by Mandi Oyster
We were almost to his building when Sarah stepped out of the fog. “Well, hello.” Her hand went to her chest. “I’m surprised to see you two out here.”
I squeezed Cody’s hand and whispered, “Change the subject.” There was always a possibility Draconian was listening, so while he talked to Sarah about the weather, I projected my thoughts to her. Sarah, I’m sorry to talk to you this way, but we can’t be too careful. Draconian promised us a two-week reprieve if I will face him at the end of it.
She looked worried for a moment but quickly regained her composure. “Why don’t you stop by my office later? I would like to find out what different students think about summer classes. We need to do whatever we can to improve,” she said as she started to walk off.
Chapter 29
Stipulations
The four of us piled into Cody’s car. After he pulled out of the parking lot, I reached for his hand. I felt a lightness that had been missing since we went to Cougar Lake.
Patchy fog clung to the valleys, rising up through the lodgepole pines. Wildflowers of every color grew along the road. Snow-covered peaks stretched into the blue sky.
Samantha and Dan sat in the back, talking quietly. Cody rubbed his thumb over mine, his expression soft. My friends were at ease, and even though the little voice in my head warned me not to let my guard down, I relaxed.
Tourists filled the streets and sidewalks of Althea. They carried souvenir bags and cameras. Many of them wore Snowfire Mountain sweatshirts or t-shirts and smiles. Several licked ice cream cones. Others chewed on freshly made taffy.
We parked three blocks from The Avalanche, then fought the crowds on the sidewalk to put our name in. There was a half-hour wait, so we sat outside on a bench, soaking up the sun.
“We should spend all day in town,” Samantha said.
“Dacia and I bumped into Sarah this morning.” Cody’s hand ran up and down my arm. “She expects to see us this afternoon.”
“She wants to talk to us about summer classes.” I winked while telling them. “I’m sure she has a lot of questions. But, I didn’t feel like talking this morning. It was so foggy and yucky and who knows who would overhear us … not that it would have been anything important.”
Our pager went off, and we were seated at a table near the front. I couldn’t watch the entire restaurant, and I didn’t feel inclined to. Cody scooted his chair closer to mine and threw his arm over my shoulders, loosely, not in guard dog mode.
Lunch away from campus was exactly what the four of us needed. The tension that had taken up permanent residence on all our shoulders was evicted.
“Maybe we should skip classes for the next two weeks,” Dan said.
“Dan”—Samantha rolled her eyes—“school is important. Don’t you feel guilty about skipping today?”
“No, I really don’t. I know I should be there, but things have been so stressful lately, and it feels good to take it easy.”
“Dacia Wolf, is that you?” A tall, handsome guy with dark eyes and even darker hair walked toward me. “You don’t remember me, do you? It’s Ben … Ben Vole. We went to high school together.”
“You’re right. I don’t remember you,” I said. Why would he remember me anyway? Cody would be a lot more memorable. He was a popular athlete. So, why would Ben recognize me and not him? “Are you going to college here?”
“No, just vacationing. I’ll be around for two weeks. Then I’m heading home. It’s good to see you having so much fun.” He bent down like he was going to kiss my cheek. Instead, he whispered in my ear, “Don’t go too far away or the deal’s off.”
My body stiffened as he walked away, and my fork fell from my hand.
Cody tilted his head, watching Ben leave. “I don’t remember him. Do you?”
“What’s wrong, Dacia?” Samantha’s food stopped halfway to her mouth.
It took a moment for me to regain my composure and answer her. “Th–that was, uh, Draconian.”
“What?” Dan looked from me to Cody.
“Why didn’t I sense him? Was I too relaxed, or did he figure out how to disguise his aura?” I pulled my hand through my hair. “I can’t let my guard down again.”
“How do you know it was him?” Samantha sat her fork back on her plate. The uneaten bite clung to it.
“Well, he whispered in my ear that if we stray too far from campus, the deal’s off. So, nobody goes home for the next two weeks.”
Everybody sat in stunned silence until Cody broke it. “Maybe we should have Arion keep an eye on us, too.”
“I’m willing to bet Aurelia is watching as we speak.” I drummed my fingers on the table. “Somehow, she can make it impossible for me to sense her.”
“I can see that.” Samantha nodded. “After all, she had Arion appointed to us before I asked.”
I fiddled with my napkin, not looking at my friends. “I suggested it to her, too, but by then, she’d already asked him.”
“It seems logical then that she would be keeping an eye on you two.” Dan ran his fry through ketchup. “We’re just pawns in this game, but you”—he pointed at Cody and me—“you’re the king and queen.”
Aurelia.
Yes, Dacia.
You can show yourself. I know you’re watching me.
No, I will not show myself, however, I am trying to keep you safe. Nothing can happen to you, or all hope will be lost.
You’re putting way too much pressure on me. I chewed on my bottom lip. That guy that just left our table was Draconian, and for some reason, I couldn’t sense him. What’s going on?
I am not sure. Try to enjoy yourselves for now. Nothing is going to happen here, especially not with all of these people around. We will talk back on campus.
I hope you’re right.
