Dacia Wolf & the Demon Mark

by Mandi Oyster

  Cash threw his head back and laughed a full-belly laugh that made Cody and I giggle.

  When he stopped, I said, “What do you have in mind?”

  “I think we should try to find the fairies that removed Mavros’ taint.” He knelt down and dug through the bag of food, pulled out a couple of protein bars, and handed them to me. “You need to eat before we leave.”

  “One’s good.” I handed the other one to Cody and peeled the wrapper back on mine. “I don’t know how to find them. Both times, they’ve found me.”

  “Let’s hope they find you again then.” Cash pushed himself to his feet, and I noticed that his features seemed to be softer.

  Trying to figure out what it was, I gawked at him. His chin and nose weren’t as sharp as they’d been, and his eyes didn’t have the same hardness to them.

  “What?” He folded his arms over his chest.

  I waved my hand at him. “You look different this morning.”

  “Yeah.” He brushed his purple-streaked hair back and looked down. “I was a jackass. I wanted to intimidate you.”

  I waved my protein bar at him. “It worked.”

  “I could smell it on you”—he tapped his nose—“but you did a good job of not showing it.”

  “Eat.” Cody crumbled up his wrapper and grabbed another bar.

  I could barely choke mine down. It was dry and tasteless. As soon as I swallowed the last bite, I cooled off a couple bottles of water for Cody and me. “What are you going to eat? And when do you have to show yourself again?” I asked Cash.

  “I’ll hunt for something later.” He pointed at the last of Cody’s breakfast. “I’m not sure that should be considered food.”

  I wrinkled my nose. “Not so much, but I appreciate you guys bringing us supplies and keeping us fed.”

  “So … when?” Cody prodded.

  “They’re not going to watch me as closely as Malcolm. I should be good for two or three days.” Cash rubbed his hand along his jaw. “I can tell them I was following your scent.”

  “So … am I going to have to lay a false trail? Teleport somewhere, wander aimlessly, and then teleport back here.”

  Cash tilted his head, and I realized he hadn’t considered the consequences. “The Nephilim can’t smell you, but the other dragons can.” He spun around, taking a few steps away from Cody and me, then turning back. “They’ll want me to lead them to your scent so they can try to track it. I’ll discuss it with Malcolm.”

  I grabbed a change of clothes and stood behind a stalagmite. I would’ve traded a suitcase full of dragon loot for a bathroom, but at least I was safe for now. “How do you plan to find the fairies?”

  “I don’t know.” He let out a hefty sigh and dragged his hand down his face. “I don’t even know if they’ll come around if I’m with you. I haven’t always followed the light.”

  “Malcolm said the same thing.” I folded up my pajamas and set them by our make-shift bed. Both Cash and Cody followed every movement I made. Their attention was a bit unsettling. “What?!”

  They shared a conspiratorial look. Then Cash waved his hand for Cody to explain. “Slept for fifteen hours.”

  “Holy crap.” I tugged my hairbands out and pulled my fingers through my braids. “I guess I really overdid it.” I lit a fire in my palm.

  Cash closed my hand. “Not today.”

  “But”—my chest tightened, and I rubbed the heal of my other hand over my breastbone—“if I don’t use them, I can’t get stronger.”

  He patted my shoulder. “Not today. Today you need to rest and recharge.”

  We filled a backpack with food and drinks. Then we left the cavern. My first instinct was to create an illusion to keep it hidden from anybody who might be searching for me. I rubbed my forehead. “Cash, can you hide the fissure?”

  “Yes.” He waited off to the side while Cody and I walked past him.

  We wandered through the passages, following Cash’s red flames. The steady sound of dripping water was our constant companion. “Both times I’ve seen the fairies, they were in the chamber where I defeated Nefarious, but I’ve been in there several times without seeing them.”

  “Good a place as any.” Cody entwined his fingers with mine.

