A hole formed in front of them. It wasn’t dark like last time, but bright. As it widened, Aiden made out green leaves before a figure moved to block out everything else. Aiden tensed, wondering if they’d made a mistake, if this had all been a trick and they were only making things worse.
Dylan was bleeding out, hot blood running through Aiden’s fingers. But Aiden couldn’t even use his rudimentary healing spell because all his magic was being poured into keeping the barrier up. He couldn’t drop it thanks to the promise he’d made. Not until they knew the spell had worked.
The figure stepped through, and with a rush of relief, Aiden recognized his birth mother. His brother came right behind her.
“Nuala.” Aiden sagged as the binding of the promise gave way.
“Aiden, are you all right?” Nuala rushed to him, dropping to her knees. Behind her, Oisin stepped through the portal.
“He used his blood…” Aiden struggled to focus so he could use the healing spell.
Dylan was still conscious, but he was very pale and his eyes were drooping.
“You need to help me close the portal. Get up.” Mr. Johnson grabbed Aiden’s arm, yanking at him.
“Get your hands off my son.”
“Stop, stop!” Aiden held his hands up. “We need to help Dylan.” Didn’t Mr. Johnson care?
The warden glanced at Dylan. Aiden might have imagined the look of concern on his face, but he hoped not. “There are more fae coming through. We have to stop them.”
“If you attempt to harm my son, I will kill you,” Nuala said. The spring warmth of her magic had a sharp edge to it.
“We’re on the same side. This is Mr. Johnson.” At least Aiden hoped they were on the same side. Aiden didn’t know what he would do if his birth mom and the warden got in a fight.
They stared at each other.
Nuala said, “We will close the portal when we are all through. We are here to help my son against the dark fae.” There were now six other fae standing next to Oisin, tense gazes fixed on Mr. Johnson.
Dylan’s arm moved, sliding out of his grip. Aiden turned to find him sagging, eyes closed. “Dylan!” Panic crushed his lungs, spots dancing in front of his eyes. Dylan couldn’t die. Please God, please no.
Something huge blocked out the starlight, and a roar shook the air. Could this get any worse? But when Aiden looked up, he saw a dragon and relief washed through him.
Bryn called her son’s name as she landed only feet away. One of her huge front paws caressed him gently, and the soft blue of a healing spell surrounded Dylan. The flesh under Aiden’s hands tingled.
“Did they hurt him?” Bryn growled. She filled the backyard, too large to fit more than her head and shoulders between the houses.
“No. That’s my birth mom. They’re on our side. Dylan… He used his blood to open the portal.” That had been so brave. Stupid but brave.
Blood stopped running through Aiden’s fingers. After a moment, Dylan opened his eyes. He looked pale and weak, but he was alive.
Aiden reached over to grip his good hand since Bryn’s claw around his friend made hugging difficult.
“Did it work?” Dylan asked.
“Yeah. You stupid idiot.” Aiden tried to wipe his tears away but only managed to smear Dylan’s blood all over his face.
“Good. Now get up and help me close this portal.” Mr. Johnson didn’t grab him again, but his voice was full of command.
“We are nearly all through,” Nuala said.
Aiden looked over to see almost a dozen fae standing near the portal, which was still slowly widening.
It took two tries for Aiden to get to his feet. “They’re here to help.” Although it made his anxiety spike, he put himself between Nuala and Mr. Johnson. Dylan is alive. We have help. Everything will be fine.
Mr. Johnson didn’t look happy at all, but Aiden realized the warden couldn’t do much. If he attacked, he’d be facing several fae. For once, Aiden had leverage against him. “If they don’t close the portal behind them, then I’ll help you close it. But we need them.” Aiden had to be strong. For Dylan, for his parents, for Tiago. For everyone in Shadow Valley.
“Very well,” Mr. Johnson ground out. “If they swear they won’t—”
“No.” Aiden was surprised at the sharpness in his voice. “No more swearing. You’ll just have to trust them. And me.”
Several of the fae turned, holding their hands up. Magic flowed from them, and the portal began to close.
“See?” Aiden said.
Something exploded nearby, shaking the ground. Mr. Johnson cast an anxious glance toward the battle. “There will be consequences. But first we have to survive this.”
* * *
His mom’s huge dragon form crouched over Dylan. He slowly regained strength as her healing magic flowed through him.
An ache that had nothing to do with physical pain filled him as he watched everyone else run toward the battle. He desperately wanted to fight, but he wasn’t even sure he could stand up. Dylan filled his mom in on what had happened.
No one had attacked them yet, although Dylan’s mom was a huge and obvious target. But even fae would think twice before taking on a dragon, so maybe that was why no one had been brave enough—or stupid enough—to try it.
“I’m so proud of you,” she said.
“What?” Dylan had been expecting a lecture.
“You risked your life to keep us all safe.” She nuzzled him with a head larger than his body. “You’ve grown so much. Fighting to save the wardens last year and now this. I’ve always known this was the kind of man you could be.”
“Thanks, Mom.” He put a hand against her cheek, the words warming him. Dylan had always been difficult, pushing even his laid-back parents to frustration. They’d never made him feel like a disappointment, but it was still incredible to know he was finally living up to his mom’s expectations. “You should go help. I’m fine now.”
She tilted her head. “No. You’ll wait until I leave and then try to join the fight.” She knew him too well.
“So you’ll stay here and make sure I don’t. Tell me I’ve done enough already.” Dylan tried to console himself. He’d helped bring the light fae over, so now at least the odds were even. But it would suck to sit here while everyone else battled the extremists.
“No, I’m going to heal you enough so you can fight.”
“Really?”
“Yes, but my magic can only do so much.” Her voice grew thick. “You lost so much blood…” Swallowing, she went on in a more even tone. “You won’t be even half strength, so you’ll need to stay close to me.”
“Yeah, sure.” He’d agree to that if it meant he didn’t have to wait out the battle.
Someone appeared around the corner, arms up with a spell already forming between her hands. Her purplish-blue skin marked her as one of the dark fae. One of them had finally decided to attack.