by Mandi Oyster
My fingertips tingle with the thrill of his touch. I hate my body for reacting to him this way. I don’t want anything to do with him, but I don’t want him to let go of me either. His touch makes me desire him just like I did the first day. I duck under his arm, pulling his hand over my shoulders and wrap my arm around his waist. I want him to hold me tighter and never let go.
A voice in my head warns me to stay away from him. I pull back. “Let go of me.”
“You don’t want me to let go.” He clasps my hand, brushing his thumb over mine. “You want me to hold you close and kiss you like I did last time we were together.”
“I …” My voice falters. “I don’t want to go anywhere with you … I don’t …”
“Ah, the lady doth protest too much.” He laughs and lifts his other hand to my face.
I look into his eyes and forget what I was going to say.
He leads me away from my party. When we stop, he turns to face me, never letting go of me. He holds my eyes with his gaze. I feel like he’s staring into my soul—like he can see everything about me, every memory, every fear, every desire.
“Dacia, it’s time for you to decide.” His voice is gentle, loving. Without looking away from my eyes, he reaches up and brushes my cheek. Warmth lingers behind his touch, and goosebumps rise on my arms. He leans forward, his breath caressing my face. My traitorous body responds.
Tipping my head back, his lips press against mine, soft and warm. His fingers slide to my shoulders. As the kiss becomes more passionate, his hands move around my waist, tugging me against him. His body is all hard muscles.
This. This is what I want. Him forever.
“Dacia?” Cody whispers. There is so much pain in that one word.
For a moment, guilt flickers inside me.
Mavros’ hand glides over my skin, and I no longer care that Cody is standing behind me. I tug Mavros’ mouth down on mine again. My hands tangle in his hair, holding on for dear life.
When he pulls away from me, I’m breathless and disappointed. I cling to him, but he retreats, not letting go of my hand. He glances at Cody, and when his eyes aren’t locked on mine, I come to my senses.
Guilt claws its way up my throat, threatening to choke me. I clutch my stomach, hating myself, hating what my lack of self-control does to Cody. I start to turn around, but Mavros’ eyes lock on mine, and I’m his once again.
“It looks like she chose me,” Mavros says without turning away from me. He entwines his fingers with mine. I step forward. My other hand presses against his shirt over his heart.
“Dacia, I thought you loved me. I thought …” Cody’s voice cracks.
“It looks like you were wrong.” Mavros’ malicious voice sends shivers down my spine.
Cody grabs Mavros by the arm and swings him around. As soon as I’m not looking into his dark eyes, I feel like myself.
I gasp. “Cody, I’m sorry.” I sink to my knees and bury my face in my hands. My shoulders shake. I’m going to have to let Cody go to keep him safe.
“How dare you touch me.” All the charm is gone from Mavros’ voice. He sounds menacing and cruel. “You have no idea who you are messing with, boy!”
“Yeah, I do!” Cody clenches his fists. “The jerk who’s stealing my girlfriend.”
I press my hands into the ground and start to push up.
“Dacia, stay there.” Mavros’ words press down on me, holding me in place.
I try to stand, try to turn my head to look at them, but my body doesn’t respond. Thinking of life, I try to break free from his hold, but I can’t.
I don’t know who throws the first punch, but I’m sure Mavros doesn’t fight fair. And, I know who throws the last.
As soon as Mavros is gone, I’m able to move again. I crawl to Cody. He’s in bad shape, worse than when Bryce, Alvin, Cassandra, and Vanessa attacked him. His face is bloody and unrecognizable. His ragged breath catches, then stops. I lift his head onto my lap and place my hands on his chest.
I think about life. Cody’s superficial wounds heal, but it’s not enough. His heartbeat never comes back. I lay my head on his chest and sob. It’s my fault. If I was stronger, Cody would still be alive.
“Dacia … Dacia are you okay? Open your door!” My father’s voice jolted me from sleep.
“I’m sorry, Dad.” I wiped the tears from my face. “It was just a nightmare.”
“Let me in.” Panic choked his voice.
The last time I’d heard him sound like this, blue flames had danced along my walls. Dad had been standing in the hallway. Shadows and light had flickered over his face. His eyes had been wet with tears.
That was the night my parents learned to fear me, the night Jonathan died.
I stumbled to the door, unlocking it. Dad’s eyes were wide. His hair stood every which way.
Touching his arm to calm him, I said, “It was just a bad dream, Dad. Go back to bed. I’m fine.”
As soon as Dad left, I lay back down and clutched Glacier to my chest. I wished it was just a nightmare, but deep down I knew this was more. This nightmare was a premonition. Somehow, I needed to stop Cody from being killed.
Chapter 4
A Splash Of Drama
My eyes burned, but I couldn’t allow myself to go back to sleep. I couldn’t dream about Cody dying again. I wanted to call him, to hear his voice, to know he was okay.
Instead, I closed my eyes and concentrated on Aurelia. I hadn’t tried to contact her since school ended. I had no idea where she was or even what she was. If she was in dragon form, would she respond to me?
Of course, I will respond to you, I heard her beautiful voice echo in my head. Remember to only let thoughts out that you want heard.
