by Mandi Oyster
I slid my hand out of Cody’s and into his back pocket. “Thank you.”
“For what?” He stopped walking and looked down at me.
Waving my arm at the mountains and lake, I said, “For this. For thinking of getting away.”
The breeze blew my hair across my face, and Cody brushed it back, letting his hand linger, gently caressing my cheek with his thumb. His eyes sparkled even in the darkness.
Lifting onto my toes, I wrapped my arms around his neck and swept my lips over his. One of his hands slid around my waist. The other twined through my hair. He pressed his mouth down on mine. A low moan escaped from deep in his throat, sending a flash of desire through me. He clutched me tighter, pressing our bodies together. His hand slid under my sweatshirt. Tingles followed his touch.
He lifted me, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, tangling my hands in his hair. I nudged his head back and trailed kisses over his chin and along his neck.
Cody knelt, lying me on the ground. He hovered over me, and I pulled him down, sliding my hands under his shirt, running them over his ribs and up his back. He kissed along my jawline to my ear.
“I love you,” he breathed. His teeth grazed my neck.
My eyes shot open, and my heart raced. I half-expected to find Mavros kissing my neck. When I saw it was still Cody, I said, “I love you, too.”
Somebody cleared their throat. Cody rolled to the side. I clutched his hand and looked up at the blonde Nephilim.
“And, I love that you’re finally alone.” She knelt down, not close enough to touch me, but closer than I’d like. Looking at Cody, she added, “Well, not alone, but no dragons.”
I sat up, never losing contact with Cody. If I needed to, I wanted to be able to teleport us away. “What do you want?”
She cocked her head, pursing her lips. “The dragons haven’t told you?”
“No.” I heard the frustration in my voice. “The elders won’t allow them to.”
“Interesting.” She sat back, wrapping her arms around her legs.
I felt like the move was deliberate, intended to show me she meant no harm, but I didn’t trust her.
“What?” Cody asked.
While she focused on him, I tried to read her aura. A blinding light filled my vision, and my power was repelled.
She narrowed her eyes at me. “That won’t work.”
“It helps me tell if people are good or evil.” I shrugged.
“You’ll have to let my actions determine that.” She smiled at me, and if I hadn’t met Mavros, I might have believed the sincerity in her expression. “The prophecy says: The chosen will emerge with powers unrivaled in this world. To fight a demon from the Abyss is the savior’s onus.”
She paused, and I said, “Been there. Done that.” I held up two fingers. “Twice.”
She nodded slowly. “Fail and the world will perish. Succeed and 999 years before the cycle begins anew.”
“Right.” Cody scooted closer to me, draping his arm over my shoulder. “We know that.”
“Patience is a virtue.” She picked up a rock, studying it, even though it was too dark for a normal person to make out any details.
I rested one hand on Cody’s knee and shoved the other into my hoodie’s pouch. “We’re both running low on patience lately. Demons, Nephilim, dragons. They’ll do that to a person.”
“One champion reigns amassing powers unparalleled.” Tossing the rock over her shoulder, she pointed at me. “That’s you, by the way. Evil endeavors to corrupt the savior’s soul.”
I shivered. Was that why Draconian and Mavros had entered my life so soon after I defeated Nefarious? Draconian hadn’t wanted to kill me. He’d wanted me to be his protégée. Mavros had wanted me by his side, not dead.
“Victorious, the powers of light”—she pointed at herself—“fade to shadow. Darkness reigns over the Earth.”
I leaned against Cody. “Great.”
“We are not here to hurt you.” Her voice was soft and understanding. “We have several sanctuaries where you would be safe. You could live your life without these trials.”
Cody rubbed my arm. “Don’t wanna hurt her, just imprison her.”
“Her safety is our priority.”
To not have to fight monsters would be a dream come true, but one thing I’d learned since starting college was not to trust everyone who offered their help. “At what cost?” A cloud blew in front of the moon. “And what is your name anyway?”
