Aiden dove in front of her. And it was only a split second later, when Aru saw the terrible smile on Lady M’s face, that she realized Aiden had done exactly as the demoness wanted.
The arrow hit him with full force. Aiden crumpled to the ground.
“No!” screamed Brynne.
She dropped her mace and ran to him.
Lady M picked up the bow again, and plucked the string. Before Aru realized what washappening, the arrow flew back into the demoness’s waiting hand.
Terrible guilt pressed down on Aru’s lungs.Shehad let all this happen. And now …
“Take care of them,” she heard Lady M command her troops.
The Heartless turned as one toward Aru, Mini, Hira, and Brynne.
Then, miraculously, Aiden pushed himself off the ground, knocking Brynne onto her butt.
“Hey!” she said.
Aru started breathingagain. There was a second when Aru thought Aiden would brush himself off and whirl his scimitars against Lady M.
Instead, he snarled at Aru, his hands raised threateningly.
Aiden had gone Heartless.
