Page 79 of Knot My Wonderland

"You don't have to trust him," I replied, meeting his gaze steadily. "You just have to trust me."

The King of Spades observed our exchange with that unnerving stillness that seemed to be his natural state. "The Prince's concern is understandable," he conceded, shadows shifting around him like restless spirits. "But time grows short. The Blood Mages will complete their ritual by nightfall. If they succeed, the power they harvest will make stopping them infinitely more difficult."

I watched as another village vanished from the Observatory map, tiny figures scattering like ants from a destroyed hill. The silver patterns beneath my skin pulsed with each heartbeat, the ward consciousness responding to my growing resolve.

"Then it's settled," I said, turning to Varik. "How quickly can you prepare your devices?"

Varik's wild eyes gleamed with manic energy as he adjusted his hat. "Twenty minutes. I've been tinkering with them since we arrived." He shot a glance at Chi. "They'll need precise placement—within three feet of each anchor point, and they must all detonate simultaneously."

Chi nodded, his form rippling slightly as he prepared himself for the mission. Through our bond, I felt his reluctance warring with determination. "I can manage it.”I'll phase to each pointin sequence, place the devices, then trigger them from a safe distance," Chi continued, his form solidifying with resolve. "The timing will be precise."

Heart stepped closer to me, the Heart Stone warming against my chest as our proximity intensified our connection. "I should stay with you," he said, his voice low enough that only I could hear. "The bond with Chi is still new—you'll be vulnerable without him nearby."

"Which is precisely why I must be the one to go," Chi interjected, his hearing evidently sharper than Heart realized. "My ability to phase between realities makes me the only viable candidate for this mission."

"And the only one whose absence might destabilize Alice's condition," Heart countered, ruby eyes flashing.

I felt the silver patterns beneath my skin respond to their conflict, pulsing with irritation. "I'm standing right here," I snapped."And I'm capable of making my own decisions about what I can handle." The silver patterns flared brighter as my frustration mounted. "Chi, go. I'll be fine here with the King and the Tweedles if needed."

Through our bond, I felt Chi's internal struggle—his protective instincts warring with the tactical necessity of the mission. His teal eyes searched mine, looking for any sign of uncertainty.

"The bond will hold across distance," the King of Spades said quietly, his dark gaze observing our connection with unsettling intensity. "Alice carries more of the First Queen's pattern than any of you realize. She's stronger than you're giving her credit for."

Chi's form rippled once before solidifying completely. "If anything happens to her while I'm gone—"

"You'll have the opportunity to express your displeasure personally," the King finished with that predatory smile.

Chi's tail lashed with a final flicker of resistance before he nodded sharply. "Fine. But I'll be monitoring our bond the entire time. If I sense any distress..." His eyes darkened to midnight blue, pupils narrowing to slits.

"I understand," the King of Spades replied, inclining his head in acknowledgment. "Your concern is noted and respected."

Heart stepped closer, the ruby of his eyes catching the crystalline light of the Sanctuary. "I'll lead the fighters to create diversions at each location. We can draw attention away from the anchor points while Chi places the devices."

"A sound strategy," the King agreed, shadows shifting around him like living smoke. "The Blood Mages will sense conventional forces but may overlook the Cheshire's unique signature if sufficiently distracted."

Varik clapped his hands together, wild eyes gleaming with manic enthusiasm.

"Excellent! Let me retrieve my toys." He spun on his heel, coat flapping as he strode toward one of the crystalline corridors. "Seven synchronized reality disruptors, each calibrated to collapse magical anchoring points. I've been dying to test them in actual combat conditions!"

"Reality disruptors?" Martha called after him, her scarred face creasing with concern. "That sounds... explosive."

"Oh, they are!" Varik's voice echoed back from the corridor, filled with gleeful anticipation. "They'll tear holes in the fabric of space-time itself! Quite spectacular, really."

I exchanged a look with Chi, feeling his amusement ripple through our bond despite the gravity of the situation. "Should I be worried about Varik's definition of 'spectacular'?"

"Always," Chi replied, his tail curling with dark humor. "But his devices work.” I glanced to where the King of Spades should but he was making his way to where Varik went. I watched his movements, wondering what could be going through his brain.

For now I would watch and wait, to see if he really was an ally or enemy.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

King of Spades

Ifollowed Varik through the crystalline corridors, letting my shadows flow ahead to ensure we weren't overheard. The Hatter's manic energy grated against my senses as always, but his usefulness outweighed the irritation.

"You're planning something beyond this little rescue mission," Varik said without turning, his hands busy gathering components from impossible pockets. "Care to share with the class?"

"Would you believe me if I did?" I kept my voice neutral, watching as he assembled devices that shouldn't be possible according to conventional magical theory.

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