I lifted a finger. “Malcolm, I’d like to talk to my friends in private.” I intentionally hardened my voice.
He narrowed his eyes at me and walked out into the hall. As soon as he was gone, I soundproofed the room. “I’m leaving tonight.” I knelt down in front of Cody. “You can come with me, but it won’t be easy, and I have no idea when or if I’ll be able to come back.”
Dan leaned forward. “Would it be so bad to go with them?”
“Yes.” I sat on the floor, running my hand over the carpet. “They will never let me leave. They will strip me of my powers. I will be imprisoned for saving the world twice, for saving the dragons.” I pulled my legs up and wrapped my arms around them. “I need to be free to figure out who’s controlling Mavros and what it is they want.”
Dan nodded. “That’s what we thought.” He waved his finger between himself and Samantha. “I just wanted to be sure we were on the same page.”
“Will you be okay?” Samantha seemed to shrink a little. “Do you need anything? I have some money, not much.”
I held my hand up. “I don’t need money.” I let out a deep breath. “I could use your prayers, though.”
“We can do that.” Her lips turned up in a sad smile. She tapped her temple. “Let me know that you’re safe.”
I got up and hugged her and then Dan. “I will.” Wiping under my eyes, I said, “Stay safe.”
“Get a jacket,” I said to Cody. He grabbed his and tossed me mine. Mavros’ coat had been thrown in the corner, and it still sat there. I wondered if I should give it back to him or if one would just materialize next time he needed one.
Wrapping my arms around Cody’s waist, I teleported us to Cougar Lake. He pinched his eyes shut as soon as we stopped moving. His body swayed, and he stuck his arm out to steady himself. “Wasn’t expecting that.”
“Sorry.” I kept my arms around him until he opened his eyes. “You good?”
“Yeah.”
We walked through the trees. It was becoming a familiar trek. I knew where roots jutted out of the ground far enough to trip us, when to duck under branches, when to step over boulders, and which rocks I could step on to cross the small snowmelt streams.
I held onto Cody’s hand pulling him with me to the rocky shore of Cougar Lake. We made our way to a bench and sat. Cody slumped down, staring out at the water with vacant eyes. “What’s the problem?” His voice was thick.
“Malcolm is going with me.” I folded my hands behind my neck and leaned into them, hoping to relieve some of the tension there. “He’s going to pretend like I slipped away from him and he’s chasing after me so that we can keep informed about what’s happening here.” I bit my lip, pulling it into my mouth. “I understand if you don’t want to come with me. It won’t be fun.”
Cody’s fingers slid along my chin, angling my face toward his. “I’d follow you to Hell.”
The tightness in my chest loosened. “You might be.”
D
“Malcolm.” I sat on the floor in front of my closet, an open duffle bag in front of me. “What do I need to pack? What’s the sanctuary like?”
He tilted his head and tapped his finger against his chin. Pack warm clothes, boots, more socks than you think you’ll need, gloves, a hat, a couple blankets, that sort of thing. I’ll create an illusion of you packing for warm weather. “Shorts, T-shirts, whatever girls need.”
Can you do the same for Cody? “So … books and chocolate?”
“Ha.” His smile was genuine. “Funny.”
L
Even with Malcolm watching over me, Mavros’ call was irresistible. I pulled Cody’s arms around me and snuggled against him. I pressed my lips to his, tangling my hands in his hair, pulling him on top of me. Still, I felt Mavros tugging on the line, reeling me closer.
Realizing it wasn’t going to end, I slid off the couch, pulled my coat and boots on, and stretched my hand out to Malcolm. “Will you come with me?”
He closed his eyes and slumped forward. The tension released from his body, and he grasped my hand.
“You sure?” Cody asked.
I nodded. “I can’t keep resisting him. It’s better to have it on my terms.”
“Come back. Okay?” He sat on the edge of the couch.
“Always.”
Malcolm released whatever magic he was using to keep me from being called out, and we were immediately pulled to Mavros’ side. He stood by the lake we’d picnicked at, staring at the night-darkened water.
Mavros lowered his head. “Dragon.”
“Demon.” Malcolm kept hold of my hand.
Mavros turned to me. His eyes looked pained. “I hate that you can’t trust me, but I understand. You never know when I’ll turn on you.” He kicked a rock into the lake. “Are you leaving?”
“Who’s asking?” Malcolm positioned himself between us while still holding my hand. “You or your puppeteer?”
Mavros narrowed his eyes at Malcolm. “Me.” He bent down and picked up several stones, tossing them one at a time into the lake. “I want her to leave.”
“Why?” I asked.
He crossed his arms and threw his shoulders back. “Because I don’t want to torture you into madness or kill you or whatever else the bastard decides I need to do.”
“Thank you.” I stepped toward Mavros and put my hand on his arm.
His head jerked back, and he looked at me like he didn’t know what to think. “So”—his voice lost its edge—“are you going to the sanctuary?”
“I’m leaving in the morning.”
“Good.” He turned and strode off, melting into the darkness.
I need to leave before whoever controls him finds out, I thought to Malcolm.
He teleported us back to my room. I agree.
Chapter 19
Runaway
Pretending
