Caged by Damnation (Caged #2)(59)

CHAPTER 13


WILLOW

It was difficult to keep up with Poison Ivy. She set a breakneck pace and I wasn't used to running on four legs. Eventually, she stopped, standing on a cliff above the water. Was she planning to push me off into an icy grave?

Why are we here?

She moved forth until she was at the edge. Being a Hellhound is harder than you know. You see death and are a part of him. You have to be cold and ruthless because emotion can cloud your judgment and get you killed. It can also kill those you love. I waited, holding my breath. The deaths will hurt you in ways you couldn't imagine. They may be the worst sort of souls, but consuming them is ... going to claw at your insides until you can't breathe. We all feel it, but don't talk about it. It's like voicing it would make the pain that much worse. I just wanted you to know, to prepare yourself for the worst and spare you the surprise.

When she looked back at me, her eyes were flooded with tears. My paws slipped on the rock, but I made it to her. You can talk to me.

She displayed her teeth in the Hellhound version of a smile and looked away. No, I didn't bring you here for me. When it gets really bad this is the place where it evaporates. Gazing back at me, she spoke solemnly. I wanted you to see it. Maybe it will help bring you some peace. It may help you face the demons, as it has for me. You're going to need it now.

After showing me her sanctuary, we walked in silence. Her tail had lost its perkiness and hung low. It worried me, but I didn't think she wanted my sympathy. Instead, I gave her space and pondered her complex personality. We reached the Hellhound lair, changed, and discovered everyone waiting in the common room.

"Why the sourpuss faces? Did someone die?" I meant the questions to be lighthearted but they all looked to me with grave expressions. Even Death had taken on a pitiful look, and it was directed at me.

Vixen stood, walked to me, and gave me a knowing look. "There was an attack and your friends were caught in it. I don't know if anyone died." She grimaced at the last part of the sentence.

At first I was in shock, but then anger set in. Leaving the others in the common room, I went to my domain and grabbed some weapons. Guilt rushed through me. I had been enjoying myself, thinking that it was nice to only have to worry about myself for once. Now, it turned out that during my run, my friends had been attacked and could very well be dead.

Pain ebbed and flowed through my body. I could feel the Fury in me taking hold, and I basked in her. If she would help me find the others or avenge their deaths, I would be grateful to have her on my side. They say to watch out for the quiet ones, and whoever harmed my friends was about to find out why.

Death came up behind me. "It was demons. They were going after Savannah, but your friends were all there. A lot of innocents died, and I can't be sure if your friends were among them." His hand touched my shoulder, but I pulled away to face him.

"I wasn't there! If it wasn't for your stupid demands, I would have been with them. I could have helped. It's your fault!"

Death backed away with a somber face. "If you had been there you may have died. You wouldn't have been much good to them against an army of demons. I'm sorry about your friends, but this isn't my fault."

My stare was lethal in its intensity, which was not lost on Death. Ignoring his remarks, I turned back to stuff various weapons into a duffle bag. If my friends were in trouble, I would need to be prepared.

"What can I do to help?"

I zipped the bag closed and looked him in the eye. "You can stay out of my way." I walked towards the exit, but the Hellhounds came in and blocked me.

"I'm going. You can't keep me here."

Echo stepped forward with crossed arms. "Oh, we're not trying to stop you. We're coming with."

Vixen grinned. "Yeah, you against an army of demons? I'm not loving those odds." Satisfaction was plastered over her face.

"You're our sister now,” Whisper chimed. “We're family, and like it or not, that means your battles are our battles."

Poison Ivy walked in, surprising me since I hadn't noticed her absence. "Besides, what's your plan? Walk around and hope you don't get yourself killed? You have no clue how to take advantage of your Hellhound nature. At least we can track your friends by their scents. You'll be safer with the pack, and better equipped to protect your friends. Even demons have the good sense to fear us." She grinned, proud of her speech. I wondered if she had been late because she was practicing it?

"Where do we start?" I asked

"Start with the Ether since that's where the battle took place. You might find them or at least be able to track them from there. Be careful and stay alert." Confused at Death's support, I nodded in agreement, but refused to speak to him. I knew it was childish, but I was still angry.

Scrye unveiled the door to the rest of the world. Terror emanated from the churning pool, bringing the taste of blood. She had already called on the scene of the battle and the scent of withering souls was wafting through, attaching to the living as if fighting for their lives.

We went through the vortex and emerged, surrounded by piles of the dead. Those still living had grouped together, the handiwork of the demons written across the faces of the survivors.

An old woman walked past us holding a historical romance novel to her chest. Obviously, she was in shock; she kept repeating, "The flame drove us out." She reminded me of someone who needed to be locked in a padded chamber to keep them from harming themselves.