“What?” Guns were strictly forbidden in the Federation, their possession punishable by death. To find them in use here would be more proof that the place belonged to the Resistance. Sure enough, I picked out a small, humanoid shape on the rooftop of the main building, and another on the garage port. “By Magorah,” I growled, curling my hands around the blades of grass sticking up from the dirt. “These guns are really becoming an issue.”

“Bullets can be shielded against,” Iannis said, his eyes narrowed as he studied the main building, “though they are a nuisance. It’s the ward that worries me.”

“How big is it?” I asked, knowing he would be able to see it.

Iannis was silent for a moment. “It begins just inside the fence, and surrounds the buildings as well as a good portion of the wooded area. I’d say at least ten acres, total.”

“Shit,” I muttered, trying to wrap my head around that. “The facility must be huge, then.”

“Indeed,” Iannis agreed grimly. “This particular type of ward is most often tied to an object within its boundaries, usually referred to as an anchor. Getting your hands on that is the only means to shut the ward off, but of course you must first get inside. I believe Argon Chartis favors this method of warding.”

“That bastard,” I hissed, baring my teeth. “I wish I’d had the chance to kill him.”

“You chopped off his leg,” Iannis reminded me. “That is an impressive feat in itself. Chartis may be a traitor, but he is an experienced mage, and I would not feel comfortable allowing you to face him in a duel.”

“Well then, you’d better kill him yourself,” I retorted. “Because he seems to be tripping us up at every turn.”

“I guess Director Chartis wasn’t told exactly what is being produced inside the bunker,” Elnos surmised. “I can’t imagine any mage helping the Resistance develop a mage-killing disease, no matter how much he might hate you, Lord Iannis.”

“You’re probably right, but that doesn’t make me feel better,” I grumbled.

“I suppose you’ve triggered the alarm yourself, Elnos,” Iannis said. “What happened when you did?”

“Nothing much.” Elnos shrugged. “No guards came out. But the patrol doubled, and Annia and I could barely leave the camp after that. I believe they won’t actively go after a mage, since they likely have no way to defend against magic aside from the ward Chartis set up.”

“That must mean they haven’t perfected the weapon they’re working on,” I commented.

“Yes, or they’re simply unwilling to use it yet,” Elnos said. “Besides, they would have to have a very fast-acting disease for it to be of any use as a defensive weapon.”

“Do you think I might be able to slip through?” I asked. “Since I’m only half-mage, perhaps I won’t trigger the wards.”