He had a different aura about him than the last time. It was as if he'd forgotten his anger towards me—or he was doing a good job of hiding it.
"Cloud!" Mistral cried, kicking his bird legs. "Help me!"
"Oh, shut up," Animus growled.
Even though Animus didn't do anything, Mistral squeaked and went silent.
I didn't care about their charade. The only reason I was here was to find out why my instincts had activated. Protecting Meeko and our baby was my only goal.
But now that I was here, and the sword was right in front of me, I knew I shouldn't waste this chance.
My gaze flicked from the sword to Animus. "What do you want?"
Animus grinned wildly. "I'msoglad you asked—"
"Cloud!" Mistral shrieked again.
This time Animus snarled, shaking the other spirit by the hair. "Do not interrupt me again, or I'll make you regret it."
Mistral clutched the tiny sword in his hands, like he still believed it could protect him despite being swallowed up in his talons. He may as well just have scratched Animus instead.
"Animus, wait," I said. "I want to talk to Mistral."
The air spirit looked relieved. "Yes, thank you, Cloud."
Geez, he really was fickle. After treating both me and Meeko like crap, now he was pretending we were friends all of a sudden? I didn't know how much I trusted Animus, but I definitely didn't trust Mistral.
"You should drop the sword," I suggested.
Mistral's face fell. That clearly wasn't what he expected me to say.
"You can't use it," I said. "Youknewthat by the time we confronted you. Youshould've returned it to Meeko when he asked."
"I can use it," Mistral insisted angrily. "I—I only need time to figure it out!"
Animus narrowed his pale eyes in exasperation. I intervened before Animus could rip his head off—figuratively or literally.
"No, you can't," I said firmly. "Only omegas can wield the sword."
Mistral's face went pale. "What? You're lying."
"I'm not. I'd show you, but I'm an alpha, so it won't work in my hand either."
Animus grinned, his fangs flashing. He looked like he was having the time of his life.
I didn't understand him at all.
"Why did you bring Mistral here? Just to have an audience while you beat him up?" I asked Animus.
The dark spirit scoffed. "Beat him up? Please. I'm not that crass. And after all the trouble I went through to bring him to you..."
"You brought him here on purpose?"
Mistral quaked like a leaf. I remembered his glass house in disarray, the black scrawled threat on the front door. The pieces slowly fell into place.
"Mistral," I began, "did you steal Meeko's sword to protect yourself from Animus?"
Animus barked out a laugh. "Oh, that's cute. You thought that little toothpick was going to help you?"
