by Mandi Oyster
“I’m not sure either,” Dan said. “If I can, I will, though.”
“What about you, Cody?” Sarah asked.
“If Dacia goes, I go.” Determination set his jaw. “She can’t be alone.”
I didn’t think Mom and Dad would keep me from going, but I worried the peace we’d found would disappear. “When can we go back? The sooner the better.”
Sarah looked at my parents and Cody’s standing together talking. “Discuss it with your parents and let me know. You can come as soon as tomorrow.”
Aurelia put her hand on my shoulder and sent her strength flowing through me. The pain in my arm lessened but didn’t disappear.
I raised my eyebrow at her in question.
“You need to get back to your full health.” She lowered her hand. “I am afraid I cannot heal this completely, though.” She looked at Sarah. “If you are done, I have information to share with everyone.”
Sarah nodded at Aurelia. “I’m finished.”
I scooted my chair in and straightened my back in attention. “This is the conversation I’ve been waiting for.”
“I believe the panther and Mavros are one and the same.”
“Really?” My mind went into immediate denial. Why would Mavros have saved me if he was the panther? It didn’t make sense.
I was pulled out of my thoughts as Aurelia continued, “Mavros means black and Malkin is another word for cat. If he is who I think he is, Mavros Malkin is, in reality, a very dangerous demon. He is able to shapeshift, and the mist, the panther, and the human are not the only forms he can take.” Her pupils slitted, and for a moment, I saw the dragon within. “Hopefully, I am wrong. Conversely, if I am not, he is a very dangerous enemy. I will know for sure when I see him. I realize now is not the best time to tell you this. However, if he does show up tonight, I want you to be aware of what you are dealing with.”
I tugged my hand through my curls. “Great. A shape-shifting demon who’s after my heart.”
Cody wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer to him. “You’ll get through this,” he whispered in my ear.
“I hope you’re right.” Then to myself, I added, I hope we all make it through this. “It explains why I can’t heal from this wound, though.” I held up my arm. “The panther attacked me yesterday, and it’s not getting any better.”
“Give me your hand, Dacia.” While Aurelia held my hand, a cool sensation worked its way up from my fingers to my wound. The pain diminished until only a dull throb remained. My arm no longer felt feverish.
“Thank you.” I wanted to pull the bandage off to see how the bite looked, but it could wait until I was alone. “So why did Mavros act like he was saving me after the panther attacked me?”
“I imagine he was trying to gain entry to your house.” Aurelia sat completely motionless. A gentle breeze lifted her hair off her shoulders. When it quit blowing, not a strand was out of place.
“Well, I guess I’m glad he hadn’t gained control of me.” I drummed my fingers on the table. “The other day I probably would have invited him in.”
“Be careful around him,” she warned me, “and do not under any circumstances allow him entry to your house.”
“I’ll do my best,” I promised. “If he shows up tonight, I’ll have to make sure nobody else invites him in.” I looked at Cody. “I’ll have to stay with him until he leaves.”
He closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath, slowly releasing it through his mouth, nodding his head so slightly that I almost missed the movement.
I wasn’t hungry, but I figured my parents would be upset if they didn’t see me eat. All of us grabbed a plate of food and sat back down at our table. We weren’t alone for too long. Cody’s three brothers and sister joined us.
Britny sat on Cody’s lap. Her long blonde hair was pulled back in an intricate braid that would take me days to recreate. Josh, Dawson, and Brandon looked like younger versions of Cody, but their personalities were all different. Josh was all about hunting and fishing. Unless he was playing sports, Dawson could rarely be seen without a book. Brandon was always telling stories or jokes.
Britny stared at Aurelia, tilting her head and smiling shyly at her. Finally, she whispered, “Are you a fairy?”
“No.” Aurelia smiled, a magnificent smile that lit up her whole face.
Looking from side to side, Britny leaned in closer. “Then why do you sparkle?”
