Dacia Wolf & the Dragon Lord

by Mandi Oyster

  “Have it your way.” He stands back and flames shoot from his fingertips.

  There’s nowhere for me to run. I can’t get away, and I can’t let myself be burned. When the inferno nears me, I place a shield around myself.

  Draconian laughs wickedly. “There you are. I told you I’d find you.” He turns his flames on me.

  My shield magnifies the heat, scalding my skin. “Stop!” I scream as I sink to the ground, becoming visible.

  “Dacia, will you never learn?” He saunters over to me, clasping his hands behind his back, reminiscent of lecturing teachers. “You’re forcing me to punish you. I don’t want to do this. I want you to become my protégée. I want to teach you all I know, but you insist on being tortured.”

  Without even glancing in my direction, he makes my muscles seize. I fall forward, and acid flows through my veins, burning me from the inside out. This time he doesn’t steal my voice, and screams fill the room.

  Mercifully, the pain stops. He kneels beside me, rolling me onto my back. His gray eyes light up with excitement. “Relax your mind, Dacia. You needn’t say a word.” He brushes my hair off my face. “This can all be over.”

  For a moment, I consider giving in.

  “I leave the room for five minutes, Dacia, and you disappear.” He stands, turning his back on me. “Did you really think you could get away from me this time? Do I need to surround you with my pets to keep you from misbehaving?”

  I try to keep my voice from trembling as I whisper, “No.” I want to be strong and face him, but I am defeated. For the past few days, I’ve been locked in a dark room with my only human contact coming from Draconian’s long drawn out torture sessions. My strength is diminishing, and I don’t know how much longer I can keep him out of my mind. As soon as he can control me or read my thoughts, my friends will be in danger.

  Tears roll down my cheeks. “Just kill me. Please.”

  A tremor overtakes my body. Excruciating pain travels through my limbs, exploding in my chest, and for a brief moment, I think Draconian is going to grant my request. Relief floods my body, a blessed release for the agony.

  “I’m not about to kill you, Dacia. I’ll make you suffer greatly. I will break you, but you won’t die. Once your spirit is broken, you’ll give me what I want.”

  “Please,” I whisper. “Please.”

  “No. I will bring you within the very grasp of Death himself, but he will not take you until Nefarious is mine.” Draconian paces in front of me, changing his tone to one of sympathy. “That’s all you have to do. Then you can end your suffering. I’ll grant your wish, and your friends will live completely unscathed.”

  “I don’t even know where he is!”

  His face reddens, and his eyes darken. “Do. Not. Lie. To. Me.”

  “I’m not.”

  Draconian releases his hold on me. My muscles twitch involuntarily. A malicious grin lifts his beard, and fire flies through the air at me.

  Death. I stare into the flames, wondering if I should keep fighting. I’m about to give in. Then I imagine Draconian torturing my friends. I lift my hands. Ice streams from my fingertips, deflecting the fire.

  “You’re slowing down, Dacia. You’re not strong enough to continue fighting me. I will win. Why not submit now?” He waves his arms through the air. “Why put yourself through all this?”

  He’s right. My reflexes are slowing, and I don’t have the strength to move. I can’t fight him much longer.

  “Just tell me who knows where Nefarious is and this can end.”

  “No! I’ll die first!”

  “So be it!”

  Flames lunge toward me. I try to throw up a shield to protect myself, but the blaze engulfs my body. I scream.

  d

  Cody stood on my ladder, leaning over me. “She’s awake.” His voice was jagged.

  “Thank God,” Samantha said at the same time Sarah said, “How is she?”

  Haze clouded my vision. My skin felt like it was on fire, and my body ached. “I’m alive.”

  Cody wiped his eyes. “I’ve been trying to wake you forever.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut. “I told him”—the words scraped against my throat—“I don’t know where Nefarious is.”

  “It was just a dream,” Samantha said.

  “I hope so.”

  Chapter 13

  Ally Or Enemy

  Sunday morning, I woke up to a hushed argument. Samantha, Dan, and Cody stood in front of the chairs, quietly yelling at each other and pointing fingers toward my loft.

  I lifted myself onto an arm. Pain radiated through my body, sucking the air from my lungs. “What?”

  The three of them looked up at me. They reminded me of puppies who’d been caught peeing on the carpet, glancing at each other, then staring at the floor. Finally, Cody said, “They’re not sure about leaving.”

  “Why?”

  Samantha wrapped her foot around her leg and rubbed her hand down her arm. “Last night’s dream was pretty bad. I should stay to help you and Cody out.”

  “No.” I shook my head. Pain surged through me with the movement, but I fought to keep it off my face. “You need to go. I feel guilty enough that Cody’s staying.”

  Cody lifted his shoulder in a half-hearted shrug. “Told ya.”

  Dan and Samantha finally decided to go home. They both wanted to see their families, and neither could come up with an excuse that would’ve satisfied their parents.

  As soon as Samantha and Dan left, Cody slumped in the chair.

  “What?” I asked.

  Holding his head in his hands, he said, “I need a shower and my stuff.”

