by Mandi Oyster
Samantha gasped in surprise. “It seems to me like that would make him really mad, and he’d just decide to kill you.”
“I am afraid Samantha is probably right.” Aurelia nodded. “If the two of you would have been married before Mavros entered the picture, that would have been different, but since you were not, I doubt he will give up his claim on Dacia so easily.”
“Maybe that was why I was having those dreams,” I said as the realization struck me. “They were telling me to marry you. If we would’ve, none of this would be happening.”
Cody pulled me close, wrapping both of his arms around me. “It’ll work out,” he whispered in my ear.
Sarah shook her head and grimaced. “Well, I guess after hearing all of this, maybe the best option is for Cody to sleep on the couch. That way we can make sure Dacia is safe.” She looked from me to Cody. “It’s not my place to make these decisions, but since we can’t let your parents know what’s going on with you, I think it’s the only choice.”
Aurelia stood up. “I need to know what their room numbers will be.”
“I can get that information to you tomorrow.” Sarah’s perfectly trimmed eyebrows pinched together. “Why, though?”
“Their rooms need to be blessed before they arrive.”
Chapter 8
Stranger Danger
The shadows are long. Birds fly back to their nests to settle in for the night. Insects serenade each other.
I walk through the park, searching for Cody. My pulse thrums in my ears. The staccato beat pushes me faster. Aurelia told me not to be alone. She warned me I’m more susceptible to Mavros if I am.
“Cody!” I shout his name, but there is no answer.
Picking up my pace, I round a corner. A little boy sits alone at a picnic table. I turn, searching the area but don’t see anyone else. “Where are your parents?” I meander toward him.
“I don’t know.” His lip wobbles. “We were hiking, but now I can’t find them.”
The roaring in my ears diminishes. My heart goes out to him. “Why don’t you walk with me? I’m looking for somebody, too.”
He looks up at me with sad brown eyes. “I … I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.”
“My name’s Dacia.” I stop moving toward him, not wanting to scare him.
He chews on his lower lip, then finally says, “I’m Felix.”
“Well, let’s go see if we can find your parents.”
We continue down the road in the direction I’d been heading. The shadows in the trees darken as night closes in. Unintentionally, I drift toward the middle of the road. “Do you live around here?”
“No, I live far from here.” Felix tilts his head and points. “I think I heard something over there. Will you come with me?”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Yes”—the word shakes—“of course.”
He leads me to a trail in the woods. An owl hoots, and Felix turns to me with wide eyes. “I’m scared. Will you hold my hand?”
I stretch my hand out to him. When his fingers fold against mine, a tingling sensation rises from my fingertips and up through my arm. I close my eyes, realizing I’ve made a huge mistake.
“Why?” My voice sounds hollow.
Mavros’ fingers caress my cheek, then my neck. “You can trust me and want to help me when I’m a small child. Why can’t you now?”
I stare at the ground, thinking about Cody, trying to resist Mavros. His touch is gentle. I feel alive. “Because you’re not trustworthy. You’re trying to manipulate me.”
“Look at me, Dacia.” His soft voice is laced with pain. “Look me in the eyes and tell me that you don’t see sincerity there. Tell me that you can’t see how much you mean to me, and I will leave you alone.”
I look into Mavros’ eyes and feel myself being drawn to him once again.
“What do you see, Dacia?”
“Desire.” I pull my hand from his and wrap my arms around his waist.
“Can you see how much you mean to me?”
I trace my tongue over my lips and step closer. “Yes.”
His finger skims along my face, trailing down my neck, and over my shoulder.
Heat flares in my stomach. I slip my hands into his back pockets and pull his body against mine.
He leans down. His breath caresses my face. “Stay with me then. Be mine forever. Let me show you what love means.” His nose brushes against mine. He teases me with his lips, bringing them almost to mine, then drawing back. He cups my face and grazes his mouth over mine. “Will you be mine?”
“Ye—”
“Dacia?” Cody’s voice halts my answer. “Where are you?”
I suck in a breath and stagger back.
Mavros clenches his fists at his sides, making his veins bulge along his muscles. His soft, seductive voice turns acidic. “This is the last time that boy will disturb us.”
His chiseled body softens, blurring at the edges. A black mist flows from his chest. The vapor coalesces into a cloud in front of me.
“Cody, get out of here!” I shout before flying off in search of him.
Cody stands at the edge of the timber watching the black smoke solidify into Mavros. I dart between them, lifting my hands to block Mavros.
“Don’t touch him.” I narrow my eyes and plant my feet. “If you do, I’ll never be yours. Never.”
Mavros’ form blurs as he steps toward me. Tendrils of mist weave with the breeze, lifting behind him like ethereal wings. “If you do not choose me, you choose death.”
I lower my hands slightly, ready to beg for Cody’s life if I have to. “But, if you kill Cody, that’s the choice I’ll make. I won’t live in a world without him.”
Mavros prowls closer until only a thin strip of air separates his body from mine.
I reach back, clasping Cody’s hand, keeping him behind me, keeping me grounded.
The warmth emanating from Mavros’ skin is almost enough to put me under his spell.