Aurelia’s gold eyes twinkled. “It is how God made me.”
“I wish He woulda made me sparkle.” Britny plopped her chin down on her hand. She had a dreamy look in her eyes. “Someday, I’m gonna find a fairy.” She stared at all of us as if daring us to tell her she wouldn’t.
Samantha’s eyes glossed over, and I imagined she was remembering the first time she saw one. “If you look really hard, you might.”
Britny beamed.
I shook my glass at Cody, so he’d know where I was going, and got up to refill my punch. Mom had made my favorite kind, raspberry sherbet and clear pop. I filled my cup, took a big gulp, and topped it off again.
Weaving my way through people, I wandered back to my table. It was a beautiful night. Stars dotted the sky. The crescent moon hung low over the western horizon.
I sidestepped one person and ran into another. Punch splashed against my skin. “Sorry,” I said without looking up.
“Just who I was hoping to run into.”
I jerked my head up.
Mavros’ eyes gleamed, and a wicked smile played on his lips. “I hope you’re having a happy nineteenth birthday.”
Trying to keep my voice from trembling, I said, “I was. Are you enjoying my party?”
He leaned in close. His breath warmed my skin. “Very much.”
“Dacia, who’s your friend?” Mom fidgeted with the end of her red and silver braid.
I hadn’t even realized she was in the area, but when I heard her question, I thought I’d be sick. It took everything I had to keep my composure.
“This is Mavros. Mavros, this is my mom.” My mind raced as I tried to figure out a way to get out of what was coming next.
“Mavros? What a unique name,” Mom commented. “I’ve never heard it before.”
“It’s Greek,” he responded in his most silken voice. “An old family name.”
“Well, it’s very nice to meet you. I hope you’re enjoying the party.”
“I enjoy any time I get to spend with your lovely daughter.” Just like he had in my dream, he charmed her when he kissed her hand.
“And what a polite young man, too.” She giggled like a love-struck schoolgirl.
“Thank you.” He bowed slightly. “May I have your daughter to myself for a few moments?”
“Of course.” Mom’s fingers trailed down Mavros’ arm, and I wondered if he was somehow controlling her. “Keep her as long as you’d like.”
“I’m trying my best to do just that.” He chuckled, then grabbed my hand and started to walk away.
My pulse thrummed, and heat flared through me. “Let go of me.” My voice shook, and I didn’t know if it was from fear or desire. How could his touch do this to me? Would I become immune to it?
“You know you really don’t want me to let go.” He turned toward me and brushed his fingers along my cheek. “What you want is for me to hold you, to kiss you like I did last time we were together.”
I kept my gaze focused on the tip of his nose, afraid that if I looked into his eyes, I’d be lost. “I don’t want to go anywhere with you … I don’t want to do anything with you. I need to get back to my party before anyone realizes I’m gone.”
He leaned down so his breath caressed my ear. A pang of desire shot through my body. “If you don’t come with me willingly, I’ll force you. Neither one
of us wants that.”
He led me to the edge of the timber, clutching my arm. Pain thrummed through my wound, keeping beat with my heart. In my dream, we had stopped a few feet from here, but he went deeper into the trees. He didn’t stop until we were out of sight from prying eyes.
A war waged inside me. My desire to be with Mavros struggled with my fear for Cody and my guilt over betraying him.
Mavros’ thumb brushed over mine, and my heart fluttered. I didn’t want him to let me go. I wanted him to embrace me. I longed to feel his warm lips pressed against mine. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew I shouldn’t be thinking these things, but I couldn’t remember why.
“Dacia, it’s time for you to decide.” Mavros traced the line of my cheek. His fingers were tender and loving, gentle against my skin. He leaned forward, and my heart raced in anticipation. I felt the warmth of his breath on my mouth. A faint smile played on his lips. He looked even better than I remembered.
“Your heart sounds like it’s about to take flight.” He laughed. “Are you excited about something?”