She smiled. “Diana.”
“Cost?” Cody’s voice was lower than normal. He obviously wasn’t buying what she was selling.
“A cost I’d think you’d both like to pay.” She picked up another rock. “Safety. Peace. No more fear.”
I snorted. “Death offered me the same. I turned him down, too.”
Her mouth went slack, and her eyes widened. “You’d rather have your freedom than save the world.”
“No.” I shook my head. “I prefer both.” I tightened my grip on Cody’s leg and teleported us back to my room.
Chapter 4
Aurelia’s Wrath
Cody and I landed on the floor with a thump. I blinked back the bright fluorescent lights and climbed to my feet, brushing off my jeans, then held my hand down to Cody and helped him up.
A low growl rumbled through the room, alerting us to Aurelia’s and Malcolm’s sudden but not unexpected appearance in my room. They stood between us and the door. Even though he dwarfed her, she seemed to take up more space. Her pupils were slits. Gold scales peppered her arms and cheeks. “Where have you been?” Her voice sounded more like her dragon’s than her human’s.
“Falcon Lake.” Cody’s eyebrows lifted.
I sat on the couch, not wanting to have this conversation but knowing it couldn’t be avoided. “Talking to Diana.”
Malcolm chuckled. “So … you know the prophecy?”
“Yep.” The p popped out of my mouth.
“Good.” He nodded and pointed at Big Bird.
I waved my hand at the chair. “Sure.”
He sat down and pulled the sleeves of his tan sweater up to his elbows. Then folded his hands together, steepling them against his chin.
Aurelia paced from the door to the window and back again. Her scales slowly diminished.
I leaned my head against the back of the couch and stared at the ceiling. “When Mavros was here, Cody and I made a pact that we would get some time to ourselves no matter what creatures were tormenting me.” I let out a huff of air. “I figure I can keep myself and somebody else safe most of the time.”
“Maybe.” Aurelia’s voice was closer to normal. “What if your dreams come to fruition? How will you protect him if you cannot control your powers?”
I jumped up. “What do you want from me? I know what the Nephilim want now … to cage me. Is that what you want?” Tears burned the back of my eyes.
She plopped down in Cookie Monster and dropped her chin to her chest. “No, Dacia. Please do not think that about me. I thought they had taken you.” She wouldn’t look me in the eyes. “I thought we had failed you.”
Malcolm nodded at me. His expression was grim. “Past experience should’ve made me realize it’d be hard to keep an eye on you.” He smiled, and for the first time, I realized he had fangs. “But, if you’d have been injured, I could’ve smelled your blood thirty miles away.”
Cody’s face paled, and my stomach rolled. “Really?” I gulped down a lungful of air. “Thirty miles?”
He shrugged. “I’ve tasted your blood … maybe fifty.” His eyes flashed. “Same with the boy.”
Cody sat up taller, narrowing his eyes at Malcolm.
“I mean no offense.” Malcolm chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. “You’re at least two thousand years young
er than me, maybe more. I forget how old I am.”
“You tasted my blood?” My lip curled in disgust.
“Licked it off my claws.” He put his fingers to his mouth and kissed them, opening his hand as he pulled it away. “That … I won’t forget … ever.”
“Malcolm.” Aurelia growled.
I shivered. Cody’s hands clenched, and he glared at Malcolm.
“I’m a dragon, and your blood is powerful.” He buffed his fingernails on his sleeve, then held them in front of him. “Waste not, want not.”
D
Pink blossoms cover the trees. The air smells sweet. Gray clouds promise spring showers. I put my hand on Cody’s arm, and we stroll along the path. There’s no fear of attack. No monsters hunting me. Nothing haunting my dreams.
My days run together, one blending into the next. I spend my time wandering the massive grounds, staring at the rolling hills, trying to figure out where I am. I paint and read, but without purpose, I feel lost.
