"That's expensive," Nana observed. "And requires serious bribes to keep off official records."
"Which makes it even more notable." Stella pulled out a second document. "The modification was filed under 'mechanical systems expansion’, but the space allocation doesn't add up. This is usable square footage. They built rooms, but not for machinery."
Aidon traced the sublevel outline with his finger. "How big is it?"
"Roughly three thousand square feet. There are multiple rooms, corridors, and storage." Stella laid another document beside the first. "According to the modification records, the sublevel access is hidden behind a supply closet on the main floor. But there's a second entrance through the parking garage."
"That’s got to be the maintenance entrance Dr. Reeves mentioned," I said.
"It seems like it." Stella pointed to a marking on the garage level. "It leads to a service corridor that connects to the sublevel. The garage entrance is our best bet."
Layla leaned over the table, already identifying sight lines and exit routes. "It’s less visible than the main building. Easier to keep things hidden and escape if things go sideways."
"And they will," Murtagh added.
"That's why we plan for it," Tseki said, marking choke points on the blueprint.
Clio moved around the table, setting down small cloth bags that smelled of herbs. "I brought protective charms and counter-curses. If the Scythe is down there, its presence will saturate the area with corrupting energy."
She opened one bag, revealing stones etched with runes. "You'll need shields against essence drain. Without them, prolonged exposure could damage your magical cores."
I picked up one of the stones. It was warm against my palm, thrumming with protective intent. "How long do they last?"
"Two hours, maybe three, depending on exposure intensity." Clio distributed stones to everyone on the strike team. "After that, the shields will degrade. You need to be in and out fast."
"That's the plan," Aidon said, tucking his stone into his pocket.
“Speaking of plans.” Stella turned to my mother, who was putting things away. "I had an idea, but only Mollie will be able to do it.”
One of Mom’s eyebrows rose, and confusion crossed her features. “What can I possibly do?”
“I’m hoping that you can use your kitchen witchery skills and brew primordial fire." Stella beamed at her like it was the best idea ever.
Mom's jaw dropped to her chest. "You want me to make primordial fire?"
"It's the only thing guaranteed to destroy the Scythe," Stella said. "I've been thinking about how skilled you are at creating things like your potions.” She was referring to the concoctionmy mother created for herself and the other victims of Lyra’s experiments. Mom struggled to cope with her tribred nature until she developed the potion.
"Primordial fire is not a potion." Mom set down the jar carefully. "That's Old Magic. I don't think it’s something kitchen witchery can duplicate."
"Which you’re a whizz at. Seriously, I’ve been told how there’s not been a more talented kitchen witch in decades,” Stella cajoled. I would have wondered if she was lying, but Stella had a way of getting people to open up. It was why she’d created the network and not someone else.
“Do you think you can do it?" I asked.
Mom's gaze swept from me to the triplets in their bouncy seats scattered across the floor. Thaniel's downy hair sparked with tiny flames that danced across his scalp like fairy lights. Nyssa's shadows had pooled around her seat in dark, protective tendrils, coiling and uncoiling like living things. Only Melaina slept peacefully, her chest rising and falling with the kind of innocence that made my throat tight.
"I can try." Mom's voice was careful, measured—the tone she used when she was already three steps ahead, calculating odds and risks. "But I'll need three things. Dragon's blood resin. Ash from a lightning-struck tree that's at least a hundred years old. And a piece of obsidian formed during a volcanic eruption."
My stomach dropped. Ofcourse,it couldn't be simple. Of course, we couldn't just?—
"The dragon's blood isn't a problem." Tseki offered. "I can give you pure grade resin that would make master alchemists sell their firstborns." He flashed a grin that was all teeth and arrogance.
One down. Hope flickered in my chest. I hated getting ahead of myself, but Stella might have had a brilliant idea.
"I should be able to source the ash from a lightning-struck oak," Clio offered as she pulled out her phone, and her fingers flew across the screen. "Someone in the covenhasto have some. We're witches—half of us hoard this shit like dragons with gold." She winked at Tseki.
Two down. The flicker grew stronger. Could we actually do this?
"I have obsidian,” Nana blurted. “Though I’m not sure if it’ll work. It’s a little totem I picked up in Hawaii back in '62—before I knew a damn thing about the supernatural world. Just thought it was a cute souvenir. Been using it as a paperweight for sixty-some years. Guess the universe knew I'd need it eventually."
