by Mandi Oyster
“What’s up?” Cody bumped his shoulder into mine.
Placing my hands on my hips, I slowed to a walk and tried to steady my breathing. “I wanted to go home for Thanksgiving.”
“So, go.” He shrugged like it was that easy. “Argentum’s imprisoned. What’s stopping you?” He wiped the sweat off his face with the tail of his shirt.
“Bad feeling.” I remembered last night’s dream. “It’s not over.” I started jogging again. I didn’t want to continue this conversation. I didn’t want to consider that I could end up like Draconian. Had he really been decent at one point in his life?
The others caught up to me. Malcolm’s strides were perfectly synchronized with mine. “What did you dream?”
“Can’t talk and run.” I shook my head and sped up.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me to a stop. “Problem solved.”
The ground near my feet held my interest while I told them about my dream. The lane of the track I stood in was gray, but staring down at it, I saw flecks of white, blue, black, and pink intermixed.
Malcolm placed his hand on my shoulder but didn’t say anything until I finished and looked up into his bronze eyes. “Argentum wasn’t wrong. Draconian wasn’t always the monster he became, but even before madness and power corrupted him, he was never someone I would have sworn to protect. He was never the type of person who would go out of his way to help someone else. He always had selfish tendencies.”
“You are nothing like him.” Cash’s voice was nearer to his dragon’s, a deep growl that raised the hairs on the back of my neck. “Nothing.”
“Maybe not.” I moved to let a couple of girls run past. “But Argentum thinks I am, and I think he’ll do whatever he can to keep me from following in Draconian’s footsteps.”
Malcolm stared at Cash for a minute before focusing on me. “We need to train.”
“What?” Cody looked at Malcolm like he’d missed something. I assumed my expression looked the same.
Malcolm put his hand on my back and led me off the track. “We don’t know where Tye is, and if he’s working with Argentum, they can combine their powers to control yours.” He nodded at Cash. “If we work together, we may be able to help you figure out how to prevent that from happening.”
We went to the locker rooms, and I just pulled sweats on over my shorts and T-shirt. When we stepped outside, the cold air hit my hot skin. I lifted my face to the breeze, savoring the feeling. I was stuck in my head on the way back to my room. I must’ve replayed Draconian’s death a thousand times. I’d killed him, and at one time, he’d been good. He’d probably even had people who’d loved him and supported him. What had changed him? Would it do the same to me?
We’d barely gotten the door closed when Aurelia teleported into the middle of the room. “Argentum is gone.”
“Great.” I set my bag down by the door. “I thought I’d have longer.”
Cody squeezed my hand. “Better train now.” He tried to conceal the worry on his face and in his voice. He sat down at the desk and pulled one of his books from his backpack.
“How?” I asked Aurelia. “When?”
She stood absolutely still. Her long, golden hair looked perfect, not one single strand was out of place. Her face was stony with wrath. “When his guard changed, they noticed he was gone.” A muscle in her jaw ticked, and I wondered if I’d seen her this angry before. “The guards’ memories have been searched, but we found nothing.” She shook her head. “I warned them that he was too powerful. I told them he needed additional guards. I have to get back to see if I can track him.”
“Be careful.” I watched her disappear, hoping she’d be able to find him before he found me. Then I turned to Malcolm. “Whenever you’re ready.”
“How do we do this?” Cash sat on the couch.
Malcolm positioned himself on the other end of it. “You’re just going to lend me your power.” He waved toward me. “Why don’t you do ice, so we don’t accidentally catch the room on fire?”
I stood in front of them and held my hand out in front of me with my fingers spread wide. Ice crystals manifested in my palm, drawing together until they formed a sphere. Malcolm’s power tugged on it, and the ball flattened, molding to my skin. Frost crept up my arm, encircling it.
I tried to call my power back to me, but the ice spread faster, branching out, then merging together, leaving no skin exposed as it climbed my arm.
