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“That’s not our concern now,” Maddox reminded. “Moon is on our side. Can you boost Ruby up?”
The sharp gaze trailed to him, then relaxed as Brian nodded. He freed a hand and placed a glow on the ground, which she stood on. Before he could return his hand to its raised position, she took it.
“We both go up,” she said firmly.
Maddox nodded and readied for the weight. In a series of hand waves, the hole reopened and the two were plunged into the air, a boost so high that they shot straight past Maddox. He glimpsed the creatures jump the sheen once more and break it, then open their jaws wide when they noticed the flying pair. Maddox stretched out his hand to receive Ruby’s beckoning one, then hissed when he nearly lost his balance.
“Guys!” Moon yelled.
“Busy here!” Maddox yelled back, planting his feet wide and calling on his otherworldly strength to pull them up. The three crashed precariously on the branch, which groaned from the pressure. “No, Ruby, wait—”
She jumped and landed smoothly on the next branch, a twinkle of triumph on her face. “You were saying?”
“Keep moving,” Maddox encouraged, in awe at her rising spirits. When Brian didn’t move, still trembling at his feet, Maddox heaved the man up.
“Give me a minute.”
“Okay.”
He ignored the man’s repeated protest and smiled when Brian eventually shut up and allowed himself to be carried. Ruby followed them as they neared Moon and the four regrouped in the trees.
“Now what?” Brian asked.
They looked around. Ruby pointed. “Light.”
Sure enough, the area of the forest she was referring to was lighter than the others. Maddox nodded and led the way with Brian on his back. The creatures below shadowed them, their clickity-clacks a deafening beat that was oddly comforting.
“What are your intentions towards her?” Brian asked after a while.
He glanced at Ruby, who remained at the back of their irregular line.
“I don’t think this is the right place for this.”
“You can talk and still carry me.”
“It’s none of your business.”
“Perhaps it is, considering I am her brother’s best friend.”
“Was,” Maddox countered, then regretted it immediately. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t ever speak about him like that again.”
“I won’t.”
“Now, put me down and tell me.”
He carefully set the man down, relieved when Brian straightened without problems.
“We are friends. You have nothing to worry about because I mean her no harm.” A pause. “And you have nothing to worry about if you are interested in her.”
He waited for the man to confirm and frowned when Brian didn’t.
“I need a few minutes to recharge. I grew rusty from being in Centro for too long.”
It signaled the end of the conversation. Maddox bit his tongue from pestering Brian’s intentions and watched out of the corner of his eye as the warlock fell in step with her. A low growl beside him had him stopping.
“What?”
