by Mandi Oyster
“Anytime.” Draconian growls.
I close my eyes and shake my head.
Draconian jabs his fingers against my temples. Electricity jolts into my brain.
My hands clench. My toes curl. My body convulses, then goes limp.
Serenity surrounds me. Pain is a memory.
I stand on the beach of Falcon Lake at sunset. A boat glides through the water, scarcely leaving ripples in the reflection. It drifts toward shore, stopping in front of me. I feel compelled to climb aboard.
I step through the gangway. Something grabs me and yanks me backward. The invisible force drags me against my will.
Air rushes into my lungs, sending me into a coughing fit.
Draconian stands above me, laughing. He rubs his palms together, and electricity dances across his fingers. He clasps my face in his hands, and the current surges through my body. A scream tears from me.
“Dacia!” Cody’s voice is ragged, desperate.
“Dacia.” Cody shook my arm.
I forced my eyes open and breathed deeply, trying to orient myself.
Cody stood on my ladder. His eyes were wild.
“I’m okay.” I tried to smile, but every muscle in my body ached. My pajamas were bloody.
Dan stood on the floor, staring up into my loft. His hazel eyes looked huge in his pale face.
“Sorry,” I whispered to Dan.
“Don’t apologize.” Cody brushed the hair off my forehead. “You okay?”
“I’ll survive.”
“Let me see your back.” Samantha knelt in her loft. “It looks like a dragon carried you in its talons again.” She rubbed her shoulders as if remembering the pain.
“Yeah, then Draconian tortured me”—I tried to shrug it off for Dan’s benefit—“nothing new.”
“I’m sorry, Dacia, but I can’t handle this,” Dan said. “Whether Aurelia comes to get me or not, I think I’ll go back to my room from now on.”
Cody helped sit me up. “Some people can’t handle blood.”
“Yeah, it’s not that,” Dan said. “It’s the screams and the fact that she wakes up like this. If it was, uh … real, I think it would be different.”
“What do you mean?” Anger flashed across Cody’s face. “It is real!”
“I–I mean, if it happened in, uh, you know …”
“You know what he means,” I said through clenched teeth.
Cody closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Sorry.”
Dan looked like a rabbit that’s about to bolt. “I didn’t mean to upset anybody.”
“The good news is her injuries will be gone by morning,” Samantha said.
“That’s amazing.”
“I thank God for it every day,” I said as Cody eased me back down.
“Yeah, I would, too.” The color slowly came back to Dan’s face, but he still looked shaken up.
I wrapped my arms around my body and thought healing thoughts. My muscles relaxed, and my pain receding. When I finished, I opened my eyes and looked at my wounds. They weren’t completely healed, but they were much better.
“I wish you hadn’t seen this.” A weight settled on my chest. “I wish you hadn’t heard me screaming. I know it’s hard on all of you.”
“It’s not your fault.” Dan plopped down on Elmo. “I thought I knew what I was getting into by staying here, but I was wrong. It’s too much.” He stared at the floor. “I don’t know how you do it. I couldn’t.”
I thought about it for a moment and said, “If you had to, you could. We all do what we must.”
Chapter 23
Taken
Sunlight filtered through the trees. Chipmunks darted along the path in front of us. Birds chirped. The forest was alive, but Aurelia and I walked to photography class on high alert.
“Draconian paralyzes me, and there’s nothing I can do.” I tugged my hand through my hair. “When he had Cody, I got free, but I don’t know how. Anyway, can you help me with it?”
“I will have to try to figure out what he does.” She cocked her head. “Can you sense Draconian’s presence now?”
“No … why?” I was concerned that somehow she could, and I couldn’t anymore.
“I need to skip class. There are things I need to discuss with Arion. We will both be gone for a while. We should be back before class is over, though.”
“Oh … okay.” I was surprised she was willing to leave me alone. “I’m sure I’ll be fine. It’s not too much farther. Go ahead.”
