Just before Terranus slammed into him, Animus unleashed a blast of frigid black energy that stopped Terranus in his tracks. The dragon snarled, unable to break through it despite his thrashing. He threw his entire body into it but it was fruitless. Animus's blast was too strong.
Terranus was thrown backwards, landing with a frustrated snarl.
"Damn, that feels good," Animus said, looking over his claws and smirking.
I clutched Bear's hand. Was it over?
Terranus slowly righted himself. Something black trickled from his jaws and his body sagged with exhaustion. He muttered a curse at Animus under his breath.
"Had enough, Terranus?" Animus asked.
"I wish you were never born," Terranus spat.
"I know," Animus said pleasantly. "Now go back into your hole and stop bothering these mortals, hm? They're expecting a baby so they have plenty of work to do."
Terranus glared at Bear. My mate stared right back at him. Terranus might've been the spirit of earth but Bear was as strong and steady as a boulder. Nothing would make him yield.
Though Terranus clenched his jaw like he had more venom to spit, he said nothing. He slunk into the remains of the tunnel. It caved in around him like magnets attracted to his rocky hide, and covered everything until only solid ground remained. Then the earth was silent.
Animus clapped his clawed hands together. "Well, good riddance to him. I don't know why, but Terranus has always hated me more than the others. What can you expect from someone whose name ends in '-anus'?"
Bear snorted a laugh. I couldn't stop myself from grinning, either.
"Um... Thanks, Animus," I said. "I have to say, I wasn't expecting you to help us."
Animus shot me a knowing glance. "Really, Ashe, I'm hurt. Even after the way I assisted you earlier?"
My face flushed because I knew he was talking about putting me into heat.
Okay, he is still kind of a bastard.
When Bear looked confused, I cleared my throat loudly. "Anyway, we appreciate it. I have to say, I misjudged you."
His expression was odd. I couldn't quite read it. If I had to guess, he seemed vindicated but also a little sad.
"It happens," Animus said, waving it off.
Bear raised his hands. "Thank you. For helping my mate and baby."
"You're welcome, Bear. You seem like a good one."
What did Animus mean by that? By a 'good one', did he mean an alpha?
I thought back to what Quinn told me about his experience with Animus. The spirit hadn't shown himself to Quinn at first—he only appeared to his omega mate, Farley. When Animus finally did meet Quinn, he didn't trust him. Hell, he even threatened him. I couldn't imagine why. Quinn was the most chill alpha ever.
The gears turned in my mind. Did Animus have an issue with alphas for some reason? But why would it even matter to him? He was a spirit, not a mortal.
My ruminations were cut short as Bear signed Animus a question.
"By the way, how can you understand me? The other spirit could, too."
Animus scoffed but he sounded amused. "You underestimate how long we've been around. You don't exist as an immortal being without picking up an extra language or two. Or twenty."
That confirmed my thought that Animus was immortal. Then why had Terranus mentioned wanting to kill him? Was he just exaggerating to make a point of his hatred?
"There's something else," Bear told Animus. "I've heard you grant blessings."
"It's... complicated." Animus crossed his arms. "But for you, I might make an exception. What do you want?"
