He had almost forgotten. This fellow had risked dragging him into the Spirit World, even falling unconscious as a result, all for the five wands he had promised earlier. But he seemed to have only two Phoenix Feather-core wands left.
Edward took out two wands and tossed them over. Black Bird swallowed them whole, one after the other, and was blinking expectantly for a third when Edward said:
"Sorry, I only have two of the... sticks you need. I'll make up the other three next time."
Black Bird's eyes turned cold, and a murderous aura gathered around it. "You... lied to me!"
"No, no, no!"
He flatly denied it, then rolled his eyes in thought and said, "How about I give you an extra one next time?"
Black Bird visibly froze. Its murderous aura dissipated, and it nodded solemnly.
"All right."
Was it really this easy to negotiate with?
"Then sorry for the trouble, but please send me back quickly. I've been out of touch with my friends for days."
"All right."
It flapped its wings, slicing a rift through the air. On the other side was the place where they had entered. Traces left by the battle between Mr. A and the Saint of Secrets were still faintly visible. He had no idea how things had turned out for them afterward.
"Goodbye, then."
Edward stepped through, then suddenly remembered something and looked back. "Oh, right. Could you deliver a message to my friends? Tell them I'm back safely."
"No! Not unless you give me the sticks you owe me right now."
"There's no need to be so..."
Before he could finish, Black Bird kicked him out with one claw.
8 Minsk Street, Cherwood Borough.
Lilith lay curled up all alone on the floor, in the same spot she had