Page 24

"That's fascinating," I said, "but can we focus on containing this situation before someone starts recording these spirit animals for TikTok?"

Cassandra's lips curved in a slight smile. "Of course. The binding is simple, once you understand what you're dealing with. Melody, come here."

I took a defensive stance as Mom, Stella, Nina, and Nana moved into position around us.

Protective magic shimmered in the air as we all cast an enchantment at the same time.

The multiple spells wove together. Mom's was a shield spell.

Stella had cast a barrier of light. Nina surprised me with a deflection web.

Nana and I were on the same wavelength as we both did a protection circle that encompassed us all.

The hospital hallway practically vibrated with layered magical defenses.

Cassandra observed our sudden defensive formation with what looked like approval. "Wise precautions," she said, making no move to proceed. "I cannot help guide the young one's power unless you allow me to help her. The choice is yours."

I shared quick glances with my family. Mom gave a slight nod, while Stella's fingers remained poised to strengthen her barrier if needed. Nana studied Cassandra intently before slowly dropping just enough of her protection spell to let her help Melody.

After that Cassandra got right to work, telling Melody how to block the influence from the ancient magic my babies apparently woke up.

Ancient words in a language I barely recognized flowed from Cassandra as she guided Melody through what looked like a grounding ritual.

Golden light spiraled around the young woman's hands as she learned to channel and control her wild empathic projections.

One by one, the glowing spirit animals began to fade. First to go was the massive tiger, then the wolves. Finally, the anxious raccoon disappeared as Melody mastered the art of containing her power rather than letting it manifest everyone's emotions into physical form.

Melody was smiling widely when Cassandra issued a warning. "There will be more," she said as the last of the chaos settled. "The children's power will grow. Old guardians will wake. Ancient bindings will break. The world is changing, whether we're ready or not."

"Wait," I called as she turned to leave. "What do you know about the prophecy? About what these babies are meant to do?" I needed more than the cryptic information we’d gotten thus far. Her help was great, but it didn’t tell me how to stop this shit.

Cassandra paused, her form seeming to flicker like a candle flame. "The prophecy is written in many places, in many forms. Your son has already found one such place, though he doesn't yet realize what he's discovered."

My hand went to my belly as the babies stirred. She wasn’t referring to Thaniel. "Jean-Marc? What are you talking about?"

"The healing temple," she said. "Hidden beneath modern streets, preserved by those who remember. Seek it, and you'll find more answers. But be warned – you're not the only ones looking."

She vanished before I could ask more questions, literally fading from sight like morning mist. I turned to Stella, who looked as stunned as I felt. "Did she just?—"

"Yep," Stella cut me off.

I swallowed hard and tried to wrap my brain around everything. "And we should probably?—"

"Call Jean-Marc? Nina has already sent him a message," Stella said as she gestured to my daughter whose fingers were flying over her phone.

“He isn’t sure what Cassandra was referring to, but he will have answers by the time we get home,” Nina said as she turned for the elevator.

The trip to the first floor was much less tense than when we arrived, as was the ride home.

My back was killing me, the babies were doing gymnastics, and my mind was racing with questions as I drove through the bustling streets.

Jean-Marc was waiting when we arrived. He was surrounded by papers.

My heart constricted when I noticed he looked like he hadn't slept in days.

"I think I found it," he said before I could ask how he was really doing. "I should have seen that it was a temple. I’m getting better at decoding the cryptic shit in the magical world.”

“At least one of us is. I feel like I’m getting worse,” I replied as I waddled over to the fridge and grabbed a ginger ale to settle the nausea.

His chuckle was warm and perked him up. “Are you kidding? You usually come up with the answers. You need to give yourself a break. You’re like a million years pregnant and worried about keeping them and the rest of us safe. Anyway, the temple is under the old Mason building downtown."

"The abandoned medical center?" Nina asked as she peered over his shoulder at his research.