Yeah. I’ve got a lot on my mind, and I should’ve been more careful.
Obviously, there is trouble or you would not have contacted me. What is it? Leave it to Aurelia to get straight to the point.
I let her into my mind. She saw the visit from Mavros, the attack by the panther and my nightmare about Cody. I don’t know if they’re a team or separate threats, but Mavros terrifies me. He can get into my head, and I can’t seem to keep him out. I can’t let him hurt Cody.
When is your birthday party? Her voice was tranquil.
Friday’s my birthday. I rubbed my temples, trying to assuage the massive headache growing there. I’m not sure when the party is. It’s supposed to be a surprise. I just found out about it in my dream.
I will be there. However, I may not be able to stay for more than a couple of days.
Thank you, Aurelia. My connection with her broke, but relief washed over me at once. There was nothing like having a dragon on your side to help make things seem better.
At 6:30, I called Cody. He answered on the fourth ring. “Dacia, what’s wrong?” His voice was heavy with sleep.
I sank onto my bed. A sob escaped my throat. Hearing him steadied me. The panic that had resided in me since I woke up diminished.
“Dacia?”
“I needed to hear your voice.”
“Why?” He sounded more awake now.
“A nightmare.” I lay on my bed, cradling the phone against my ear. “If it’s a premonition, it’ll happen at my birthday party.”
“I’m getting dressed; be there in ten.”
Less than ten minutes later, the doorbell rang. I stood, looking at my doorknob for a minute before stepping out into the hall.
As soon as I walked into the kitchen, Mom set her coffee down. “Dacia dear, do you have nightmares very often?”
I hated not telling her the truth, but I looked her in the eye, shrugged like it was no big deal, and lied like a pro. “No, and when I do, I hardly ever remember what they were about anyway.”
Dad walked into the room wit
h Cody trailing behind him. “You were really upset when you woke up last night,” Dad said. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Watching out the window so they couldn’t see the truth in my eyes, I said, “I don’t remember what it was even about—maybe it’s because of my birthday. I’m getting older and will have to become more responsible soon. I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”
“Don’t worry about that.” Dad pulled me into a one-armed, sideways hug.
“No”—Mom spun her cup on the table—“you won’t have much of a change. You’ve always been very mature.”
“Good morning, Mrs. Wolf.” Cody stepped up beside me, slipping his hand into mine.
“Call me Caitlynn.” Mom frowned at him. “Oh and good morning.”
Cody squeezed my fingers. “Nightmare?”
“No big deal.” I shrugged. “Are you ready to go?”
“If you are.”
“You haven’t even eaten yet.” Mom stood and walked to the refrigerator. Opening the door, she stared inside. “Aren’t you hungry? I can make you some eggs or pancakes.”
“Cody’s taking me to breakfast.” I tugged on his hand, pulling him toward the door.
“Have a good day,” Dad said as we walked out.
Cody’s Camaro was in my driveway. I looked at it, then him. I’d expected him to drive my truck over, but maybe he wasn’t ready for me to have it back.
“Was in a hurry.” He shrugged.
I sat in the passenger seat and strapped on my seatbelt. “So, I’m having a birthday party?”
Smiling, he put his fingers up to his lips and said, “Shh, it’s a secret.”
“Are Samantha and Dan coming up this weekend then?” My spirits lifted at the thought.
“Friday.”
“My birthday is Friday … the thirteenth. Not that the date matters.” I sighed. “But I think this one will live up to its reputation.”
“Your parents’ll wonder why we’re sitting here.” Cody nodded toward the house. “Where to?”
“Somewhere.” I dragged my hand through my hair. “Anywhere.”
He backed out of my driveway and headed toward Bittersweet, taking his time. He followed gravel roads out of town. I knew he was waiting for me to tell him about my dream, but I wasn’t sure how much of it he should know. Wasn’t it hard enough for him to know how I felt when I was near Mavros? Did I really have to tell him that he might only have a couple of days left to live?
“Well?” he prodded once his patience ran out.
I stared out the window. The mountains played peek-a-boo through the trees. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“So … either I die or you end up with Mavros.” His voice was hard, matter-of-fact. “Or he killed me and ended up with you.” He flipped his hand up. “Besta both worlds.”
I listened to him talk so casually about the possibility of his imminent death, and I wondered why he stayed with me … why he would put himself through all of this. I knew he would say I was worth it, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t see it from his perspective.
“Yes, Cody, you died in my dream. Mavros pulled me away from the party and told me to choose. While he tried to, uh …” What was I supposed to say? Well, Cody while I was locked in a passionate embrace with Mavros and kissing him like I should only kiss you, totally forgetting that you even existed, you caught us. I couldn’t tell him that; I couldn’t keep hurting him. I closed my eyes and wiped my hand over my forehead. “While he tried to persuade me, you walked up behind us. He killed you, and I couldn’t bring you back. I can’t let it happen, but I don’t know how to stop it.”
“Didn’t like seeing him persuade you. Huh?” Cody’s expression didn’t change, but his knuckles whitened as he clutched the steering wheel.
“No, you didn’t.”
As if he was talking to himself, I heard him whisper, “But did you?”