“Hello … Dacia. Is anybody home?” Cody waved his hand in front of my eyes. “Snap out of it.”
“Sorry.” I blinked several times. “I was having a conversation with Aurelia. She’s watching over us, and she doesn’t think Draconian will start anything with all these people around.”
“She has a good point.” Dan put his hand on Samantha’s leg. “This really wouldn’t be a good place to try to nab us.”
“I would’ve liked two weeks of peace, two weeks to enjoy myself, but I’m going to have to be aware of my surroundings at all times. I can’t afford for something happen to any of you.”
“Don’t forget to keep yourself safe, too.” Samantha stabbed her salad.
The return trip was solemn. Cody grasped the steering wheel with white knuckles. Samantha and Dan held hands in the backseat without saying a word. My mind raced. Did Draconian find a way to keep me from sensing him? Did his dragons teach him how? Or, is he using their magic to intensify his own? Please, Lord, don’t let that be the case.
I heaved a dramatic sigh and chewed on my fingernails.
“Don’t do that.” Cody took my hand in his.
“Can’t help it.”
“Try … for me.”
Cody held one hand, and I sat on the other the rest of the way to campus. Once we were back in our room, Aurelia showed herself. “You should not worry about not sensing Draconian. He was in disguise, and you were not expecting to run into him today.”
“But I still should’ve known when he showed up.” I held my head in my hands. “I should’ve known he was near.”
She squeezed my shoulder. “Do you always know when Cody or Samantha are coming and going?”
“No, I don’t.” I remembered the day Cody was attacked. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“In order to sense his approach every time, you need to be diligent … always expect him to be around. Then you might always be able to tell when he is near.”
I let out a relieved breath. “Th
at makes me feel so much better. I was really worried that he’d found a way to elude me.”
“I do not believe that is the case this time.” She focused her attention on Samantha and Dan. “Arion will watch over you wherever you two decide to go. I am going to walk with them to Sarah’s. I will not go in with you, though. I do not want Draconian to suspect anything.”
I stood, looking at them. “Be careful.”
“You, too.” Samantha pulled out her braid and combed through her hair with her fingers.
On the way to Sarah’s office, Aurelia asked, “Is there anything you want to learn before you face Draconian?”
I shrugged, making Cody’s arm bounce against my neck. “How to defeat him.”
“I wish I knew the answer to that.” Her voice sounded apologetic.
“Will I have to … kill him?” The last part came out as a whisper.
“I wish I knew the answer to that, too. I cannot foresee him giving up if you let him live, but there is always a chance you can scare him enough that he will.”
“I was afraid you were going to say something like that.” My heart plummeted. “I don’t know if I can. He’s a horrible, bad, evil man, but how can I kill him? How can I live with myself if I do?” Cody pulled me closer. Normally, it would have been comforting, but today it couldn’t reach the chill that settled inside me.
“Those are questions only you can answer,” Aurelia said. “We are almost there. I will be here when you come out, though you will not see me.”
Sarah paced the floor in her office when we arrived. Papers were scattered across the coffee table. “Oh, thank God. You’re okay. I was getting worried about you.”
“We’re fine,” Cody said. “As it turns out, we weren’t even alone. Aurelia watched over us the whole time.”
“That’s good to know.” Sarah sounded relieved. “So tell me what’s going on.”
“Let’s sit down,” I said. Cody and I sat beside each other on one of the couches. His arm was wrapped around my shoulders. Sarah sat across from us with her hands folded in her lap. Without preamble, I told her about my conversation with Draconian and about our trip to Althea.
“So, where are Samantha and Dan? Are they safe?” Sarah’s forehead wrinkled with concern.
“Arion’s watching over them.” Sarah’s hair had been infiltrated by more strands of gray since I met her. It couldn’t be easy for her to run the college and deal with my problems. Trying to soften my voice, I said, “Aurelia doesn’t think Draconian’ll hurt any of us. She believes he’ll keep his word.”
“Can you defeat Draconian?” She lifted her hands as if realizing how discouraging she sounded. “I don’t mean to sound like I don’t think you can. After all, you defeated Nefarious. I guess what I’m asking is, are you ready?”
So much for trying to relieve some of her stress. “I’m ready for this to be over, but I don’t know if I can defeat him. Aurelia isn’t sure if he’ll give up, and I don’t have another vase to keep him in.” Taking a deep breath, I paused to get the courage to say the next part. “She, uh … she thinks I might have to … kill him, and I don’t know if I can.”
“I understand why you would be concerned about that. It wouldn’t be an easy thing to do.” She picked her coffee cup up off the table and spun it in her hands. “Maybe there’s another way. After all, you didn’t know how you would defeat Nefarious until it happened.”
“Good point.” Cody squeezed my shoulder.
“Let’s hope I’m victorious. The alternative is unthinkable.” This was a battle I couldn’t lose, but one I had no idea how to win.
“Keep me informed, Dacia.” Sarah rested the cup on her knee and held my gaze. Her hazel eyes were filled with concern. “I don’t like not talking to you every day. I worry about what’s going on.”
“Does Aurelia keep you informed?” Cody asked.