I couldn’t wait any longer. I pulled him closer to me and pressed my lips against his. He moaned in contentment and kissed me with more desire than I knew was possible.
Dacia, I heard Aurelia’s voice in my head, where are you? Cody is searching for you. We tried to stop him.
That brought me back to my senses, but I couldn’t let Mavros know. I pulled away from him, and anger sparked in his eyes. Mavros took me into the woods, I thought to Aurelia. “What am I supposed to decide?” I sounded breathless, but after a kiss like that, who wouldn’t be?
“If you will be mine.” His hands dropped to his sides, and he took half a step away from me.
“But … why do you want me?”
“You captured a balor demon. You defeated a dark wizard with fifteen dragons under his control. You are young and powerful.” He reached for me but let his hand drop. “I want you by my side … for eternity.”
I heard someone walking toward us and felt Cody’s presence. I couldn’t let him see Mavros and me together. I couldn’t let my dream become reality. My chest tightened, and the temperature seemed to drop. “Cody, please go away.” My voice trembled.
Mavros’ eyes flashed, dark and terrifying. “When you’re mine, you won’t care about him.”
Cody stepped out of the trees, not heeding my warning. I looked from his eyes to Mavros’, and I felt myself being drawn in. Mavros lifted his hands to my face, gently caressing my cheeks with his thumbs.
“Dacia, no,” Cody cried out as his heart broke in two.
“She doesn’t want you,” Mavros said, never taking his eyes off mine. Then he leaned into me, brushing my lips with his. My arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer.
His mouth crashed down on mine. My fingers wove through his silken hair. I stood on my tiptoes, pressing my body as close to him as possible.
He lifted me just as Cody’s body slammed into him. I was thrown to the ground. The air fled from my lungs.
Chapter 7
Friday The Thirteenth
“How. Dare. You. Touch. Me!” Mavros said through clenched teeth.
“Leave Dacia alone.” Cody’s voice was deep and ominous. I heard his fury and despair and hated myself.
“You have no idea who you are messing with, boy!”
“The jerk who’s stealing my girlfriend. That’s all I need to know.”
All of this happened before I could even scramble to my feet. I pressed my hands to the ground, and Mavros said, “Dacia, stay there.”
Mavros’ power pinned me. I couldn’t move, couldn’t even turn to look at them. My dream replayed in my head. Cody would die if I didn’t stop Mavros. It took all my strength, but I climbed to my feet.
Somehow, I managed to keep my voice firm when I said, “Mavros, if you harm Cody, if you even touch him, I will choose to be your enemy.”
Confusion flickered through his obsidian eyes. “So be it.” He turned his back on Cody. “He is insignificant.” He took a step toward me. “You are what matters. After all, you’ll forget about him soon enough.”
His eyes locked on mine, and I felt my resolve weaken. Desire ignited in my body, and I longed for Mavros to wrap his arms around me and pull me into his embrace. His lips had been soft, and fire coursed through my veins with the remembered passion of our kiss. And, as Mavros had predicted, Cody was all but forgotten.
“Dacia.” Cody’s pain-filled voice pierced my heart. “Dacia, choose me … not him.”
I felt myself returning to my senses, and so did Mavros. He turned around in a flash and sprung at Cody.
Rage filled my body. I leaped at Mavros. All my hatred, all my uncertainty was taken out on him. My fists were on fire as I threw punch after punch at him. Sparks flew into the night sky but didn’t seem to do any damage to Mavros.
“Dacia!” Aurelia grabbed my shoulders, pulling me off of him. “Take Cody back to the party.”
As I turned my back on them, Mavros said, “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the magnificent dragon. It’s been a long time, Aurea.”
“Not long enough,” Aurelia countered.
I didn’t stick around to find out how the conversation would end. I wanted Cody as far away from Mavros as possible, and I needed to get away, too. I couldn’t trust myself with Mavros. I couldn’t believe Cody had seen me react to Mavros like that. What will he think of me now? I wondered.