"It's not actually abandoned," Jean-Marc explained.

"The upper floors are, but the basement levels seem to be active.

There are energy readings that don't make sense.

And look at these architectural plans." He opened the tablet and pulled up blueprints.

"There are symbols in the foundation that matches Mom's mark. "

"Of course they do," I sighed as I eased onto a stool. "I'm beginning to think the symbols don’t mean shit. Portions of my mark can be found freaking everywhere"

"That’s because this society has been searching for their magical answer for a long time.

The temple's location isn't random," Selene added as she handed me another round of Mom's concealment potion.

Shit, I had almost forgotten I needed to drink it again.

"It seems to be at the center of the Keepers' business network in this area.

All those ley lines we mapped last nght?

They converge right under that building. "

I grimaced as I downed the potion. "So, what you're saying is, we need to investigate a potentially dangerous ancient temple while I'm the size of a small whale and magical forces are hunting us?"

"We need to find a way to stop this from getting worse." Aidon's voice made us all jump. He stood in the doorway, looking grim. "Things are getting worse in the Underworld. The disturbances are spreading deeper, and reaching levels even Father fears to tread."

"No pressure or anything," I muttered and winced when pain shot through my abdomen, making me whimper.

Clio materialized from the living room where she'd been camping out since that last encounter had practically demolished her home.

Her healer's instincts were clearly on high alert.

She rushed to my side and pressed her hands over my swollen womb.

I could feel her magic probing gently and assessing things.

"The magical labor pains are starting again," she informed me with a frown.

Her eyes met mine, and I recognized that stern expression that meant she was meant business.

"You're not going anywhere near that temple.

You need to be on magical bed rest before these babies decide to make an early appearance.

The others can handle the investigation. "

I opened my mouth to argue - we had just discovered the temple's location and I needed to be there - but was cut off by three distinct kicks that felt suspiciously like my unborn children were siding with their doctor.

The traitors actually managed to kick in unison, as if emphasizing Clio's point.

My hands went protectively to my belly as another wave of pain rippled through me.

"Fine," I conceded, trying to hide how the word caught in my throat. The thought of sending my family to investigate without me there to help protect them made my chest tight with anxiety. "But I want constant updates. And the first sign of trouble?—"

"We'll call," Stella promised. "Besides, someone needs to coordinate from here. The coven's getting reports of more manifestations. Melody wasn't the first, and she won't be the last."

"The babies' power is affecting everything," Tarja observed from her perch on the windowsill. "Even the mundane world feels it, though they don't understand what they're sensing."

The symbol pulsed beneath my shirt despite the concealment spell, and I felt a surge of energy that made every magical object in the room hum.

"Okay, new plan," I said, rubbing my belly.

"While you all investigate the temple, I'll work on controlling whatever this is. Because if these three keep amping up the magical energy around us, the Keepers aren’t the only thing we will need to worry about.

We will expose ourselves to the mundane world. "

"I'll help," Nina offered. "We can practice focusing the energy, maybe find a way to direct it safely."

"And I'll be in charge of the snacks," Mythia added, zipping past with a plate of something that smelled divine. "You'll need your strength."

Nina helped the others prepare for their temple expedition while I dug into one of my more bizarre pregnancy snack combinations.

I was chewing a pickle wrapped in licorice and dipped in chocolate pudding when Aidon knelt beside the couch where I'd been exiled.

"We're heading out. Are you sure you'll be okay here? "

I pulled him down for a kiss. "I've got Nina, Mom, and enough protective wards to fortify a small country. Go find our answers."

As I watched them leave, the babies kicked in perfect synchronization. The symbol pulsed once. It was strong enough to be visible despite the concealment spell. It quickly settled into a steady, barely noticeable rhythm.

"They're saying goodbye to their dad," Nina said with a grin.

"Or they're plotting something," I replied, only half-joking. "After all, they've already woken ancient powers. Who knows what else they've got planned?"