For our baby.
I recalled Quinn's enthusiasm when he spoke of Animus and what he did for their daughter. Was Animus's blessing more genuine than I thought? I didn't trust it at the time, but he truly did seem to care about young children.
"We're not leaving," I told Animus.
He got to his feet and stared at us, baffled.
"We'll help you," Bear signed.
Animus blinked slowly then let out an exasperated laugh. It sounded like he was out of breath. I wondered if dodging Terranus's attack took more out of him than I realized.
"You and your pack are a strange lot," Animus said with amusement. "But fine. If you insist."
The rocky spines on Terranus's back flared as he prepared another attack.
"There is something you should know," Animus went on, not taking his eyes off the other spirit. "I am... weaker than he is."
Given his reaction to Terranus's insult earlier, that didn't surprise me. Though I wasn't sure why all spirits didn't have the same amount of power. Was it just Animus who lacked it?
"But remember what I told you earlier, Ashe," Animus said.
I thought back to our conversation underground. "You said you wanted my power, right?"
"Yes. Though I'm not so much of a brute that I'd take it by force," Animus muttered. "But it is magic that you and Bear possess. The magic of fated mates."
Bear gazed at me with wide, awe-filled eyes.
"It's strong right now because you just consummated your love, and because Bear summoned his strength to save you. If you share your magic with me, I might be able to defeat Terranus," Animus said. "Or at least knock enough sense into him that he leaves damn well enough alone."
"What do you think, Bear?" I asked.
He hesitated, then asked Animus, "Will it hurt my mate?"
"No," Animus replied.
"My baby?"
Animus seemed appalled by the idea. "Absolutely not."
"Then do it."
Animus outstretched his hands. They were so pale I could practically see the bones beneath his skin. Bear and I both shifted to place our hands on top of his. When I touched him, he was freezing.
Then something flowed into him. A tingling sensation crawled down my arm. It was coming from my body, and Bear's too.
Terranus froze. "No!" he snarled. "That magic is mine! Give it to me!"
He ran. The ground shook every time his heavy steps hit the earth.
"Ah," Animus said, cracking his neck. He held his head higher and his cape billowed like a thunder cloud speeding across the sky. "Much better. Thank you. Stand back, please."
Bear and I gave him space. My mate's hand grabbed mine, holding it tightly.
"Animus, you treacherous thief!" Terranus roared. "We should have killed you when we had the chance!"
What the hell? But Animus is a spirit. I thought they couldn't die?
"Yes, yes," Animus mumbled, rolling back his shoulder. "You and everybody else."
