Mavros smiles at me and slides his arms around my waist. “I’ve missed you.”
I can’t stop the snort before it escapes my mouth. “You said I never meant anything to you.” I step away from him. “You said it was a game.”
“That was before I knew better.” He tucks his hands into his pockets and looks at the ground. “I stayed with you until the Abyss sucked me back into it.” His features distort until he looks like Damon. “I tried to save you.”
I swallow a sob at seeing my friend alive.
“My gift isn’t life. I couldn’t bring you back from Death’s clutches.” His black eyes moisten. “I’ve never tried to save someone before.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.
His touch sends a bolt of electricity through me. I back away from him before I forget myself. “I can’t believe you.” I cross my arms. “I can’t trust you.”
“I know.” His voice is soft and disappointed.
I walk a couple steps away, then spin around. “Why are you here? How?”
“I was—” His mouth flounders but nothing comes out. A snarl lifts his lip. “Think, Dacia.”
Cocking my head, I look at him. My eyebrows pull together as I try to figure out what game he’s playing now.
“There’s only one way I can be.”
I press my fingers over my lips. “Who? Who summoned you? Why?”
He steps closer to me. “That’s what you need to figure out.” His fingers slide along mine. “Soon. Before they make me hurt you.” Leaning in, he whispers in my ear. “I don’t want to watch you die again.”
Walking away, he shifts from Damon to Mavros to the panther. Darkness swallows him.
My eyes snapped open. “No.” The word was a panicked whisper, but Cody heard it.
“You okay?” he asked as he sat up.
I told him about my dream, not surprised to watch him slip his mask back into place.
“Never gonna end.” He combed his fingers through his hair, and when he finished, it looked perfect. Mine would’ve looked like a clown’s wig. “Thought you’d move on. Not if he’s back.”
Staring into his eyes, I cupped his cheek. “I don’t want him, Cody. I want you.”
“Yeah.” He shook his head. “But you mourn him.”
I tucked my chin against my chest. “I don’t want him here, though.”
D
Cody, Samantha, Dan, and I stayed on campus all day Sunday. I’d had enough excitement Saturday, and with the possibility of Mavros hanging around, I didn’t want to press my luck. We went to Lupine Fieldhouse, and my guards joined us in a game of basketball. For being new to the sport, they caught on quickly.
Russ dribbled the ball down the court with me guarding him. “You doing okay?”
“Yeah.” I looked over my shoulder, then back at him. My eyebrows pinched together. “Why wouldn’t I be?” I swatted at the ball, and he dribbled it behind his back.
“Nice try.” He slowed, keeping the ball out of my reach. “Your powers.”
“Oh.” I stopped, and he plowed into me. I fell, sliding on my butt across the floor.
He passed the ball to Arianna and lowered his hand to me. “Sorry.” His amber eyes met mine, and I saw flashes of his life. His hatchling flying through the clouds beside him, his time with Draconian, him prowling toward me against his wishes, then flying away free.
Blinking back the images, I sensed his loyalty and gratitude. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude.”
“You couldn’t have done it without my consent.” He hauled me to my feet and leaned closer, whispering, “I want you to know you can trust me.” Louder, he added, “Looks like your powers are working.”
Cash passed the ball to Russ. I knocked it down and sprinted after it, beating them both to it. I took off down the court, picked the ball up, lifted my arm to make the layup, and dropped it. I skidded to a halt, staring into the hall.
Nobody was there, but I swore I’d seen Mavros. I bent over to catch my breath and steady myself.
Cody rested his hand on my back. “Okay?”
“Yeah.” My breathing was heavy. “I thought I saw him.” I pointed to where he’d been watching me.
His fingers clenched against my back. “Wanna go?”
“Do you need to rest, or are we going to play?” The condescension in Cash’s voice was a challenge I refused to back down from.
I stared into his eyes. “Let’s go.” I stood in front of him while he threw the ball in.
He passed it to Dan, then shoved me out of his way when he ran in. “Pathetic.”
I jogged down the court alongside Malcolm. His cornrows bounced against his back.
“Where’s Aurelia been?” I asked him.
He looked at me out of the sides of his eyes. “Guarding you with the others, with the elders, or trying to save you from the Nephilim.” He ran off to play post position.
I guarded Arianna. “How is Aurelia trying to save me?”
She looked from me to Malcolm. He shrugged and grinned at her, showing his fangs. She shook her head. “You’ll have to ask her.”
“I’ve tried.” My insides felt hollowed out. “She never answers.”
Chapter 6
Back To It
When classes resumed Monday, they followed the same pattern as the week before. Nephilim trailed behind me, blocking the exits to every building, every classroom. Dragons surrounded me. Cash glared daggers at me, and Val constantly moved into my personal space. Aurelia was nowhere to be seen, and when I tried to contact her, I got no response.
Bryce and Cassandra joined us for lunch like it was the most natural thing in the world for them to sit with us. Bryce smiled at me, flexing his fingers. “My hand’s as good as new. Maybe better. Thanks.”
I didn’t know how to react to
