XF → Harry Hook [2]✔

Two

The group had not been as silent as they had hoped. About ten meters before they reached the edge of the forest, XJ heard them. The sensation of being watched was not thought to be real by many, but for her, as the hairs on the nape of her neck stood up, it was certainly real enough.

They think you want the crown.

"Harry's smarter than that." XJ muttered, her eyes screwed shut in concentration, as they had been for the last half an hour or so. She was so close she could taste the magic on her tongue, a thousand times stronger than the deadliest electrical current.

You do not know for sure, and we cannot afford their interference.

"I can't afford you as a distraction either."

I will be quiet, if you wish. But the moon will be gone soon, and our window of opportunity will be slammed shut.

"No pressure," XJ snarled sarcastically. The woman didn't answer, and XJ was glad that she had gotten the message. Now she could focus.

Her fingers tightened on Maleficent's spear as the light of the brilliant green orb, which had been so bright it was almost blinding to begin with, gradually diminished. She could feel her own golden threads grasping at the magic within the artifact, draining it of every last drop. The green light ebbed away, growing from the size of a firefly to a faint spark that could only be seen at certain angles, until finally, it vanished like a flame that had been blown out by the wind.

As she drank the staff's magic, XJ felt power surge through her. Her blood boiled beneath her skin like she was in a sauna rather than on a bridge, where the wind cut with knives made of ice. She could smell the stink of the Isle, the salt of the sea and the roses of Auradon, all blended together in a strange yet pungent perfume.

XJ's eyes opened, and the world seemed brighter than ever. Her already acute vision had been enhanced, the nooks and crannies in the buildings of the Isle now jumping out at her like sore thumbs, whereas only seconds ago, they had been shrouded in darkness.

Two down. And more than she was comfortable with to go.

"XJ!"

She heard the pattering of shoes as they fell against soil and then stone, some heavy and some light, but all filled with urgency to reach her. XJ imagined that those living near the barrier would wake at the noise, convinced that a herd of dream elephants were being chased by a lion.

Five seconds. Attach yourself to the fairy.

"I know what I'm doing." XJ hissed through gritted teeth. The golden threads that were holding Fairy Godmother up by her shoulders thickened by a finger's width, and began to twist deep within her, searching and scouring.

"Mom!" Jane cried, her voice ringing through the night. She was close enough now that XJ actually flinched at the noise, her ears more sensitive than normal. "Get away from her!"

Strike when they are within range.

"Shut. Up." XJ snarled under her breath, her back still turned towards the others who had newly arrived. Her eyes were wide open now, staring into the arched gateway to the Isle, but not seeing any of the gate itself as she focused.

"Jay, Evie and Gil, get Audrey and take her back to the castle!" Uma shouted. They were halfway across the bridge now. "Everyone else, with me!"

"What? You can't just send us away - "

"None of you have magic!" Uma snapped, not at all in the mood for resistance. "And magic is the only thing that could potentially scratch her! Go, now!"