“Be careful.” She disappeared.
I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been alone. The freedom was exhilarating, but I was afraid that if something happened I’d never be left on my own again.
“I could get used to this,” I mumbled as I walked along enjoying the silence.
Dry leaves rustled across the ground behind me, but the air was still. My breath caught in my throat, and a chill vibrated in my chest. A twig snapped. I slowly turned, fearing the worst.
A green dragon stood still, trying to blend in with the trees. Icy fingers clutched my heart, holding me in a vice-like grip. This was the same dragon that had ripped my back open in my dream.
You have to get out of here.
I turned to run, but before I could, Draconian appeared in front of me.
“I came to you alone … without my pets, and you wanted to battle me.” He lifted his hands, palms up. “I wanted to talk. So, tell me, Dacia, who is the evil one?”
I stared at him. Maybe I had been eager to fight him, but that didn’t make me a bad person. Did it?
“Maybe,” he answered his own question, “it’s both of us … or neither. Maybe we’re both a little self-serving. What do you think?”
Before I could answer, I fell to the ground in a heap, paralyzed. “This time I have my dragons with me, and I am not prepared to be civilized. This time you will give me what I want.”
He bent down, grabbed my arm, and transported me to his castle.
My breath caught in my throat. I tried to swallow it, but it stuck there, aching. My eyes darted from side to side. The room was dank and dark. The air smelled stagnant. The stone walls, the massive doors, it all looked familiar. Draconian had killed me in this room.
Without releasing me from his spell, Draconian chained me to a table in the middle of the room. I tried to teleport, but as expected, I couldn’t. I tried to turn to fire, to free myself from the restraints, nothing. Giving up on freeing myself, I fought to close my eyes so I wouldn’t have to witness my torture, but I couldn’t even manage that.
“Dacia, give up.” Draconian stood over me, his gray eyes gleaming. “I brought you here because, as powerful as you are, you cannot teleport out. You are trapped.”
Aurelia. Arion. Draconian has me. Help! There was no response to my plea. I could only hope Draconian hadn’t stopped that power, too.
“Don’t make this worse than it has to be.” Draconian paced the length of the table, running his fingers along the edge. “Who knows where Nefarious is? If not you … who?”
I couldn’t answer him even if I wanted to. He hadn’t released me. “Cat got your tongue?” His lips curled up into an evil snarl. “Should we see if we can loosen your lips?”
Draconian placed his hand on mine. Bursts of colors popped behind my eyes as pain traveled along my nerves. I gasped for breath, but he didn’t stop. The edges of my vision blurred, then darkened. My consciousness slipped.
Stepping back, Draconian said, “Tell me who knows.”
My jaw and neck relaxed when he gave me back the ability to talk. I took advantage of the opportunity and thought, Aurelia, Arion, help! Then to Draconian, I said in a calm, controlled voice that belied my fear, “I don’t know, and if I did, you’d be th
e last person I’d tell.”
“I warned you not to make this difficult, but you couldn’t resist. Could you?” He put his hands on my temples, and I braced myself.
The electrical current cleaved through my body, and violent spasms trailed in its wake. Everywhere metal touched my exposed skin, my flesh burned. The pain lasted for an eternity before I went limp.
Gentle waves lapped against the shore. Birds sang. It was peaceful. As I stared at the reflection on Falcon Lake, a boat glided across the water, stopping in front of me. I reached out to climb aboard, but as my hands touched the rail, I was dragged back to life. Immense pain returned to my body. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I didn’t want Draconian to see them, but I couldn’t turn them off.
“Did you see a white light?” Draconian taunted. “Was it like everybody describes it?”
“Why … why didn’t you let him take me?”
“Death will not have you until you give me what I want!” He reached down and wiped a tear from my eye. His hand was rough. “Poor baby.” Draconian’s voice filled with contempt. “Give him to me, and you won’t have to go through this anymore.”