I claim you, I thought to my powers. Then I visualized sunny days and bonfires. My thoughts inadvertently turned to Mavros and the way he smelled, warm summer nights and sulfur.
The ice continued its trek, not diminishing in the slightest. It flowed over my face, blocking my air. My heart thundered, and my lungs burned.
“Enough.” Cash’s voice was muffled.
Malcolm let go of my powers, and I gasped for air. I leaned against the wall, shaking my head. “It was like it wasn’t even there.”
“Let me know when you want to try again.” Malcolm tipped his head back and closed his eyes.
My powers surged inside of me, flowing through my veins, fueling me. They were like a living being, sharing my body, strengthening me. I pushed off the wall and stood in a defensive position. Holding my hand out in front of me, I thought of winter, snow, and cold again. This time I hung an icicle off of Malcolm’s ear.
He laughed in surprise. Then the icicle shot toward me. I backed up, and it landed on my foot, thinning out as it covered it. The ice spread, and I shivered.
Once again, I thought of warm, sunny days. Then I reached for my powers. I was met by a vast, emptiness that scared me more than any demon or dragon I’d faced. I dug inside, searching for even a tiny spark that I could fan.
Malcolm clutched the arm of the couch. He stared at Cash. Cash’s violet eyes drooped. The frost climbed both of my legs, creeping over my skin and sweatpants, encasing me. Fear clutched my heart. If Argentum and Tye did this to me, I would die.
Ignoring the ice that consumed my flesh, I pressed my eyes closed and imagined my power. I pictured it as a massive serpent. Its coils rippled, making its pearlescent scales shimmer. The beast stared at me with copper eyes.
“You are mine,” I said to it.
The viper buried its head in its coils. Ice spread over my body, sliding over my stomach and sending a chill through me. I filled my voice with command. “Look at me!”
The beast snapped its arrow-shaped head up and hissed, flicking its tail in warning.
I stepped closer to it. “You are mine!”
It stretched up, standing about four feet off the ground and puffed its body up.
“Don’t you know me?” I reached my hand out to it. “You are a part of me. You’ve always been part of me.” Ice flowed up my neck, then glided over my lips before slipping down my throat. You are mine.
It slithered toward me. Its body looped around my leg. Its scales slid over my jeans as it ascended.
I gasped, choking on the frost. Coils tightened around my body, crushing my ribs. I lifted my hand to my throat.
The snake’s head swayed, but it held my gaze. Leaning back, it opened its mouth and struck. Its fangs pierced my skin, sinking into my neck.
There was no pain.
The ice retreated from my throat, and air whooshed into my lungs. I sucked it in greedily. The serpent merged with me, and power surged through my veins. You are mine, the snake whispered.
I opened my eyes, and the ice sphere was in the palm of my hand. Malcolm smiled at me. “How’d you do that?”
“I claimed them, and they claimed me.” I looked down at my hands, and for a second, I thought I saw the serpent slithering under my skin.
Cody watched me from the desk. “You were blue.”
“I wasn’t breathing.” I lifted one shoulder to my ear,
then looked at the door. “I need to talk to Diana.” I wasn’t sure how she’d react, but I’d put it off long enough.
“Why?” Cash leaned forward like he was ready to jump up.
I walked over to the window and stared outside. Snow swirled across the ground, piling in drifts. “It would be better to have them on my side than on Argentum’s.” I tugged my hand through my hair, turned around, and looked at all of them. “I don’t want to give him the chance to make them worry that I’ll abuse my powers.”
“Shower before you come back.” Malcolm flashed his fangs at me.
Cash tilted his head and sneered. “Or maybe before you talk to her.”
“You could just say, ‘Hey, Dacia, you stink.’”
“Hey, Dacia—” Malcolm smiled at me “—you stink, and Val will be back before too long.”
“Fine.” I grabbed my bathroom bag and tossed clothes into it. “I’ll shower. Then I’m talking to the Nephilim.”