“He wasn’t you.” I hovered my hand above his knee, afraid he’d jerk away. When he didn’t, I trailed my fingers over his leg, sliding my hand under the edge of his shorts.
His hands relaxed their hold on the wheel, but he never said anything. After another half hour, we reached an isolated mountain lake. He pulled over and stopped the car. There wasn’t a soul in sight. I climbed out and breathed in the fresh air.
“This is beautiful, Cody,” I said, breaking the silence that had lingered between us. I couldn’t take it much longer. I felt like it was suffocating me.
“One of my favorite places.” He sounded distant.
I was sure he was picturing the many ways Mavros could have tried to persuade me or picturing how he might die. He had every right to be angry, to be hurt. Who wouldn’t be?
I walked over to him and put my hand on his arm. I wanted to comfort him without seeming pushy. “Cody, I’m not going to let it happen. I’ll do everything in my power to keep you alive.”
“I know.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
He tossed his head back and stared up at the sky. “Can’t stop picturing it.”
Tugging my hand down my face, I stepped away from him. I understood he needed time to deal with this. Jealousy was a beast, one that had to be vanquished alone.
While we walked to the water’s edge, I told Cody about my conversation with Aurelia. “She’ll be here Friday but probably not for long.”
He skipped a rock across the still lake. Several more followed. “Can she help?”
I shrugged. “I hope so.” I wanted to believe things would work out, but I had an ominous feeling. “I miss school.”
Cody had been about to skip another rock. Instead, he lowered his hand, and his eyebrows pinched together. “Why?”
“Well, I miss having you all to myself. I miss the freedom. And,” I felt my face blush when I told him, “I miss those days when I woke up in your arms.”
Cody dropped the rocks and strode toward me. His hands slid onto my shoulders, then down my arms. Goosebumps trailed behind his touch. He kissed the top of my head. “Me too. Can’t wait to wake up with you every morning. Maybe the nightmares’ll end.”
There was too much space between us. I closed the gap, pressing my body against his. “Wouldn’t that be nice?”
He nudged my nose with his, tilting my head back. His lips pressed against mine, softer than velvet.
My stomach growled, and Cody backed away, chuckling. “Breakfast?”
“Can we walk by the lake first?”
“Yeah.” Cody draped his arm over my shoulders, holding me against his side. The warmth of his body and the tenderness of his touch helped relieve some of my anxiety.
When we got to the lake’s edge, I stuffed my socks into my shoes and waded into the water. It was cold—like mountain lakes always are—but invigorating.
“Come in with me.” I wiggled my fingers at Cody, motioning for him to join me.
“That’s okay. I’m fine here.”
“If you’re sure …” I laughed and scooped water into my hands, throwing it at him. A fountain erupted from the lake in front of me. The water surged forward, drenching Cody. He stood on the shore as wet as if he had dived headfirst into the lake. His arms were in front of him in a futile attempt to shield him from the deluge. His eyes were wide, and his mouth hung open.
“Sorry.” I lowered my eyes and smiled a wicked smile that I tried to cover with my hands. I felt bad about soaking him, but it was funny.
“How?” He shook his head like a wet dog.
“I don’t know. I’ve never done anything like that before.”
He mopped the water off his face. “Wonder if you’ll ever max out.”
“I don’t know.” I trailed my fingers over the water. “So far, I’ve been pretty lucky that stuff like this has only hap
pened in front of you or Samantha. One of these days, it’s bound to happen in front of my parents or classmates … or total strangers. Then I’ll get taken away for experimentation or something. That’ll be fun.”
Walking into the water and taking my hand in his, he said, “Don’t worry. Hasn’t happened yet.”
“You could’ve stopped to take your shoes off.” I giggled.
“Why bother?” He clutched my hand tighter. “Wet as they were a minute ago.”
“Sorry about that.”
“You didn’t mean it—” he smiled, and there was an evil edge to it “—but I’m gonna get even.”
“For now, how about we get out of the water so you can dry off?”
He stepped closer, scooped me up in his arms, and ran farther into the lake. I tried to wiggle free from his grasp to no avail. Still holding me, he dove under water, dunking both of us. We emerged, giggling.
“You were too dry.” Cody drew me into his arms.
“You didn’t have to go under, too.”
He shook his head. “If I’d’ve thrown you, you’d’ve flown off.”
“Probably.” The light breeze raised goosebumps on my arms. I shivered against Cody.
“Let’s get out and warm up.” Cody strode toward shore.
The moss-covered rocks were slippery. I walked carefully, falling farther behind him. “Yeah, and you can take your shoes off and let them dry out in the sun for a while.”
I found a dry spot and stretched out on the rocks while Cody poured the water out of his shoes. “Gonna take a month for them to dry.”
“Maybe next time, you should just come in the water to begin with.”
“Might be safer.” He sprawled out beside me.
I snuggled next to him with my head on his shoulder. My mind wandered, and I found myself trying to figure out how Mavros could control me. Lying here with Cody felt so right. How could Mavros make me forget what Cody meant to me? How could he make all these feelings disappear only to be replaced by such a strong desire for him? And, most importantly, how could I make it stop?
