Caged by Damnation (Caged #2)(36)

"Okay. Alright, that's fine, and to answer your question, no I don't have any painkillers." We smiled at one another before walking towards the light at the end of the passage, where we found a group waiting, though, it was not the group I was expecting.


Liam, Isis, and Griffin were gathered in front of a large, circular door, which reminded me of the entrance to a nuclear fallout shelter, with a hatch that needed to be turned clockwise to be opened.


"Oh good, does this mean we can remove ourselves to a location that's safe from that psychotic, screaming banshee?" Isis stood with her arms crossed. Her appearance was frazzled, which was unusual for her. She wore pajama pants, a hoodie, and her hair was carelessly thrown into a ponytail.


Griffin leaned against the wall, an alert and commanding expression across his face, but his appearance was similarly dismantled. "Oh, God, stop complaining," he groaned. Isis flashed an irritated look his way, but followed his direction.


"Screaming banshee?" Confused, I looked between the three of them.


Ash winced, but explained, "Well, it's an accurate description. She wasn't too happy with leaving you and screamed until she was sedated. Let's just say we all prayed someone would come around with earplugs."


"Oh, I don't hear anything now though."


"When she wakes up, the guards release gas into the chamber. It makes her pass out again." Griffin seemed apologetic, but I knew it wasn't their fault. "She can't get out, but they were afraid she might hurt herself if she tried."


"Is she okay?" Walking to the door, I listened closely for some hint of life within, but received none. My question remained unanswered, but in a way, their silence gave me more knowledge than their words would have.


I had gone down there to find Izzy, but when I thought back to how much she had changed ... I was afraid to find out. She had attempted to protect me when that thing had attacked us at the house. I wasn't sure I was thinking clearly, but felt strongly that I needed to trust her, if she would only reciprocate.


A lever on the opposite wall opened the door to Izzy's cell. The door gave a harsh squeal, balancing itself against the walls and conquering the dark hole. Ash grasped my shoulder, leading me to look away from the task at hand. His lips were hesitant, breaking the silence. "I could go with you."

"No, I think she needs me to come alone. I'll be fine." I offered a smile that was more to encourage myself than to assure Ash.

The first steps I took were born of fear. Hands clenched, my teeth assaulted my lower lip in burning worry. It was cold within the chamber and tremors racked my body. I forced my hands to obey me well enough to slide against the walls, searching for a switch.

Inching along, I sought any protrusion from the cold cement walls that might indicate a light source. Finally, my fingers brushed against a circular button which felt similar to the buttons found in hospitals to alert security.

At first, the button caused the light to flicker in hiccups, lasting seconds before eventually accepting my will. Smiling, I turned and came up short. Wide, black eyes without a speck of white were staring at me. Izzy’s expression was that of a predator, fixated on me. I screamed, ready to slash out until my mind caught up with my terror. This was Izzy. She hadn’t hurt me before, and she wouldn't now.

Standing still, wary as a rabbit, I waited. Gradually, Izzy's pupils shrank until only slits remained and I allowed myself to breathe. She didn't move away as she had in the clearing, but she didn't cling to me the way she had before when the creature had attacked us either. She remained motionless, examining me, while I stared back at her.

Izzy's appearance had changed slightly since I’d seen her last. Wearing a long, white dress which resembled a modest nightgown, she stood with dignity. Her hair had coiled tightly into full body curls entwining themselves within one another and collecting over her right shoulder. Her wings had grown, the feathers having gained a downy texture like that of a marshmallow, and bits of silver and white. She reminded me of a young bird who had gained their adult feathers, finally able to fly.

I pushed away from the wall towards the center of the room – though I wasn't sure if room was the right word for that place. It was barren of comfort; the only decorations were the vents, through which I assumed gas was dispensed.

When I turned to look back, Izzy was wearing a puzzled expression. She then knelt at my feet, and lifted my hospital gown. Her hands were gentle, tracing the faint lines left from my injuries.

I was familiar with emotions warring with one another, how they could create chaos within a mind. Instinct warned me to flee, but my soul reminded me that this was my Izzy. How could I betray her with my absence, when she had stood with me, when she had paid for it with her life?

"I'm okay."

"Izzy..." My voice trailed off with a tremor, altering into a surprised shout, leading to Ash tearing open the cell door.

Ash's face held a mixture of anger and confusion at the sight that greeted him. He found Izzy gripping me in what I was fairly sure was the tightest hug I had ever experienced. Awkwardly, I patted her shoulder and smoothed her hair until she released me, leaving tearstains on my hospital gown. Strangely, I thought it was an improvement to my attire.

Ash's gaze alternated between Izzy and me, but he must have realized that I wasn't in any danger, because he remained in the doorway. Isis and Griffin were peering out from behind him with expressions that clearly stated their hesitance to offer help. Isis eyed Izzy with a mixture of horror and annoyance, while Griffin alternated between worry, confusion, and his own unique irritation.