Page 114 of Knot My Wonderland

"Good," I said, hoping my voice didn't betray the complex emotions churning through me. "Varik and the King of Spadeswill be conducting the screenings. I know some of you have... reservations about His Majesty's involvement."

Several fighters shifted uncomfortably at the mention of Seth. I couldn't blame them—the Shadow King's reputation preceded him, and trust didn't come easily to those who'd survived this long through paranoia and careful calculation.

"The devices require specific expertise to operate safely," Chi added, his tail flicking once with emphasis. "The King's void magic can detect corruption patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed."

"Where's Alice during all this?" Elena asked, her eyes darting between Chi and me with obvious concern.

"Safe," I replied immediately, feeling the golden bond pulse with protective heat. "She's with the Tweedles, away from any potential threat.”

Varik bounced into the chamber at that moment, his wild green eyes gleaming with manic enthusiasm as he brandished his collection of detection devices. "The magical stabilization is complete, and my beauties are ready for their debut performance!" He adjusted his precariously tilted hat, nearly dropping the primary detector in the process.

Several fighters instinctively stepped back from his chaotic energy, but Martha held her ground with characteristic steadiness. "What do you need me to do?" she asked simply.

"Just hold still while this lovely device makes contact with your skin," Varik replied cheerfully, approaching with the crystalline detector Seth standing behind him, his shadows at his feet. "You might feel a slight tingling sensation, but nothing more dramatic than a mild static shock."

Martha extended her arm without hesitation, rolling up her sleeve to expose scarred flesh earned through countless battles. The moment Varik's device touched her skin, it began to hum with quiet energy. The crystalline components remained clear,showing no trace of red or purple corruption. Seth's shadows curled briefly around the device, confirming what we already knew—Martha was protected, her consciousness shielded from the Red Queen's influence.

"Clean as a whistle!" Varik announced with theatrical flourish. "Not a trace of blood magic corruption to be found."

Martha nodded once, rolling her sleeve back down with military precision. "Next?" she asked, already turning to organize the remaining fighters into an efficient line.

I watched as one by one, my most trusted lieutenants stepped forward for testing. The process moved quickly for most—Varik's device remaining clear as it made contact with their skin, Seth's shadows confirming the absence of corruption. Each clean test eased the tension in my shoulders incrementally, the golden patterns beneath my skin pulsing with cautious relief.

Until we reached Marcus.

The moment Varik's device touched the young fighter's forearm, the crystalline components flared bright red. The humming intensified to an almost painful pitch, and Marcus jerked back as if burned, his eyes wide with shock that looked entirely genuine.

"I don't understand," Marcus stammered, staring at his arm where the device had made contact. "I've never... I would never betray the resistance!"

Seth's shadows immediately coiled around Marcus, not restraining but examining. The darkness writhed with obvious distaste as it encountered the blood magic corruption, and Seth's expression grew grim.

"The corruption is layered," Seth said quietly, his voice carrying centuries of experience with such magic. "Passive surveillance, not active control. You may not even be aware of it."

Marcus's face went pale, his hands trembling as the implications sank in. "Are you saying I've been uncourteous betraying everyone?”

"Not betraying," Seth corrected, his shadows flowing around Marcus without quite touching him. "Being used as an unwilling conduit. The blood magic signature suggests observation rather than control—a passive listening post rather than an active agent."

The room had gone deathly quiet, every fighter watching with a mixture of horror and suspicion. I felt the golden patterns beneath my skin pulse with protective heat as I moved closer to Marcus, studying his shocked expression with centuries of experience reading people.

"When did you join us?" I asked, keeping my voice deliberately neutral despite the rage building inside me. Not at Marcus, but at my mother for her insidious methods.

"Three months ago," Marcus whispered, his face ashen. "After the raid on the southern outpost. I was the only survivor."

Seth's shadows coiled tighter, forming brief analytical patterns before dissolving back into formless darkness. "The corruption is approximately that old…it is probably why you were the only one left alive.”

"They wanted you as a spy," I said grimly, watching realization dawn across Marcus's features. "Not just any spy—an unwitting one."

Marcus swayed, his legs nearly giving out beneath him. Elena caught his arm, steadying him despite the revelation of his corruption. Through our bond, I felt Alice's distant concern pulsing golden as she sensed my emotional turmoil.

"Can you... remove it?" Marcus asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Whatever she put inside me?"

Seth's shadows flowed closer, examining the blood magic with cold precision. "Yes, but the process isn't pleasant. Blood magicthis sophisticated has likely embedded itself throughout your consciousness. Extracting it will be... painful."

"I don't care," Marcus said immediately, his face hardening with determination. "I'd rather die than be her puppet."

"No one's dying," I stated firmly, “After everyone is tested we will make sure it is removed…for now Chi will take you to a sealed chamber so no more information is passed along.”

Marcus gave a nod, though I could see he wanted to say more but the look of defeat was on his face. I glanced at Chi who moved toward us.

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