Clay POV
The barrier, smelling faintly of damp earth and ancient magic, glowed with a demonic light I could now see with my own eyes. Baldur's voice, a resonant boom that vibrated in my very bones, echoed in my mind: "He is protected, and so is the stone. This barrier—dragon-proof, I'd never have believed it! You've been hidden. The last witch I worked with... wasn't immortal."
Frustration, a burning knot in my chest, fueled my mental reply: "They're always one step ahead." But I wouldn't be deterred. The image of Emma, her strength a beacon in the swirling chaos, sharpened my resolve.
"Emma is strong. She trusts us; we must trust her. We fight to escape, quickly but carefully, ensuring she remains in control, unharmed. I won't be tricked again."
Baldur's approval, a wave of
