I felt his excitement building as the plan took shape in his mind. “A hidden trap layer,” I murmured, understanding flooding through me. “The mansion would still feel protected because the original wards remain intact, just dormant.”
“Exactly,” Wild grinned. “We’re not asking the house to become something it’s not. We’re just... giving it more options.”
Caden’s face flickered with renewed hope. “That could work. Nature magic is all about adaptation and growth. I could weave binding spells through the foundation itself, make them part of the mansion’s natural magical ecosystem.”
“And I could structure the activation triggers,” I added, my mind already racing through the possibilities. “Specific magical signatures, number of intruders, hostile intent thresholds.”
Atlas nodded slowly, his protective instincts finally aligning with the strategy. “Layered defenses. Let them think they’veneutralized our protection while walking into a much more sophisticated trap.”
“But we’ll need something to power the new ward system,” I said, the practical concerns asserting themselves. “This level of magical construction will drain our reserves completely. That’s why this mansion took years to build. It’s not something you just do on a whim.”
But before anyone could reply, an ethereal servant materialized at the door.
“Sorry to interrupt,” it said in a very flat tone. “The mansion’s outer wards have been tripped. Somebody is coming.”
“Is it the Purity Front?” I asked, fear creeping into my system and turning my blood cold.
“I don’t have the information,” it replied. “However, there are at least three dozen magical signatures on their way here now and one extremely powerful object of unknown origin or type.”
“You three go,” I said without letting myself think about it too much. “Go get everything ready. Make it look like the place has been abandoned and destroyed. I’ll take care of the wards.”
Wild furrowed his brows. “You said it would take a lot of power?—”
“I know what I said, Wild!” I snapped. I saw the hurt on his face instantly and felt it through the bond, too, making it even worse. I forced myself to take a deep breath. “I know,” I said again, gentler this time. “So, once I finish fixing the wards, I won’t have any power left to help with the rest of the house. That’s gonna be up to you guys. We might as well divide and conquer.”
Wild’s eyes narrowed, his emerald magic flaring with concern. “Elias, if you drain yourself completely, you’ll be defenseless when they arrive.”
“I won’t be completely drained,” I lied, knowing full well he could feel my deception through our soul bond. “Just... conserving energy.”
Atlas stepped forward, his massive frame blocking the doorway. “No. We’re not leaving you alone for this. There has to be another way.”
“There isn’t,” I insisted, my mind already calculating exactly how much of myself I’d need to pour into the wards. “We’re out of time and options. The mansion needs a complete rewiring of its defensive systems, and my structured magic is the only thing precise enough to create the kind of hidden triggers we need.”
Caden moved to my side, his hand reaching out to mine. “At least let me help. My nature magic could supplement yours, provide a foundation for your structured spells to build upon.”
I shook my head firmly. “The illusions need to be perfect, Caden. If they detect any flaw in our deception, the trap fails before it begins. Your magic is the only one delicate enough to create that level of detail.”
Wild crossed his arms, his freckled face set in stubborn lines. “I don’t like this.”
“None of us do,” I said softly, reaching out to touch his cheek. Through our bond, I let him feel my determination, my certainty that this was the only viable path. “But we knew this wasn’t going to be easy.”
Atlas growled low in his throat, but I could feel his tactical mind acknowledging the logic of my argument. “Twenty minutes,” he said finally. “That’s all you get. If you’re not done by then, we’re coming back for you, finished or not.”
I nodded, relief washing through me. “That should be enough time.”
Wild grabbed me suddenly, pulling me into a fierce kiss that sent sparks of emerald energy crackling between us. When hepulled back, his green eyes were fierce with emotion. “Don’t you dare burn yourself out completely. Promise me.”
“I promise to be careful,” I said, choosing my words deliberately.
