He gasped and prepared for war, until he saw it was Kody. “Nice prank, guys. My nose and head thank you.”
“Sorry.” Xenia bowed her head sheepishly. “It only stays open for a few seconds. My grandpa didn’t want anything following me in.”
“Close, were you?” Bubba asked.
“No. I stayed away to honor my father. Contrary to lies others told, I didn’t venture here. I knew better.”
“How so?”
She smiled at Nick before she answered his question. “My parents were very lenient and wonderful. They denied me nothing. So when they told me not to come here, I knew they wouldn’t do that unless they had very good reasons not to.”
Without another word, she led them toward the creepy building that had sharp spires towering toward the sky.
“You know, just once I’d like to see a Disney castle.”
“Disney has creepy castles, too,” Kody reminded him.
“Fair point. But I’d like it to be Cinderella’s castle. You know, something fun and happy with singing mice, and a mop that cleans toilets so I don’t have to.”
Xenia cocked her head. “You’re the Malachai. When do you clean?”
“Whenever my mom tells me do.”
Bubba clapped him on the back. “Good man.”
If only he felt like one. Sighing, Nick walked along the pathway that ran parallel to the castle. “Do your magic unlocking powers work on this?”
Before she could answer, a low growl sounded.
Nick froze. “Here, draggy draggy?”
“It’s not that dragon.”
His eyes widened. He lowered his tone to a whisper. “If it’s not the dragon, what is it?”
Something hit Nick hard in the chest. It lifted him off his feet and slammed him ten yards away, flat on his back. Pain exploded through his entire body. He landed so hard that it knocked the air from his lungs and returned his form to human.
Unable to speak, he was too stunned to fight. All he could do was lie there as Bubba and Xev unsheathed their swords and made ready to battle. Kody lifted her bow.
“Hold!” Xenia touched Kody’s hand and lowered her aim.
Confused, Nick watched as Xenia crept toward the shadows.
“Hey there, little one.” She reached her hand toward the hedges.
Nick had just pushed himself to his feet when she let out a scream and vanished. “What the…” He ran to where she’d been.
There was no trace of her or whatever had made that noise.
“Xenia!” Kody called.
No answer whatsoever.
Stunned, Nick looked at each of them in turn. “What just happened?”
“I think your draggy ate her.”
He really didn’t appreciate Xev’s humor. No wonder everyone wanted to choke him when he was facetious.