Cody stopped me by the door. “Careful.” He traced his fingers along the side of my face. His eyes softened, and he pressed his lips to mine.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me and deepening the kiss. Cody lifted me off my feet, and I moaned into his mouth.
Cash growled, and Cody set me down. He looked over my shoulder. “Sorry.” Then he brushed my hair back and tucked it behind my ear. “Argentum’s out there.”
“I’m aware.” I held the doorknob. “There should be enough eyes on me here to keep me safe. Have one of them”—I nodded at the dragons sitting on the couch—“take you if you’re going to shower.” I didn’t want Cody to have to worry about his safety, but Tye knew how much Cody meant to me, so Argentum probably did, too.
Staring at the white and purple-flecked tiles, I walked down the hallway. Olivia and Diana followed behind me and stood guard outside while I showered.
When I finished, they were still standing there. “I need to talk to you,” I said as I walked past them.
Olivia frowned at me, but Diana nodded and followed me. “What about?”
“In my room.” I trailed my fingers along the wisteria vines painted on the wall.
When I walked in, Cody sat at the desk, watching the door. His hair was wet, and he was clean-shaven. Malcolm and Cash sat on the couch. I waved the Nephilim into the room. Malcolm nodded at them, and Cash glowered.
“So, what do you want?” Olivia folded her arms over her chest and leaned against the doorjamb.
I walked over to the refrigerator. “Drinks?”
Olivia glared at me, and Diana shook her head. I grabbed a bottle of water for me and took a big drink.
“Any day.” Olivia drummed her fingers on her arm.
I wanted to put off talking for longer just to egg her on, but it wasn’t worth it. “Argentum escaped. He’ll be coming after me, and I’d like your help.”
Chapter 39
Guinea Pig
Olivia and Diana looked at each other, then at the dragons. When they finally turned back to me, they stared like I’d magically grown three heads. For half of a second, I wondered if I could. I bit back the smile that tugged at my lips. Now wasn’t the time to try it.
“Why would we help you?” Olivia’s lip curled up, and it was clear from her expression that I would never be anything more than vermin to her.
“Olivia.” Diana’s voice was filled with warning. She turned toward me. “Why is Argentum hunting you?”
“He’s afraid I’ll—”
“Fear.” Malcolm cut me off. “She’s powerful. He cares only for himself.”
Diana stood with her hand on her hip and narrowed her sky-blue eyes at him. “That’s a strong accusation to make about one of your elders. Isn’t it?”
“Unfortunately, it is the truth.” He pulled his gaze away from hers.
Olivia walked toward me. “Just throw her in the sanctuary and be done with it.”
Before she even finished her sentence, Cash crouched in front of me in a defensive position. A low growl rumbled through the room.
Olivia rolled her eyes. “Oh, call your guard dog off.” She waved her hand in the air and turned her back on us, walking to the door, making it clear that she wasn’t afraid of Cash’s wrath. “I’m just sayin’ it would be best for everyone.”
Cody scooted his chair away from the desk and stood against the wall so he wasn’t between agitated supernatural beings.
“The fairies vouched for her.” Diana’s voice was soft, but the anger in it was evident. She turned toward me and attempted to smile. “What do you want from us?”
I chewed on my bottom lip. I wanted them to realize I wasn’t a monster, that I didn’t want to hurt anybody, that this wasn’t my choice. The powers had been forced upon me, and I was doing the best I could with them. “I guess if you see him or Tye, try to keep them away from my friends and give me or one of the dragons a heads up.”
Diana nodded. “We can do that.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at her.
Olivia opened the door and slipped out into the hallway. Diana stared after her. “I’m sorry for the way Olivia treats you. Dragons were not the only ones hurt by Draconian. She fears your power more than she will ever admit.”
“I’m not like him.” My voice was so soft, I barely heard the words.
Before Diana stepped into the hall, she said, “I know.”
