“She summoned him to help defeat an elder dragon that had been corrupted.” Aurelia took my other hand in hers. “The dragons and fairies still stand with her. Her heart is pure. She plans to return him to the Abyss now.”
“It’s a trick,” the Nephilim with the tattoo along the side of his face said. “She’s standing with him, holding his hand.”
Mavros looked down at me. “It’s time, Dacia.”
I bit my bottom lip, pulling it into my mouth, and shook my head. “I don’t want to.”
“I’ll be okay.” He slid his hand from mine and cupped my cheek. Even out here, surrounded by snow, his skin was warm. He kissed my cheek and whispered, “You can let me go.”
I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him tightly, knowing this would be the last time I’d see him. “Thank you for everything.” I pulled away.
He wiped my eyes. “It’s been an honor, Dacia. Let me go.”
My voice was soft. My words were only meant for him. “I’ll never forget you.”
“How could you?” His eyes sparkled affectionately.
Raising my voice so the Nephilim could hear me, I said, “Chaódis Skotádi, return to the Abyss.”
His wings burst through his coat. He lifted into the air, transforming into a black mist that brushed against my cheek as it dissipated.
“That proves nothing,” ponytail said. “She needs to come with us. She’s proven she has no reservations about aligning with darkness.”
Several of the Nephilim stalked toward us. Malcolm and Cash moved in front of me.
“Stop!” Diana yelled, but the Nephilim ignored her.
Cash’s form rippled. A purple haze surrounded him. His dragon erupted from it. He roared, and the Nephilim stopped. “Leave.” He whipped his head toward them, and his chest glowed from the fire within.
“Don’t hurt them, Cash.” I pulled my glove off, dropping it onto the snow, and pressed my hand to his side. “Please, don’t hurt them.”
Malcolm growled, and I turned to look at him. Scales lined his neck and face. “We made a vow to protect you. Our oaths are sacred.”
I turned, looking at my guardians. All of them were caught somewhere between human and dragon.
“Just give us the girl,” the tattooed Nephilim yelled across the clearing.
The snow in front of me seemed to explode, blasting up into the air. When it settled, four sets of footprints sank into the drift.
My heart pounded against my ribcage. The Nephilim rushed toward us, and I lifted my hands. I needed to do something to stop this, but I didn’t know what.
The magic seemed to have a mind of its own. A barrier sprang up between us, blocking the Nephilim’s attack. The Nephilim with the ponytail crashed into it.
“No.” Malcolm sounded crushed. “Dacia, say you didn’t.” His scales retracted, and his bronze eyes filled with despair.
“I’m sorry. I can’t let you fight. I can’t let anybody die for me.” Power like I’d only felt once before surged through my body. It boosted the shield.
Malcolm grabbed me, and electricity arced from me to him. He groaned but kept hold of me. We stretched in and pulled out. When he finally let go, we stood in the fairies’ cave.
Malcolm fell to the ground. “Help her.” His voice was a soft plea.
The fairies lit up the cavern. Rayne landed on my shoulder. Her lilac eyes stared up into mine. “What have you done?”
“I sent Mavros back to the Abyss.” I pressed my eyes closed and rubbed my hand down my face. “I couldn’t let the dragons and Nephilim kill each other.”
She waved her hand, and the other fairies flew to her. “His power will corrupt you. You must resist using yours.” The fairies converged on my body. Their bright, cleansing energy flowed through me.
They hovered in front of me, and my skin shone a brilliant white. “Thank you.”
“You mustn’t use your power again.” Rayne’s wings fluttered so fast they were little more than a blur. “If you do, we may not be able to keep it from spreading.”
“I’ll do my best.” They flew off, and I knelt by Malcolm’s side. “I’m sorry.”
He pushed himself up to a sitting position. “We need to go back.” He wobbled as he stood. I let him lean on me, fighting my desire to use my powers to help him.
The air grew colder, and I stood amongst ten dragons. I knew now who the footprints in the snow had belonged to. My unseen guardians stood between the Nephilim and my friends. The glow from my skin lit up a ten-foot area surrounding me.
Mara turned toward me. “The demon’s taint has been removed from her.” She faced the Nephilim. “You no longer need to fear her.”
“If you advance, we will have no choice but to fight you.” Aurelia’s voice was a fierce growl. “Is it worth it to you?”
The six Nephilim from Althea stepped forward. One with short, dark hair pointed at me. “We will be watching you.”
Several portals opened and all but Diana and Olivia stepped through them. Diana looked at Aurelia. “Can we catch a ride back to campus?”
Chapter 46
Thanksgiving
My friends waited for us to return. Cody stood by the window, staring into the distance as if he could see what was happening. Dan and Samantha huddled together in Cookie Monster. Their faces were stony. Cassandra and Bryce sat on the couch, holding hands. They were the first to notice my arrival.
“You’re all right.” Relief filled Cassandra’s voice.
I nodded at her.
Bryce’s eyes widened as he took me in. “You’re glowing.”
Cody turned and looked at me. The stony mask melted off his face, and he let out a heavy sigh. He strode across the room and pulled me against him. One hand clutched the back of my head, pressing it against his chest. The other wrapped around my waist.
I held him, savoring his warmth and his strength.
“What happened?” Samantha asked.
I
