Chapter 8 #2
I scratch my jaw as I consider it. I don’t really know a lot about that kind of tech.
‘More like a motion sensor, I think. There’s a heat-detecting layer as well, and all layers work in tandem.
There were similar spells in Wargate, although more sophisticated, and the guards could find out exactly where each inmate was at any given time.
I think Far Out Freight track their workers the same way. ’
He tenses and makes a few notes on his tablet. ‘Does the vibration layer work differently than the layer that monitors the air particle disturbances?’
That’s a good question, given my description. ‘Yes, it’s a different thing. It reminds me of the vibrations I feel from a bass guitar or a drum.’
Understanding sparks in his eyes. ‘They’re monitoring audio. But are all these spells designed to protect valuable freight, or are they enhanced security because of the mandatory work programme?’
‘Could be both.’
He leans back in his chair. ‘What really concerns me is that if they’re tracking their workers this closely, and the explosion we were caught in wasn’t an accident, then they knew we were both in that aisle at the time. That could go for the maybe-missing shifters as well.’
My chest tightens and scales break out over my skin at the idea that Raj could have been targeted on purpose.
My dragon tries to force a shift, but I’m able to keep him contained this time by reminding him that Raj isn’t in any danger from his pack, and we’re inside a secure ward.
But fuck, I can’t bear the thought that Lance and the senior team at Far Out Freight have decided to go after my tiger.
Faced with my tenuous control, Raj reaches across the table and squeezes my forearm.
It’s a brave move—most people sensibly back away from a dragon shifter on the verge of an out-of-control shift—and I appreciate how much he trusts that I’d never hurt him.
That, or he’s already figured out how much his touch on my scales calms me.
I have to concentrate on breathing deeply until my scales retract, at which point he unfortunately removes his hand. Even then, my hand movements are shaky. ‘Why you? You’re not on the mandatory work programme like the shifters who’ve gone missing.’
He grimaces. ‘I’ve been asking myself the same question. Maybe because I’m not from Birchester and, as far as Far Out Freight are concerned, don’t have family or friends nearby.’
‘What if it’s because of me?’ Fuck, I hope not, but I can’t dismiss the possibility.
His attention is laser-sharp. ‘Because of the history between you and Lance, you mean?’
I give him a reluctant nod. ‘I’ve made no secret of my attraction to you. What if I’ve made you a target?’
I hate the idea so much that I want to burn the warehouse to the ground as payback for them going after him, although that would be all kinds of stupid. I think that’s why my dragon is so on edge, though. Raj is my treasure to protect, regardless of whether anything ever happens between us.
He studies me for a moment. ‘If that’s the case, better that they unknowingly go after an undercover task force officer than someone else, although there’s also a possibility you were the target.’
I shake my head. ‘The box was next to you. They’d have known I was further down the aisle.’
‘But from what I understand, it was a much stronger explosion than previous ones, and it specifically messed with your dragon magic. Maybe they got the timing wrong, or targeted both of us simultaneously. They wouldn’t have known you’d see it before it happened, but you were walking towards me at the time. ’
Shit, he’s right. Either way, he’s in danger because of me.
The sensible thing to do would be to back off, to stop flirting and give them no reason to go after him.
But that would be like letting Lance win, and I will never be okay with that option.
Besides, Raj and his pack are actively trying to find out what Far Out Freight are up to and put a stop to it.
At this point it may not matter what I do. Raj will get involved regardless.
Far better that I keep him as close as he’ll let me while I assist the task force in bringing down Lance and everything he’s built. My tiger may be the one with the Special Forces background, but I’m still a motherfucking dragon. I’ll protect him in any way I can.
His hand movements are firm. ‘Don’t worry; I’ll keep you safe. Now, tell me about the rest of their security. What other active spells are there?’
I want to correct him, to explain that’s not how this is going to go in terms of who’s keeping who safe, but perhaps those are thoughts best kept to myself.
I find Ayo down in the basement, staring intently at a small black tourmaline stone on the worktop. The moonstone around his neck glows faintly through his shirt, and a thread of vibrant blue magic winds its way from him into the tourmaline. He smiles when he notices me and beckons me over.
Kit fixed my phone and Raj shared the pack’s phone numbers with me, so I reply to the message Ayo sent a couple of minutes ago, asking me if I had time to work on something with him.
How can I help?
Ayo
Thanks for coming down, bro. I’m trying to create a personal shield charm that will protect against attacks from a whole range of stuff.
Physical, magical, earth-based, fae-based.
The problem is, I’ve never done this before and I’ve not had much exposure to fae magic.
I was wondering if you can see enough to know if what I’ve put together will work.
He holds the tourmaline out to me so I take it, studying the spell he’s added so far.
The good news is, the shield spell you’ve added has taken. The charm will work when you’re not close by.
That was my conclusion as well. What’s the bad news?
This will protect against physical and earth-based magical attacks, but nothing fae-based.
Ah, crap. That’s exactly what I was worried about. Any ideas on what I can do differently? Fae magic just feels weird and foreign, like something intangible I can’t grasp. I don’t know how to shield against it.
It’s entirely elemental in nature. Fire fae can affect temperature and wield fire, for example.
Air fae can only manipulate air, although they can do a terrifying amount with that.
There are water fae and earth fae as well.
Within those four elements, each fae might have a different specialism, so an earth fae might have an affinity for trees and things that grow, while another might be more in tune with rocks and stone.
What about their glamours? Do only air fae create those for the others?
In a sense, yes, and the same with wards, but once created other fae can make changes.
In the case of people, the glamour is usually anchored to a charm worn as an earring.
That gives the wearer the ability to control their own glamour or erect their own wards at will.
For example, Lance has wards on his office that mix the air magic that creates the ward with his own earth magic, which strengthens it to the hardness of quartz.
I’m so out of my depth it’s not even funny. If one of my ancestors wrote down how to create a shield charm against fae magic, I haven’t been able to find the page.
He rubs his forehead, his eyes pinched and his posture stiff. The golden glow of his mate bond is strong in the centre of his chest, and there’s so much magical power packed into his small frame it’s amazing it doesn’t just spill out of him at random.
Maybe, but you’re not alone. How about we try layering on spells protecting against each element one at a time, then see what we can do about combined magic?
He nods, wide-eyed.
You’re willing to help me? This could take hours. Or days. Weeks, even.
Of course.
His shoulders drop and he fakes wiping the back of his hand across his forehead, making my lips twitch.
You won’t go all crazy dragon on me down here, will you? I haven’t reinforced the foundations yet.
I eye the smirk playing on his lips and the more relaxed way he’s now sitting. Even though it’s a valid question, I get the impression he’s teasing me.
I’m sorry again about the window. I’ll pay for it to be replaced as soon as I can afford to.
Nah, don’t worry about that bro. Helping me with this is payment enough.
You sure?
Trust me, your magical sight is far more valuable than the cost of a window, even one that big.
I’ll make sure to bill Ethan for the hours then.
Maybe wait and see what else you break first.
He grins at me, eyes twinkling. He’s taking me being a liability far better than most people would, and I’d help him with this even if I hadn’t broken his window.
A protection charm that can shield the wearer against fae magic would be an amazing accomplishment, and may ultimately result in Raj being safer during this investigation—if we can get it to work.
Yeah, yeah. Let’s get started.