I gaze at Mavros’ forehead, careful not to look into his eyes.
“The window of opportunity is closing.” He lifts his hand toward my face but doesn’t touch me. “You have until mid-September to decide.” His thumb reverently brushes against my cheek.
Flames of desire leap through my body. My heart races. I clutch Cody’s hand tighter, pulling his strength into me.
“Make the right choice.” Mavros’ breath caresses my ear.
I bite my bottom lip pulling it into my mouth, stifling a moan. My fingers loosen as I pull away from Cody.
Mavros disappears, and I realize he’s going to win. If given enough opportunities, I will vow to be his forever.
Chapter 9
Threat Or Promise
Saturday morning, I woke up and stretched like a cat. Aurelia stood at the window, staring out at the trees. “Morning.” My mouth was fuzzy from sleep.
“Good morning, Dacia.” She turned toward me, and her slitted pupils rounded as they dilated. “How did you sleep?”
I sat on the edge of my bed and pulled underclothes out of my nightstand. “A little boy needed my help. He turned out to be Mavros.” Heat crept up my neck and over my cheeks. “He’s very … persuasive.” I fanned my face. “I don’t know how I’ll resist him.”
Samantha rolled over on the air mattress she’d shared with Aurelia and propped her head on her hand. “Isn’t there a way to keep him from mesmerizing her?”
Aurelia shook her head. “Not that I am aware of. I will speak with my elders as soon as they are willing to meet with me.” She looked out the window again and let out a long sigh.
I wondered what she was thinking. Was she preparing herself for loss, like with Elizabeth? Was she trying to gather herself for another semester of college? Or
was she longing for freedom?
“I’d appreciate any advice they can offer.” I pulled a t-shirt and shorts out of my dresser. “We’re supposed to meet Cody and Dan in less than an hour. If we’re late, they’ll worry.”
Driving to Diamond in the Rough, I clenched the steering wheel, butterflies swarmed in my stomach. Their wings beat against my insides. With every breath, they multiplied.
What if Cody didn’t want to see me? What if Mavros intercepted us? What if Mavros did something to Cody and Dan?
By the time I parked my truck, my hands ached. As we walked inside, Aurelia’s voice in my head startled me. This is where I leave you. Be careful.
You, too, I thought to her.
The guys stood by the door. Cody watched everyone coming and going. His eyes were tight, but when they met mine, he visibly relaxed. A genuine smile lifted his lips.
As soon as I was close enough, he pulled me into a tight hug, clutching me against his body. “How’d ya sleep?”
“Good.” I wrapped my arms around his waist. “No painful nightmares.”
He let go of me, jerking back like I’d burned him. “Didn’t hurt you. Did I?”
“No.” I shook my head and held my arm out. “It’s healed.”
We sat in a booth. Bittersweet was a small town where almost everyone knew each other. At times, I loved that, but it also meant people were anxious to pick up any gossip and start spreading it before anyone else got ahold of the news.
My aunt, Cindy, was our waitress. “Well, hello again.” She handed us our menus, then pointed her glittery pen at me. “That was quite the soiree your parents threw last night.”
“Yeah.” I smiled at her. “It was totally unexpected.”
She tapped her chin with a long, red fingernail. “Since Bill and I weren’t supposed to bring a gift, why don’t I get your breakfast?”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”
“I insist.” She pulled out her order pad. “So, what’ll you have?”
We placed our orders and talked while we waited for our food to show up. Cindy brought our breakfast over and shoved the ticket in her pocket. “Happy birthday, Dacia.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at her, realizing this fight was one I could back down from.
She kissed me on the cheek and hugged me before walking away.
“When are you going to Phlox?” Dan shoveled a forkful of hash browns into his mouth.
Looking at Cody, I shrugged. We hadn’t discussed it, but the sooner I could get away, the happier I’d be. It was bad enough that Mom met Mavros at my party last night. I didn’t want my parents any more involved in this facet of my life.
“Tomorrow morning?” Cody asked.
My shoulders relaxed. “That’d be great.”
Samantha looked at Dan. “I don’t know what Mom and Dad’ll say.”
“We’ll be there by next Saturday no matter what.” Dan took a drink of his orange juice.
Dan and Samantha left early in the afternoon. They both wanted to talk to their parents in person about going back a week early. I would’ve liked to spend more time with them, but I understood.
After we said our goodbyes, Cody sat on the edge of my bed. “You’ll be okay if I go?”
I shoved the clothes I was holding into my duffle bag. “You don’t have to stay. Spend some time with your family.”
He stood up and took my hands in his. “What about him?”
“I promise to stay here.” I grabbed the belt loops on his shorts and pulled him closer. “I have to finish packing and spend time with Mom and Dad. Then Aurelia will be back before I go to sleep.”
He put his hands on my shoulders, holding me back. “Promise.”
“Promise.” When Cody pulled his hands back, I leaned my forehead against his chest. “I don’t want to see him either.”
He tilted my face up and looked into my eyes. “You leave … a lot.”
“Unless Mom and Dad make me, I’ll be here. I swear.”