“Yes, but I feel better hearing it from you guys. Just do me a favor. Be careful. I know you are. Even though Aurelia thinks he’ll leave you alone for the next two weeks, don’t take it for granted.”
“We don’t plan to,” I said. “I’m afraid he’s trying to loosen us up so it’ll be easier to catch us off guard.”
“Stay safe.” She hugged me before we left.
“Thanks, Sarah. It’s good to know people care.”
Dan and Samantha were snuggled on the couch when we got back. “How did it go with Sarah?” Samantha sat up.
“It was fine.” I plopped down in Cookie Monster. “She just wanted to know what was going on and warned us to stay safe.”
“Do you two want to go to Falcon Lake with us?” Dan asked. “We thought about taking stuff for a picnic and having a bonfire on the beach.”
I tilted my head, and my eyebrows furrowed. I couldn’t believe they were ready to go out again so soon after seeing Draconian in Althea. “What do you think, Cody?”
He rubbed his neck. “We have a bonfire, we’ll be out late. Think it’s safe?”
“What do you think, Aurelia?” I asked.
Suddenly, Aurelia stood in the room with us. “I think you will be fine. Arion and I will go with you and make sure you are safe.”
Samantha’s face lit up. “Do you think he’d give me another ride?”
“You’ll have to ask him yourself.”
“I think I might.” Her grin spread from ear to ear.
d
Cody and I snuggled together on the beach. The fire danced in front of us, casting shadows over Dan’s, Samantha’s, and Aurelia’s faces. The sun put on a spectacular show before retreating under the horizon. Stars filled the sky, twinkling against the black backdrop.
“This is perfect.” I rested my head on Cody’s shoulder.
“Yeah, couldn’t’ve asked for a better night.” He shoved the last of his S’more into his mouth.
“I haven’t seen anybody else for quite a while,” Samantha said. “Do you think Arion could show himself now?”
He appeared next to Aurelia. His fur glimmered as brightly as the stars. He bowed his head in greeting.
“Oh, hi.” Samantha clapped her hands. “Um, may I … may I have a ride?”
Arion knelt down, allowing Samantha to climb onto his back. In one graceful movement, Arion ascended to the heavens with Samantha squealing in delight. I would’ve enjoyed flying with him but knew the idea terrified Cody. It’d have to wait until Draconian was defeated.
When Samantha and Arion returned, Cody asked, “Wanna walk?”
“Yeah, that’d be nice.”
As we strolled away from the fire, I realized how chilly the evening had become. Cody and I walked hand in hand in silence. I leaned close to him, and his arm went around my shoulders. “This is living.” My voice was soft and relaxed. “No fears, no concerns, just happiness, and peace. I could handle this.”
“I wish. With all my heart, I wish you had this, but if it was offered, I don’t think you’d take it. You’d choose the noble route. You wouldn’t let pain and suffering go on, not knowing you could stop it.”
“No, but I can dream. Can’t I?”
We stopped and looked out over Falcon Lake. The moon reflected on the water giving it a surreal appearance. Cody gently grabbed my shoulders and turned me to face him. Placing his hands on the sides of my head and caressing my cheeks with his thumbs, he said, “Dream whatever you like. Just make sure I’m part of it.”
“You always are, Cody.” I rested my hands on his. “You’re what makes this life worth living.”
He leaned down and brushed his lips over mine. He started to pull away, but an inferno ignited in my chest. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled his mouth down. He smiled before crushing his lips against mine. My hands twisted in his hair.
His hands traveled up and down my spine, pullin
g me against him. Then they dropped to my hips, lifting me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist, clinging to him. My heart pounded against his chest.
Cody pulled his mouth away from mine. His voice was low and ragged. “Best thing to happen to me was you. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” I kissed his cheek, then the tip of his nose. When my mouth touched his, everything else disappeared. Nothing but the two of us existed. My heart soared, filled with the love Cody felt for me. I pulled back, and he sat me down, not letting go until he was sure I wouldn’t lose my balance. Then he took my hand in his and walked toward the fire.
Seeing my friends around the fire, my heart sunk. I couldn’t keep them safe forever. “I’m sorry I got you involved in this,” I said to Cody. “The three of you must’ve been terrified yesterday.”
“Scared to death. I knew you’d save us.” He dropped my hand and draped his arm over my shoulders, pulling me close to him. “How did you, though? How’d you get us all out at once?”
“We had help, but it’s not something I can talk about,” I answered. “I made a promise.”
“I won’t ask again, but whoever they are, I am very grateful to them.”
“You and me both. I couldn’t have done it myself.”
Chapter 30
Swinging
The days passed quicker than I would’ve liked. With a little over a week to go, Aurelia and I hadn’t come up with a way to stop Draconian without killing him.
And, with each passing day, it became more apparent to me that I couldn’t. Life was valuable, and I couldn’t end somebody’s, not even his.
I left my training sessions with Aurelia feeling more despondent by the day. I stood in the hall outside my room until I could screw a smile on and pretend that things would be okay.
Every day, Samantha had something planned to get us out of the building. I imagined she did it in part to keep my thoughts away from Draconian, but it had the opposite effect.