  Long shadows spilled across the floor, collecting outside of the flame’s reach. I wanted to add my fire to Cash’s to dispel the darkness, to prove that no demon lingered beyond the light’s reach. Too many of the passages and chambers triggered memories of me nearly dying at Nefarious’ hands.

  “Dacia”—Cody spread his fingers out—“too tight.”

  I loosened my grip on his hand. “I’m sorry.” I pointed to a stalagmite. “I ran through that when I battled Nefarious.”

  He brushed his thumb over mine. “He’s gone.”

  “Yeah.” I blew out a hefty sigh. “So was Mavros. What if somebody decides to summon him next? What if they bring worse to try to lure me out?”

  A low growl rumbled through the cavern. My knees locked, and I stifled a scream. Cody darted a glance over his shoulder.

  Cash inhaled deeply and groaned. “Sorry.”

  I turned to look at him, and he flashed his teeth and held his hands up, palms out. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “Why’d you growl?” Cody asked.

  “Because Dacia’s right.” He folded his arms over his chest. “The longer she’s hidden away, the more desperate Mavros’ puppeteer will become.”

  I knelt down, holding my head in my hands. More enemies were not what I needed. I needed to figure out how to get rid of the Nephilim so I could deal with whoever summoned Mavros.

  “Dacia”—Cash’s voice was strained—“these passageways are too enclosed for so many emotions.”

  Standing up, I pushed the sleeves of my hoodie up and narrowed my eyes at him. “What do you want me to do? I can’t turn them off.”

  He laughed. “Anger is good. Hold onto that. It doesn’t make you smell like prey.”

  As he walked past me, I flipped him off. Cody and I followed behind him. My anger simmered. It was too easy for me to embrace it. Everything about the Nephilim annoyed me.

  When we walked into the chamber where I’d seen the fairies, I held onto Cody’s hand, hoping he would guide me while I watched the ceiling for any sign of them. I saw no flashes of silver light. I climbed over and around stalagmites, searching every corner for them.

  There was no sign that they’d ever been here, no footprints in the dust, no treasure hoards, no food stores, no messes.

  I sat down and bowed my head. The Nephilim would never believe anything I said. They wouldn’t trust the dragons. As far as I could tell, the fairies were my only hope. “If you don’t want evil to prevail, I need you,” I whispered.

  Cash turned his head, looking at me from about twenty feet away. “What did you say?”

  “Just talking to myself.” I shrugged, then shoved my hands into my pouch. “They’re not here.”

  “We’ll search the next chamber and the next until we find them.” He walked toward me, and tiny pinpricks of light illuminated the darkness behind him.

  The ball of anger in the pit of my stomach loosened, and I breathed easier. “No need.” I pointed behind Cash’s back.

  He looked over his shoulder, and his posture relaxed. They landed on the stalagmites and stalactites. In a shrill voice, one asked, “Why do you despair?”

  I traipsed toward them. “The Nephilim believe I have fallen to darkness. They are hunting me with the help of the dragons and the demon, Mavros.”

  As one, they turned to stare at Cash. “Where does your loyalty lie?”

  “With Dacia.” He bowed to them. “She saved me from Draconian and has proven to be honorable.”

  My heart tingled and warmth spr
ead through my chest. I couldn’t stop the stupid grin from lifting my lips. I walked back to him and squeezed his forearm. “At least one other dragon is on my side.”

  “Two.” Cody held up two fingers. “Malcolm and Aurelia.”

  I bit my lip. “I don’t know for sure where Aurelia stands.”

  “By your side, with me.” Cash smiled down at me.

  “Arianna and Russ are on my side, too—” I dragged my hand through my hair “—but I don’t know if they’ll fight by my side. The elder dragons threatened to renounce any dragons that stand with me.”

  One of the fairies flew toward me. I held my hand up so she could land on it. “What is it that you need from us?”

  “You are undoubtedly creatures of light.” Cash leaned closer, and the fairy backed away from him, pinching her lips together. “If you could vouch for Dacia, maybe they would believe you. We cannot allow Dacia to be imprisoned or killed.”

