by Mandi Oyster
“I—” I looked up at the ceiling “—I want to go outside. It’s all I can think about. I don’t know if I can keep fighting it.”
He reached for me, and I climbed onto his lap, curling into his arms like a child. He brushed my hair back and gently rocked the chair.
“Dacia, I want you to take my strength … all you can.” His voice was sure and steady. “Take it all.”
I shook my head against his chest. “I can’t.”
“You have to.” Cody traced his hand down my arm. “If tonight’s the night, take whatever you can so you can make it back to me.”
My resolve cracked. “What if I hurt you … take too much?”
“You won’t.”
I slipped my hand under his shirt.
A startled gasp escaped his lips. He squeezed my shoulder, pulling me closer to him.
His skin was cool and soft. I ran my hand over his abs and around to his back. I slipped my other hand under his shirt. “You’re sure?”
His voice was husky. “Please.”
I pulled Cody’s strength into me. His eyelids drooped, and I yanked my hands away.
“No, Dacia.” He held my hand against his face. “You need it more than me.”
When Cody fell asleep, I lowered my hand and snuggled against him. The urge to go outside tugged at me, but this time the call was easier to ignore.
The storm raged. Howling winds rattled the window. The longing to go outside became incessant. I put earbuds in and cranked the music. The desire to leave didn’t lessen. It tugged at my limbs, pulling me toward the door. When I didn’t heed it, I felt its draw intensify.
Why not go?
I shook my head, fighting the hold on me.
Just one step. Just outside the door. Just one.
I pulled my boots on, then grabbed my coat on the way out the door.
Just a breath of fresh air, and I’ll go back.
I stood outside. Snowflakes stuck to my eyelashes and accumulated in my hair. The relentless call urged me to take another step, then another. This way. One more.
Wind-tossed the snow through the air, lifting it from the ground and covering my tracks. I spun in a circle. The dorms disappeared behind a billowing curtain.
How did I get so far? I only took a couple steps.
The amulet warmed against my skin. No, no, no. This can’t be happening. I stumbled through the knee-deep snow.
“Lovely night for a stroll.” Cassandra’s voice was the same monotone as last time I’d seen her.
“Yes,” I said, hoping I could figure something out. “I love the snow.”
“I just love that you’re out here alone.” She lunged, catching me off guard. She drove her shoulder into my chest.
I hit the ground and gasped.
“My Lord will reward me for bringing you to him.” She wrapped her hands around my neck.
The air fled from my lungs, and my body weakened.
“You look scared. You should be. This time you won’t get away.”
Darkness engulfed me.
I woke up dizzy and weak. Cassandra held my feet and dragged me. Snow piled on top of my body. The winds carried it away only to replace it moments later. My coat filled with snow, and my back numbed. But that was nothing compared to the icy dread that filled me.
“No, Cassandra, please … please don’t take me there again.” My voice hitched. I kicked, but my legs didn’t respond. Spots danced before my eyes. Breathe. “How?”
Cassandra turned and kicked me in the knee. “Enough.”
I tried to grab my knee, but my arms trailed through the snow, unmoving. Tears slid down my cheeks, leaving icy trails.
I strained my ears, listening for the sound of anyone approaching but heard nothing. As Cassandra dragged me through the snow, I remembered that after waking up from my dream last night I told Samantha not to follow me if she saw me leave the room and wondered if that was part of Nefarious’ plan.
“Nobody is going to save you this time, Dacia,” Cassandra said. “It’s over!”
She’s right. I need to save myself. I called on all my strength, then sent it at Cassandra’s hands.
She glanced at me and laughed. “Your powers are useless.”
I closed my eyes and pictured Cody sleeping in Big Bird, his blond hair sticking up every which way, his face peaceful, stubble covering his chin and cheeks. I willed myself into that scene.
My eyes opened to find the cave entrance looming in front of us. “Please, Cassandra.”
She kicked me, harder this time, then brought her finger to her lips. “Quiet.”
Torches hung at the mouth of the cave and lit the path. Cassandra stepped inside, leaving the storm behind us.
Rocks littered the trail, digging into my back and head, chipping away at my icy flesh. Cassandra dragged me deeper into the mountain than I’d been before.
Warmth spread across my back, sticking my shirt to my shoulder blades. Too much blood. My eyelids drooped, and the cavern spun. At least death will come quickly.
Cassandra stopped in a large cavern where torches hung from the rock walls casting long, creepy shadows. She dropped my legs and knelt down beside me.
“My Lord will be here for you soon. It should’ve ended last time you were here. This time, you won’t be so lucky.” She grabbed me under my arms, lifted me into a sitting position and pulled me over to a stalagmite, where she tied me to the rock pillar.
“What’s this?” she asked, pulling the pouch off my jeans. Without giving it a second thought, she tossed it aside, then left. Absolute darkness filled the cavern.
Blood dripped from my head and back. My eyes grew heavy. I blinked, and lights appeared at the corner of my vision, drifting ever closer. They landed on me.
Tiny silver-haired fairies covered my body, bringing a surge of happiness with them. Strength returned to my limbs.
“Thank you,” I said.
