Blake secured Jaxon’s hands, just in case the monster decided to reemerge. Jaxon didn’t refuse the binding but seemed to welcome it. I decided it would be best to remain looking like Jaxon’s son. I had no idea what his name was, I realized, but it didn't really matter. Ask later… don’t want to disrupt the effect it’s having on Jaxon.
Blake walked over to Mack, who was still lying on the ground, and nudged him with his foot. “You healed yet? Don’t have all day, you know.”
I wanted to tell him not to be so insensitive, but I noticed his expression. He might not say it in words, but he was worried about him.
Mack grunted and rolled to sit up. His arm wrapped around his stomach. “Tell your brother to cut his nails, will you?”
Blake grunted and grabbed Mack’s hand, pulling him to his feet.
Jaxon mumbled from behind, “Didn’t mean to hurt you, Mack.”
Mack shook his head with a grin. “No worries, Jax. Let’s get you to Tonbo for a little makeover. Pretty sure you want to ditch the enormous noggin too, right?”
“Mack,” I gasped, not sure how Jaxon would take the teasing. We were lucky Jaxon was here and not the bug. I didn’t want to push it.
“What? It’s true,” Mack protested. “I’m sure it can’t be easy to find shirts that fit over that thing.”
“Stop!” I tried to slap Mack’s arm, but not use to my short stature, my hand barely grazed his elbow. He laughed and I noticed that everyone, including Jaxon, smiled. Well, at least everyone’s in good humor. Hope it stays that way.
Blake decided he would tow his brother once we made it out of the mine; no one wanted him transforming to use his wings. And Mack would tow me, at least until we parted ways, since looking like Jaxon’s son left me wingless as well. I had so many questions to ask, but now wasn’t the time. Jaxon had to get to the island fast; we didn’t know how long he’d be able to fight the bug off. Blake wanted Mack to see me safely home. To my relief, I’d only been missing for a few days and Blake had assured my parents I’d return as soon as I was over the flu and up for the drive.
We hustled through the underground labyrinth, only this time using torches. I thought having lights would be better, but I was wrong. The tight places and tunnels totally freaked me out. Can’t believe I flew through all this before! Everything felt damp and smelled rank and old. I couldn’t wait to get out, to breathe fresh air again. Once the stairs appeared, I glanced up to see the wooden door was now scattered down the stairs in pieces. Guess the guys kicked it in when they got here with Kory.
Kory. That name enraged me. He’d caused quite a mess and left us all here to clean it up. Blake was right; he couldn’t be trusted.
Like it or not, the problems didn’t end with Kory. Jaxon had confirmed it was Kory who convinced him changing into a dragon would be the best thing for Blake. As we climbed the steps, I decided I had to ask Jaxon one last thing before we parted ways.
Bright sunlight hit my eyes, and we left the underground world behind. As I stepped on to the wooden platform, I peered around to see we were inside a rundown shed, made of wood. Many of the planks were broken, leaving gaping holes in the walls, through which the wind howled. Loose timber above us rattled and clanked together. It felt like the whole thing might come down on our heads at any moment.
When Blake stepped over to Mack to make sure he was up to the flight, I moved to Jaxon’s side.
“Ready for this?” I asked.
The tears he’d shed before left his face looking like a zebra whose stripes were made of dirt.
He nodded. “I need this.”
“Jaxon.” I lowered my voice, “Why did you say before you thought it was Blake?”
Jaxon stared at the floorboards for a moment, and then met my gaze. “While we were camping, he left for a while. I figured he’d gone to see you. Then when he came back, he seemed agitated. Mack showed up the next day to tell us you were gone.”
Jaxon glanced over at Blake and shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I assumed he’d done it. But I don’t know really. It went against everything he tried to protect you from. Little did he know that he really needed to protect you from his big brother.”
“That’s not your fault,” I said, feeling bad I’d brought any of this up.
“That’s right. It’s Kory’s,” Blake cut in. I wondered how much of our conversation he’d overheard. His expression hardened. “And he will pay for this.”
Hidden Monster Page 58