Forever - Chanda Hahn Page 0,94

onlookers, who were really a group of Fae. It was easy to spot the one in charge. He was tall—impossibly tall—towering over seven feet, with a voice that carried easily. His arms and hands were like giant mallets, and he flung them around as he gave orders to his guild.

“It’s Strong Arm,” Jared said in surprise. “I thought I destroyed his guild long ago, but leave it to him to rebuild again. Think metallurgist—or, um, you would call them blacksmiths—but Fae.”

To his side, she saw Constance. Next to Constance, she saw a face that made her cry out. “Charlie!” Mina ran forward, pushing through the crowd.

Charlie’s eyes lit up. He flew off the podium and ran to jump into her arms.

“You’re safe,” she cooed, struggling under his weight. “And you’ve grown!” She laughed and put him down. Nan and Brody were on Charlie’s heels, and Nan was the second to wrap her in a hug. “Oh, it was terrible. The Reapers grabbed us at the pier but…” Nan stopped talking when she saw Jared. “You!”

Brody leaped in front of her and grabbed Mina, pulling her behind him.

Jared’s jaw ticked with anger, and he squared off in front of Brody. “Take your hands off of her, before you lose them.”

“No,” Brody growled, doing his best to be intimidating.

“Brody, wait.” Mina looped her arm through his and met his eyes, pleading. When she turned to look at Jared next, she swallowed. His gaze was locked on her arm holding Brody’s. He was about to let someone have it. Mina quickly let go and stepped in front of Jared. “He’s okay.”

Now it was Jared’s turn to pull her behind his back and keep her out of Brody’s reach.

“I won’t let you hurt her,” Brody threatened. He crossed his arms over his muscular chest.

“I’m not going to… ever.” Jared’s voice dropped low.

“If you do, I’ll kill you. Whatever it takes.” Brody eyed Jared, and something passed between the two boys. A silent conversation.

Jared squinted.

Brody raised his chin.

A minute passed.

Mina sighed and rolled her eyes.

“Agreed.” Jared laughed. “I can live with that.”

Nan pushed past Brody. “Are you the evil one?” She jabbed him in the chest, and he stepped back with a look of chagrin. But it was clear he approved.

Mina couldn’t help but smirk. “Evil never won.”

She couldn’t say anything else, because Strong Arm pointed at the gate. More boats and ships filled with warriors came through. A small dragon suddenly hovered over her shoulder, nodding to her.

Anders. Faithful through everything.

“I swear those are not my men,” Jared answered.

“But how is it staying open so long?” Ever seemed miffed. “We only had window of a few seconds to get through.”

“I froze the moment in which the gate opened.” Jared shrugged like it was no big deal.

“They just keep coming,” Nan said, her voice full of panic.

Mina looked at Jared and then back at the gate, her face filled with anger. “Then we have to finish what you started. We have to destroy the gate—even if it means we destroy the bridge. We can’t let any more come through.”

Jared seemed surprised at her answer. “There’s that siren side of you!”

He ran up to speak with Strong Arm who agreed. He divided his and what was left of Constance’s Godmothers, and they headed out toward the bridge.

Ternan’s ship was still trying to retreat, under constant fire from the helicopters. A few of the Godmothers helped cloak it again, and it went invisible.

Kino rose up from the shoreline, limping, and shook the water from his hair. A boat of gnomes paddled furiously toward him.

“Godmothers!” Strong Arm pointed, and a few broke off to rush down to the shoreline to meet the oncoming hoard.

Kino crawled, barely able to get away from the gnomes. Brody rushed down and put Kino’s arm around his neck. He half-dragged-half-carried Kino up to them.

“Siren.” Strong Arm’s voice only had one volume. “Are you still with us?”

Kino, visibly shaken, was covered in cuts and bruises. Mina didn’t think he could fight anymore.

“Can you bring the bridge down?”

Kino followed his gaze to the Golden Gate Bridge and paled. “Not on my own I can’t. I may be good, but I’m not that good.”

Charlie rushed forward out of Nan’s grasp and stood by Kino. He pointed his thumb toward his chest and back at the bridge.

“Charlie!” A strange mixture of pride and fear coursed through Mina. She’d seen him use the power of his siren gift—his heritage—before, but so much was at stake here. She just