Viktor’s second form was devastatingly effective, so Ant didn’t have any worries in that regard. “And if Claudius realizes what we’re doing and tries to stop me directly?”
“He won’t get past me.”
“Viktor…”
“He won’t.” Viktor’s eyes flashed red. “I don’t care if he has fifty guards. If he wants to touch you, he goes through me first.”
Ant reached up and brushed his thumb along Viktor’s jaw. “Then we need to time this carefully. If we move during daylight, then while the sun won’t impact you or Claudius, it might have an impact on his guards.”
“Most of his guards are younger vampires,” Viktor said, nodding. “Maybe two or three centuries old at most. The sun won’t burn them, but they could be less powerful in direct sunlight, making them easier to handle. The trade-off is that we lose any chance of sneaking because the moment we start moving through the estate, Claudius will know.”
“Thanks to his wards, he’s going to know anyway, and we’re not sneaking,” Ant said. “We’re going to walk straight out the door and across the grounds to the fountain. I’m not worried about them seeing what we’re doing, I just need time to do it.”
Viktor raised an eyebrow. “That’s ballsy, babe. I like it. But what’s stopping them from just rushing us the second we step outside?”
“Me.” Ant straightened slightly, pulling together the scattered threads of his magic. He was depleted, yes, but notempty. And thanks to the vision, he had a better idea of the estate’s magical architecture. “I’ll create a kinetic barrier around us as we move. It won’t last long, given my current state, but it’ll buy us time to reach the fountain. Once I start channeling power into thedestruction, I won’t be able to maintain the barrier anymore. That’s when you’ll need to hold them off.”
“Twelve seconds,” Viktor repeated. “I can do that.”
“The collapse will be violent,” Ant continued, his mind quickly considering any magical consequences. “When the keystone shatters, the secondary wards will fail. There will be a significant energy discharge - possibly enough to knock everyone within a fifty-meter radius unconscious. We’ll need to be prepared for that.”
“Will it hurt you?”
“Possibly. But I’ll ground the excess through the estate’s existing ward structure to minimize blowback.” Ant hesitated. “There’s a non-zero chance the entire manor will sustain structural damage. The wards have been integrated into the building’s foundation for centuries. Removing them suddenly could cause partial collapse.”
“Good,” Viktor said flatly. “This fucking place could burn to the ground for all I care.”
Ant almost smiled. “If that happened, the Justiciary will likely fine me for property damage.”
“Do as much damage as you like. I’ll pay it.”
The plan was dangerous, recklessly so, but it was also their only realistic option. They couldn’t wait out Claudius, and couldn’t call for help. Their only path forward was through destruction.
Beside them, Able shifted and pressed his nose against Ant’s leg, offering silent support. Ant reached down and smoothed Able’s fur between his ears.
“When do we move?” Viktor asked.
Ant glanced toward the curtained window. The light filtering through showed it was still morning. He felt like he’d alreadydone a full day’s work, but the sun’s position indicated it was still well before lunchtime. “In approximately one hour, the sun will be high enough to hopefully weaken the younger of Claudius’s guards. That gives me time to rest and partially restore my reserves.”
“Then rest.” Viktor stood and moved toward the barricade, checking both doors. “I’ll keep watch.”
Ant didn’t particularly enjoy being treated like he was fragile, but his body betrayed him with another wave of exhaustion.Fine, I’ll rest for an hour.
He lay back on the bed, keeping Able close. Viktor returned and sat beside him, one hand resting on Ant’s ankle. It was just like Viktor to keep monitoring him, while still remaining alert for threats.
Closing his eyes, Ant concentrated on his breathing as he focused inward, checking his magical core. He still felt weakened, and the estate’s ambient magic still scraped against his senses, but he pushed it aside, creating a small bubble of calm inside his own mind.
One hour. Then we destroy the fountain. Then we leave this place, get some burgers as a late breakfast on the way home, and once we’re out of here, we’re never coming back.
That was a plan. Ant was just starting to drift off when Able’s low growl woke him again. Viktor was already on his feet, moving toward the barricaded door. Heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway beyond, multiple sets again.Doesn’t Claudius go anywhere by himself?
“They’re back,” Viktor said quietly.
“Don’t they ever sleep?” Ant sat up, pushing through the fatigue and smoothing down his shirt. At least his hands weren’t shaking anymore, and his vital signs were steady, although hefelt his heart kick in an extra beat as the footsteps stopped just outside their door.
“Doctor Channon.” Claudius’s voice filtered through the wood. It was clear he was trying another tactic judging by the false cheer in his tone. “I believe we should have a conversation about the terms of your departure.”
Sighing, Ant rolled off the bed and stood up, Able’s head hard against his thigh.
