Another branch snaps.
Something’s following me.
Without thinking about it, flames ignite in my palm. Their blue glow lights up the trees surrounding me. I spin around to face my stalker.
Squinting, I search the trees, knowing that unless it moves, I won’t be able to see it. I slowly turn back, hoping it will show itself.
Nothing.
I close my hand to extinguish the fire, but the flames spread. Fire dances over my skin, climbing my body.
I concentrate on the inferno, willing it to die. It blazes higher. Sparks flicker through the sky, carried by the breeze.
My breathing accelerates. Quick, shallow breaths that make me lightheaded. My heart races. I stumble back. My fingers and toes tingle.
Pressing my lips together, I try to regulate my breathing. Hoping that with a clear head, I can regain control.
Staring at the blaze, I imagine it extinguishing. The fire diminishes, and I fold my fingers over the dying flames. That was too close. If I’d have lost control here, the whole forest could have been a raging inferno.
I press my hand to my chest, trying to slow my heartbeat and steady my breath. I startle at the sudden chill. Pulling my hand back, I stare at it.
Frost coats my fingertips, spider-webbing out, spreading along my palm and scaling my arm. It crawls up my neck.
I thrash, fighting against the chill. The ice covers my mouth and nose. Climbing over my eyes, blurring them. I crumple to the ground.
My lungs burn. I try to crack the ice, but it presses over my lips and scurries down my throat. My vision darkens.
Someone strides toward me, nudging me with the toe of a boot.
A twig snaps.
Chapter 2
Body Guards
Friday morning, Aurelia knocked on our door. When I opened it, I waved at the first two Nephilim I’d seen yesterday. They looked at me like I was bubblegum stuck on the bottom of their shoes. Closing the door, I leaned against it. “What do they want with me?”
Aurelia nodded at my friends. “Mavros manipulated you and wove tall tales about many things, but he did not lie when he said there is more to the prophecy.”
“Right.” I stood with my hands on my hips. “Are you ready to tell me yet?”
“I cannot.” Aurelia’s chin lowered to her chest. “The elders have forbidden it until they reach an agreement.”
I stared up at the ceiling, trying to overcome the anger that built inside of me each time I was told I couldn’t know something about my life. “What are they scared of?”
Aurelia tilted her head, and I knew she was having a conversation with somebody else. “I am sorry. I cannot answer.” She sat down, looking defeated. “The elders have agreed to send extra protection for you.”
“What do you mean?” Samantha positioned herself on the couch next to Dan.
“Some of the dragons that Dacia saved will be here later today to help ensure her safety.”
“Dragons on campus?” Dan snorted. “Are they going to hide behind the trees? Everyone will see them. How are they gonna help?”
Aurelia’s lips turned up on one side. “They will be in human form.”
“You remember she’s a dragon.” Cody stepped behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Won’t be a problem, will they?”
“Only dragons who have volunteered as her bodyguards will be here.”
I remembered Acacia’s arrogance even after I’d freed him, the feel of the green dragon’s claws tearing through my muscles, and the rotten-flesh smell of the black dragon’s breath. I rubbed my forehead. “Which ones?”
Samantha shuddered. Her face was pale, and she looked smaller. Dan’s hand ran the length of her arm, up and down, but she didn’t seem to notice.
“I do not know yet.” Aurelia’s golden eyes softened. “Every dragon owes you a debt of gratitude whether they were under Draconian’s spell or not. We were not safe while he existed.”
The fear in Draconian’s eyes and the feel of the blade plunging into his chest flashed through my memory. Dragons were better off without him, but I hadn’t wanted to kill him. His death was something I would carry with me forever.
Cody massaged my shoulders. “Time to go.”
The Nephilim followed me to Scientific Computing. They sat at tables surrounding us in the lunchroom. They stood outside the doors while I was in my Shakespeare class.
On the way back to my room, the blonde Nephilim walked alongside me. I stepped closer to Aurelia. She grabbed my arm and pulled me behind her, baring her teeth at the intruder.
The blonde narrowed her sky-blue eyes at Aurelia and backed up. When we got to the dorm, the Nephilim followed the same routine as they had yesterday, blocking all the exits.
I stepped into my room and slumped against the wall, pulling a trembling hand through my hair. “I can’t do this.”
“They are here,” Aurelia said as soon as she closed the door. “Shall we go meet them?”
Cody looked over the back of the couch at us. “Where?”
“In the mountains.” Aurelia lowered her eyes. “Where Dacia freed them.”
“No.” I shook my head, backing away from her. Unless creatures had eaten it, Draconian’s headless body would still be decomposing there.
“They are waiting for us.” Aurelia reached for my hand. “It is far enough away that the Nephilim will not find you.”
Cody jumped off the couch and stood between us. “She said no.”
Aurelia growled at him. “Do not push me today.” Her pupils were thin slashes, and smoke rolled out of her nostrils. “The Nephilim have pushed my dragon very close to the surface.”
Cody backed off, looking away from her.
Seeing that she wouldn’t budge on this, I grabbed Cody’s hand. “Are you coming with us?” I asked Samantha and Dan.
Samantha shifted uncomfortably, not meeting my eyes. “I’m sorry. I can’t … I can’t go back there, and if they’re in dragon form …” Her voice trailed off. “I