“Call me if they do.” He bent down and pressed his lips to mine.
i
Cody follows me. His blue Camaro is never far behind as I drive down the highway. It’s reassuring seeing him there, but I wish we could’ve ridden together. I’d feel more comfortable with him beside me.
The three-hour drive feels never-ending. My favorite songs blare through the speakers, but my mind keeps wandering.
I turn onto the road that’ll take me to Althea when I see movement at the edge of my vision. I look at the passenger seat. Black smoke pours in through my vents.
My first thought is that my engine is on fire, but the smoke smells like warm, summer nights.
Mavros solidifies in the seat next to me. “You were going to leave without saying goodbye?”
“I go to college.” I stare at the road, refusing to look at him. “I have a life.”
He reaches for my hand, but I jerk it away, swerving into the other lane. My heart races. I flip on my signal and pull onto the shoulder.
“Are you trying to kill me?” I shout at him. In my frustration, I make the mistake of looking into his eyes.
“Quite the opposite.” He lifts his hand to my face. “I’m trying to save your life.”
I nuzzle my cheek against his palm, loving the feel of his skin against mine.
“You’re about to make a bad decision.”
There’s a knock on the window, but I can’t pull my attention away from Mavros. “I’m going to show you what will happen if you don’t choose me.”
Red and blue lights flash in the darkness. Sirens blare, racing to my parents’ house. Flames lick the night sky. This smoke smells of ash and death.
Mom and Dad are nowhere to be seen. My heart catches in my throat.
“Is anybody in there?” a fireman shouts.
My hands cover my mouth, holding in a scream. I nod. “My … my parents.”
Another car pulls up. Cody jumps out and runs to me, throwing his arms around me. “Thank God you’re okay, Dacia. I was so scared.” He looks around. “Where are Caitlin and John?”
I point, unable to find my voice.
“Oh, no.”
As if a whirlwind picks me up and moves me, I’m now standing with Cody at the cemetery. Wayne and Deana sit in front of the flower-covered casket. Wayne’s arm is wrapped around Deana’s heaving shoulders.
When the minister starts talking, I fall into Cody. Somehow he manages to keep us both standing. “Samantha Waters was a beautiful, intelligent young woman with a long life ahead of her. Her and her beloved, Dan Tamarin, were taken from us all too soon. The hole in our lives will eventually heal, but a piece of us will forever be missing. Those of us who knew and loved Samantha will never forget her.”
The world spins, and I’m watching the scene play out from high above. Cody strolls across campus, his backpack thrown over his shoulder. The panther stalks him, then pounces. Claws and fangs tear through his flesh.
Mavros sits next to me in my truck. His hand is still on my face, wiping away my tears. “The lives of the people you love the most were taken because you would not join me. As much as you have suffered, your pain does not begin to compare to mine. I’m offering you my heart and soul for all eternity. Don’t spit in my face.”
The scene shifts again. Mavros and I stand outside my dorm room. He stares into my eyes. “Be mine, Dacia. Free me from my curse, from this eternal Hell.”
I shake my head. “I can’t.”
His fingers morph into a massive paw. Before I can register what’s happening, he slashes it across my throat. The force knocks me to the floor.
I grab my neck and think about life. My wounds don’t heal.
Mavros transforms into the panther. He mauls me. Then he prowls
down the hallway, leaving a trail of bloody footprints.
Darkness closes in, and I welcome death.
“Dacia!” Dad pounded on my door.
I woke gasping for breath but unable to fill my lungs. My neck and body were ravaged. Blood clogged my throat. I tried to suck in air. My lungs burned. I thrashed against my bed, tangling myself in my sheets.
“Everything is fine, Mr. Wolf.” Aurelia’s words were thick with magic. “Go back to sleep.”
Dad stopped pounding on the door. Aurelia placed her hands on my neck, and soothing energy flowed through me.
Air flooded into my lungs. I sucked it in greedily.
Aurelia stared down at me, holding my hand, continuing to heal me. Her tawny eyes were filled with immense sadness. She stayed by my side until all my dream wounds healed. While I changed clothes, she cleaned up my bedding. She held the bloody sheets in her hands and burned them.
When I laid down, she used her magic to force me to sleep.
Chapter 10
Cold Shoulder
By the time Cody knocked on the door, my stomach churned, and anxiety tightened my chest.
I had to keep Mavros from hurting my family and friends, but I had no idea how to protect them without giving into his demands.
While Dad greeted Cody, Mom pulled me into her arms. “I thought we’d have you for another week.” She stepped back and wiped her eyes. “I’m not quite ready to say goodbye yet.”
A lump formed in my throat, trapping any words I might have said.
Then it was Dad’s turn. “Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t.” I patted his back, hoping this wouldn’t be the last time I hugged him. Then I clutched Cody’s hand and walked out onto the porch.
“Drive careful,” Dad said at the same time Mom said, “Be safe.”
Cody opened my truck door. “Where’s Aurelia?”
“She left this morning.” I looked up at Mom and Dad, hoping they couldn’t tell how scared I was for them. “She’s trying to find out whatever she can.”
