267
Lucy
There was no doubt in my mind that Duke was running through every interaction he'd had with Tom, but I couldn't believe that he was just an operative. Tom's interest in him had seemed so real. Then again, when he'd asked for my help, what exactly had he been asking my help with?
Help in keeping an eye on Duke? Help with getting them together?
And what about the drinks they were supposed to be getting together? Was that just something to help his cover along, or something real?
"Sting operations?"
"And protection operations," Trent said. "Since... a while ago, the covens and other entities under the Council have put together operations to watch over assets they're looking to acquire. People with special talents and potential."
His lips twitched. "While we haven't been told that there is someone assigned to either of you, I wouldn't be surprised if that's because they've been instructed to act in an unofficial capacity."
My shoulders slumped. Disappointment settled on me. It seemed pretty likely that Tom was just one of these operatives.
"The spell will create a barrier that disrupts magical intrusion. It's a bit difficult to master, but it's the best if you don't have the power to fry a device."
I nodded. Trent waved his hand in front of him, conjuring a shimmering shield.
"It's visible to you because I want you to see how it works. It helps with understanding how to cast it and how to maintain it." He pulled out a small stone and put it on the table. I could see it drawing in streams of light from the surroundings. "This is, essentially, how their devices work."
He shifted the shield to cover the stone like a dome. I could see the streams start to die out except for the few that were rising out of the table.
"The key to this shield lies in its ability to detect and counteract any magical draw. It's a dynamic defense, adapting to the specific signatures of the hunters' devices. They won't be able to pierce through without triggering a backlash," Trent elaborated. "And no hunter is going to try to pierce through it."
"What's the backlash like?"
"A strike of lightning straight to the chest." He smiled. "It's vicious as hell and a well-kept secret among recruits."
Duke frowned. "Couldn't they recruit people from the Council?"
"Oh, they could try, but anyone who would know this spell would be under a magical oath that would keep them from revealing anything of use, even if they wanted to."
"Is there like a bigger version of this that's used to protect the Festival?"
"Could we make one?" I asked.
Trent nodded. "Good question. The Festival grounds are prepared by people under a much stronger oath. It's such an old and powerful set-up that anyone who isn't supposed to be there would have a damn hard time getting there."
He sighed. "Now that we know that Selene can use the werewolf virus to essentially possess people, keeping her out is a little more complicated, but keeping hunters out is relatively easy."
He eyed us both for a moment before tapping his knuckles on the table.
"We'll have to figure out a way around that particular aspect, but I suspect that your relation to her is keeping you safe."
I shuddered.
"If they figure out where it is, couldn't they just surround it?" I asked. "They'd just be waiting on the outside of the barrier, right?"
Trent smiled. "No one gets there through the barrier. There are portals set up in the area, and the presence of all those supernaturals resonates with the infrastructure of the grounds' protections. As long as the Festival thrives, so will the defenses."
I frowned, thinking about it. "What if it's disrupted from the inside?"
Trent smiled. "You're thinking about the fact that Oren will be inside the barrier."
I nodded.
"If there was a way to mess with the protections, it would have to be from within the barrier, but there are safeguards in place." He smiled. "Good question. Your training is paying off. I heard you wanted to be an Enforcer. It'll be a good thing for you to start training your mind to see all the ways things could go wrong before they go wrong. To answer your next quest, even if there was a disruption from within, the magical reservoirs tapped for the barrier are vast. It would take a catastrophic event to jeopardize the shield's integrity. Like a few dragons would have to start a full-on battle."
"Is that likely?"
"No," he chuckled. "Unlike werewolves, all the dragon shifter clans do more than tolerate each other."
I nodded, and Trent taught us the incantation for the spell.
It felt like hours had passed, but the clock said it had only been half an hour. Trent had to step away with David, and Duke and I went outside with a tray of snacks, enjoying the cool night and the beauty of the night. The little iron table held all of our snacks, fruit, nuts, and bread that had probably been baked that morning.
Duke was silent beside me.
"Hey," I nudged him. "Everything okay?"
Duke sighed and took another bite, pulling his knee against his chest and leaning forward.
"Yeah, just a lot on my mind."
I nodded, understanding the unspoken nature of his concerns. "Want to talk about it?"
He glanced at me, a hint of gratitude in his eyes. "Maybe later. Right now, I just want to enjoy the quiet."
I nodded, biting my lip. He chuckled.
"It's killing you not to talk about it, isn't it?"
I shook my head. "I'm just worried about you."
His lips twitched, and he lifted his mug of hot cider in a mock salute.
"Not everyone can have or hope for a fairytale ending." He took a seat.
"I don't think that's true," I said.
His lips twitched. "Thanks for the vote of optimism... I haven't decided whether or not to call off the drinks meet-up yet."
I nodded and grabbed a tiny sandwich from the tray. We lapsed into a companionable silence, each absorbed in our thoughts. The estate seemed to breathe around us as if it were alive. I felt the air humming with energy. Hunter let out a cry and came flying towards us, joining us and starting to eat a few nuts from the little pile that Duke made for him. Time drifted by, and the soft glow of the moon bathed us in its light.
The moon, a silvery crescent in the darkening sky, watched over us as we sat together, eating in quiet. The scent of blooming flowers mingled with the earthy fragrance of the night, creating an atmosphere of serenity. The flowers in this section of the garden glowed in the night, casting a kaleidoscope of colors around us. It felt like we had gone somewhere else.
"You think he's hideous?" Duke asked after a moment. "And if he is, should we let Sarah continue to flirt with him?"
I burst into laughter. I couldn't help it. "Duke, that's terrible!"
He shrugged. "It's not like she can see it. Is it that terrible?"
I shook my head. "Absolutely terrible... Though funny."
"She'd deserve it after picking a fight with Amy." Duke smiled. "Maybe we should just tell Michelle and let her figure out what to do with the information."
I snorted. "That's an option."
"Is this garden you told me about?" I asked, reaching for a strawberry. "It's prettier than I imagined." I shook my head. "Though that feels like it'll be true for any part of the Blood Moon Estate I visit."
Duke bobbed his head. "Hunter likes it here... I think it reminds him of home."
"Where is home for him?"
Duke shrugged. "He hasn't said."
I leaned forward. "You two can talk now?"
Duke waved his hand. "It's not words, more like pictures. Maggie says our bond is developing quicker than he anticipated."
"You don't sound happy about it."
"Any time Maggie is pleased about something, it means more work."
I laughed. "It can't be that bad!"
He scoffed. "Show what you know."
"You two come here often?"
He nodded. "When I can't sleep. Blue's probably going to ban me soon, and I'll have to find a new hideout."
I smiled. "Maybe they can just put a hammock out here for you."
"There is a hammock out here," David said, approaching us. "Though I doubt Blue will be happy about it. It's yours to use for midnight naps."
"It's not midnight yet, is it?" I asked.
He shook his head. "It's barely seven. Are you still up for the lesson?"
I hesitated. Duke seemed like he could use the company, but then Duke spoke.
"Of course, she is. We can't have her misrepresenting her future pack, huh?"
My face heated, and David cleared his throat, ruffling Duke's hair.
"I see you're in a mood," he turned and offered his hand to me. "Shall we?"
I glanced at Duke, who made a shooing motion. "Go on, princess."
I sighed and took David's hand. "Don't stay out here too late."
"I won't."
Somehow, I knew that Duke was lying, even if he didn't mean to.
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