My muscles relaxed so quickly that I staggered back. My chest lightened, and I covered my mouth with shaking fingers. She would never know how much those words meant to me because I was too dumbfounded to say anything before the door closed.
L
Cody and I walked to Sedum surrounded by dragons. The Nephilim trailed behind us. Olivia watched me with narrowed eyes, but Diana smiled reassuringly.
Conversation filled the cafeteria, mixing with the smells. It was familiar and comforting. Sensing no danger, the dragons split off from Cody and me, going in search of meat.
“What’re you gettin’?” Cody asked.
I looked at the options listed on the wall. None of the specials appealed to me. “Grilled chicken sandwich and a salad. I guess. What about you?”
“Oriental.” He looked around the room. “You’ll be okay?”
“Yeah.” I strode away from him and tried to remember the last time I’d been alone. Even though I knew there were eyes watching every step I took, I felt invigorated.
When I got to our normal table, I looked at the two chairs that would remain empty. I set my tray down and strolled up to Diana and Olivia. They watched every step I took. The closer I came to them, the more Olivia’s seafoam eyes narrowed. When I stood by their table, I swallowed over the lump in my throat and asked, “Would you two like to sit with us?”
Olivia stared at her spaghetti. She clenched her teeth but kept her mouth shut. Diana shook her head. “Not tonight. Thanks for asking, though.”
By the time I got back to my table, the others had joined Cody. “What were you doing?” Cassandra looked confused.
“Trying to prove to Olivia that I’m not a monster.” I plopped down in my chair and pulled my tray toward me. “Looks like it’s not going to happen tonight.” I stabbed at my salad, taking more of my frustration out on it than was necessary.
“What’s it matter?” Bryce pinched his nearly invisible eyebrows together. “Who cares what they think?”
Cody draped his arm across the back of my chair and rubbed my shoulder. “Dacia does.”
“Why?” Bryce looked genuinely confused. “You can’t make everyone like you.”
“Argentum escaped.” I pushed my tray away and slumped back in my chair.
“No.” Samantha covered her mouth and looked from me to Cody. He tilted his head in agreement.
“You’ll capture hi
m again.” Cassandra sounded way more confident than I felt.
Holding my head in my hands, I said, “He wants to eat me.”
“You’ve got them.” She lifted one shoulder and pointed at the dragons sitting next to me. “You don’t need the Nephilim.”
“No, I probably don’t, but I’d rather have them with me than against me.” I spun my glass between my palms, watching the lemonade slosh up the sides. “Unless Olivia trusts me, I don’t think that will happen.”
“Have to eat.” Cody pushed my tray toward me.
The chicken sandwich had looked delicious when I grabbed it. I’d added lettuce and tomato to it and had looked forward to eating it, but now my stomach rolled when I glanced at it. I pushed back on the tray. “Sorry, Cody, not happening.”
He got up, kissed the top of my head, and walked away.
“What’s he doing?” Bryce set his fork down and looked over his shoulder.
“Most likely?” I dragged my hands down my face. “Getting cookies.”
“Why cookies?” Cassandra held her garlic bread in front of her mouth.
Dan smiled one of his amazing smiles. “They’re her kryptonite.”
“Don’t exaggerate.” Samantha laughed. “Only chocolate chip cookies have that effect on her.”
When Cody came back, Cassandra smacked Bryce’s arm. “Why don’t you ever bring me cookies?”
“Aw, Baby—” he pulled her against his side “—you never have trouble eating.”
She tried to jerk back from him, but he tugged her closer and laughed. “Ass,” she murmured.
“Oh, Cassi, you know I love you.” He kissed her on the tip of her nose before letting go of her.
Cody held the cookies out to me as he sat down. “Not fresh-baked but warm.”
“Thanks, Cody.” I broke one of the cookies in half and took a bite of it.
Cassandra watched me eat all of them. Her head was tilted slightly, and she looked like she wanted to ask something but didn’t know if she should.
