by Mandi Oyster
She decided to spend another afternoon at Falcon Lake. When we got to the trail, Cody and I took off on our own. “What’s going on, Dacia?” he asked.
“What do you mean?” The path was worn into the forest floor by all of the students who’d needed a break through the years. Boulders and roots thrusted through the dirt, striving to catch a glimpse of the sun. Orange mushrooms crouched at the bases of trees. Chipmunks, squirrels, and birds watched from the branches, careful not to draw too much attention.
“Everybody is relaxed and enjoying this, but you’re tense. Even when we’re all together, you seem to be alone. It’s like you’re …” He spread his fingers out wide, then fisted them. “You’re waiting for something to happen. I don’t know.”
“I’m scared.” I tugged my hand through my hair. Individual strands broke free, clinging to my fingers. I wiggled them and watched the hairs flutter to the ground. “I don’t trust Draconian to stay away. He didn’t even manage it for one day.”
“Since then?”
I couldn’t lie to Cody as much as I would’ve liked to at that moment. When asked a point-blank question, it was my nature to give a point-blank answer. “Yes, he has. I didn’t want to tell you guys because he hasn’t been threatening.” Kicking at the dirt, I said, “I didn’t want you to worry.”
“You don’t have to deal on your own.”
“Maybe not, but you shouldn’t have to at all.”
“I chose to.” He reached for my hand and laced his fingers through mine. “We don’t think you should go through this alone.”
“I know, and I appreciate it.”
“Don’t let me in, and I worry more.” His words were spoken so softly that if there had been a breeze, they would’ve drifted away on it. “Even if you don’t tell them, tell me.”
“I can do that.” I turned toward him and ran my finger down his chest. “By the way, you read my mind earlier. I wanted to spend some time alone with you. I know Samantha and Dan feel safer with me around or maybe, with me and Aurelia around. But, it’s nice to be alone with you.” I leaned my head against him, and we walked along in silence for a while.
“Enjoy yourself tonight.”
“I can’t let my guard down.” The thought of going to Althea didn’t sit well with me, but I felt a responsibility to keep my friends safe. “If I do, I can’t sense him, and I don’t want to be surprised again. Maybe I can figure out how to keep an eye out for him without being so distracted.”
d
When we got back to our room, Samantha asked, “Bowling or movie?”
The continuous noise of the bowling alley and the dark secluded nature of a movie theater didn’t sound appealing. Really I just wanted to stay in and take it easy. I knew Samantha would go along with it if I suggested it, but I’d spend the whole night feeling guilty. “We could go to the park and play on the swings.”
“Really?” Cody tilted his head, and one eyebrow arched upward.
“That sounds like fun.” Samantha’s brown eyes sparkled. “I haven’t done that in ages.”
Dan flipped his hands palms up. “The park it is.”
Cody turned to me and as quiet as a church mouse whispered, “Nobody’ll be around.”
“Let’s get going.” Samantha practically bounced to the door.
“Go ahead. We’ll be right behind you.” When they left the room, I turned to Cody. “I didn’t think about that. We’ll be okay, though. It’ll be fun.”
Dinner was at The Avalanche again. We were on a first-name basis with our waitress, Abigail. “Hey, my favorite customers.” She flipped her blonde ponytail over her shoulder as she strolled to our table. “You’re back again.”
“Campus food gets old after a while.” Dan flashed her his charming smile.
She blushed in response. I couldn’t blame her. It was a great smile. “I won’t know about that for another year. I’ll be a senior this fall.”
“You going to Phlox?” Cody asked.
“I haven’t decided. I grew up in Althea, and I’ve never been away.”
“Where would you go that is this beautiful?” I waved my hand toward the window.
“I don’t know. It’s great here.” She had a faraway look in her brown eyes. “I’m lucky to have lived here my whole life, but part of me wants to get out … to see what else is out there.”
“I get that,” Dan said, “but this would be hard to leave behind.”
“Yeah, that’s my dilemma.” Abigail held her pen to her pad. “I should take your order.”
Madness clung to the air. Draconian. I unwrapped my silverware, scanning the room. No one seemed out of place.
I grabbed my purse. “Be right back.” Walking toward the restroom, I peered into booths and studied people’s faces. Where is he?
I stood at the sink, trying to gather myself before returning to my seat. Draconian’s presence saturated the air, but I saw no sign of him.
Cody lifted his eyebrows in question. I gave him a small shake of my head, hoping he’d let it go. He squeezed my knee.
Finally, Draconian’s aura disappeared. I leaned back and let out a breath. Cody rested his hand on the back of my chair. His fingertips trailed along my neck.
By the time our food arrived, a little of my appetite had returned, but not enough to finish my supper.
Abigail refilled drinks and cleared plates. When everyone else was finished, she asked me, “Do you need a box?”
“Yes, please.”
She returned with our bill and my box. “Thanks for coming.”
When we got up to leave, Cody reached for my food. Making sure Samantha and Dan weren’t looking, I shook my head. He narrowed his eyebrows but didn’t say anything.
We were almost to the door when I said, “Crap. I forgot my leftovers.”
