Caged by Damnation (Caged #2)(14)
During the time between entering and exiting the threshold, the breath of life didn't exist. Sound, substance, colors, all dissipated into nothing. Time seemed frozen, as though the Earth held still while we parted ways with one world and entered another.
The place of Divine Energy was exquisite. Each time I walked through its threshold, it revealed a new secret, hidden alcove, or strange creature. In the ordinary world, it had always been difficult to accept that such a place existed in concurrence with our own. The sheer beauty was astonishing in comparison to the deteriorating facade of the real world. For a moment, I wondered if this were heaven and the place we had just parted with was really Hell.
Death was late. For a creature that seemed precise, he was almost an hour overdue. During that hour I watched Izzy, waiting for a sign that she was alive rather than a bodily version of a ghost. Nothing had changed and I was beginning to think that Death was going to back out of our arrangement. My focus shifted to Ash. I thought about Death's threat to ensure Ash met his maker, and shivered.
Liam spoke from a shady area near the trees. "Maybe they're not coming."
"Maybe Willow got the time wrong," Ash shot back, but grimaced when he saw Savannah's irritation.
"Should we leave?" Izzy's voice was interrupted by the rustling of nearby vegetation and a redhead emerging from the bushes.
Kali walked into the open and stared at me with a single eyebrow raised. "They'll be here in a second. We were ... indisposed." She attempted a smile, but it withered into a scowl when she saw Liam. "What are you doing here?"
Liam lifted his lips into the sideways smile he’d perfected. "I'm supporting friends. Miss me, Vixen?"
Kali snorted and turned her attention towards the woods behind her. Her arms were crossed, giving the impression of intentionally ignoring Liam's presence. His laugh conveyed his amusement at her attempt, which only brought forth a snarl from her.
My friends and I instinctively gathered for protection, standing in the shape of a half moon, waiting for Death and his Hellhounds to fill the other half. Again, I was left to wait. Patience running thin, I was tempted to leave, but thought better of it, considering that Death would most likely retaliate.
A short while later, women began emerging from the same brush that Kali had come through. Five women transformed our group into a sphere, but I wasn't sure women was the right term. They were more like wild goddesses. Each had a unique look, their stances and eyes revealing various personalities. I wondered how I could possibly fit into their pack.
"Willow, everyone, these are my sisters." Kali waved her hand in their direction, but seemed to ignore them otherwise.
A tall, dark brunette took a step forward and smiled. "What Kali means to say is that we are your sisters." I recognized Aria from my meeting with Death and felt the same familiar pull, as I had in our last meeting.
"I'm sorry, but how am I supposed to consider you sisters when I barely know any of you?" I sounded bitter and angry, which made me feel guilty, but what did they expect? "I'm leaving my true sisters behind to go with a bunch of strangers."
"You don't need to accept us yet. We know that will come in time." Aria looked at the Hellhounds and they each nodded in turn. Obviously, she was the leader.
"As for knowing us, you already know my name is Aria. You have met Kali and Ivy – though I should warn you, Ivy has an attitude that could match a Venus Fly Trap." Ivy, the platinum blonde, snorted and examined her fingernails, before shooting me a look that could melt glaciers.
A voice of pure wind rushed through the crowd towards me. It came from a tall, dark beauty with the figure of a model. She said, "I'm Bay." She was striking, with almond eyes and high cheekbones. Her stare was a conflict of intensity and compassion. Her skin gleamed a soft, golden bronze in the moonlight, reminding me of an ancient Egyptian; her hair hung free like the mane of a wild horse.
Aria jabbed an elbow into the last Hellhound. She looked out of place in her surroundings. Her raven hair was long and unkempt, which strangely complimented her bizarre eyes. I felt bad for staring, but her eyeballs were pitch-black. I attempted to look over her shoulder before she could notice my unforgiving stare, but I was too late.
"It's okay. Everyone stares the first time they meet me. I'm told that my eyes are an acquired taste." She smiled, "My name is Calla, and I promise that I'm not an evil demon that's going to carry you down through the nine circles of Hell."
"That's good. I don't really have a desire to vacation in Hell. I like a warm climate, but not boiling."
Behind me, Savannah cleared her throat, but Izzy laughed. I directed an apologetic look towards Savannah and introduced my friends to the Hellhounds.
"Is Death coming?" The revulsion in my tone was unmistakable, but the Hellhounds didn't seem to take it personally.
Aria nodded, "He's just running late...."
"Um, could you be a little more specific?" Izzy voiced from my left side.
Savannah moved forward to take up my right flank. We waited silently while various expressions crossed each of the Hellhounds’ faces and they gazed at one another in a silent communion. I had a feeling that they weren't used to anyone demanding answers of them.
"Anyone?" Ash spoke from his corner of the clearing. "It's horrible enough that he is taking her away, but he can't even be on time? He better have a darn good excuse."