  The fairy flew away to join the others. They gathered together. Hundreds of tiny shrill voices filled the cavern with a language I couldn’t understand. Their iridescent wings fluttered like hummingbirds’, sending a breeze through the chamber.

  The tiny fairy flew back over to me. Her silver hair was windblown. Her purple eyes sparkled. “We have never left the cave.”

  “Maybe …” I walked toward a stalagmite, then turned around and walked back. “What is your name?” Realizing she could be offended by that, I quickly said, “Not your true name. I didn’t mean that.”

  “You may call me Rayne.” She bowed slightly.

  “I’m Dacia. This is Cody, and that is Cash.” They both nodded at her. “Your help has been invaluable. I would not have defeated Nefarious without being healed by you, and I couldn’t have removed Mavros’ taint on my own. If you don’t want to leave the cave, maybe we could lure the Nephilim here and you could confront them for me.”

  She tilted her head and looked up at me. “What is it that you fear?”

  I laughed, and the sound bounced through the cavern, echoing back to me, sounding more humorless with each reverberation. “Everything.” I pulled my hand through my hair. “I fear everything these days. Being caged, being captured, being killed, having my powers controlled by somebody else, having my powers stripped. I fear for Cody and my other friends. I fear that someone close to me has betrayed me. I fear sending Mavros back to the Abyss again and losing another piece of my soul. I fear what will happen if I don’t. I fear hurting people close to me either through my actions or inactions.” I swallowed over a lump in my throat. “Most of all, I fear I’m losing myself.”

  Rayne flew off my hand and hovered by my face, staring into my eyes. Then she placed her palm on my cheek.

  Strength and peace flowed through me, staunching my fears.

  She pulled her hand back. “Those fears are what keep you true to yourself. They will keep you from turning to darkness. They will make you strive to be better.” She flew back to the other fairies. “We will help you. Bring them to this cavern, and we will watch for them. If you need us, just ask for help. We hear everything that happens in this cave system.”

  “Thank you.” Cody stepped up to my side.

  “Do you want us to let you know when we have a plan?” Cash asked her.

  All at once, the fairies lifted into the air. “We will know.”

  Chapter 24

  Taken

  Stepping outside the cave, I look up, hoping to see the stars. I’ve been stuck inside for too long, but it’s nearly as dark outside as it was inside. I inhale the fresh air, filling my lungs greedily. My breath puffs out in front of me, and I shiver.

  I turn around to go back to the chamber and smack into Mavros. He pulls me against him. “Finally—” he sucks in a relieved breath “—you finally came to me. I’ve been calling you for days.”

  “Why?” I try to step away from him, but he clutches me tighter.

  He wraps one arm around my waist and brushes his other hand over my hair. “I think I’ve finally figured it out.” His voice is filled with excitement.

  “What?” I can’t stop the smile that tugs at my lips.

  He leans down and closes his eyes. “I think I know how to get you out of here.”

  My body feels like a rubber band about to be shot at an unsuspecting passerby. Suddenly, I’m flung through the night sky. The air whips my hair around my face. My stomach drops, and I pinch my eyes shut.

  When I opened them, I stood next to Mavros outside the cave. I’d been dreaming, but this was real.

  He gazed into my eyes, and I felt my inhibitions disappear. He wrapped his arms around me, clutching me against him. I looked at his soft, supple lips and desire flared in my body. I snuggled against him, not remembering why it was wrong or why I should be scared.

  Wings sprouted from his back, and he shot into the sky. “I’m sorry about this, Dacia.” His voice was low and agonized.

  “Why?” I couldn’t imagine any reason he would have for apologizing to me. “I love flying with you … being near you.”

  “I’m trying to break his commands, but I can’t find a loophole this time.” The light in his eyes dimmed.

  Nuzzling my face into his neck, I snuggled closer to him and kissed just below his earlobe. “You’re not making any sense.”

