“Well, I could stand outside the room while you two make out—” Cash flashed his teeth “—or we could figure out a way to prove to the Nephilim that you’re a good person.”
Propping my elbow up on my hand, I tapped a finger against my chin and kept my face as serious as I could. “Wanna go stand out in the hall then?”
Cash threw his head back and laughed a full-belly laugh that made Cody and I giggle.
When he stopped, I said, “What do you have in mind?”
“I think we should try to find the fairies that removed Mavros’ taint.” He knelt down and dug through the bag of food, pulled out a couple of protein bars, and handed them to me. “You need to eat before we leave.”
“One’s good.” I handed the other one to Cody and peeled the wrapper back on mine. “I don’t know how to find them. Both times, they’ve found me.”
“Let’s hope they find you again then.” Cash pushed himself to his feet, and I noticed that his features seemed to be softer.
Trying to figure out what it was, I gawked at him. His chin and nose weren’t as sharp as they’d been, and his eyes didn’t have the same hardness to them.
“What?” He folded his arms over his chest.
I waved my hand at him. “You look different this morning.”
“Yeah.” He brushed his purple-streaked hair back and looked down. “I was a jackass. I wanted to intimidate you.”
I waved my protein bar at him. “It worked.”
“I could smell it on you”—he tapped his nose—“but you did a good job of not showing it.”
“Eat.” Cody crumbled up his wrapper and grabbed another bar.
I could barely choke mine down. It was dry and tasteless. As soon as I swallowed the last bite, I cooled off a couple bottles of water for Cody and me. “What are you going to eat? And when do you have to show yourself again?” I asked Cash.
“I’ll hunt for something later.” He pointed at the last of Cody’s breakfast. “I’m not sure that should be considered food.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Not so much, but I appreciate you guys bringing us supplies and keeping us fed.”
“So … when?” Cody prodded.
“They’re not going to watch me as closely as Malcolm. I should be good for two or three days.” Cash rubbed his hand along his jaw. “I can tell them I was following your scent.”
“So … am I going to have to lay a false trail? Teleport somewhere, wander aimlessly, and then teleport back here.”
Cash tilted his head, and I realized he hadn’t considered the consequences. “The Nephilim can’t smell you, but the other dragons can.” He spun around, taking a few steps away from Cody and me, then turning back. “They’ll want me to lead them to your scent so they can try to track it. I’ll discuss it with Malcolm.”
I grabbed a change of clothes and stood behind a stalagmite. I would’ve traded a suitcase full of dragon loot for a bathroom, but at least I was safe for now. “How do you plan to find the fairies?”
“I don’t know.” He let out a hefty sigh and dragged his hand down his face. “I don’t even know if they’ll come around if I’m with you. I haven’t always followed the light.”
“Malcolm said the same thing.” I folded up my pajamas and set them by our make-shift bed. Both Cash and Cody followed every movement I made. Their attention was a bit unsettling. “What?!”
They shared a conspiratorial look. Then Cash waved his hand for Cody to explain. “Slept for fifteen hours.”
“Holy crap.” I tugged my hairbands out and pulled my fingers through my braids. “I guess I really overdid it.” I lit a fire in my palm.
Cash closed my hand. “Not today.”
“But”—my chest tightened, and I rubbed the heal of my other hand over my breastbone—“if I don’t use them, I can’t get stronger.”
He patted my shoulder. “Not today. Today you need to rest and recharge.”
We filled a backpack with food and drinks. Then we left the cavern. My first instinct was to create an illusion to keep it hidden from anybody who might be searching for me. I rubbed my forehead. “Cash, can you hide the fissure?”
“Yes.” He waited off to the side while Cody and I walked past him.
We wandered through the passages, following Cash’s red flames. The steady sound of dripping water was our constant companion. “Both times I’ve seen the fairies, they were in the chamber where I defeated Nefarious, but I’ve been in there several times without seeing them.”
“Good a place as any.” Cody entwined his fingers with mine.
Long shadows spilled across the floor, collecting outside of the flame’s reach. I wanted to add my fire to Cash’s to dispel the darkness, to prove that no demon lingered beyond the light’s reach. Too many of the passages and chambers triggered memories of me nearly dying at Nefarious’ hands.
“Dacia”—Cody spread his fingers out—“too tight.”
I loosened my grip on his hand. “I’m sorry.” I pointed to a stalagmite. “I ran through that when I battled Nefarious.”
He brushed his thumb over mine. “He’s gone.”
“Yeah.” I blew out a hefty sigh. “So was Mavros. What if somebody decides to summon him next? What if they bring worse to try to lure me out?”
A low growl rumbled through the cavern. My knees locked, and I stifled a scream. Cody darted a glance over his shoulder.
Cash inhaled deeply and groaned. “Sorry.”
I turned to look at him, and he flashed his teeth and held his hands up, palms out. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“Why’d you growl?” Cody asked.
“Because Dacia’s right.” He folded his arms over his chest. “The longer she’s hidden away, the more desperate Mavros’ puppeteer will become.”
I knelt down, holding my head in my hands. More enemies were not what I needed. I needed to figure out how to get rid of the Nephilim