The Nephilim allow Cody to come and go as he pleases, but they guard the exits, keeping me trapped inside. I cannot force my way out. My magic is bound here, and without it, I no longer know who I am.
The loss opens a hole inside of me that fills with hopelessness and despair. Each day it builds up, pushing out any happiness I might have found here.
Cody leads me to a bench that overlooks a pond. Swans swim languorously across the water, creating ripples on the surface. It’s a beautiful setting, but anger eats at me from the inside, hardening me, taking everything that should bring me joy and twisting it.
He brushes the back of his hand along my cheek. “You don’t smile anymore.”
“I should be happy.” I lift one shoulder in a half-hearted shrug. “But I feel so … broken.”
The alarm clock rang, startling me out of my dream. I reached across Cody to turn it off. Once I did, he pulled me on top of him. “How’d you sleep?”
I laid my head on his shoulder and ran my hand over his chest. “I dreamed about the Nephilim’s sanctuary.”
“And?” There was something in his voice. I thought it might be hope, but was it hope that I’d go there or that I wouldn’t?
“It’s beautiful, peaceful”—I pinched my eyes shut, hoping he would understand—“and all wrong for me.”
He held his hand over mine. His heart pulsed against my palm. “Will they leave you alone?”
“I doubt it.” I sat up. “I’m gonna shower. Then we can figure out what to do today.” Grabbing my stuff, I looked into the lofts and realized Samantha and Dan weren’t here. Aurelia. I projected the empty beds to her.
They are in Cody and Dan’s room. Arianna and Russ are watching them.
Thank you.
I stepped into the hall, and somebody grabbed my arm, spinning me around.
Cash glared at me. “That stunt you pulled last night.” He tightened his grip. “Don’t let it happen again.”
Diana and the dark-haired Nephilim watched us from near the staircase, but the rest of the hallway was still empty.
“Let go of me, Cash.” I froze my arm.
He yanked his hand back. His nostrils flared, and the veins in his neck bulged.
I turned my back on him and strolled down the hall, trying to look strong and in control. I waved at the Nephilim as I walked past. As soon as I shut the door to the bathroom, I crumpled against the wall. Cash was dangerous, volatile. I needed to show him I wasn’t afraid of him so he’d back off. But in truth, I wasn’t scared of him. I was petrified.
By the time I finished my shower, Val had replaced Cash as the hall monitor. He threw his arm over my shoulders and leaned in, sniffing my hair. “You smell good.” I pulled my head back, but he pressed closer. “So, uh, last night you learned about the prophecy. Didn’t ya?” He patted my arm like an excited little kid. “Pretty cool, huh?”
I ducked under his arm, wishing he knew something about personal space. “What about it is cool?”
“Really?” He stood with his hand on his hip, tilting his head until it practically rested on his shoulder. “You’re like the most powerful human on the planet. It’s awesome.” The last word was practically sung. He stepped inside my bubble again and rubbed my head. “Don’t you think?”
I shook my head. “I just want to be normal.”
“We can make that happen,” the dark-haired Nephilim said in a voice like an angel’s.
I jabbed my finger at her. “No.” The word came out low and harsh. “Leave me alone.” I stormed down the hall and into my room, slamming the door behind me.
Aurelia and Cody stared at me.
“You okay?” Cody asked.
I dropped the bathroom bag on the floor and slid my hand through my wet hair. “I’ve had it with Nephilim and dragons.”
Aurelia sat up straighter. “What happened?”
“Cash scares me.” I plopped down next to Cody. “Val is touchy, feely. And the Nephilim … they won’t leave until I go with them.”
L
Cody drove his car along the mountain road, hugging the curves. I stared out my window, wondering which dragons were trailing us and how many Nephilim we’d have to contend with.
We parked in front of The Avalanche and walked inside hand in hand. Cody’s thumb rubbed along mine but did nothing to ease my nerves. The hostess led us to a table too close to the door for my liking. Every time it opened, I was momentarily blinded when I glanced at the silhouette standing there.
