I fold my arms over my chest. “Not technically.”
“You told me you were going to their sanctuary.” We stand toe to toe. He glares down at me, and his black eyes are hard. Sometimes I forget how much bigger he is than me, but looking up at him, I feel intimidated.
I want to step back, but I fight the urge and hold my ground. “No, I told you I was leaving. You assumed I was leaving for the sanctuary.”
“Why couldn’t you just go with them?” He steps away. His shoulders droop. “I was trying to keep you safe, but now they’re sending me to find you and do whatever’s necessary to keep you from going to the sanctuary.”
I smile at him, fully aware that he’s a demon but still hoping he’s on my side. “Thanks for the warning.”
Chapter 21
Caged
By the middle of the second day, living in a cave was wearing on both Cody and me. Not knowing if it was day or night, not being able to smell the fresh air, and not being able to step outside all took their toll on us. The constant sound of water dripping put me on edge. I paced the cavern like a tiger in a cage.
“Dacia, stop.” Cody’s voice startled me. It sounded harsh in the stillness of the cave, but his eyes were compassionate, understanding. He stood and walked toward me. “Let’s go for a run.”
We both changed into shorts and T-shirts. Then I created a ball of fire and made it hover in the air in front of us. We jogged side by side through the chambers and single file in most of the passages. The steady thumping of our feet on the rock covered up the sound of dripping water.
The flames lit up all of the different formations. In the dry areas of the cavern, some of the ceilings were covered in boxwork. Crystal formations glistened in the firelight. The cave system was fascinating, beautiful in its own way, but the outside world called to me.
I pushed myself, running faster and harder until sweat soaked my shirt. I needed the physical activity to clear my mind and help me come up with a way out of this situation.
The ground rose, and I slowed my pace. My calves burned from the exertion. The passage leveled off and opened up to a chamber filled by a lake. I ran to the water’s edge. With the fire’s light, I was able to see the bottom of it for a couple feet.
Cody stopped beside me and looked out. “Kinda creepy.”
“Why?” I pulled my shoes and socks off and stepped into the lake. I gasped and stepped back.
He chuckled. “Don’t know what’s in it.”
“There’s probably nothing in here that’s worse than what’s already hunting me.” I stepped forward again. The shock wasn’t too bad this time. The water was cold. I would love to warm it up and go for a swim, but I didn’t want to hurt any of the creatures who called it home. I trod a little further into the lake and slid on the slick rock. Cody reached out for my hand, but I caught myself before falling in.
His shoulders slumped. “Careful. You get hurt, I got no light, no way to contact Malcolm.”
I stepped out of the water. “Maybe we should have him bring us some flashlights … just in case something happens to me.” I chewed on my lip. “I could have one of my lovely nightmares, and you’d be screwed.” I sent a wave of heat to my feet to dry them, then put my socks and shoes back on. “Better yet, we could go get them.”
“We can’t.” Cody closed his eyes and massaged his forehead.
I walked up beside him and set my hand on his bicep. “We might have to leave. They’ve sent Mavros to look for me.”
His muscle tightened beneath my fingers. “This why you’re so wound up?”
I shrugged. “I hate feeling trapped.” I stepped back toward the water. The blue flames followed my lead. Cody was right. I needed to be careful, to be here, to keep him safe. I lifted my hair off my neck and splashed cold water on it. “To avoid a cage, I put myself in one.”
The run back was more subdued. I was stuck in my head, trying to figure a way out of this mess but not seeing even an inkling of how to do it. When we were almost back, something spooked me. I turned to Cody and lifted my finger to my lips. Then I snuffed out the light. The cave was pitch black.
A light moved in front of the passage in the next chamber. Low voices drifted up to me. I leaned close to Cody and whispered, “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”
I turned invisible and teleported right outside the chamber.
Cash stalked through the cavern, tossing balls of flame against the walls, lighting up the vast space. “I can smell both of you all over this place. You can’t tell me you don’t know where she is.”
“I caught her scent here, too.” Malcolm leaned against the stalagmite blocking entry into our new shelter. “I’ve come back here several times to try to track her, but so far the only thing I’ve found is her aroma.”
“You know more than you’re letting on.” Cash turned toward me for just an instant, and I fought to hold in my gasp. Purple horns ringed his head. He had more scales on his face than skin, and his hands ended in wicked talons. “I promised to protect her, too. Don’t take that from me.”
Malcolm lifted his head and inhaled. Then he looked directly at me and shook his head slightly. “You’ve never acted like you cared, so why now?”
“Because now she’s gone, and I can’t keep her safe!” His eyes were wild.
Do you