One flew in front of my eyes. In a screechy voice, she said, “Evil must not prevail.”
I stared into tiny purple eyes. “I know, but how can I win?”
“The power is within you.” The fairies scattered, leaving the room in utter darkness.
I held the rope and filled my palm with flames. Singed strands fell to the ground. I lifted my hand and willed the fire to burn brighter.
The vase reflected light back to me. I walked to it and reached down. The amulet burned my skin. Grab the vase and teleport back to Cody. I threw the fireball across the room. “No, this ends tonight. One way or another.”
I pulled the glowing amulet from under my shirt. The exit beckoned me. I turned my back on it and walked deeper into the mountain. The passage sloped down. Scree cluttered the path, making the footing treacherous.
The ground trembled, and rocks slid in front of me. The amulet brightened further.
I positioned myself in the shadows and tucked the amulet inside my shirt. I waited for Nefarious to approach, hoping to benefit from a surprise attack.
Tremors started in my hands and spread throughout my body. I bit my cheek, holding in a scream. Thoughts poured into my head. Run. Find help. Surrender. Show yourself.
Shivers ran up my spine. The cavern wasn’t too far away. I could make it.
No! Sweat beaded on my forehead as I resisted the urge to flee. The suggestions weren’t mine. Nefarious planted them in my head because he wanted me to show myself.
The passageway lit up. Nefarious smoldered like the embers of a dying fire, flickering from red to orange to black.
I stayed hidden, waiting for a clear shot at him. You can do this. I jumped out.
A stream of ice flowed from my fingertips. I ran backward up the path. Nefarious roared and threw a fireball at me. A stalagmite stood to my left. Without knowin
g what was on the other side, I ran straight through it, narrowly avoiding the flames.
“Fight me!” Nefarious demanded.
I pictured myself standing further up the path and was transported there. I shot two lightning bolts at Nefarious. They hit him in his chest, sending him stumbling backward. While he fought to regain his balance, I covered the pathway in a thin sheet of ice and teleported further away.
Positioning myself in the shadows, I waited for Nefarious. The earth shook, and I fell to the ground. Nefarious roared, and I realized he had slipped on the ice and fallen. I scrambled to my feet.
I positioned myself to strike. I counted to five and jumped out. A lightning bolt shot from each of my hands. As they struck him, I covered the trail in ice and teleported.
I didn’t make it as far as intended. My breath came out in ragged gasps. Black dotted my vision. I can’t keep this up. I don’t even know if it’s working. I closed my eyes and breathed in, filling my lungs completely before exhaling.
I sprang forward, and a stream of ice flowed from both hands. It sizzled and steam filled the air.
Nefarious threw his head back and roared.
I clasped my hands over my ears and lowered my head.
A fireball burst through the air. I threw my hands out. Ice collided with the flames, fighting for dominance.
The frost-covered inferno struck me in the chest and shattered, knocking me to the ground. Flames engulfed my coat. By the time I extinguished them, Nefarious closed the gap.
He lifted me into the air. “Your friends are next.” He threw me at the cavern wall.
I flew toward Nefarious, lessening the impact. I scrambled to my feet and ran.
“Stand and fight!” Nefarious roared.
The familiar crack of his whip tightened my muscles. The fiery whip struck me in the middle of the back. I screamed as I fell to my knees. The whip raced through the air again. I rolled to the side, but the whip entangled my right leg just below the knee.
The cave reeked of burnt flesh. My burnt flesh. Bile rose into my throat, and I heaved.
Nefarious dragged me toward him. Rocks gouged my legs and arms. I rolled onto my back and shot ice at my leg.
“Give up. It’s over.” Rocks fell from the ceiling in reply.
“I know,” I whispered.
I pictured the stalagmite Cassandra had tied me to and teleported into the cavern. The room spun out of focus and breathing took all my concentration. My eyes closed, and my body numbed. The sounds in the cavern faded.
Am I dying? Can I die?
The spinning slowed enough for me to assess my injuries. Where the whip had wrapped around my leg, the flesh was torn away, exposing my muscles and, in some places, it had burned down to the bones.
Not again.
The palms of my hands were covered with blood. I pulled my coat off and ripped scorched pieces of cloth from it to use as bandages, then wrapped my leg. My back throbbed, but I could only guess how bad it was.
I had a little time to heal before Nefarious found me, but if I didn’t come up with a plan, this wouldn’t end well for me or the rest of the world.
Lord, I know I haven’t always done things your way. I know I’m not perfect, but please protect my friends when I’m no longer here. And, please don’t make me suffer too much.
I dragged myself to the vase. I picked it up, but I wasn’t filled with hope like the first time I’d seen it. This time, determination fired through my body.
I can do this.
I yanked on the stopper, but slickened with blood, it wouldn’t budge. I wrapped my shirt around it, and wincing in pain, managed to pull it out.
Purple smoke streamed from the opening. Mesmerized, I watched as it spun through the air, filling the ceiling of the cavern. When the smoke stopped undulating, my heart sank. I stared at it floating above the ground.
How’s that supposed to help me?
The cavern spun around me. I closed my eyes and rested my head on the cool rocks. My back convulsed, and pain sucked the air out of my lungs.
