Cody sat up, and Malcolm threw him a couple of the bars. “He’s going to lead them to where you teleported to yesterday.”
“Won’t they be able to tell Mavros was there, too?” I pulled my legs up and wrapped my arms around them. My stomach seemed to roll over itself. “Won’t that just reinforce their beliefs that I’m with him?”
“He’ll cover up Mavros’ scent.” He stared pointedly at the bar until I bit into it. “It could be a day or two before he makes it back here. After that, we’ll lure the Nephilim in and hopefully put an end to this.”
“Toss me a water, please.” I caught it, unscrewed the lid, and gulped down half of the bottle. “Do you think it’ll work? Will the Nephilim believe them?”
He nodded. “They’ll believe them, but I don’t know if they’ll care. They seem to have their own agenda.” He pointed at Cody. “You’re with us today. Get dressed and put your running shoes on.”
I groaned but did as ordered. When I stood up, my muscles protested, but running through the cave was better than sitting around, wondering when we’d be found.
Malcolm pushed me harder, made me run faster, and keep multiple fireballs under my control. By lunchtime, I was ready to collapse, but he pressed me more stringently.
Cody kept up easily, occasionally whispering words of encouragement. His belief in me kept me moving, kept me in control of my powers, and kept me from losing focus.
When Malcolm allowed us to stop, I collapsed onto the ground and slipped my shoes off, rubbing my aching feet. Malcolm pulled water bottles out of his backpack and tossed them to me. “Cool those off. Then you can rest for a minute.”
I did as he said and handed a bottle to Cody. He pressed the cold plastic to his forehead and neck before drinking it.
Malcolm looked between the two of us. “Will you be okay for fifteen minutes while I get food?”
“If I can’t keep the two of us safe, why are they concerned that I’m such a threat?”
He flashed his fangs at me and disappeared.
I sipped my water, then lay down, not caring that rocks jutted out, poking into my back.
“How’re you doing?” Cody’s voice was soft and filled with concern.
I opened an eye and peeked at him. “I’m ready to get out of here and to figure out who’s controlling Mavros. I’m worried about Samantha and Dan, and I feel bad that you’re missing all of your classes.”
“Don’t worry.” He brushed my hair back. “I’ll drop if I need to.”
“You know I don’t deserve you.”
“Funny.” He smiled, and it was stunning. “I think the same about you.”
Malcolm returned, and the smell of pizza filled the chamber. My stomach growled in response. He handed each of us a bottle of pop and napkins, then set the pizza down between us.
“Thank you, Malcolm.” I put my hand on top of his. “I’ll never be able to repay you for all you’ve done for me.”
He shook his head. “I have a long way to go to settle my debt.”
After stuffing ourselves with pepperoni and all meat slices, the jog back to our cavern was much slower. Malcolm had me light the way back while levitating him, turning Cody invisible, and straightening my hair and changing my eye color.
Slowly, my stamina improved. Besides exercising my abilities, getting eight hours of uninterrupted sleep probably helped.
Malcolm went inside the chamber first. When he decided it remained safe, he motioned for Cody and me to enter. “Cash hasn’t been back. His scent lingers here but not strong.”
My chest tightened, and my shoulders dropped. Even a few days ago, I would’ve been glad to hear that Cash was nowhere to be seen, but now, I worried. “Should I try to contact him?” I pulled my hand through my sweaty hair and wiped it on my leggings. “Make sure everything’s okay?”
“No.” Malcolm tilted his head. “They may have a way to tell if you’re contacting him. I’ll check in with him. That shouldn’t seem suspicious.”
He sat on top of a pile of cushions and closed his eyes. I walked up to Cody and slid my hand into his. I was more nervous than I’d like to admit. Even though the game plan was to lure the Nephilim here, I wanted it to be on our terms, and if they didn’t believe the fairies, I didn’t want the dragons to suffer for helping me. They’d been under Draconian’s control for a long time, and they deserved freedom.
“He is leading them on a wild goose chase.” Malcolm’s voice was reassuring. “He took them to a few places you’ve been. Some of the other dragons are with him, so he can’t just say he smells you there.”
Cody rubbed his thumb along the back of my hand. “Maybe she should teleport a few places. Could go invisible, leave her smell, and get out.”
“Not yet.” Malcolm stroked his jaw. “Her scent is in a few places thanks to Mavros. We’ll wait, and if we need to in a couple of days, I can lead them to new spots. It would seem odd if Cash discovered them all. Besides, it might lend me a little credibility.”
“They still don’t trust you?” I asked as I gathered up a change of clothes.
He shook his head. “I believe the Nephilim can sense where my loyalty lies. They have ways of discerning the truth.”
“Why wouldn’t they be able to tell with Cash then?” I shoved my stuff into my duffle bag.
“Nobody expects him to have loyalty.” Malcolm smiled. “He hates everyone equally.”
Chapter 26
Sneak Attack
“Dacia?” Mavros’ voice is so forlorn. I want to answer him, but I’m afraid that if I do, he’ll be able to call me to