My leg bounced up and down. I jumped when our waitress set my pop on the table. She smiled and shook her head as she took our orders.
One side of Cody’s mouth lifted, and he softly huffed. “Relax.” He reached his hand across the table, and I placed mine in it. “Nothing’ll happen while we’re eating.”
I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, nodding at him. He was right. Neither the dragons nor the Nephilim wanted their existence known.
After I ate about a third of my chicken wrap, I pushed my plate away. Cody shook his head. “Please eat.”
I dragged my plate back and picked at my food. I knew Cody was worried, but even the smell of food made my stomach roll. I’d already eaten more today than in the last few weeks. He watched me, analyzing every nibble.
When the waitress came by again, Cody ordered a brownie sundae with two spoons. She brought it by a few minutes later and put it in the center of the table. “Enjoy.” She cleared the empty dishes off the table, not even reaching for mine.
Cody watched me. His spoon sat untouched in front of him.
“Aren’t you going to eat it?” I asked.
He nodded toward my spoon. “You first.”
It looked delicious, and I hated to see it go to waste. So even though my stomach protested, I took a bite. When Cody still didn’t reach for his spoon, I took a couple more.
He grinned and shoved a big bite into his mouth. Whipped cream coated his lips.
The smile that crossed my face in response was genuine. I loved seeing the sparkle in his eyes.
After lunch, we walked around town, looking in shop windows. There were enough people out and about that it wasn’t blatantly obvious the Nephilim were following us. We turned onto a side street, and the crowds thinned. My grip on Cody’s hand tightened, and I pulled him to a stop. My heart pounded against my chest, and my stomach dropped.
Three men strode toward us. They were tall and muscular, dressed in black leather jackets and jeans. Their expressions were grim. The dark-skinned man in the middle slipped his hand inside his coat. The other two flexed their fingers.
Nephilim. The word reverberated through my skull, a warning from one of my guards.
I looked over my shoulder. Three more strolled along the sidewalk, closing in on us. I pulled Cody behind me and backed up aga
inst the side of the nearest building. Looking up and down the street, I didn’t see anybody else. I pictured Cody’s car and clenched his hand in mine.
Nothing happened.
My heart thundered in my chest, drowning out all other sounds. No, no, no. Not now. Please, not now.
I tried again.
My heart pulsed faster. My breathing accelerated.
Nothing.
I reached for my powers, trying to call a flame to life. Not even a spark responded to my plea.
“Cody—” my voice caught “—they’re gone.”
“Who’s gone?”
I watched the Nephilim approach and wondered how I’d get us out of this. “My powers.”
“Relax.” He massaged my shoulders, kneading the tension there. “Try again.”
Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and pictured the boardwalk in front of The Avalanche. Nothing. Not even a flicker.
Cody’s grip on my shoulders tightened, and I opened my eyes. Malcolm, Tye, Val, and Cash surrounded us.
“She isn’t going with you.” Malcolm’s deep, rumbling voice reminded me of a roar.
The dark Nephilim pulled his hand out of his jacket and held it out in front of him. “She will eventually. We cannot allow her power to remain unchecked.”
Tye grabbed my arm. Be ready. His voice broke into my thoughts.
I slid my fingers along my shoulder, slipping them into Cody’s.
“What happened to free will?” Malcolm asked. “Isn’t that why your ancestors fell?”
“Free will shouldn’t be given to everyone,” a Nephilim from the other group answered. His honey-colored hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail.
“Why?” Cody sounded angry. “She fought evil, freed dragons, protected everyone. Doesn’t she deserve the life she wants?”
The dark-skinned Nephilim lowered his head, shaking it. “We cannot take that risk.”
Tye squeezed my arm, and I tightened my grip on Cody’s hand. My body was sucked in and stretched out. The world spun, and when I opened my eyes, the three of us stood in my room.