Dan and Samantha turned to follow me back to the table, but Cody said, “We’ll be out in a sec.”
My hand shook when I reached for the box. “He was here.”
“I figured.” Cody picked up my food and slung his other arm over my shoulder.
“Hey, you’re back,” Abigail said.
“Yeah.” Cody held up the Styrofoam container.
She tugged on the end of her braid. “So, uh, are your friends together?”
“Yeah,” Cody said.
“Too bad.” She sighed. “He’s got the best smile I’ve ever seen. It kinda makes you melt.”
“You can say that again.” I agreed with her.
Cody raised his arm above his head and pointed down. “Hey, uh, boyfriend here.”
I looked up at him. A mischievous grin pulled my lips upward. “He’s got the smile, but you’re the whole package.”
“I gotta get back to work,” Abigail said. “Come back soon.”
As we walked out, Cody asked, “Really? His smile?”
“It’s pretty cute, but I love you.” I bumped into his hip. “Draconian, remember.”
“Thanks for telling me. We’ll have to be careful.”
“What took so long?” Samantha asked when we got back to them.
“We ran into Abigail.” Cody looked at Dan, shaking his head. “Seems you have a great smile.”
“He does.” Samantha slipped her hand into Dan’s back pocket.
“Geesh.” Cody shook his head. “What am I … chopped liver?”
“You’ve got blond hair and blue eyes,” Dan said. “You don’t need a great smile to get girls.”
We squeezed through the crowd on the sidewalk, stopping at Cody’s car to grab our jackets and drop off my food.
Music rumbled through the air. The bass and drums thumped inside me. Samantha’s hips moved in time to the beat. She grabbed Dan’s hand and squealed, dragging him toward the park.
The scent of popcorn and funnel cakes filled the air. Dancers crowded together on the tennis court, bouncing and writhing to the beat. The song changed from pop to country.
“Well, how about that?” Samantha looked over her shoulder at us. “It looks like we’re dancing.” She spun toward the music.
“Man.” Dan stopped and his head fell forward into his hands. “Slow songs are good. I get to hold her close, but how do you dance to this?”
“Don’t look at me.” I laughed. “I’ve never been able to figure it out.”
“Me either,” Cody told him. “You’re on your own.”
“Maybe with my winning smile, I can charm her into only making me dance to slow songs.”
“Good luck,” Cody said. “I’m not dancing. Maybe the smile is overrated.”
“Maybe.” Dan walked away, dragging his hands through his auburn hair.
The playground equipment nearby was overrun with giggling children. “Higher. Higher.” One girl laughed in delight when someone pushed her swing into the sky.
Beyond the glow of the lights, a few swings sat empty. Cody and I meandered toward them. The swing hugged my hips. The chains creaked as I gained momentum. I pumped my legs, soaring higher. Cody stretched his legs out, pointing his toes at the stars. Then he let go, landing on the balls of his feet.
Jogging back, with laughter lighting up his face, he said, “Haven’t done that in ages.”
I slowed my swing to a gentle sway. My fingers threaded loosely through Cody’s.
The music switched between country and rock. The tempo stayed upbeat.
“This is nice,” Cody said. “We’re alone, but there are people nearby … hopefully, keeping Draconian at bay.”
“Yeah. This makes it easier to relax.”
“Dan’s smile must not’ve worked because he’s dancing.” Cody laughed. “Or trying to.”
“Dan can’t say no to Samantha. I doubt he even tried his smile on her.”
A gentle breeze lifted my hair. I closed my eyes and rolled my neck. When I opened them, I caught Cody staring at me. He turned away, but not before I saw stress etched in the lines of his face.
“What?” I tightened my grip on the chain.
“Know what to do—” he dug his toe into the dirt “—about Draconian?”
I pulled my hand away from Cody’s and held the chains at shoulder height, gazing at nothing. “No, I can’t kill him.”
He rubbed his chin. “Didn’t think you would.”
“If he hurt one of you, I could do it out of anger or grief.” I spun in the swing, twisting the chains together. “I think maybe he knows that. Maybe that’s why … never mind.”
“Why he hasn’t killed one of us,” he finished.
“Yeah.”
“He wants you for his apprentice. He must respect you,” Cody said. “Maybe he’s afraid of you.”
“Maybe.” The chains groaned, not twisting any higher. I let go, spinning around until the chains twisted in the other direction. “I have no idea what to do and only a week to figure it out.”
Cody sighed. “Wish I could help.”
“I know.”
The music slowed. A ballad drifted to us. Cody stood and reached for my hand. I let him pull me to my feet. His arms circled my waist and drew me to him. I rested my head on his shoulder, and together we swayed to the music.
This. This is why I need to survive. This is why I’ll have to kill Draconian if there is no other way.
“Well, don’t you two just dance beautifully together?”
I jerked away from Cody and stared at the owner of the voice. He was a rugged man in his forties. A cowboy hat sat low, hiding his eyes.
“Thanks.” Cody’s voice was cautious.
My stomach rolled. I’d let my guard down while Cody and I danced, and I didn’t know if this was Draconian or just somebody who happened upon us.
