by Mandi Oyster
“Close your eyes.” His voice was softer than I’d ever heard it. “Lean back and think of whatever you need to relax.”
I closed my eyes, but the only thing I could think of was that Malcolm was going to steal my powers. How could I relax, knowing that something so integral to me was about to be taken?
“Trust me, Dacia.” The words were soothing, and I wondered if they were laced with magic. “I only want to help you.”
Without meaning to, I felt myself relax. I pictured myself sitting on the edge of Falcon Lake with Cody. Our feet dangled in the water. The gentle lapping settled my nerves.
“Good.” Malcolm’s voice floated in on a breeze. “Now, open your eyes and use ice against me.”
I called on my powers. A slight chill raised goosebumps on my arms, but nothing else happened. I pulled harder, willing magic to flow into my fingers.
Malcolm’s face tightened. Beads of sweat formed along his temples.
My energy failed to respond to me. I imagined Cody in trouble and called on them again. My hands cooled.
Malcolm clutched his knees. Sweat rolled along his cheekbones. His pupils were slits.
And still, my magic did not respond. I leaned back, and he followed my lead, wiping his hand over his face.
“How am I supposed to regain control?” The desperation in my voice annoyed me. “And, if I’m so damned powerful, why can you take it away to begin with?”
He grinned at me, baring his fangs. “You are powerful, but I am over two thousand years old. I have had a long time to hone my magic, and in spite of that, I had difficulty binding your power. One day you will be undefeatable, but for now, you are still learning.” His expression darkened. “The only time my powers have been taken from me, it was done by using my true name. There was no way for me to regain them without first being released from his hold.”
I rubbed my jaw, trying to figure out a solution.
“Since you know it is me stealing your magic, you could distract me somehow.” As he talked his pupils regained their roundness. Aside from their unusual color, they appeared more human. “However, that tactic will only work if you know who you are dealing with.”
I tugged my hand through my hair. How many times had I been in this position over the last year? “So basically, I need to figure this out on my own.”
“Yes.” He nodded. “Do you wish to try again?”
“No time like the present. I guess.”
He leaned forward. “Relax.”
Closing my eyes, I pictured my mountain lake again. It didn’t take long for Malcolm to restrain my powers. Keeping my eyes closed, I envisioned using my powers. I remembered the feeling of energy surging through me, responding to my command. I thought about life, about renewal, about love. I took a deep breath and decided I was ready to try.
Malcolm’s jaw was tightly clenched. His biceps were flexed. Sweat dripped into his eyes.
I called my magic to me, begging it to take any form. Nothing happened. I tugged on it again, but there didn’t even seem to be anything there to answer my call. Every time I reached for it and it didn’t respond, I weakened.
I slumped down and yawned, covering my mouth with my hand. “I’m done, Malcolm. I’ve got nothing left.”
He sat beside me and held his hand over mine. “May I?”
“Yes.” The word was little more than a whisper.
Gripping my fingers, his energy flooded into my veins, cascading through my body. I sighed in relief. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been so drained from using my powers.”
“I felt you pulling on them”—he let go of my hand—“but it wasn’t quite enough to take them back.” He stood, lowering his hand to me. “I think you have had enough for today. We can try again tomorrow after your classes.”
I let him pull me to my feet. “We’re leaving, Sarah.”
She stepped out of her office. “Keep me informed, and don’t stay away so long.”
“I’ll try not to.”
Malcolm nodded at her. “Thanks for the use of your office.”
Chapter 12
Who Should I Trust?
The Nephilim surround me. I spin around, wondering where my dragon bodyguards are. “They’re not here,” one of the Nephilim from Althea says. “Don’t make this difficult. Just come with us.”
“No.” I step back. “I can’t.”
“You must.” Diana steps beside him. “The dragons have agreed. They no longer feel like this world is safer with you in it.”
I stumble, shocked by her words. “But … but I saved them. Without me, they’d still be under Draconian’s control.”
“Dragons are fickle creatures.” The voice comes from behind me this time.
I turn and see another of the Nephilim from the side street.
“Why else wouldn’t they be here protecting you? Why would they lead you here then leave?” His voice is filled with disdain.
Several of the Nephilim are bowled over. A panther charges through them, running straight at me. It leaps, knocking me against the rocky ground. The breath whooshes out of my lungs. The beast’s teeth graze my neck. It transforms into Mavros, and he rolls off of me. “Take her,” he shouts at the Nephilim. “Get her out of here.” He clutches his head, fighting whoever controls him.
The Nephilim grab my shoulders and drag me away from him.
“I’m sorry,” Mavros says. “I know it’s not what you want, but it’s the only way to keep you safe from me.”
All of the Nephilim gather around me and whisk me away. It’s different than when I teleport myself or with the dragons. It’s like we step through a bright light. There’s no stretching or pulling sensations.
An old church stands in the distance. Its steeple stretches to the heavens. Rolling hills and flowering trees surround me, and I realize I am far from home.
The Nephilim let go of my arms, and I fall to my knees. “Why couldn’t you just leave me alone?”
