Caged by Damnation (Caged #2)(75)

"I could go mad. Not the type of crazy where you put me into a mental institution with tons of sedatives and anti-psychotics. I would have the power to devastate the world. I'm a danger to the ones I love. I'll...." Visibly, she willed her emotions into place, avoiding a cry-fest. "I'm cursed to live and die alone until the world ends, always keeping my guard up to avoid rendering everyone unconscious within a fifty mile radius. I'm death, life, and transformation. I'll never be the real me again."

With each word, Izzy pulled away from me. Our friendship became less tangible until only a figment remained. "I'm sorry."

"I know you didn't mean to hurt me, but you made a deal with Death and I'm the one who has to live with the consequences."

Izzy walked past me and paused a few feet away without turning. "Did anyone else know about your deal?"

"No. I didn't tell anyone beforehand. It was just me."

Izzy's footsteps retreated, leaving behind only an echo of our friendship to comfort me.

How could such a well-intentioned decision become so mutilated that it resulted in a lethal aftermath? I thought I had been exchanging my life for hers and Ash's. I wanted her to be happy, but instead I had delivered her to hell on Earth; she would be flayed in the sun's inferno, tortured by the mortal coil, doomed to reside in a living manifestation of a departed one’s loop, repeating over and over in a never-ending spiral.

I made my way through the tunnels, oblivious to my surroundings, lingering in self-deprecating thoughts. Shouts, clanging, and voices drew me from my stupor.

The source of the racket was a gigantic room littered with Hellhounds and Draconians. The room was well lit with fluorescent bulbs, and contained weapons and exercise equipment. In the center of the crowd, Cooper and Kali were being cheered on while they sparred.

"You're getting soft, Kali," Cooper teased. Kali responded by jumping in the air, twisting and snapping her foot across his cheek before landing smoothly.

"Who's getting soft again?"

Cooper touched his newly split lip, pulling away a speck of blood. "You're going to pay for that."

He charged at her, but at the last second he slid, feet-first, across the ground. Wrapping his legs around hers, he flipped onto his side, tripping her. Rolling towards him, Kali slammed her forearm into his abdomen, eliciting a grunt of pain as he held his stomach. Moving away, they both stood to face each other.

Bay waved and called out, "Willow, you're here!" My presence brought an end to the match, as everyone stared at me.

"You guys don't need to stop on my account."

Cooper laughed. "Eh, the fight was getting too predictable anyway. You want to get into the ring?"

Kali fumed at the insult.

Uncomfortable, I shook my head adamantly. "Not really, I don't know how to fight."

Aria stepped away from the group. "You have to learn sometime. Now is as good a time as any."

I did not want to put on a show for two groups of expert warriors. I still had nightmares about pretty much every sport imaginable. I had some horrible experiences and didn't relish creating new ones.

"Actually, I should go find Maye and Josephine. I'm supposed to be protecting them." It was a weak excuse, but panic had taken over, making it difficult to think.

Amused, Ivy shook her head. "You aren't getting out of it that easily. They're right. Besides, what help would you be if you don't even know how to protect them?"

I groaned in misery, facing the inevitable. "Give us a second." Ivy grasped my upper arm and pulled me to the side of the gymnasium. "You'll be fine. Just make sure that you don't just focus on his limbs, be aware of every part of him. The tiniest movement could reveal his next move. Do you know how to block attacks?"

She grabbed my arms and positioned them with my right arm crossing my chest and my left crossing my neck. Then Ivy angled my hips and widened my stance. I felt like a kid in a movie pretending to know Karate to get some bullies off of my back.

"Never let down your guard. Instinctually, you're going to want to fend off attacks, but don't forget that you need to get some in too. Remember: eyes open."

I nodded and we walked back to the group.

Aria gestured to the Draconians. "Any of you up to sparring with Willow?"

Stepping forward, Aidan pulled off his sweater and tossed it to the side. His olive skin gleamed against the lighting, enhancing the definition of his toned body. "I will."

His eyes were gentle, as if he feared he might harm me. However, they had a cast to them that was wise enough to know that it would be degrading if none of them thought I was worthy of a match.

I was relieved that of the Draconians, Aidan was the one would I would go up against. He wasn't as formidable as the others, which might have had something to do with his size being closer to an average male.

I wasn't ready for this. I needed more instruction. I felt like the runt of a litter, left in the elements to fend for myself. Abandoned, I could learn to survive on my own without guidance, or give in to the bitter cold of the world. I wasn't thrilled with either choice.

Aidan and I circled one another, searching for strengths and weaknesses, the eyes of our packs following every move in utter silence. They made me uncomfortable in my own skin, as if I were acting out a play for their entertainment. Still, I pulled on the few tips Ivy had passed on and blocked out my embarrassment.