Page 8 of Bedrest Blues & Otherworldly Clues
"They're monitoring devices, cataloging the babies' potential. The more powerful the offspring,the more valuable they are for these rituals." He flipped to another page showing similar runes. "According to this account from 1687, a coven in Prague discovered such markings above a witch's bed. Three days later, she disappeared."
The silence that followed was suffocating. "She's not getting anywhere near Phoebe," Mom said finally. I’d never heard that much steel in her voice before. She had firsthand knowledge of what happened when you fell into Lyra’s hands.
"Absolutely not," Aidon agreed as his shadows darkened the room. "We'll take shifts. Someone is going to stay with her at all times."
I wanted to protest—to insist I could protect myself—but then the glass of water on my nightstand suddenly levitated. It wasn't me doing it. The water floated across the room and smacked Nana in the shoulder. A moment later, the blanket at the foot of the bed unfolded itself and flew at Aidon. Everyone stared.
"That's... new," I said, watching as the book Jean-Marc had been reading flew into the hallway.
"It’s the babies," Clio murmured as she approached cautiously. "They're reacting to Phoebe’s emotions."
As if to demonstrate, when she moved too quickly to examine me, a pillow flew up between us like a shield. Clio stepped back, and the pillow dropped. "Well, that's going to complicate things," Mom observed dryly.
Clio nodded. "You need to stop them. It’s your job to protect them from themselves."
"How do I discipline my unborn children?" I asked. “I can’t exactly put them in a time-out.”
Jean-Marc got up to retrieve his book. "I'll keep researching. There must be a way to counteract these monitoring symbols without triggering their relocation protocol."
"Nana and I will examine your maternity clothes," Momadded. "Lyra may have discovered a way to hide traces of her magic in them."
The meeting continued, with strategies proposed and dismissed. Throughout it all, the symbols on the ceiling pulsed in time with the babies' movements. I avoided looking at them. I was disturbed by the thought of Lyra collecting data on my children before they were even born.
After everyone had left, Aidon remained. He perched on the edge of the bed. His fingers intertwined with mine. Their familiar coolness soothed my frayed nerves. "We'll figure this out," he promised. "No harm will come to you or our children."
I wanted to believe him. But the nagging feeling that we were missing something crucial wouldn't leave me. "I hate feeling like a sitting duck," I admitted. "If I could just?—"
"No," he interrupted gently. "Clio was very clear about what would happen if you used significant magic right now."
I glared at him. "I was going to say 'if I could just understand what Lyra's planning’. I was not about to suggest I try to shut that shit down."
His lips quirked into the ghost of a smile. "Fair enough. Though knowing you, a magical showdown wasn't far behind."
"True," I conceded, returning his smile briefly before sobering. "But seriously, Aidon, we need to understand her endgame. These symbols, the corrupted wards, the surveillance devices—they're all part of something bigger."
"We will find answers," he assured me. "If anyone can uncover ancient magical references, it's us. Especially, your family and our kids."
I nodded, though doubt still gnawed at me. "And in the meantime?"
"In the meantime, I'm not leaving your side." His declaration was punctuated by him checkingthe windows.
"You can't stay forever," I pointed out.
"Watch me," he challenged. His eyes glittered with determination.
The fierceness of his protection both comforted and frustrated me. I understood his fear. I shared it, but being treated like fragile glass was wearing on my last nerve. Before I could formulate a suitably cutting response, the bedroom door burst open. Mythia buzzed in. Her wings were beating so rapidly that they were nearly invisible. Her normally rosy complexion was pale with worry.
"The ley lines," she gasped without preamble. "They're shifting!"
Aidon was on his feet instantly. "What? Where?"
"Everywhere," she replied, landing on the dresser. "I was tending the eastern garden when I felt the first fluctuation. The currents are behaving erratically. They started flowing backward. Then they split into new channels and doubled back on themselves. I have no idea what’s happening."
"That shouldn't be possible," I said as alarm sharpened my voice. "Ley lines are set by geographical and magical constants."
"Not anymore," Mythia shook her head. "It's as if the magical bedrock itself is being reshaped."
Aidon's expression darkened. "The wards?—"