“We saved you.” Diana kneels in front of me. “That demon would have killed you.”
Rage burns in my stomach. “That demon—” I stand up, getting right in her face “—the one I’ve already returned to the Abyss once.” I have never wanted to punch somebody so badly before. I clench my fists, keeping them at my sides, trying to calm down. I need to convince them to take me back. I need to figure out why the dragons have given up on me. “I can handle Mavros.”
“Maybe.” She doesn’t back down from me at all. “And maybe he would’ve finally won you over. We know he can control you. We know how you react to his other form. We know you think of him as a friend.”
I tug my hand through my hair and turn, pacing away from her. The other Nephilim stand in a ring around us, preventing my escape. I reach inside, searching for my power, but there is an emptiness where it once was. “And what’s so wrong with that? That friendship is why he fights against whoever is controlling him.” I stop moving and spin around. “Unless of course one of you is holding his leash. Then I played right into your hands.”
“We did no such thing.” Anger flashes through her eyes. “I told you we are forces of light. We would never align ourselves with darkness.” She folds her arms over her chest. “You, however, would. That is why we cannot allow you in the world on your own.”
“So, I’m trapped here against my will—” I lower my head in defeat “—but I’m not supposed to think of it as a prison.”
“It is not a prison. It is your home.” She snaps her fingers, and the dark-haired Nephilim steps forward. “Olivia, show her to her room.”
As Olivia leads me to the church, she says, “We’ll let your friends know you are with us. There’s a pen and paper in your room. Feel free to write to your family, and we’ll see to it that your letters get to them.”
“After you read them.” My voice is despondent.
“Of course.” She presses her hand to my arm and guides me on.
“Home sweet home.” I murmur with as much sarcasm as I can muster.
“Do not try to escape.” She sneers at me, and I wonder why I ever thought her eyes were beautiful. There is so much anger and hatred in them now. “The only way in or out through the wards is through our portals. Your magic will not work here. It was stripped from you as soon as you entered our grounds.”
I stop, planting my feet firmly. “So not only am I prisoner, I’m not even myself.”
Her lip curls in disgust as she looks at me. “If all you are is your magic, we got to you too late.”
“You took away a huge part of me. You brought me here against my will, and you think you’re the righteous ones.” A humorless laugh escapes my lips as I step away from her. “Tell me where to go. Then leave.”
She shakes her head. “I do not take orders from humans, especially ones who fraternize with demons.”
The doors to the church open. A blinding light strikes me.
My eyes fluttered. Cody’s arm was thrown over my chest. His breaths were slow and steady. I stared at the ceiling, not moving, not wanting to wake him yet. I wanted to process my dream to figure out which parts might be true, which may come true, and which were warnings.
I thought about Diana telling me that they wouldn’t sully themselves with demons. That statement rang with truth. So, if not the Nephilim, who else would have unleashed him on me?
The trees had been blooming, so their fortress must have been in the southern hemisphere. I didn’t think they would wait until spring to take me captive.
I slid out of Cody’s arms and stood by the window. I stared out at the darkness without really seeing anything. Malcolm, are you awake?
Yes. His voice was vigilant. Are you okay?
I need to talk. I sent him the memory of my dream. Will the dragons give me up to the Nephilim?
He didn’t answer right away, and that was answer enough. Fighting back tears of betrayal, I wondered how long I had before they decided I wasn’t worth protecting.
I don’t know, Dacia. I made a vow to protect you. I will not turn my back on you. He paused before adding. I know what it is like to be held against my will, and I will vow to you now, that if they take you, even with the dragons’ blessings, I will find a way to get you out of there.
The tension in my body released. I pressed my hand to my chest, feeling a lightness there that took me by surprise. Thank you, Malcolm.
I will relay your dream and your concerns to Aurelia. I will tell her nothing of my vow. I felt his loyalty to me. Though, I believe she feels the same.
Thank you. I hoped he could sense my gratitude and that he could tell how deeply his words had touched me.
The connection between us broke, and I was on my way back to the couch when I felt Mavros’ call. My legs wobbled, and my pulse raced. I looked over my shoulder. I hadn’t seen him looking up at me, but had he been there?
I felt a pull on my body, but I kept walking to the couch, intending to ignore him. Just as I was about to sit down, he forced me to teleport.
I shivered as I looked around, trying to figure out where I was and if I was alone. The snow was at least six inches deep here, and my bare feet were freezing.
Mavros landed in front of me. His bat-like wings folded against his back and disappeared. Leave, Dacia. Teleport away. Tell Malcolm to protect you from my call. They are not— His voice cut off, and he roared in pain. His face twisted, and he lunged toward me.
I teleported back to my room but not before his claws tore through my arm. I landed flat on my back with a loud thump.
Cody jumped up from the couch. “Dacia? What happened?”
My four guards were in the room before I could answer him. I wrapped the tail of my shirt around my arm, trying to staunch the flow of blood.
Malcolm lifted his nose and inhaled. His pupils turned to slits. Tye stepped around him, but Malcolm snarled. Tension filled the room, and the other dragons froze.
