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There was no need to say the last as she had already poured the green liquid down Milos’ throat, who protested vehemently. One more liquid poured and the two jumped back, warily taking in the way the creature faced them with utmost focus.
“Run to the house if Milos comes for you. It’s attack-proof.”
Pearl wrinkled her nose but nodded. The creature lasered in on her and licked its lips…then, paused, losing some of the tension in its body. Maddox held his breath, then released it when the creature’s eyes glazed and an odd calm settled over it.
“Again,” he said, more to himself than to her. He approached it warily. “Milos?”
Milos’s gaze flicked over to him, acknowledging the name. Despite the relaxed state, there was intelligence in those orbs, reminding him of the tree creature he had encountered on that unknown island. Maddox braced himself and stood in front of it, taking its attention.
“Milos, I don’t know why you keep coming back here. I don’t know why you keep attacking us, either, when we mean you no harm.” A pause. “You stopped attacking Helga’s farm animals. Can you spare us the same chance?”
There was no visible response, but the creature made no hostile sound. Maddox circled him, then took another risk and patted the creature’s back—an action that sent Milos jerking, but again, the creature didn’t whirl to attack him.
“What’s in the potion?”
“A relaxer. But not a drug. It just guides the neurons in the right direction to get rid of whatever negative emotions the user is feeling, without taking away the user’s ability to move.”
Which meant that Miloscouldattack him, but was choosing not to. Curiosity sparked.
“Milos, back in your old home…were you always under attack? Did you always have someone after your back?”
Silence. Then the creature inclined its head. Amazement charged Maddox’s soul as a hundred more questions popped into his mind, but he refrained from overwhelming Milos.
“You must not have rested at all,” he murmured, now understanding why the creature always chose to come back here. “But you can rest now. All you have to do is to stop attacking us and show us we can live in harmony. Can you try? Please? I promise it will just be us until you are used to company.”
There was another incline of head, this time more prominent. Still not wanting to overwhelm the creature, Maddox led it to the back and was relieved when Milos reluctantly but obediently went with him. When he stepped back to the yard, Pearl thrust the basket in his hand.
“Keep giving it to him and lessen the amount each time. His body will adjust to it. Ask Helga to contact me or Saph if you need more. And the boy…”
“He doesn’t need it.”
“Right. I figured that.”
Pearl peered at him strangely.
“What’s with the look?”
“Nothing. You are a good fellow, Maddox.”
The compliment was unexpected but pleasant. He smiled. “Thank you.”
The brunette still didn’t stop looking, but now she hesitated. He waited her out, sensing the conflict before she cleared her throat.
“I wasn’t going to say anything, but…”
“But what?”
“It’s Ruby,” she blurted out. “I’m worried about her.”
Immediately, his back went up. “Why? Because she is with me?”
But Pearl shook her head.
“Not that, silly. I don’t care about any of that.”
“Then what is it?”
Another hesitation, unusual for the often-bolder Pearl. Then she sighed.
