Page 117 of Beasts of Briar
BELLAMY
Aron’s hands curled into fists. “We have to be ready to fight.”
Driscoll gestured from him to Leoni to himself. “We? Us? The four of us? Fight the gods? Are you all insane?”
Leoni crossed her arms. “I thought you said you were with us ’til the end.”
“Yeah.” Driscoll waved his hand. “Like figuratively. I didn’t think that meant I was going to have to fight a god.”
“Did you find anything in Khalasa’s mind?” Leoni asked me.
I shook my head.“I tried, but she’s keeping her memories locked away. And she knew I was in her mind.”
Driscoll swore while Aron rubbed his jaw. “How long do you think we’ll have until they’re here?”
I shook my head.“They were all out of control. I didn’t even see any of the gods, just their magic. I think it’s going to take a few days for them to regain control of themselves, their magic.”
“Okay,” Driscoll said. “We call the other leaders of the courts. Tell them to come.”
“It can take weeks for them to get here,” Leoni said. “Unless they can somehow fly.”
“The shadows,”I signed.“Maybe the shadows can go get them.”
Driscoll looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “But none of us have shadow magic.”
“My father does. He can do it. He can get the other leaders.”
“And the boys in Neverland.” Leoni nodded. “We have to go to them, see if they’ll fight.”
Driscoll frowned. “You think they’re gonna fight after Kairoth took their shadows?”
“He gave them back,”I signed.
“Yeah, after years of holding them hostage.”
“Yet they’re all still here. On his island.”
“I think they’ll fight if the choice is life or death,” Leoni said. “Our entire world is at stake. We at least have to try.”
Aron took all of this in. I turned to him.“What do you think?”
“I think we need to get as many people here to fight as possible. I don’t know the power these gods wield.” He took me in. “I know your power. And you are stronger than anyone I’ve ever encountered. If their magic is anything like yours, we will have the battle of a lifetime, and we need all the help we can get.”
“We’ll go to Neverland,” Leoni said.
Driscoll turned to her. “Can you go alone?” he burst out.
Leoni scowled at him. “Really, Driscoll? You’re going to turn and run now?”
“No.” He stepped forward, grabbed Aron by the shirt and hauled my friend into him, kissing him hard.
“Oh,” Leoni said.
Driscoll moaned into Aron’s mouth, and Aron’s arms wrapped around his back.
“I knew he was into him,” Leoni muttered, rolling her eyes. “Just takes the end of the world to make him figure out what he wants.”
“Will you shut up?” Driscoll said out the side of his mouth while somehow still managing to kiss Aron. “You’re ruining the mood.”
