Animus glanced at me from the corner of his eye. I had a feeling he was checking to see if I was still standing far away, quietly. When he was satisfied with my obedience, he grinned at Terranus, but he didn't look happy.
"Must I have a reason for visiting you, dear—"
"Silence!"
Terranus stomped his foot on the ground, making it shake. I stumbled back. Animus held his ground.
"Which one is it?" Animus said, annoyed now. "Do you want a reply, or do you want me to be silent? Your instructions are a bit contradictory, if you ask me."
"You know exactly what you're doing," Terranus hissed through his fangs. "Do not waste my time."
Animus grimaced. The next time he spoke, his voice was serious. "Fine, Terranus. Here is the truth. I'm here for the magic you stole from me."
The earth dragon was still for a second. Then he belted out a raucous, cruel laugh. The sound was like a shattering boulder. It made my teeth hurt.
Maybe this wasn't a good idea after all.
Terranus lowered his great head, glaring coldly at Animus. "That is the most amusing thing you've ever said."
Animus narrowed his eyes. "What's so amusing about it?"
"You arenevergetting it back," Terranus declared. "Now get out of my sight before I lose my patience."
Animus's jaw went taut, like he was holding himself back from replying. I felt awful for him. I figured they weren't on good terms, but this was worse than I expected. How could Terranus treat Animus like this? If any of my family members talked to me that way, I'd have a meltdown.
But we couldn't have come all this way for nothing. Terranus had to listen to reason.
"Why won't you give Animus's magic back to him?" I asked.
The two spirits fell silent. Animus whipped his head around, staring at me in concern. I knew I'd defied his orders, but I couldn't let his effort go to waste.
Terranus growled, deep and scratchy. He turned his intimidating snout towards me and bared his teeth.
"Why does this mortal think he can speak?" he demanded.
Before I could respond, Animus stepped in front of me. His height and billowing, silky curtain of hair blocked me from Terranus's view.
"Themortalhas a mind of his own," Animus said in a tone that implied I shouldn't speak again.
But he still sounded worried, which concerned me. I didn't like seeing him under duress. More than that, I didn't like the way Terranus talked to him. Every time he disrespected Animus and put him down, a tight ball of anger vibrated in my chest.
I wanted to protect him.
I put my hand on Animus's shoulder and stepped out from behind him so we were side-by-side. It was okay if he wanted to defend me, but I could defend myself. I'd rather show him I was his moral support. No matter what happened, I was there for him.
Animus's eyes widened. "Leveret—"
Terranus roared with cold laughter. But I knew he wasn'treallylaughing. He was mocking us.
"How cute," Terranus said. "A mortal defending the idiotic spirit."
The anger in my chest sparked, growing hotter. "Don't talk about Animus like that."
"Leveret—"
"Silence, Animus," Terranus snarled at him. "Let the mortal speak. Surely he has somethingusefulto say."
Looking back later, I'd recognize that Terranus was insulting me. But at that moment, I took it as a cue to keep talking.