Her smile faded, and she looked at me like I might not like what she had to say next. “They plan to keep some representatives on campus to make sure Argentum does not abduct you.”
“What about Malcolm?” I didn’t want to dwell on the Nephilim right now. I didn’t want to worry about whether or not they’d change their minds. I wanted to smell fresh air and see the mountains and sky and trees and my friends.
He grinned at me from behind her. “They don’t know for sure that I was helping you, so no repercussions.”
I smiled at him. “Thank God.” Nobody should have to suffer for helping me.
“When do we go back?” Cody had walked up beside me without me noticing.
Cash shrugged. “As soon as you want.”
Aurelia held her hand up. “You will be under our surveillance still. Until Argentum is found and we determine if anybody else was helping him, we will escort you to classes and watch over your rooms.”
“Okay.” Cody looked down at me. “Let’s go.”
Malcolm’s expression darkened. “My lair’s not good enough for you?”
“I’d like a shower and clothes that fit.” Cody visibly swallowed and backed up a step.
“And a comfortable bed.” Malcolm grinned. “I couldn’t resist. I love the smell of fear.”
“Funny, real funny.” I walked over and slugged his arm. “I’m taking Cody.” I grabbed his hand and teleported us to my dorm room. It was empty, and it was early enough that the hallway was still quiet.
Within seconds, all three dragons appeared. “Will one of you take Cody to his room so he can shower and change?”
Cash stepped forward and put his hand on Cody’s shoulder. “Ready?”
“Be careful, Dacia.” He nodded at Cash, and they disappeared.
I gathered up clothes and stuffed them into my bag. “Thanks for everything you guys have done for me. I really thought I’d have to spend the rest of my life in one of their sanctuaries. I didn’t think they’d give up.”
“Keep following the light, and we should be able to keep them from threatening you again.” Aurelia gave me a quick hug that took me by surprise.
I squeezed her back, then asked, “What day is it? What’s the weather like?”
“It is Tuesday.” She stepped away. “It is cold and snowy. I talked to Sarah when you left. She told your teachers that you had a family emergency and had to leave in the middle of the night. They will give you a copy of the notes you missed and let you make up your assignments and tests.”
I hadn’t been too worried about college for myself, but it was a relief to know Cody would be able to catch up. “I’ll go see her after classes and thank her.”
“I will not be here when you return.” Sadness filled her voice. “The elders are sending me to hunt Argentum.”
“Be careful.”
“You, too.”
Malcolm and I stepped out into the hall. He didn’t bother turning invisible this morning. I hoped Marcy wouldn’t come out of her room and find him here. I didn’t feel like dealing with it today. Diana and Olivia stood with their backs against the wall, watching me. I waved at them as I walked past. Diana lifted her lips in an attempt at a smile, but Olivia just glared at me. We’re back, I thought to Samantha, hoping she was awake already. The Nephilim are supposed to leave me alone.
I took a longer shower than I normally would, savoring the feel of the water pulsing against my skin, letting it work out some of my stress. When I stepped into my room, Samantha threw her arms around me. “I was so worried about you. Arianna said Mavros attacked you and one of the dragons betrayed you and the Nephilim and dragons were hunting you and you sent him to the Abyss again.”
The last statement was like a punch in the gut. It must’ve shown on my face because Samantha took my hands in hers. “I’m sorry you had to do that. I thought he was playing you, but then that day, he came in here and warned you, and I thought maybe, just maybe he’d actually changed. You changed a demon. How many people can say that?” Excitement rushed her words.
I tried to smile at her, but I still felt like there should’ve been another way. He deserved my gratitude, not punishment.
Before I could sink too deeply into those thoughts, Cash and Malcolm knocked on the door. “Hello, Samantha.” Malcolm nodded at her. “Ready for class?”
Hoping Professor Fisher would be there, we got to my creative writing class early. Professor Fisher looked up from his desk and smiled at me when I entered. “Hello. I hope everything is okay.”
I nodded. “Yes, things turned out all right. Thank you for asking. I’m sorry I had to leave without saying anything.”
“These things happen.” He rummaged around in his briefcase. “This is everything we covered. I’ll give you a week to get the assignments turned into me. If you need more time, let me know. We’ll see if we can work something out.”
As I sat down with my bodyguards, I wondered what the teachers thought had happened to drag me away, which rumor they believed was true.
After class, I met my friends at Sedum Hall for lunch. Cash and Malcolm sat at the table next to us, and my heart dropped a little. I’d gotten so used to being with them. It felt weird for them to sit away from me, but there wasn’t enough room at one table for all the humans and dragons to sit together.
Russ nodded at me as he joined the other dragons. “Glad you’re back.”
Val gave me a hug and sniffed my hair. Arianna waved, and Tye shot me with his finger gun. “Good to see you back.”
I was just taking a bite of my burger when Cassandra and
