Caged by Damnation (Caged #2)(53)

I came to. I was lying on the ground with terrifying creatures standing around me. I opened my mouth to yell for help, but only a whine came forth. When I tried to stand, I slipped. Looking down, I spotted the cause of my problem: I was no longer human. My hands had been replaced with furry paws. Finally, I got my legs beneath me and backed away from the group of creatures staring me down.

Fury, you need to calm down. You're one of us. We won't harm you.

The voice sounded like Echo's. She was an abnormally large creature, resembling a wolf. Her teeth were longer than an average animal’s, her canines protruding from her mouth much like a saber-toothed tiger’s. Her fur was thick, but looked downy-soft in shades of white and black. Her tail was long and curved up and towards her back like an Alaskan Malamute. The rest of the Hellhounds looked similar, though they were various sizes and colors.

Who is who? I asked through our telekinetic link.

The largest Hellhound answered, the one whose fur was the blackest of black. It was the rich, deep voice of Death. Scrye is the gray Hellhound, Whisper is the tan one. Poison is gray and white, and is Vixen is the auburn Hellhound.

Are you ready to embark on a wild hunt? Vixen asked, excited.

I thought that Hellhounds only did that to hunt down escaped souls? I was confused, but beginning to enjoy my new form.

Whisper took up the mantle. We do, but we are making an exception since we need to welcome you to the pack. To become one, you must run with us.

Scrye walked forward to sniff me and licked my neck. Had I been in my human form, I would have been disgusted, but I understood that in this form I followed a different set of rules. This was a kind of affection and acceptance. I butted her with my head and walked to the others.

Have at it. I wanted to get out of this room and see what I could do.

Death sounded the call. It was a mixture of song, howl, and pure emotion, which we all answered. He took the lead with Echo directly behind him. Vixen stayed in the back with me.

Where were we going to run to? There weren't a whole lot of possibilities within the lair. Racing up the staircase, we made a beeline for the threshold. Once we were through it, I realized that Death had brought us to the Divine, where we could have free reign.

We ran until our bodies dripped sweat, and laid down in a clearing beside the water. Belly up with my paws stretched to the sky, I looked sideways at the others. They were content, and I felt free. For the first time in my life, I didn't worry about everyone else. I was just me.

The others stood, ready to walk back, but I held still. I think I'm going to stay for a while, if that's okay? Death's head bobbed up and down in what I took as permission.

Poison Ivy sat back on her hind legs. I'll stay with you. I'm not anxious to embrace my natural skin.

Um, sure. I was astounded that she was choosing to remain with me. Poison Ivy avoided others. It was her thing. She tended to be a loner and disliked everyone.

The rest of the pack left, with Death and Echo leading them. Poison Ivy and I remained behind to watch them be swallowed up by the vortex.

Come on, Poison Ivy sounded.

Huh? Come where? I'm still a little confused about why you would want to stay with me in the first place. I was beginning to think that there was an ulterior motive involved and I had no plans to delve into the craziness that was her life.

She rolled her eyes, allowing attitude to seep into her inner voice. Please. I just want to show you around.

Where?

She ignored me and began pawing through the tall grass. I followed.





CHAPTER 12


Savannah's Journal

Blood had always been a conflict within me, both a source of life and a source of death, reminding me of the sacrifices my parents dealt out, but also that it coursed through the veins of all. It was what kept us moving, focused, and as it pumped it would provide a path to our future or demise.

Many people falter with queasiness if they spot blood, but I had grown immune to it. Being exposed to it many times throughout my life gave me a bizarre perspective on the milky red substance. I wouldn't enjoy seeing it pooling beneath a loved one, but I understood that it told stories that the ears couldn't hear. In a sense, the world was deaf unless they examined it beneath a microscope. It had the ability to keep secrets for a lifetime that may not be revealed until death.



SAVANNAH

It took a while to descend to the ground, but we were soon immersed in the bloodshed. I shied away from the bodies littering the ground, afraid for them and for myself. Our group, with Maloc at the head and Liam guarding our backs, made its way through the haze of the battle. It was as if the blood spatter and cries had morphed into fire and smoke. Deep down, I knew lives were being lost, but I walked in shock. The only conscious thoughts in my mind were to escape, and to find my family.

The attackers varied, from those who looked human, to dangerous creatures out of a Stephen King film. Defense of the Ether had been abandoned. The guards had taken to leading innocents to safety. I hoped Ash and Maye were in one of the groups that had made it through the collision of Hell, rather than the causalities covering the ground.

Liam whispered from behind me, "It's going to be okay." Turning, I saw the flashes of worry in his own eyes. He had loved ones here too. We all did.

A man with patches of leathery skin hanging from his face came at our group. His eyes sought me out, but Maloc intercepted, parrying a blow I knew was meant for me. The man held a deformed club against Maloc's sword.