L
Cody drove his car along the mountain road, hugging the curves. I stared out my window, wondering which dragons were trailing us and how many Nephilim we’d have to contend with.
We parked in front of The Avalanche and walked inside hand in hand. Cody’s thumb rubbed along mine but did nothing to ease my nerves. The hostess led us to a table too close to the door for my liking. Every time it opened, I was momentarily blinded when I glanced at the silhouette standing there.
My leg bounced up and down. I jumped when our waitress set my pop on the table. She smiled and shook her head as she took our orders.
One side of Cody’s mouth lifted, and he softly huffed. “Relax.” He reached his hand across the table, and I placed mine in it. “Nothing’ll happen while we’re eating.”
I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, nodding at him. He was right. Neither the dragons nor the Nephilim wanted their existence known.
After I ate about a third of my chicken wrap, I pushed my plate away. Cody shook his head. “Please eat.”
I dragged my plate back and picked at my food. I knew Cody was worried, but even the smell of food made my stomach roll. I’d already eaten more today than in the last few weeks. He watched me, analyzing every nibble.
When the waitress came by again, Cody ordered a brownie sundae with two spoons. She brought it by a few minutes later and put it in the center of the table. “Enjoy.” She cleared the empty dishes off the table, not even reaching for mine.
Cody watched me. His spoon sat untouched in front of him.
“Aren’t you going to eat it?” I asked.
He nodded toward my spoon. “You first.”
It looked delicious, and I hated to see it go to waste. So even though my stomach protested, I took a bite. When Cody still didn’t reach for his spoon, I took a couple more.
He grinned and shoved a big bite into his mouth. Whipped cream coated his lips.
The smile that crossed my face in response was genuine. I loved seeing the sparkle in his eyes.
After lunch, we walked around town, looking in shop windows. There were enough people out and about that it wasn’t blatantly obvious the Nephilim were following us. We turned onto a side street, and the crowds thinned. My grip on Cody’s hand tightened, and I pulled him to a stop. My heart pounded against my chest, and my stomach dropped.
Three men strode toward us. They were tall and muscular, dressed in black leather jackets and jeans. Their expressions were grim. The dark-skinned man in the middle slipped his hand inside his coat. The other two flexed their fingers.
Nephilim. The word reverberated through my skull, a warning from one of my guards.
I looked over my shoulder. Three more strolled along the sidewalk, closing in on us. I pulled Cody behind me and backed up against the side of the nearest building. Looking up and down the street, I didn’t see anybody else. I pictured Cody’s car and clenched his hand in mine.
Nothing happened.
My heart thundered in my chest, drowning out all other sounds. No, no, no. Not now. Please, not now.
I tried again.
My heart pulsed faster. My breathing accelerated.
Nothing.
I reached for my powers, trying to call a flame to life. Not even a spark responded to my plea.
“Cody—” my voice caught “—they’re gone.”
“Who’s gone?”
I watched the Nephilim approach and wondered how I’d get us out of this. “My powers.”
“Relax.” He massaged my shoulders, kneading the tension there. “Try again.”
Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and pictured the boardwalk in front of The Avalanche. Nothing. Not even a flicker.
Cody’s grip on my shoulders tightened, and I opened my eyes. Malcolm, Tye, Val, and Cash surrounded us.
“She isn’t going with you.” Malcolm’s deep, rumbling voice reminded me of a roar.
The dark Nephilim pulled his hand out of his jacket and held it out in front of him. “She will eventually. We cannot allow her power to remain unchecked.”
Tye grabbed my arm. Be ready. His voice broke into my thoughts.
I slid my fingers along my shoulder, slipping them into Cody’s.
“What happened to free will?” Malcolm asked. “Isn’t that why your ancestors fell?”
“Free will shouldn’t be given to everyone,” a Nephilim from the other group answered. His honey-colored hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail.
“Why?” Cody sounded angry. “She fought evil, freed dragons, protected everyone. Doesn’t she deserve the life she wants?”
The dark-skinned Nephilim lowered his head, shaking it. “We cannot take that risk.”
Tye squeezed my arm, and I tightened my grip on Cody’s hand. My body was sucked in and stretched out. The world spun, and when I opened my eyes, the three of us stood in my room.
I stumbled to the couch, nearly falling onto it. My body shook from the adrenaline rushing through it. “Thanks,” I said to Tye. “My magic failed.”
He cocked his head, and his braid slid over his shoulder. “Magic doesn’t fail.”
“Hers did.” Cody sat beside me, wrapping his arm around me and drawing me closer.
“No.” Tye shook his head. “Magic doesn’t fail. Somehow somebody blocked it.” He looked me in the eyes. His were green with brown flecks. “Trust no one.”
Chapter 5
Dream Come True Or Nightmare?
My bodyguards are nowhere to be seen as I stroll across campus. For once, I feel like I can breathe. Leaves litter the ground, blowing and tumbling over the sidewalks, collecting in deep mounds. I kick up a pile of them and watch as the wind carries them away.
I look at the ground as I walk, stuck in my thoughts. I know that I can’t let the Nephilim take me, but I don’t know how to keep it from happening. And, to be honest, sometimes the life they’re offering appeals to me.
I see
