Page 32 of Beach Bats

“What does that have to do with me?”

“If you play a prank with me, then I’ll only get into half as much trouble,” Nix said.

Aries had to give Nix credit. He was crafty and smart. “Okay.”

Nix’s eyes widened. “Okay?”

“I’ll do it,” Aries agreed. Gem did deserve it. And Aries did like having fun with Nix. Surely at least this time he wouldn’t get hurt.

“Yes!” Nix pumped his fist. “We need to hurry. I told Evan I was going to the bathroom and your Daddy won’t wait too long to come check on you.”

Aries kicked off his flip-flops. “Let’s do this then.”

Nix was with him as he yanked his tank over his head.

It didn’t take long for them to get naked and shift into their fruit bat forms. Aries hopped over his clothes then onto the coffee table. He wanted to play with his toys but after this Vin was going to be annoyed with him. It was still going to be funny.

Nix hopped closer and flapped his wings.

Here they went. Aries launched himself off the coffee table and flew around the room, gaining speed.

Nix flew beside him.

Aries loved this. Loved shifting. Loved connecting with his brother in their other forms.

Nix flapped his wings again, heading out of the living room, and Aries followed behind him. Nix made a cackling sound that was his laugh in shifted form and Aries shrieked at him.

They flew fast out of the house.

“What the hell!” Gem yelled when Aries and Nix swooped down and nearly smacked him.

Aries darted for a high limb to get away from Gem as he waved his hands over his head, protecting himself.

Missing the limb that he’d intended, Aries crashed into a larger one.

Nix landed on the branch directly over Gem and began to drop mangos.

Gem cursed.

Aries squealed and batted his wings. There was a sharp prick to one of his wings. No! Oh no! His wing! He screeched and fought against the vines as Nix dropped another mango from high.

“Hey!” Gem jumped up and caught the mango. “Nix! I know that was you! Get down here!”

Nix turned to him and froze.

Aries chattered for help. He was stuck. In a dang tree. And his wing was bent at a weird angle. It hurt! He cried out louder. He needed his Daddy! Aries wanted Vin!

Nix

Perfect execution! Nix hopped from his perch in triumph and turned toward Aries and froze. Uh, what was Aries doing?

Aries chattered at him.

Was Aries trapped? That didn’t look good at all. The way that Aries was shrieking and screeching sounded bad. Awful. This was bad…very bad! Nix was going to get blamed for this. He just knew it.

He flew down to land in front of Vin, shifting quickly. “Hey, Vin.”

“You little shit!” Gem threw the mango at Nix.