“What do you want with him?” My voice was weak, and the words scraped on their way out.
“Power.” Draconian stepped back, clasping his hands behind his back. His burgundy robe dragged along the stone floor.
His answer revolted me. “Power? You’ve got a teenage girl chained to a table, torturing her. You should feel pretty powerful.”
He spun around, jabbing his finger at me. “You will give me Nefarious, or you will die.”
I clenched my teeth to keep from biting my tongue.
Draconian jabbed his fingertips onto my temples and blasted electricity into my brain. My hands clenched, and my toes curled. My body convulsed.
I stood by Falcon Lake. The sun-warmed sand squished between my toes. I no longer felt blood trickling down my face. My pain was gone. Draconian tugged on me, but I swatted him away. This time I was climbing aboard the ship. I wanted to see where it would take me.
My foot hung in the air over the gangplank when Draconian tugged. I pressed my feet down, fighting Draconian’s pull, but he became harder and harder to resist. I was losing ground. With a final jerk, Draconian yanked me back to my life. Chained to the table, I struggled for breath. Pain ransacked my body, cleaving my muscles, burning through my veins.
“I thought I lost you that time.” Draconian’s voice was soft, giving the impression that he cared whether or not he killed me. “You’re losing the battle, Dacia. Tell me where he is or I will have no choice but to kill you this time.”
“Death.” I croaked.
“Tell me, Dacia. Ease your suffering. You don’t …”
A roar echoed down the hallway. I twisted my head to the side, craning my neck to see the door. A gold dragon slammed into a scarlet beast with a deafening crash. The ground shook.
The golden intruder shimmered with a radiance I hadn’t seen in any of the others. Spikes framed its head, reminding me of the crest of a cockatoo. There was a regal elegance about this dragon that belied its power. Golden claws slashed through the air and massive fangs tore into the red dragon’s flesh. Blood gushed from open wounds. Flames erupted, blocking my view.
As I laid there watching them battle, it dawned on me I was free from Draconian’s spell. This was my chance to escape. I thought about fire until I was engulfed in flames. My body slipped through the chains.
Run to the dragon, Dacia. Arion spoke into my thoughts. Do not be afraid. I sent her to help you.
I flew to the far side of the gold dragon before relinquishing my flames. The creature stood at least seven feet tall at the shoulders. It knelt down. I couldn’t draw in a breath. Terror clutched my heart.
Dacia, she’s a friend.
Arion’s voice prompted me to move. I climbed on her back, and she tore through the hall.
As soon as she stepped outside, she unfurled her wings and launched into the air. Pine trees stretched to the heavens.
Dacia, Arion said, teleport to Sarah’s office. Aurelia and I will be there as soon as we can.
I’m not sure if I’m strong enough.
You must try. Fear laced Arion’s voice.
What if I don’t make it?
Be careful, he warned. You are sending extra thoughts.
I didn’t respond. My mind was still fuzzy from torture, and my body ached. I needed to get to safety, but I was scared I wouldn’t be able to teleport where I wanted. A fireball hurtled through the air beside us. I looked over my shoulder. Three dragons barreled toward us.
“I’m going to teleport. Will you be okay?”
“Yes,” the dragon answered in a beautiful voice. “Once you are gone, I will have no problems evading them.”
“Thank you.”
I closed my eyes, picturing Sarah’s office in detail. The dragon rolled to the side, nearly throwing me from its back.
Taking a deep breath, I said a silent prayer and teleported.
My concentration held, and I found myself in Sarah’s office. I heard voices behind the door. Whoever was in there got up. I dashed into the bathroom.
I turned the light on and stared at my reflection. Blood trailed down my face from my temples, and my eyes were ringed with dark circles. “You look like a corpse,” I told the girl in the mirror. Then I leaned over the sink and splashed water on my face. Opening the door, I peered out. The room was empty, so I knocked on Sarah’s office door. When she didn’t answer, I staggered to the couch.