  “So …”

  He shook his head. “And leave you alone?”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” I sat forward and winced. “I hurt too bad.”

  After Cody left, I sat in Cookie Monster, trying to read a book. I couldn’t concentrate over all the thoughts galloping through my head.

  A knock on the door caught me off guard. “Just a second.” I set my book on the floor and stood. The distance between the chair and door seemed insurmountable. My nightmare had happened too close to morning for me to heal completely. First and second-degree burns marred my skin, and my muscles ached from the torture I’d been subjected to.

  I staggered across the room and looked through the peephole. Aurelia stood on the other side, not a strand of her gold-flecked hair out of place.

  I plastered a smile on my face and opened the door.

  “Good morning, Dacia.” She stood perfectly still. “Are you alone?”

  “Yeah.” I ran my fingers through my hair in an attempt to tame it.

  “I have something to share with you in private.” She stepped closer, making me want to move back. “May I come in?”

  “Sure.” I shifted to the side to let her in. “Have a seat.” She didn’t so neither did I.

  “I am not sure how to say this, so bear with me.” A warm smile spread across her face. “I knew the moment I saw you on the beach with Cody that you were kind-hearted and would be easy to befriend. I wanted to get close to you before telling you how I came to be here, but it seems time may be running out.” She shrugged. “I know what you are facing, and I am here to help you.”

  “What?” How could she know? I tilted my head and did my best to look confused. “Finals are over. I’m not facing anything right now. I’m not sure what you mean.”

  Her voice lost its friendly tone. “Dragons, Dacia, I know about the dragons. I am here to help you. Just as Sarah helped you with Nefarious, I am here to help you with Draconian and his dragons.”

  I teetered back. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Do not play dumb with me.” Her hands clenched at her sides
. Her amber eyes hardened, burning into me. For the space of a heartbeat, the beautiful woman disappeared, and a ferocious beast stood in front of me.

  “Fine.” I pulled my hand through my hair, trying not to show any fear. “How do you know about all of this? Who told you? Who are you? What are you?”

  “What do you mean by that? What am I?” She stood with her hands on her hips, and her chin jutted forward. “Does it matter how I know about all of this?”

  I waved my hand up and down. “You sparkle. I’ve met a lot of people in my life, but you’re the only one who sparkles without glitter.”

  Aurelia opened her mouth, but I kept talking. “And, it matters. I don’t know you. I don’t know if you’re on my side or his. I can’t trust everybody who walks into my life. Too much has happened.”

  “I offered my help.” Frustration laced her words. “It is apparent you would rather not have it.”

  I paced the room. Each step sent a pulsating ache through my legs. “I appreciate your offer, but very few people know what I can do. How do you?”

  Aurelia’s voice and stance softened. “That is not important right now. Just let me help you.”

  “It is important.” I plopped down in Cookie Monster. “You can’t expect me to trust you if you won’t trust me.”

  “What do you mean?” She cocked her head to the side. Once again the movement was reminiscent of a bird.

  What is she? A phoenix? A fairy? An elf?

  “You don’t trust me enough to tell me how you know about me, but you expect me to take you at your word.”

  She sat down, folding her hands in her lap. “I am able to sense magic. I felt your prowess growing, and now I am here to help you learn to fight the dragons and their master … unless, of course, you would prefer to do it on your own.”

  “No. I need help.” I looked down at my hands. “But how can I be sure what your intentions are?”

  “I will prove my worth to you.” She pointed at the burns on my hands. “It appears you had a rough night. I can help you with those.”

  “I’m okay.” I shrugged. “They’re healing.”

  “Please, let me help you.” She held out her hands.

  I tugged my sleeves up and placed my hands in hers. Her touch was cool and soft. She ran her fingers along my arm in a circular motion. The blistered flesh disappeared, leaving behind creamy, unblemished skin.

  “Thanks.” She let go, and I pulled my feet up into my chair, wrapping my arms around my knees. “My dream wounds usually heal by morning, but these didn’t.”

  “You are welcome.” She stood. “Think about what I told you. I cannot interfere without your permission.”

  I cocked my head, not understanding. “What do you mean?”

  “If you are injured and are unconscious, I cannot help you.”

  “Why?”

  “You must decide, Dacia, if you want my help or not.” She strode to the door.

  “Do you really think you can help me defeat Draconian?”

  “Yes, I do,” she said as she stepped into the hall.

  I grabbed my book and read the same paragraph several times before picking up the phone. “Hey, Sarah,” I said to her answering machine. “This is Dacia. I’ve got something important to talk to you about. Give me a call when you get back, please.” Shortly after hanging up, I remembered her telling me that she wouldn’t be around this week.

  The conversation with Aurelia replayed over and over again in my mind, always leaving me with the same unanswered questions: How did she know? If she could sense magic, could she tell if Draconian used it on me last night? How did she find me? How did she heal my burns? Was she magic, or did she just have some abilities?

  The walls closed in around me. Heat spread through my body. I walked to the window, hoping to fight off the claustrophobic feeling. My pulse pounded in my temples, quicker than it should have been. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply.

