Just as we disappeared, I heard Malcolm roar.
The cave was pitch black. I summoned fire to my palm and set it on the ground, willing the flames to grow to give us heat and light. Stalactites and stalagmites filled the cave. The firelight flicked its shadows throughout the cavern, making it even eerier.
Like I’d asked him earlier, Cody had clutched the pillow and blanket so they teleported with us. I had no idea how long we’d be on our own, but I didn’t think a little comfort was too much to ask.
I set the bags on the floor and dug the other blankets out, spreading the heaviest one over the ground, hoping to ward off some of the chill. Then I turned to Cody. “Well, what do you think?”
He looked around, nodding. “Home is where the heart is, and you’re here.”
In all the time I’d known him, Cody had always been a man of few words, but when he said things like that, I felt like the luckiest person in the world. “Hopefully, not for too long.” I wrapped my arms around him and tilted my head up. He brushed his lips over mine. “I don’t know if the fire will last after I fall asleep. It might get cold.”
We laid down on the ground and covered up with the two remaining blankets. I planned to fight sleep to keep the fire going for as long as I could.
Picturing Samantha’s face, I thought to her, We are safe for now. There was no way for me to know if she heard me. I hoped the Nephilim would leave her and Dan alone, that whoever summoned Mavros wouldn’t harm them, that the dragons would keep them safe.
I stared at the ceiling, trying to hold the ghosts of this place at bay. I didn’t want to be here, but it was the only place I could think of besides Draconian’s castle, and since the dragons knew it better than I did, I figured I should avoid going there.
Hundreds of lights dotted the ceiling. As I gazed at them, they seemed to move closer, growing larger until I saw them for what they were. The silver-haired fairies that healed me when I fought Nefarious hovered all around me. Their presence filled me with peace.
“Hello.” I stood up and held my hand out.
One landed on my palm. She was about two inches tall. Her bare feet left tracks on my hand as she stepped closer. “Welcome,” she said in a high, squeaky voice.
I bowed my head. “Thank you. Without your help, I wouldn’t be alive.”
“Evil must not prevail.” Her iridescent wings fluttered even though she was standing still. “You were demon-marked, and with his taint still on you, he can track you.”
I slumped forward. “Is there anything I can do to remove it?”
“No, but we can.” The fairies surrounded me, landing on me then flitting off, over and over again. Their wings shimmered and hummed as they zipped through the air.
When they stopped, a silver glow emanated from my body, lighting up the cavern. “Did it work?” I looked into her purple eyes.
“Yes. His stain has been removed.” She flapped her wings, lifting into the air.
A lightness filled me. “Thank you.”
They flew up, making the cave ceiling twinkle like the night sky. Then all at once, their lights disappeared.
I laid back down with Cody.
“That was cool.” He sounded awestruck.
“Beautiful actually.” I rolled over so I was facing him. “They’re the fairies that healed me when I fought Nefarious. I didn’t think I’d have the privilege of seeing them again.”
“Might be a lotta grief with your powers, but also a lotta good.” He brushed my hair back, tucking it behind my ear. “They should go to the Nephilim and vouch for you.”
I fell asleep with my head on Cody’s shoulder. When I woke up, my fire still blazed, holding the darkness at bay.
Malcolm leaned against a stalagmite. “You’re glowing.”
“Fairies removed Mavros’ taint from me.” I stood up and lowered my hand to Cody. He shook his head and sat up, combing his hands through his hair.
“Interesting.” Malcolm rubbed his chin. “I didn’t realize it was still there.”
“Me either”—I shrugged—“but they sensed it.”
He stepped closer to the flames, and the light made the shadows on his face look creepy. “I wonder if the Nephilim could sense it but didn’t realize what it was.”
“Yeah.” I pulled my hands through my hair, wondering how bad it looked. “Cody thinks the fairies should talk to the Nephilim.”
“So, what’s your story?” Cody knelt in front of the fire, warming his hands.
Malcolm handed me a bag. “There’s no meat in there, but you humans eat strange food.”
The sack was filled with donuts and bottles of milk. “Thank you.” I took one of each and passed it to Cody.
He pulled a glazed one out, took a big bite of it, and nodded at Malcolm. “Much obliged.”
“They believed you fooled me.” Malcolm waved his hand through the flames. “How did you keep the fire going while you slept?”
I held my finger up until I swallowed the food in my mouth. “I don’t know. I didn’t think I’d be able to, but it worked.” I licked the icing off of my lips. “Do they think you’re searching for me?”
“Everybody is searching for you.” He flashed me a smile that showed more fang than normal.
“Everybody?” Cody popped the last of his donut into his mouth.
Malcolm nodded. “The dragons and the Nephilim. The Nephilim won’t stop looking until they find you. The dragons haven’t committed yet.”
“Great.” My legs wobbled, so I leaned against a stalagmite for support.
“Nobody has seen Mavros since you disappeared.” Malcolm’s bronze eyes reflected the firelight,