A soft trilling sound forced my eyes open. Purple light pulsated through the opening of the vase.
Purple light. Purple light? I’d seen something like this before. Where?
The library books. I sat up, fighting my pain, pushing it back. My heart lightened. Can that be the answer? Can I still end this?
The ground shook. Time’s up.
As Nefarious approached the cavern, I focused on the smoke, willing it to morph into two giant hands. They hovered above the entrance.
“Dacia,” Nefarious growled. “Your suffering isn’t over yet. You will beg for mercy before the end.” Nefarious stood outside the entrance of the cavern. “Don’t hide. Come. Fight me.”
I cowered behind the rock, not ready to give up my life yet.
Voices screamed inside my head. Run, Dacia, run. Get up. Get out of here while you can. Fight. Coward. Fool. Run!
“No!” My voice bounced from wall to wall.
Nefarious snarled and charged toward me.
I hovered in the air and mimed the actions I wanted the hands to duplicate. I slammed my fist down, and the smoke pummeled Nefarious, knocking him to the ground. Sparks flew from his smoldering flesh. A howl filled the cavern.
He clambered to his feet. Flames ignited over his body, flaring up, leaping across his hide.
I reached for Nefarious, and my back spasmed. Pain rippled through my body. I gasped for breath, choking on the air before it could fill my lungs.
“Magic weakens you.” Nefarious pulled his sword from his scabbard and sliced through one of the hands. The smoke reformed behind him.
Flames. Pain. Blood. My heart raced. Spots danced in front of my eyes, and my ears rang. Nefarious’ blade biting my neck.
I should have died.
Nefarious stepped forward. His sword sliced through the air. Flames trailed behind it.
Snap out of it! Air filled my lungs and sound returned.
Give up.
Why am I fighting? I lowered my hands. There’s no way I can win.
Come to me.
I flew toward Nefarious.
He lifted his clawed hand and threw a ball of flames at me.
Fight! I flew to the side. The fireball singed my arm.
I grabbed Nefarious with both smoky hands and yanked, dragging him to the ground. I jerked my hands back.
Nefarious thrashed, fighting to free himself, roaring and growling.
I pulled him toward the mouth of the vase. The smoke retracted, taking Nefarious with it.
The stopper lay on the ground. With the last of my strength, I picked it up and shoved it into the bottle, sealing Nefarious inside. The emerald eye on the vase cast an eerie green glow through the cavern.
The amulet dimmed. Is it over? I stared at the vase—waiting for Nefarious to erupt from it—until my eyelids grew too heavy to stay open.
Cody. I pictured him offering me his strength, his eyes full of love.
My breaths shallowed. My pain dulled.
Chapter 38
Not All Wounds Heal
Sunlight poured into the room, blinding me. I forced my eyes open and found myself lying on one of Sarah’s couches. How did I get here? Was it all a dream?
I pressed my hand down on the couch and pushed up. My body groaned in protest, and I fell back to the couch. Bandages wrapped my body, hands, arms, and leg. I looked like a mummy.
Not a dream then.
Cody sat on the floor asleep. His head was propped on the couch beside me. Sarah and Samantha slept, sitting on the couch across from me. The eye on the vase glowed at me from the coffee table.
I cleared my throat. “Hmm, hmm.”
Three sets of eyes popped o
pen. “Dacia,” they all said at once.
Their voices sent warmth racing through my veins. In the cave, I didn’t think I’d ever see any of them again. “Hey.” I smiled. “How did I get here?”
All three of them started talking at once. Samantha stood and said, “I thought I got to tell the story.”
“Yeah,” Cody said.
“Sorry.” Sarah waved her hand through the air. “Go ahead.”
“I woke up, and you were gone.” Samantha sat and folded her hands in her lap. “Cody wouldn’t wake up, so I called Sarah.”
“I knew I took too much.” I ran my fingers through his hair. “Why did you let me?”
His blue eyes held mine, radiating warmth and love. “You needed it.”
“We searched for you, but snow covered any trail you might have left. We looked everywhere, but we had no idea where to find you.” Samantha waved her hands through the air.
I found myself wondering if she would be able to talk if her hands were tied behind her back.
“We went back to our room and found you lying on the floor, clutching the vase.”
“But how?” I asked.
Sarah pulled on her sleeves, straightening her blouse. “We can only assume you teleported there after whatever happened.”
“So”—Samantha pointed at the vase—“what we’ve been wondering is: Why is the eye glowing, and is it over?”
I lifted my hand to pull it through my hair, but the bandage prevented it. “It’s over.” I told them everything that happened. “Nefarious could’ve killed me. Seeing me suffer …” I swallowed and stared out the window, not seeing anything. “Things should’ve ended differently.”
Cody moved from the floor to the couch. He lifted me onto his lap softly—like a bubble he was afraid to pop.
I winced when his arm touched my back, then snuggled into him, breathing him in. Leather and fresh air. I kissed his neck before remembering we weren’t alone. Heat rushed onto my cheeks.
A soft chuckle escaped from Cody’s lips.
“Nefarious is in the vase?” Samantha asked. “Like a jinni?”