Caged by Damnation (Caged #2)(28)

I looked at the blemished paper. It had been opened, which explained Maye's knowledge. I bit my lip in uncertainty and folded the envelope before placing it in the box the ring had been in. I placed the ring on my finger and smiled at Maye, wanting her to feel secure in her decision to give it to me.

The ring felt rich with power, stemming from a source that seemed unlimited. I felt more alive than ever and as astounded by the power of such a delicate stone.

"You don't have to read it now, I understand. You should rest." Maye pressed against my shoulder until I lay down, took the box and tin to place on the bedside table, and tucked me in. "Sweet dreams, darling. You're safe here." She kissed my forehead before settling back in the chair to read a magazine.

The lights made it difficult to turn off my mind and succumb to the rest my body demanded, but I eventually slipped into a serene abyss. It was a place of no worries, fear, or future. Without the worry of my future, I felt liberated.





CHAPTER 7


WILLOW

Lying on my bed, deep in my thoughts, I didn't initially register a guest in my chambers. When she cleared her throat, I bolted upright, nearly knocking the music box off the bed in my hastiness.

Calla stood at the foot of my bed. Her hands were gripping a long, white dress, holding onto the fabric with all her might. Her hair hung in tatters over her right shoulder in a chaotic braid. Silver shimmer decorated her profile at the edges of her eyes, and an elegant pendant lay around her neck. Her stance was reminiscent of a patient from the mental ward, while her movements contained the anxiety of a trapped bird with a broken wing. To a stranger, I had no doubt that they would assume she wasn't all there in her head. However, in the short time I had known her she had demonstrated intelligence that could war with any other. I had no doubt that she observed more than others would give her credit for.

"Hi, Calla. Everything okay?"

She smiled and said softly, "Death asked me to prepare you for the ritual. He said that you would probably take it better if one of us does it."

"Excuse me?"

"The ritual to bind you to our pack and activate your inner Hellhound is going to be performed tonight. Death was going to bring you up to speed, but he... asked me to instead."

Calla's smile was hesitant. I wondered if Death ordering her would have been a more accurate description of what brought her here.

"How, exactly, are we all going to accomplish that?"

Silence bounced off the walls of my domain, while Calla remained frozen. Her head was bent and her eyes looked up and to the left of her, the way people do when they are listening to another talk. "Don't worry yourself with the ritual. That can wait. We have a lot to do before then."

It was then that I noticed a chest on the floor. Calla lifted it and walked into the atrium. I followed closely behind. Once she stood next to the small lagoon, she positioned the chest on the rim and unlocked it. When the lid opened, a rustic sound echoed off the various trees before settling on me, making me cringe.

Calla reached inside and withdrew objects, which reminded me of the ones witches used when casting a circle. The next hour consisted of being primped and ordered around. Whenever I attempted conversation, Calla cast a disapproving glance my way before continuing her previous activity. She was deft and kind, but it bothered me that the ritual was shrouded in secrets. Why couldn't I ask questions?

When Calla was finished with her ministrations, I wore an outfit I was sure Izzy would have died to own. Silk and tulle slowed around my waist, down to the floor in an ebony shadow. A slit up to my hip on my leg made me uncomfortable, but I relaxed when I tested movement and was certain nothing vital showed. My midriff was bare until an inch beneath my breasts, which were covered by a collage of the fabric the skirt was made of. The straps of the top crisscrossed over my shoulders and melded together at the space between my shoulder blades. When the wind caught the skirt and the light flickered against it, a glimmer of lilac shimmered along the hem.

Calla gathered my hair and created a thick waterfall braid against the crown of my head, allowing the masses to tumble down my back in chestnut waves. She led me into my bathroom, grabbed makeup supplies, and began dabbing variations on my lids and lips.

As Calla concentrated on my appearance, she explained that the ritual had portions I might find unsavory. However, it was important that I not hesitate. Part of joining their pack meant that I must take a step towards trusting them, which was vital in the ritual. She wouldn't explain more than that, but smiled when I tried to produce more information from her.

I was afraid to look in the mirror, but when Calla swiveled the stool to face it, I was astounded at my transformation. I looked like one of them, as if I truly belonged among these warrior goddesses. My eyes were enhanced with shades of gray and violet, while a pattern of veins gathered at the outer corner of my eyes and swept towards my hairline. My cheekbones were highlighted with an ivory shimmer, and my lips were covered in a wine lip gloss. My hair still resembled its structured self, but with a hint of exotic I wouldn't have thought possible.

"Are the others going to be dressed like this?" I shouted towards the bedroom, realizing that during my inspection, Calla had left me alone.

She came back in, carrying lilies in black and white. I sat still while she placed the buds into the braid at the top of my head. "Yes and no. We will be wearing white, but the design will be similar." A wicked grin flashed before she whispered, "Except for Ivy, she likes to stand out. I wouldn't be surprised if she walked in wearing neon yellow."