Page 111 of Knot My Wonderland

"That was incredible," I breathed, still feeling echoes of expanded time perception dancing at the edges of my consciousness. "Thank you for sharing that with me."

Vee's silver monocle had dimmed to a soft glow, his usually analytical expression warm with genuine pleasure. "Few have asked to understand rather than simply utilize our abilities."

"It felt... right," Dee added, his opalescent robes shimmering with contentment. "Like sharing part of ourselves that we've kept hidden for too long."

I squeezed their hands gently before reluctantly releasing them, feeling the loss of connection like a physical ache. The silver patterns beneath my skin continued to pulse with the memory of their touch, reaching toward them with newfound recognition.

As I stood in their presence, I felt like I was seeing things more clearly and more as a whole. I was very happy to see things like them and appreciated their insight. I knew going forward I could get to know them much easier.

Chapter Forty-One

Varik

Itinkered with the final calibrations on my blood magic detector, humming a discordant tune as sparks flew from the crystalline components. The device pulsed with a satisfying rhythm—red for active corruption, purple for residual traces, clear for the blissfully uncontaminated. Quite elegant, if I did say so myself.

"Six hours," I muttered, adjusting a brass dial that immediately began smoking. "Plenty of time for the magic to settle and for our dear spies to grow complacent."

A shadow flickered at the edge of my workshop, darker than the others. I didn't look up from my work—the King of Spades had a particular way of announcing his presence that was unmistakable to those who knew what to listen for.

"Your Majesty," I said cheerfully, not bothering to turn around. "Come to check on my progress.”

Seth gave a chuckle, “Cheshire had come to me and after we had a talk I thought I should come talk to you.”

I set down my tools and turned to face him, wild eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Oh? And what fascinating tidbits did our reality-hopping feline share with you?"

Seth's form solidified more than usual, his dark eyes carrying an edge I recognized as barely controlled territorial instincts. "He wanted to discuss... logistics. For tonight's investigation."

"Logistics," I repeated dryly, returning to my detector with renewed focus. "Is that what we're calling thinly veiled threats these days?" I twisted a component that immediately began glowing an alarming shade of purple.

Seth's shadows coiled tightly around him, betraying his tension despite his controlled expression. "We have an understanding. I respect his bond with Alice, and he... tolerates my involvement."

"How wonderfully mature of you both," I said, not bothering to hide my amusement. "Two ancient beings sharing territory without bloodshed. The pattern must be so proud."

"Your mockery is noted, Hatter," Seth replied, his shadows flowing across my workbench to examine the detector more closely. "Will your device be ready by nightfall?"

"Barring catastrophic magical destabilization or unexpected quantum fluctuations—yes." I adjusted my hat, which had tilted to an even more precarious angle during my tinkering. "Though I should warn you—it's not infallible. Particularly sophisticated blood magic might register as a false negative if it's been layered with other magical signatures.”

Seth's shadows recoiled slightly from the device, creating interference patterns where they met the crystalline components. "The Red Queen has had centuries to perfect her techniques. We should assume any long-term infiltration would involve layered corruption."

"Precisely why I'm creating multiple detection methods," I replied, pulling out a secondary device that looked like a cross between a compass and a kaleidoscope. "This beauty detects magical resonance patterns rather than direct corruption. Harder to fool, though it requires more... intimate contact."

"Define intimate," Seth said warily, his dark eyes narrowing as he studied the new device.

"Skin-to-skin contact for at least thirty seconds while the subject remains perfectly still," I explained cheerfully. "The resonance patterns need time to stabilize for accurate reading. Quite awkward for casual testing, but invaluable for thorough screening."

Seth's shadows writhed with what might have been amusement. "I can't imagine Heart will be thrilled about requiring intimate contact for his resistance fighters."

"Oh, he won't be," I agreed cheerfully, adjusting a crystalline lens that immediately began humming with discordant energy making my giddy mood amplify."But needs must be met when the alternative is having blood magic corruption eating away at his inner circle like a particularly virulent parasite."

Seth moved closer to examine my secondary device, his shadows flowing around it in curious patterns. "How accurate is the resonance detection?"

"Ninety-seven percent under ideal conditions," I replied, tapping the kaleidoscope component with obvious pride. "The remaining three percent accounts for individuals with naturally chaotic magical signatures—like myself, for instance. My readings tend to break most detection equipment."

Seth's shadows rippled with dark amusement. "And what about individuals with void magic? I imagine shadow signatures create their own complications."

"Oh, absolutely fascinating complications," I replied, adjusting the kaleidoscope component until it sang withcrystalline harmonies. "Void magic exists partially outside normal reality—it creates blind spots in most detection methods. Rather like trying to measure the absence of light with a candle."

I pulled out a third device, this one resembling an ornate music box crossed with a sextant. "Which is why I've prepared this little beauty specifically for shadow wielders. It measures the distortions void magic creates in surrounding magical fields rather than trying to detect the void itself."

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