It’s a weird image considering the jolly music that is still playing.
Griff wastes absolutely no time. Launching himself into the air as Joe scoots backward, finally scrambling to his feet and backing up.
Joe shifts, although it seems to take him a lot longer than it took Griff. Griff reaches out, and then, as if it is absolutely nothing, he snaps Joe’s wing like it’s a toothpick. The sound echoes around the clearing as Joe screams in agony, and the other gargoyles wince.
“We need Griff to calm down, right?” Baz asks quietly.
Van nods and mutters, “Ideally, before he shows everyone how strong he really is.”
“And violence usually calms him?” Baz asks.
“Yep,” Ransom replies. “Like the rest of us.”
A blur rushes past us, and Joe screams in agony as he clutches a bloody, fingerless hand to his chest.
“What the fuck just happened?” Ransom mutters.
The shock seems to cut through the fog of rage that Griff is feeling because he lands looking just as confused as the rest of us.
“Baz,” River grins.
My gaze searches for Baz, and I find him standing off to the side, a dark grin on his face as he watches Joe scream. I squint my eyes to make sure that I’m seeing what I think I am.
Yep.
He’s casually throwing a fistful of Joe’s fingers up in the air and catching them again.
He’s a psycho.
I fucking love it.
The Voices start to cheer and mutter excitedly. Apparently, Baz has just gone up in their estimation, in fact, he might be their favorite now.
Why doesn’t it surprise me to find out that the Voices have favorites?
“Fucking awesome,” Raiden grins. “He fits right in with us.”
Baz strides over to Griff, and they have a conversation that we can’t hear. Eventually, Griff claps Baz on the shoulder with a smile, looking far more relaxed than he did a moment ago.
They turn their back on the still-wailing Joe and walk back toward us. Griff immediately pulls me into his arms.
“Are you okay now?” I ask him. My voice muffled since it’s buried in his neck.
“I am. I didn’t scare you, did I?” He asks.
I scoff. “You know you guys should really stop worrying about scaring me because you’re violent. I think it’s hot.”
He chuckles, and his lips meet mine in a firm kiss.
“Are you okay?” He asks me with concern.
“Yeah, I’m good. Honestly.” I pull out of his arms, but he grabs me and pulls my back to his chest instead. I am more than happy to be wrapped in his arms. Looking for Baz, I’m surprised to see that although Reed is talking to him, and he’s replying, his eyes are on me.
“Thank you, Baz,” I tell him.
Surprise flashes through his eyes, but he nods, “No one touches you without your consent. He’s lucky I only took his fingers.”
I smile, my heart beating fast as his words register, and I find them so sweet.