  He growled, and a chill tiptoed along my spine. My mind cleared long enough for me to realize I needed to get away from him. The thought fluttered away too quickly for me to cling to it, and once again, I was no better than a starstruck fan meeting her favorite actor. Mavros was the only thing I could focus on, my entire world.

  His arms tightened, and a muscle in his jaw ticked. Images flashed through my mind. Blond hair. Blue eyes. My breath hitched. The love I saw in those sapphire depths tugged me out of Mavros’ sway.

  Focusing on the snow-covered mountains, I willed my body to turn to ice. Frost coated my fingertips, climbing up my arms. Mavros jerked his arms away, and I plummeted.

  My body was a solid block of ice, dropping through the air without feeling anything. I sped toward the ground, unsure of whether or not I should teleport or fly off. I didn’t know if Mavros could trail me, but I couldn’t risk leading him to the cave.

  Before crashing into the ground, I teleported to a mountain in the distance. Standing on its rocky slope, under the cover of pine trees, I watched Mavros circle just below the clouds.

  Leave, he spoke into my mind. Leave before I take you. I won’t be able to show you Cody again. He’ll stop me next time.

  The flashes of Cody had come from him? Mavros had freed me again. The wrath of his controller would be unbearable.

  Thank you. Making myself invisible, I teleported to the clearing where I’d died. When Mavros didn’t show up or speak into my mind, I went to the cavern.

  Cody paced through the chamber. Malcolm and Cash faced off in the corner. They were both a strange combination of dragon and human. Malcolm lifted his head and sniffed the air. Then he turned and looked directly at me. “She’s back.” His words were a low, ominous growl.

  I stepped forward, turning visible as I did. “He—”

  “Where’ve you been?” Cody spun around. Anger, fear, and relief mixed together on his face. “You can’t just wander off.”

  “I was right there.” I pointed at the cushions I’d been using for a bed. “And, he snatched me. Right out of my dream.” Turning toward the dragons, I pulled my hand through my hair. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes. “How could he do that?”

  “He?” Cash stepped toward me. His purple scales shimmered as they slowly morphed into skin. “Mavros?”

  Unsure if I’d be able to talk over the lump in my throat, I nodded.

  All three of them surrounded me, looking me over, making sure I was safe, uninjured. Cody’s hands framed my face, but
he didn’t touch me. “Wha’d he do?”

  “He pulled me out of my dream and told me he couldn’t find a loophole to free me.” I tugged my hands through my hair, gripping it at the back of my head. “Whoever’s pulling the strings made him control me, but then he sent me images of Cody.” I looked up into his eyes, and he ran his thumbs along my cheeks, wiping my tears away. “Seeing your face made me come to my senses. I froze myself and got away.”

  Cody opened his arms to me, and I stepped into them. He brushed his hand down my back. “How’s she stop it?”

  Malcolm’s answering growl was so low that I couldn’t hear it, but I felt it rumble through my body. “I don’t know.” His fangs seemed to be longer than normal still.

  “She should try to sleep during the day.” Cash ran his hand down his face, and I realized the scent my emotions were tossing into the air must be driving them nuts. “That might throw them off for a couple days anyway.”

  Malcolm decided that as long as I was going to be awake, we might as well train. I sat down on the cushions and created a cyan ball of fire. It hovered above my palm. For the next few hours, Malcolm tried to gain control of the flames.

  My eyes became leaden, and my command over the fire slipped. Flames licked at my skin, climbing my arm, spreading along my body. My breath hitched, then sped up until the air barely touched my lungs before being spewed back into the chamber.

  Light danced in front of my eyes. You are mine. The thought finally settled in my panicked mind, and I tried to grasp onto the power, to leash the flames, but still, they spread. You are mine! The fire seemed to respond to my call, retreating back to the sphere in my palm. My hand trembled, and my vision wobbled.

  “Enough.” I snuffed out the flames. “I need rest.”

  He shook his head. “It is not yet morning.”

  My shoulders slumped. “What now, then?”

  “Do it again.”