Athena listened in rapt silence as I explained the Eis-Vara rune, her sharp eyes widening slightly when I described the silver dagger and the drop of blood needed to bind the anchor to my soul.
"A physical shield woven into the oak," she murmured, a look of profound respect crossing her features. "No wonder Demetrius was completely locked out. Rachel, that's incredibly ancient magic. If it keeps your father from breaching your mind, it’s worth every ounce of exhaustion—but promise me you’ll be careful. Tying your raw energy to physical wood is no small feat."
"I will," I promised, offering her a reassuring nod. "Right now, it's just a matter of seeing if it holds when he tries to strike."
With the briefing finished and a solid plan in motion for the southern border, we parted ways. I le
