Caged by Damnation (Caged #2)(24)

His statement was punctuated by the distance he placed between us. I began to speak at his retreating back, but snapped my mouth shut when he slammed the tunnel door behind him.


I hadn't expected my words to hurt him. The thought that Death might have feelings had never occurred to me. I saw him as someone who took what he wanted without any thought as to how it affected others. Looking down at the forgotten gift, I wondered if I had been wrong.


Pulling at the silken bow, I removed the peach-colored wrapping paper. Somehow, it was difficult to imagine Death shopping at Macy's and having this gift wrapped. In the corner of the wrapping paper, I noticed a small blot of blood and admitted to myself that he must have wrapped the present himself. The thought of Death dealing with bows and peach-colored anything was quite possibly the most ridiculous picture ever.


The temptation that Death's present represented was too much. I found an ornate wooden musical box beneath the feminine gift wrap. When I opened the lid, music unlike anything I had ever heard spilled forth. If all five elements were to be turned into instruments, combined, and asked to play a song, I felt certain this is what would have been played.

Against the inner back wall of the box was a miniature canvas. Its painting was brilliant and could easily have been created by a master. The figure in the painting was of myself, sitting beneath a willow tree, reading a book. I was partially in shade with a misty river that curled behind the tree, as leaves flew in the wind. I was in complete awe and doubted that Death would have hired someone to paint something with such an uncanny likeness. Though I struggled with the idea of him doing it himself. Script was etched into the surface of the outer walls connected by swirls and vines. I wondered what they meant.

Within the music box was a violet pendant. The top screwed off to reveal a red substance inside. Linking the chain around my neck, the charm laid perfectly in the delicate space between my collarbone and breasts.

As I sat deep in thought, my fingers traced the etchings of the box and I heard a click. I searched for the source of the noise and realized that the inside of the box lifted away to reveal a hidden compartment and a note. It read: May you have few secrets, but should you find that you have anything to hide, allow this to protect it and you. Place your freedom here and know that it will never be taken and that you will always be you, regardless of the place you call home. -D.

Ouch. After reading Death's note, I felt guilty about how I treated him. My feelings were conflicted; on one hand, I wanted to hate him for taking me from my real home, and on another... I sometimes saw a part of Death that made me wonder if there was another side to him entirely. Then again, he might just be trying to insure that his investment wouldn't change her mind. Ugh! I hated thinking of myself in those terms, but in a way, I was his prize. In exchange for Izzy and Ash's life, I had given my own. Now I was bound to him.





CHAPTER 6


Alone in the flames, I am reborn,

A creature of myth that is no more.

I cry from my ashes,

Longing, as spirits rage war.



A life restored,

I eclipse the night with a single breath.

Blazing wings that strike a chord,

I melt away and embrace death.

Departed souls sigh in shame,

I no longer have a name.

My world is gone, I have no fear,

For death is has left only a single tear.

Eternal loneliness awaits me,

With comforting arms,

That arise from the dead sea.

The armies of Hell call out in glee,

Calling for blood, creating misery.

Vengeance lurks around the bend,

Watching, waiting, for those to ascend.



Savannah's Journal

Willow left me with a half mad version of Izzy. I couldn't see more than the slightest trace of my charismatic friend. Maybe it was the hissing, but I had trouble imagining her ever being the same. Still, it didn't matter if she was my Izzy or a new one, I had her back and I would never let go.

You know your life is abnormal when you're facing down a phoenix and it seems like a natural occurrence. Ghosts, shifters, demons ... what was one more deranged creature? Izzy still fit in better than others I had known.




SAVANNAH

It had been hours since I had shaken off the despair Willow's absence had triggered. I couldn't allow myself the freedom to have a meltdown, knowing Izzy depended on me, even if she didn't realize it at the moment.

Liam, Ash, and I had taken turns trying to communicate with Izzy to put her at ease, but it didn't take long for us to realize we were making the situation worse. Death had said she would regain her memories, but I didn't know what to do in the meantime.

I forced the guys to leave me alone in the Divine with Izzy. They argued that it was asinine to take on a dangerous phoenix, but I was stubborn and eventually convinced them to leave. It had taken some intentional cruelty on my part; pointing out that Ash hadn't cared about what I did since the battle with Asmodeus, so why should he now? The anger and disgust on his face had almost made me take back my harsh words, but I needed them gone, and what I had said was the truth. If he couldn't concern himself with me before, then why should he now?

I now found myself seated on the unusually warm ground, staring down my best friend, who looked like a cross between an angel, fire demon, and goddess. Her hissing had quieted once she realized I had no intention of moving from my position, but her eyes still looked lethal.