Page 78 of Knot My Wonderland

"Aren't you?" The King's dark eyes glittered with ancient knowledge. "You all move precisely as the pattern requires.” His gaze settled on me, dark and knowing. "But perhaps I'vemisjudged you, Alice. Perhaps you're not merely another piece, but a player in your own right."

I felt the silver patterns beneath my skin pulse in response to his words, the ward consciousness stretching toward him with curious tendrils of light.

"What do you know about the Blood Mages?" I asked, ignoring the tension crackling between the men. "If they're as powerful as you say, how can anyone stand against them?"

The King of Spades circled the Observatory, shadows trailing in his wake like living cloaks. "Blood Mages draw their power from life force—the more they drain, the stronger they become. But their magic has a fundamental weakness." His fingers brushed the miniature landscape, shadows spreading across the tiny Blood Mages like a web. "They can only channel what they've consumed. Interrupt their connection to their power source, and they become vulnerable."

Chi's eyes narrowed with sudden understanding. "The ritual circles. They always establish anchoring points to stabilize their drain."

"Precisely," the King confirmed, dark eyes gleaming with approval. "Seven Blood Mages require seven ritual circles, positioned at specific points across the landscape. Destroy those circles, and their power collapses."

Heart studied the Observatory with renewed focus, ruby eyes tracking the Blood Mages' movements. "They're maintaining formation as they advance—equidistant from each other, creating a perfect heptagon."

"The ritual geometry," Varik murmured, fingers tracing invisible patterns above the map. "If we could identify the anchor points..."

The King of Spades gestured with elegant fingers, and shadows coalesced above the Observatory, forming a complex geometric pattern that overlaid the miniature landscape. Sevenpoints glowed with dark energy, connected by lines of shadow that pulsed in rhythm with the Blood Mages' movements.

"The anchor points," he said, his voice like silk over steel. "Destroy these, and the Blood Mages' power collapses. But timing is essential—all seven must fall simultaneously, or the remaining mages will simply redirect their energy flow."

Martha stepped forward, her scarred face set with determination. "So we need seven strike teams, coordinated to attack at precisely the same moment?" She shook her head. "Even with all our fighters, that's spreading ourselves dangerously thin against such powerful enemies."

"Not necessarily," Varik interjected, his wild eyes alight with calculation. "I have devices that could amplify a coordinated magical strike. Seven synchronized explosions, triggered by a single source." His grin turned distinctly unhinged. "I've been saving them for a special occasion."

Chi's tail curled thoughtfully as he studied the shadow pattern hovering above the Observatory. "The anchor points are heavily warded. Getting close enough to place devices would be suicide for normal fighters."

"But not for shadows," the King of Spades said quietly, his dark gaze settling on Chi. "Or for creatures who exist between realities."

I felt understanding dawn through our bond as Chi's expression shifted from wariness to grim determination. "You want me to place the devices."

"I want you to survive," the King corrected. "Which means utilizing abilities your enemies cannot predict or counter."

I watched Chi's face, feeling the calculations running through his mind via our bond. The idea was tactically sound—his ability to shift between realities made him the perfect candidate for such a mission.

"I could do it," Chi admitted, his tail lashing with controlled energy. "Phase between points, place the devices, and trigger them simultaneously."

Heart's ruby eyes narrowed. "And leave Alice unprotected? I don't think so."

"She won't be unprotected," the King of Spades said, shadows coiling around his shoulders like living things. "As I said, I will remain with her."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees as Heart stepped forward, his hand still on his sword hilt. "Absolutely not."

I felt the silver patterns beneath my skin flare in response to the rising tension. Through our bond, I sensed Chi's reluctance warring with tactical necessity.

“The Tweedles can stay with you as well.” Varik suggested glancing at the twins who’ve been silently, watching the exchanges.

Vee adjusted his silver monocle, data streaming across its surface as he calculated probabilities. "Protection protocols remain optimal with multiple guardians."

"Layered defenses create stronger harmonies," Dee added, hisopalescent robes shimmering with agreement. "The pattern requires preservation above all else."

I could feel the debate spiraling into territorial posturing, each man asserting their right to protect me while people died on the Observatory's map below. The silver patterns beneath my skin pulsed with growing agitation as I watched another village disappear beneath crimson flames.

"Enough," I said sharply, stepping forward until I stood at the center of their circle. "While you're all arguing about who gets to babysit me, those Blood Mages are systematically destroying everything in their path." I gestured to the Observatory where tiny figures fled before the advancing army. "We're going withthe King’s suggestion. Vee and Dee can stay here as well if that makes you all feel better, but I don’t think it is needed.”

Chi's tail went wild with frustration, though through our bond I felt his grudging acknowledgment of the logic. "Alice—"

"No," I cut him off, the silver patterns beneath my skin glowing brighter with my determination. "This isn't a debate. People are dying while we stand here arguing. The King's plan is tactically sound, and you know it."

Heart's jaw tightened, ruby eyes darkening with barely contained emotion. "I don't trust him with you."

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