Clenching his jaw, Malcolm strode toward me. He knelt down, carefully lifting my arm. I felt his energy flow into me, healing the wound.
I sat up, looking at my arm, then at Malcolm. “How did you heal it?”
“With magic.” The snarky tone of his voice made me wonder if my injury had interrupted something. “How else?”
“Did I do something?” I wrapped my arms around my legs. “Are you mad at me?”
Cash wrinkled his nose. “It’s your blood.”
“Oh.” I rubbed my hand over the nonexistent wound. “But what about the venom?”
Malcolm shook his head. “There wasn’t any.”
I twisted my arm, not believing what I was seeing. Demon wounds always took a long time to heal from except for when Mavros himself healed me. “That’s weird. Mavros never attacked me without venom before. Why now?”
“Mavros attacked you?” Cody sat down and pulled me onto his lap, holding me tightly against him. “How?”
I folded my arms over Cody’s. “He made me teleport. I don’t know how he does it or how to keep myself from going to him.” I went on to tell them what he’d said and what he’d done. Then I looked at Malcolm. “He told me to have you protect me from his call.”
Val sat beside Cody and me. He patted me on the head and leaned in closely, sniffing my hair, and the blood on my shirt. Bending down, he licked my arm. I pushed his head away, and Cash growled at him.
I looked each of the dragons in the eyes. “Keep quiet so Marcy doesn’t realize Cody’s here. If he’s found here, after hours again, he’ll be expelled.”
“If she comes,” Tye said, “we can make it look like the room’s empty.” He tilted his head. “Can’t you?”
“I’ve never tried.” I pushed Cody’s arms out, loosening his grip on me. “Right now, I wouldn’t trust my magic enough to do it anyway.”
“So, can you?” Cody looked at Malcolm.
Malcolm’s eyebrows pinched together. “Can I what?”
“Keep her from going to him.” Cody’s arms tightened again.
“Yes.” He flipped his cornrows over his shoulder, making the beads clank together. “I will have to stay here with you, though.” He walked to the window and opened it, sticking his nose up against the screen.
I took the hint. “All right.” I pushed out of Cody’s arms. “I need to clean up and change.”
Malcolm turned invisible while he walked to the bathroom with me. As soon as we confirmed nobody else was in there, he showed himself. His presence was comforting. He stood with me at the sink while I washed, turning his back when I slipped on a new shirt.
On our way back to my room, I said, “Who’s controlling him? I thought it might be the Nephilim, but after my dream, I don’t anymore.”
“I don’t know,” he whispered. “There is no end to the creatures who would try to corrupt you.”
My chin dropped to my chest. I knew that but hated hearing it said out loud.
When I opened the door, Cody leaned back and mumbled, “Thank God.”
Malcolm made himself comfortable in Big Bird, and I lay on the couch with Cody. I gazed into Malcolm’s eyes. His pupils practically glowed in the darkness. “I will keep you safe.”
“Thank you.” I tried to close my eyes and go to sleep, but it felt so weird having somebody watch me. I turned, trying to get comfortable.
“Would you like me to make you sleep?”
I looked over my shoulder at him. “No, I’ll figure it out.”
D
“Are you okay?” Mavros sounds broken.
I step toward him. “Yes. You didn’t use your venom.”
He closes his eyes, cov
ering his mouth with his hand. “I didn’t know if it would work. I’ve never tried to stop it before.”
“Are there any clues you can give me?” I step closer still, reaching for his hand. “Can I see in your memories who’s doing this?”
He pulls back, keeping me from touching him. “Someone cl—” He bends forward clutching his stomach. His body shudders.
“It’s okay,” I say. Tears well up in my eyes. I hate to see anybody suffer. “Don’t try again.”
He sits on the ground. “Try.” He points to his eyes.
I kneel in front of him, gazing into his obsidian irises. I see the dragons dragging him off. I see the dragons in my room, protecting me. I see the dragons playing basketball with me and my friends. Mavros stands in the hallway watching us. The Nephilim follow behind me, and the dragons surround me.
Leaning back, I tug my hand through my hair. “I don’t know what to make of that. None of it seems very helpful.”
“Really?” He shakes his head. “Think.”
I look at him, wondering if he saw something different than I did. “All you showed me were the dragons.”
He nods.
“But … they’re protecting me.”
“Some are. Some are only pretending to be.” His body convulses. He falls to his side, clutching his head.
I snapped my eyes open.
“What is it?” Malcolm asked.
I sat up and held my head in my hands. “Mavros showed me more memories.”
“And?” Cody’s hand ran along my back.
I focused on Malcolm’s eyes and sent him my memory. “He says it’s one of you.”
Malcolm’s pupils turned to slits, and his fangs lengthened. “And, you trust him?” His voice was more of a growl.
“I don’t know.” I paced across the room. Ten steps. Then ten steps back. I looked out the window, wondering if Mavros was there. Wondering what would become of him. His master would not be forgiving. “I know it’s not you or Russ.” I paced ten steps, then ten more, trying to gather my thoughts. “I trust Arianna implicitly.”