Shock flitted across Meeko's features. "You know about the sword?"
Animus let out a laugh, as if it was obvious. "Absolutely."
I wasn't entirely surprised. Animus was such a nosy spirit. He seemed to be everywhere all at once, constantly meddling in my family's business for better or for worse. He was like the local town gossip, except horned and clawed and terrifying.
"You know, Meeko," Animus drawled, never taking his eyes off the omega, "there's a reason Mistral couldn't handle the sword."
Meeko's arms fell to his sides. "Why?"
Animus's grin widened until all his fangs were visible. "That's because only an omega can wield it."
Meeko's brows rose, disappearing behind the fluffy brown hair on his forehead. I'd never seen him speechless like this.
"How do you know that?" I demanded.
But I should've known better than to ask. Animus had no interest in speaking to me. He flatly ignored my question.
"If only an omega can wield it, does that mean Mistral is an alpha?" Meeko asked.
Animus gave him a half shrug. "For all intents and purposes, yes."
Wait a second. Did Animus just confirm that spirits had similar bodily features to mortals?
"Mistral's an alpha?" I sputtered, still shocked by the revelation.
For the first time since arriving, Animus finally turned his gaze on me—except it was a sneer. "Yes, which means you two harpy brutes have more in common than you realized."
My feathers fluffed up in defiance. "I'm not a brute!"
But Animus had already faced away from me. I may as well have been talking to a brick wall.
"I can see it in your eyes, how much that sword means to you," Animus said to Meeko in a voice that was almost gentle. "So let me offer you my aid. I'll help you retrieve the sword if you agree to my terms."
The wary trust that had been budding on Meeko's face evaporated. His expression went cold again. "No."
I was just as surprised as Animus at Meeko's response. I knew how badly he wanted that sword back. Even if he mistrusted spirits, I didn't expect his refusal to be so blatant.
Then again, Meeko didn't have the same history with Animus that my family did. His entire experience with spirits was poor. It made sense that he didn't accept the offer with open arms.
"No?" Animus echoed. "Quick to make up your mind, weren't you?"
Meeko narrowed his eyes. "Spirits are nothing but trouble. I doubt you're helping me from the goodness of your heart, if you even have one."
That made Animus laugh. He touched his black claws to his chest. "I do, but that's not the point. You're right that I'm not simply being altruistic. But I made my offer clear upfront. I help you and you help me. It would be a mutually beneficial relationship."
"I don't care," Meeko said.
Animus's smile faded. "Oh? Then how do you expect to retrieve your sword? By piggybacking off this predator until you manage to chase Mistral down?"
I frowned when he called me that, but Meeko's reaction was even more intense.
"Don't talk about him like that," Meeko snapped. "Just… Speak to me."
Was Meeko trying to protect me from him? I didn't expect that.
"Fine. Let's continue our riveting conversation," Animus said in a fake pleasant tone. "Now answer me. How are you, a mouse shifter, going to accomplish your goals? You must know that you can't defeat Mistral in a fight. He may be a pathetic excuse for a spirit, but he's still a hundred times stronger than any mortal." He smirked. "And of course, there's the fact that he can fly and you can't. Unless you plan on spinning your naked little tail around like a helicopter."
Meeko’s spine went rigid with fury. I could tell he wanted to attack Animus the same way he had attacked Mistral, but Animus was a different beast. The malice he radiated was thick enough to cut with a knife. Meeko must've known that if he couldn't win against Mistral, he had zero chance against Animus.