I leaned forward and struggled to keep my eyes open. Mere moments later, my senses were assaulted. I felt serenity, encouragement, passion and determination, comfort, enlightenment, strength, and love. Aurelia, Dan, Samantha, Sarah, and Cody walked into the room together.
I am out here if you need me, Arion said.
“Dacia?” Cody sat beside me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his side.
I cringed.
“Sorry.” He jerked his arm away.
“Torture’s hell.” I closed my eyes and pictured Draconian standing over me. My pulse raced, my breaths were shallow and rapid.
“Dacia”—Sarah’s voice was soothing—“you’re going to hyperventilate. Breathe.”
Pain echoed throughout my body. The memories as harsh as the reality had been. I tucked myself into the corner of the couch, drawing my legs up and wrapping my arms around them.
Aurelia stepped toward me with her arm outstretched. “May I?”
Draconian’s hands reached for my temples. “No!”
Cody’s face was pale, his eyes haunted. “Please.”
I nodded at Aurelia and squeezed my eyes shut. Healing energy flowed through me, cooling the fire in my veins.
I looked up at her and tried to curve my lips into a smile.
Thank you. I thought to Arion. Sending the dragon saved me.
I am sorry we did not arrive sooner.
Did the dragon get away?
“Dacia?” Samantha chewed on her lip.
I lifted my hand, halting her.
Yes, she is safe.
Please thank her for me.
I will.
“The dragon that saved me is okay.” I loosened my grip on my legs.
“A dragon saved you?” Dan said thoroughly confused.
“You okay?” Cody reached toward me but stopped. I nodded, and his hand rubbed down my calf.
“I’m better than I was.”
“I explained to everyone why you were on your own, and I am sorry for leaving you.” Aurelia stood behind me with her hands on my shoulders. Strength surged through me. “I thought you would be okay, but Draconian must have had one of his dragons keeping an eye on you. I will not leave y
ou again.”
Called it, I thought to myself. “Sometimes I’m going to be on my own.” I scooted toward Cody and rested my head on his shoulder. “I need to figure out how to handle myself.”
Cody tenderly slipped his arm around me, and I dove into my story. Panic stole my breath and took me back to Draconian several times. Aurelia’s strength flowed into me, counteracting the terror. I paused when I got to the part where Draconian killed me. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to tell them about that but decided truth was the best option.
Cody’s face fell. I watched him swallow over the lump in his throat. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. When he managed to find his voice, it was weak. “You … died?”
“Yeah, it was like the dream I had.” I rubbed my thumb over his. “Don’t be afraid. Death is peaceful. Torture isn’t.”
Cody’s grip on my arm tightened. “I can’t lose you, Dacia.”
I clutched his hand and stared into his red-rimmed eyes. “My only regret was that I wouldn’t see you again, but even with my abilities, it’s hard not to want to die when you’re being tortured.”
He leaned his forehead against mine and closed his eyes. “You can’t think that. You have to come back to us.”
“You are giving up too easily,” Aurelia said. “We all depend on you.”
I threw my hands up in the air. “Have you ever been tortured?”
“No, I have not,” Aurelia answered.
“Then you have no idea.” I narrowed my eyes. “There was nothing easy about it … except dying.”
“I haven’t been tortured, but I’ve been there,” Sarah said. “I know what Dacia’s going through. Death might be different for everyone, but it was very peaceful for me. When Dacia pulled me back, it was an awful feeling. I was dragged back to a safe life, though. Dacia was dragged back for another round of torture. It would seem quite unbearable compared to the serenity of death.”
“Exactly.” I didn’t want to talk about death anymore. It’s not like I had a death wish, but if my only choices were death or torture, death seemed the obvious one. To change the subject, I asked the first thing that popped into my head. “Why was the dragon in my dream so upset when I asked his name? Up until that point, I had the impression he respected me.”