Caged by Damnation (Caged #2)(23)

My entire life, I had felt that I never truly belonged. The people around me never allowed me to forget it. They allowed me to trace the edges of their world, as if I were drawing a sketch, but color was forbidden to me. In the Hellhounds’ domain, I was beginning to realize that I felt like part of the portrait. I might not feel comfortable with the other Hellhounds, or with the uncertainty of my future, but there was an undeniable connection.


I forced myself toward one of the other doors, balancing between the need to move forward and the fear of what might lay behind it. Grasping the knob, I turned it and swung the door open as quickly as possible. I didn't want to second guess my decision.


Behind the door was a bathroom that I was certain came straight from heaven. It was as large as the main room. A pool lay inside, along with a whirlpool bathtub, a shower with six showerheads, a closet for the toilet, and a sink. Makeup overwhelmed the shelves on the walls, along with toiletries, and more soaps than I thought existed. Behind the door I found towels, robes, and slippers that rivaled the softest teddy bear. The bathroom was paradise.


I turned to ask Aria how they managed to come up with something so luxurious, but she had disappeared. I peered outside the bathroom, but found that she had left me to my thoughts. A miniscule part of me was irritated because I still had questions, but another glance at my bathroom made me glad I was alone. How could I deny myself a little spa treatment?


I worked my way through the bathroom supplies, deciding to try out various exotic brands, and sank into a warm bubble bath. Tension eased away and I wondered what the fourth door would reveal. I couldn't fathom anything more than what I had been given, and I was beginning to think that I had underestimated Death. If he had been the one to design my domain, I was going to have to make a point to be kinder to him. It was really a shame, because he grated on my nerves and I wasn't certain I could restrain myself. I shrugged, accepting the new hardship.


Slipping beneath the bath water, I resurfaced, giggling as I pushed the bubbles away from my eyes. If this was my payment for being nicer to Death, I would gladly to do it.


After my bath, I took to a plush robe in a dusty rose shade. I hadn't felt so amazing in a long time. It was as though the water had cleansed away all negativity, giving me an alternate perspective on my life. I still wasn't thrilled that I had been thrust into this world with little choice, but realized that I was experiencing something that most people could only experience through their favorite books. Besides, I was relieved that I wasn't in danger here – well, other than from Ivy's venomous attitude and Death's arrogance.


Walking over to the enormous bed, I jumped on top, curling myself in and around the comforter, soft as pillows. The mattress slowly changed shape beneath me, molding to the contours of my body. I was fairly sure that I now knew how babies felt in the womb: warm, protected, and loved.


The bed’s comfort had been a well-laid trap. I had wanted to examine the fourth door, hunt down the answers I needed, and explore the lair some more, but soon I was drowned in a deep sleep instead, and found myself startled awake by someone intentionally clearing their throat.


Shooting up from my rest, I looked around dazedly, taking a few moments to remember where I was. My puzzlement was furthered when the culprit who had awoken me from my forced slumber was nowhere to be found.


I moved around my chamber, half asleep with growing irritation before realizing I was being watched from above. Squinting, I searched for my intruder and found Death standing on the balcony at the entrance to the tunnel. Ignoring my earlier promise, I sprinted up the stairs, intent on removing his presence from my room. After all, what was the point of having my own domain if he could come and go as he wished?


Ready to unleash a hailstorm of anger on his smug face, I came up short at the uncertainty in his eyes and the gift he held in his hands.


He cleared his throat, avoiding my gaze. "I believe it is customary to present a housewarming gift when a person moves someplace new."


I spoke through pursed lips, irritated with his gesture. "It's the custom when the move is voluntary and the resident is happy with her new home. Besides, gifts are supposed to come from the people who care about them. Not the ones who essentially imprisoned them after tearing them from everything they care about!"


Death backed away as though I had slapped him. His gift dropped to the ground at his feet and I watched his fists clench and unclench. It was obvious that my tirade had invoked strong emotions in him, but I couldn't tell if he was hurt or angry.


Through a tightened jaw, he spoke with emphasis. "This isn't a prison. If it were, I wouldn't have personally installed a threshold within your room." He advanced towards me and gestured to the walls around us. "You wouldn't be surrounded by every book you ever coveted."


His proximity made me uncomfortable, and in my efforts to back away I nearly tripped, but he caught me around the waist and pulled me to him. His eyes blazed in tightly coiled anger.


"I wouldn't have bothered ensuring your comfort. I wouldn’t have set up that damn atrium! Do you think it was easy doing all of this?" At his last words, his hand gently wrapped around the outer edge of my neck, forcing me to look him in the eyes. "You think I am a monster – fine. Just think on this: I am not the one behaving like a childish brat."