“Don’t let me stop you.” He pointed at the row of houses across the street. “I’m just passing through on my way home.” He tilted his hat back a little. I half expected to see Draconian’s gray eyes looking back at me, but I felt no malice from this stranger. “I’ve had enough music for one night.”
“Have a good evening,” Cody said as he walked away. When he was out of earshot, Cody turned to me and asked, “Was that him?”
“It didn’t seem to be.” I put my hands on my knees and leaned forward. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
Chapter 31
Phoenixes, Tigers, And Dragons
Aurelia and I stood on the fifty-yard line. I hadn’t been to Phoenix Stadium since football season ended, but Sarah promised the dome would be empty.
“Did you have something in mind?” Aurelia asked.
I paced toward the end zone, knowing she’d hear me no matter how far away from her I wandered. “I wish I knew Draconian’s weakness. Maybe I could use it to my advantage.” Pivoting, I walked back toward her.
Aurelia stood with her hands in her pockets, watching me. “He wants to be the most powerful magician in the world. That, in itself, is a weakness.” She met me at the forty-five and squeezed my shoulder. “I would love to tell you that you can find something to use against him, but I think the only way to deal with him is to kill him.”
I scrubbed my hand down my face and laughed without humor. “I can’t.”
“I know. It would not be easy for me either,” she said. “You will not have to stand against Draconian and his dragons alone. I will be there with you when you fight him. I will help you any way I can.”
“Maybe I could hold him down for you.” My hand flew to my mouth. I just asked her to kill for me.
“It is not in my nature to kill any more than it is in yours.”
“I didn’t mean it. I just said it. I wouldn’t wish this on anybody, let alone a friend.” I turned away from her, feeling her hand slip down my back as I strode away. “Draconian doesn’t seem to be afraid of anything. How am I supposed to beat somebody who fears nothing?”
“I imagine his greatest fear is death.” She crossed her arms, tapping her fingers against her elbows. “That is probably why he wants you for his protégée. He wants his legacy to continue on after he dies.”
“So, we’re back to death, a punishment I can’t give him.” I fisted my hand in the hair at the back of my head and spun toward Aurelia. She stood so still, always watching, sizing everything up. “Am I ever going to find out what you are?”
“Back to that again?”
“I just wondered if I would find out before I die.”
“You will. I promise.”
“Since I’m going to die next week, you’re running out of time.”
“You are not about to die, Dacia. I will be there with you. However, if for some reason, it looks like you are not going to make it, I will transform into my true shape,” she told me. “Now can we move on?”
“Sure.” I continued pacing. Every time I stopped, my thoughts threatened to devour me. “Is there a way to ward the room without us there?”
She tracked my movements without turning her head. “The magic exists, but it is easily broken.”
I tugged my hand through my hair. “I need to find a way to keep Draconian away from them.”
“What are you planning?” She turned to face me.
I stopped moving and looked at her. If I told her, would she try to stop me? Or would she stand by me?
“I’m going to call Draconian out, but somehow, I have to make sure they’re safe when I do.” I started pacing again. “In my nightmares, he uses them against me. Every time.”
She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder on my next pass. “When do you plan to confront him?”
“Next weekend. I don’t want to wait for him to show up.
I’m gonna meet him head-on.” I lit a fire in my palm and watched it grow. “On my terms.”
“What do you need from me?”
The fire died, and I ticked off a list on my fingers. “A way to keep my friends safe and away. Anything you can teach me that might help. A miracle.”
She tilted her head but said nothing.
Turning away from her again, I said, “Draconian can change his appearance. How?”
“I am not sure it will help you, but I can teach you.”
“It probably won’t help now, but it might in the future.”
She stepped back. “Close your eyes and picture what you want to look like. Do you have the image in your mind?”
“Yes.”
“Now I want you to visualize yourself that way.” She paused. “Concentration is crucial. Make sure you focus on all the little details.”
I nodded while continuing to picture myself as I wanted to be seen. I imagine my body lengthening, my hair straightening and growing longer. Opening my eyes, I looked down to see nothing had changed.
Once again, I closed my eyes. I pictured the lake that I’d used to calm myself when I first started learning to control my powers. Peace settled in my body, pushing the turmoil and fear to my extremities. My shoulders loosened, and I tried to change my appearance.
This time when I opened my eyes, I stared down at golden hands. “It seems to have worked.”
“Yes.” Aurelia’s eyes widened. “I feel like I am staring in a mirror. It is odd.”
A thrill of excitement ran through me. “Can I change into anything or just other human forms?”
“There is only one way to find out.” Her voice sounded off, but I couldn’t place the emotion. “Obviously, I can change into other forms. I am unaware of the limitations transfiguration has on humans or if there are any for that matter. Picture something in your head that you would like to transform into, and see what happens.”
I closed my eyes and pictured an Amur tiger. The majestic creature with its orange and black stripes and rippling muscles filled my mind. Releasing the magic, my body grew. My arms and legs stretched out, and my muscles bulked up. I fell forward, standing on all fours. A long tail twitched from side to side. My neck elongated. Razor-sharp fangs filled my massive jaws. I turned my head to catch a glimpse of myself and found I’d become what I feared most, an enormous black dragon.
