Gina nodded as they drew in upon the van, diving in ahead of Ami and pulling her wings in close. Ami shouted a command, sliding the door shut, and Aurum spun in disbelief, questioning his sister’s authority.

“Come on, come on, go, go,” Gina agreed, whispering urgently. She didn’t relax until the van pulled out of the parking place and quickly sped away, at which point, Gina slouched over, echoing Amelia’s sentiment with a sigh.

“We were getting chased by something enormous,” Gina told Aurum urgently, “Things! Big, scary things!”

Aurum glanced back and rolled his eyes at them.

"Babies." He muttered. But secretly, falling trees did seem a bit offputting.

Amelia smacked him on the back of the head.

"Hey!" He objected. He wagged a finger in front of him, like a conductor, emphasizing every word. "Don't. Hit. The. Driver."

"You earned it." She silenced him.

Turning back to Gina, she apologized. "He's usually not like this. He must just not be getting any. It makes him grouchy. Sorry."

Aurum's eyes narrowed. The trees were lucky they did not burst into flames under the heat of his gaze.