Page 39 of Bedrest Blues & Otherworldly Clues
"We're building a magical defense system based on family connections," Nina beamed.
"Damn straight we are," Jean-Marc agreed. "Traditional protection spells are like single-layer security systems. This?" He tapped the notebook. "This is like having ten different alarm systems all working together. One goes down, the others compensate."
Mom and Persephone chose that moment to walk in carrying what looked like a glowing blanket woven from pure light. "Speaking of compensating systems," Mom said, carefully spreading the magical construct over me. Warmth spread through me like the best kind of whiskey burn.
"Holy shit," I breathed as the magic settled around me. The triplets responded immediately. Together, they reinforced it like spiritual duct tape.
"The babies approve," Persephone said with a smirk. "They're already smarter than half the people I know."
"We don’t have much time," Stella added grimly. "From what I could gather, Lyra is planning the ritual for the next celestial alignment, which is four days from now on the full moon."
"Four days?" My hand flew to my belly protectively. "I'm only thirty-one weeks. That's way too early."
"Which is exactly why she picked it," Aidongrowled. "The ritual needs unstable newborn magic. She's going to force early labor."
"Like hell she is," Mom snapped.
Murtagh leaned forward and studied the map with the focused intensity of a predator spotting prey. "We have another option. We know when and where she's setting up. Let's hit her first."
"You mean go on the offense?" Aidon asked as his shadows darkened with interest.
"Through a magical territory designed to stop us?" Nina raised an eyebrow.
"Not all of us will go," Murtagh clarified. "We send in a small strike team. We get in and out."
Before anyone could respond, the triplets decided to join the conversation. Nyssa's shadows formed a detailed 3D model of the map that would have made Pentagon war planners jealous. Thaniel's magic highlighted the weak spots, while Melaina's golden energy traced a path through the magical minefield.
"Are they... strategizing?" Stella asked as her jaw dropped open.
"Hell yes, they are," Jean-Marc replied with a chuckle. "And they're good at it."
"This path could work," Murtagh nodded approvingly. "It should avoid most of it."
"But it's still a suicide mission," Aidon countered as his gaze moved from the shadow map to my face.
I took a deep breath. "We need to do both. Prepare here while disrupting her ritual preparations."
"A two-front strategy is sound," Aidon mused. "Who goes and who stays?"
Nina suddenly tensed. "Something's coming," she warned as her eyes fixed on the window. "Something big."
We all turned to look. On the horizon, a dark mass wasspreading like spilled ink across the sky. The magic rolled toward us in waves so thick I could almost taste it. It was shit that had been baked in the sun for hours.
"Is that...?" Mom didn't finish.
"Lyra's launching another assault," Aidon confirmed, his expression hardening. "She wants to get her hands on Phoebe before the alignment."
"Or she's creating a diversion," Stella suggested, eyes narrowing. "Keep us busy while she sets up her ritual."
The dark mass approached relentlessly. I could make out countless beings swarming within it like maggots in rotting meat. The air grew heavy, and it pressed against our barriers like a physical weight.
Aidon's phone buzzed. "Hades says we're surrounded. There are similar phenomena positioned all around us."
"So much for our carefully laid plans," I muttered, as the triplets surged with protective magic inside me.
"We adapt," Murtagh said simply as he moved toward the door. "I'll coordinate our defense here.
“And I’ll arrange a team to go to the site," Tseki added from beside his boyfriend.