You cannot afford to think about that. You have to get Cody to safety. You can beat yourself up later, Aurelia said.
My mind reeled. How had Aurelia heard my thoughts?
I wanted to make sure you were in control, Aurelia’s voice rang through my head again. I see now that you are.
“Cody, let’s go.” I reached for his hand, but he jerked away from me, shoving his fists into his pockets. “We’ve got to get back to the house.”
His jaw clenched. His eyes were hard and angry.
I looked down, not wanting to see his love turn to hatred. “Please, Cody.”
He trudged forward. His pace faltered, and he stared beyond me. “Do you love him?” His voice was hard and distant.
Mavros was close enough to hear my answer. I didn’t love him and didn’t think I’d ever be able to, but if I said that where Mavros could hear it, I was afraid of what the repercussions would be. If I didn’t say it, would Cody understand I was trying to protect him? I rubbed my hand down my face. “Can we talk about this when you’re safe?”
“No.” His teeth ground together. “I need to know now.”
“He’s everything you’re not, and you’re the one I love.” I took a step closer to Cody, and he took a step farther away.
“How’m I supposed to believe that when you looked at him like that?” His voice cracked, and it broke my heart in two. “When you kissed him like that?”
Mavros laughed. “She won’t resist me for long.”
“Get Cody out of here now, Dacia.” Aurelia’s voice was a growl.
“Please, Cody.” All I wanted was to get out of here. I didn’t want Mavros to hear Cody’s doubt. I didn’t want him to know how torn up I was. I didn’t want him to know how much this was hurting Cody.
Cody shook his head and planted his feet. “Tell me.”
“I don’t know, Cody. I don’t know why I can’t turn away from him … why I can’t tear my eyes away … why I can’t be true to myself or to you.” I projected my next thoughts to Cody to keep Mavros from overhearing them. I need to figure out what he is and what he wants. I need to destroy him before he destroys me. I need to stop him before he destroys us. I don’t love him. I love you.
“She can’t get enough of me,” Mavros’ voice filled the silence. “When I’m near her, I’m all she wants. You can’t compete wi
th that, mortal.” He spat the last word.
“I’m sorry, Dacia.” Cody’s rigid stance crumbled, and he looked broken. Pain filled his voice and shone in his eyes. “I thought I could handle this, but I can’t.”
“Cody, no matter what you think about me … no matter how you feel about me … we’ve got to get back to the house.” Stretching my hand out, I stepped closer to him. “Mavros will kill you if he gets the chance.”
“He already did.” He raked his fingers through his hair and looked at me. His eyes held none of their usual love. They were hurt and betrayed.
Cody spun around to walk away from me. I didn’t know what he was planning on doing, but I didn’t want to find out. I jogged the few remaining steps between us, grabbed his arm, and before he could yank it out of my grasp, I teleported to my room. I didn’t think anybody would be there, but I was wrong. Samantha, Dan, and Sarah were waiting for us.
Cody pulled his arm from my grasp and stalked to the door, keeping his back to me.
Sarah looked between the two of us. “What’s wrong?”
I turned away from them, unable to hide my shame. I imagined myself in Mavros’ embrace, pulling his face to mine, seeing it from Cody’s perspective. He’d never forgive me. He shouldn’t. I didn’t deserve his forgiveness or love. I was weak. I should’ve fought Mavros, not swapped spit with him. I buried my face in my hands. “Cody found me with Mavros.”
“He’s here?” Samantha asked.
“Yes, Aurelia is with him now.” My voice sounded thick. “I’m not sure what’s going to happen.”
“You’ll save everyone.” Cody’s voice was soft, but it did nothing to hide the cruel tone. “That’s what you do. Isn’t it?”
I sank to the floor, and tears flowed from my eyes. “I do my best.” I sobbed. “I didn’t … I didn’t want to hurt you. I don’t know why I can’t help myself. I wish I could.”