  I wanted to go outside, to get some fresh air. But, I’d made a promise to Cody, and I intended to keep it. I pressed my face against the glass. When that didn’t help, I opened the window. The fresh air did little to combat the dread welling up inside me, twisting my stomach. Come on Cody. Hurry up. I paced the room. Ten steps to the door. Ten steps back to the window.

  Twenty minutes later, I felt Cody’s presence and let out a heavy sigh. I looked at the floor half expecting a path to be worn through the lilac carpet.

  I opened the door, and Cody’s smile faded. He lifted his hand to my face. “You’re upset.”

  His touch comforted me. The room seemed more spacious even though there was another body in it. I held my hand over his for a moment. “We need to talk.” I walked to the chair and plopped into it, making it rock back.

  “What’s up?” He sat in the other chair and rubbed his chin. His eyes narrowed. “You’re healed. How?”

  “Yeah.” I dragged my hand through my hair and looked into Samantha’s loft, wishing she hadn’t left already.

  “What?”

  “Aurelia healed me.”

  Cody’s head snapped back. “Really?”

  I replayed my conversation with Aurelia, trying not to leave anything out.

  “Wow.” Cody leaned forward. His elbows rested on his knees. “Someone to help.”

  “Maybe.” I rolled my neck from side to side, trying to release some tension. “But how does she know?”

  He shrugged. “How’d Draconian?”

  Chapter 14

  Healing Hands

  True to his word, Cody slept in the chair all week. His kisses were chaste, and his touch was scarce. When I mentioned it, he shrugged it off, quickly changing the subject. I couldn’t help but wonder what Sarah had said to him or what was going through his mind. I fought the urge to read his thoughts, knowing I wouldn’t like it if somebody read mine.

  By the end of the week, dark circles ringed his eyes. Even when they didn’t wake me, my nightmares woke him.

  Every morning, Aurelia showed up at my door, asking if I needed to be healed. She never asked about my dreams. She didn’t ask if I’d made a decision about her yet. She just treated my injuries, then left without trying to persuade me. Cody watched her, constantly on guard, no longer mesmerized by her beauty.

  The third day, I asked her if she could help Cody.

  She looked at him, taking in his rough appearance. “Cody needs sleep. I could help him rest. However, I do not think he would appreciate it.”

  “Why?”

  Cody’s head rested against the back of the chair. His eyes were only half-open. “You need me.”

  I knew the argument would lead to nowhere, so I dropped it. After Samantha returned, maybe he’d get some sleep.

  Saturday morning when Aurelia came over, Cody was finally sleeping. I held my finger over my lips and pointed to him.

  Aurelia knelt in front of me, healing my dream injuries. “This is the seventh day I have treated your wounds,” she whispered.

  The pain in my muscles eased, soothed by whatever power flowed through her. “Thank you.”

  “Have I earned your trust yet?” She stood, keeping her eyes focused on mine.

  I rolled my shoulders and looked out the window. It was unnerving to hold her gaze for too long. I imagined it was like having a staring contest with a top predator. “My undying appreciation.”

  “But not your trust.”

  Turning toward her, I shook my head. “Not yet. I’m sorry.” Cody stirred. I closed my eyes and breathed for a moment, not wanting to wake him. When I continued, my voice was so soft I could barely hear it, but I doubted she had any trouble. “My heart says I should, but my head says there are too many unanswered questions.”

  “Like what?” Her cornflower silk shirt and white shorts made he
r gold skin even more striking.

  Looking down at my singed pajamas, I couldn’t help but compare myself to her. She was elegant and always had it together while I always seemed to be falling apart. “How do I know you’re not working with Draconian?”

  She brushed imaginary lint off her shorts. “What can I do to persuade you?”

  “I don’t know.” I tugged my hand through sleep-tangled curls. “Give me some time.”

  “I can do that. What else?”

  “How did you find me? How did Draconian?” I walked toward the door to put more space between us and Cody. “It’s hard to believe you both showed up at basically the same time.”

  She cocked her head like she was listening to something. I looked toward Cody, but he was still sleeping.

  “Your magic called to me,” she finally answered. “I imagine that is also how Draconian found you. It is purely coincidental that we arrived in the same time frame.”

  This was more information than she’d given me before. I thought about letting her go but decided I needed one more answer. “Are you like me?”

  “No. I am not.”

  d

  Throughout the day, more students returned to campus. There were far fewer than during the spring and fall semesters but more than had been around for the last several days. Laughter and conversations filled the hallway.

  “Do you want to get out of here for a while?” I asked Cody.

  He looked down at his hands, and I knew his answer before he gave it. “He’s left you alone all week. Think it’s a good idea?”

  I shook my head. “I’ll go crazy sitting here, though.”

  I read. I paced. Cody and I watched TV. I stared out the window. I thought about Aurelia. She’d given me no reason not to trust her. She’d healed my wounds all week. She’d answered some questions this morning, but I still didn’t know much about her.

  “Cody, I’m sorry, but I need some air.” I stood, and he grabbed my hand.