Page 39 of Faeheart (Widdershins Supernatural Academy #2)

Elias

T he mansion resisted our efforts at first. Wards that had been in place for decades were not easily persuaded to let down their guard. Magic had a tendency to get sticky after a while.

“It’s not working,” Caden muttered, his magic pulsing against the stubborn barrier. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he pressed his palms flat against the wall. “The wards are rejecting my attempts to reprogram them.”

I closed my eyes, feeling the mansion’s defenses through my magical senses extending through the house.

The protective spells were layered like geological strata, each one reinforcing the others in a complex tapestry of magical intent.

Decades of enchantment had created something almost sentient in its resistance.

“We need to convince the mansion we’re not trying to harm it,” I said, opening my eyes to find the others watching me. “These wards were designed to protect, not attack. We’re asking them to do something fundamentally against their nature.”

Atlas growled in frustration, his golden eyes flashing. “We don’t have time for magical therapy. The Purity Front could arrive any moment.”

“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’ve neutralized 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 he pulled 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.

He noticed the evasion, his eyes narrowing. “Elias?—”

“Go,” I urged, gently pushing him toward the door. “Twenty minutes.” I grabbed him one last time, forcing him down into a kiss. “I love you, Wild. So much.”

“Don’t you dare say goodbye to me, Elias,” he murmured, the hurt and anger clear in his voice.

“I’m not,” I smiled, kissing him again. “I’m just telling you that I love you.” I pulled him into a hug, looking over his shoulder at the others. “I love all of you.”

Caden and Atlas moved in, joining the hug and placing kisses against my temples.

Then, with visible reluctance, they left, each of them sending pulses of concern and affection through our bond as they disappeared down the corridor.

The moment they were gone, I sagged against the wall, the weight of what I was about to attempt pressing down on me.

“I know that’s you,” I said to the seemingly normal ethereal spirit still standing in the doorway. “I could use some help, you know?”

The servant shimmered, and Thorne’s more detailed form took its place. And this time, he was more substantial than I’d seen him before. “You’re planning something foolish,” he observed, his silvery eyes studying me intently.

“Not foolish,” I said, shaking my head. “But something they won’t expect. We need an edge, or we won’t win this fight. This is our only choice.”

Thorne let out a long sigh. “I know. And that’s why I’m going to help you.”

“You really can help?” I asked, hope flaring in my chest despite my exhaustion. “I was sort of joking. What can you do?”

Thorne’s form solidified further, his dryad features becoming clearer as green energy pulsed beneath his translucent skin.

“I told you I was bound to this mansion’s foundations.

That binding goes both ways, which means I can channel power directly from the sanctuary’s core reserves in an emergency if needed. ”

My eyes widened as I understood the implications. “Do you have enough power to restructure the ward yourself?”

“Not just power it,” Thorne said, moving closer. “I can help you weave the spells directly into the mansion’s existing framework. My connection to this place runs deeper than blood, deeper than bone. I am part of its magical architecture. With my help, it’ll be much easier to make adjustments.”

Relief flooded through me, though I tried not to let it show too clearly. “What do you need me to do?”

“Place your hands on the wall and open your magic completely. Don’t try to control or direct it, just let it flow. I’ll guide the patterns, you provide the precision.” His silvery eyes grew serious. “But there’s a chance the magic may consume what’s left of me completely.”

The weight of Thorne’s words hit me like a physical blow. Through our tetrad bond, I felt my mates’ distant concern as my shock rippled outward, but they were too far away and too focused on their own tasks to understand what was happening.

“You could die,” I said, staring at the ghostly dryad who had been silently protecting us since we arrived. “Actually die this time. Completely.”

Thorne’s translucent features softened with something that might have been a smile.

“I’ve been bound to this place for over sixty years, Elias, a mere shadow of what I once was.

Watching, waiting, hoping that someday I might be useful again.

If my existence can help protect you and your mates, then perhaps that’s exactly what I was meant for. ”