Caged by Damnation (Caged #2)(86)

I knew that giving my child away would take my will to live, but as a mother... she came first. I wanted her to have a chance at life, fall in love, have her own children, and hopefully, never be forced to become a weapon. I hoped there would be many generations, each with happiness in their grasp, and it was something I could never give to her, no matter how much I wanted to.




Jolted from the vision, I realized that what I had witnessed, experienced... seen, was not my own memory, but someone else's. I didn't have long to dwell on the matter before I was thrust into a new one.



"Please." Falling to my knees, I stared Death down, willing him to understand my request. Tears shed from his eyes as he shook his head in denial. "I can't do this anymore. Haven't I given you enough? I've lived longer than any of the others, I'm tired. Let me rest, please." The last was said with agony, as I allowed my pain to show through.

Death's face crumpled and he sat back in his chair. Few saw him like this; more mortal than immortal. His expression was usually guarded, weary of showing emotion, but he had never hid from me. The Hellhounds were his family and as the first, I was the closest thing to a friend that he had.

Death's face turned from me. "You're asking me to kill you," he ground out through clenched teeth and a repulsed voice.

"No, I'm asking you to let me rest. Out of everyone, you should know how tiring and difficult this world is. I just want an end to the constant battles. I don't want to hurt anymore."

He looked at me then, as if seeing the soul I didn't have. "Don't." He shook his head in denial of my request. "You can't be serious. They need you."

My head bowed, I whispered, "No, you need me, but you have to let me go. If you don't, I'll end this myself."

Death's eyes widened. "You truly think I'm that selfish? There are only a few of you left. What do you expect them to do?" Though anger seeped through, I could sense the desperation behind his voice.

"They already know. I told them before I came here." Betrayal. I had known it would reflect back at me for going behind his back, but I couldn't risk any excuses. Part of me wanted to give in, knowing that I was the only one he let in. I didn't want him to be alone, left to wear a mask until all life expired, leaving Death with no meaning. I doubted he would let anyone in ever again, but I had hit the end of my willingness, the light at the end of my tunnel had drawn near.

"So, I take it that this isn't a request, but a demand?"

I nodded in assent. "We have always been frank with one another, as friends. As a friend, I'm asking you to look beyond the eyes of death, see me." I crawled forward to take his hand in mine and bring it to my face to catch the sadness I was shedding. "I'm in pain and when I'm not, I'm empty. This world holds nothing more for me. The only adventure left is the end, and it's the greatest gift you could give me."

Death's eyes softened. "So be it." His voice was brisk as he stood quickly and began to leave the room. I remained seated until he paused to turn back to me. "If you have given up on this world, then I can't force you to live on. I won't be your master." I gave a short laugh filled with sarcasm. "I never have been anyway. You've always been rebellious. Come with me. If I have to let you go, I want to get it over with before I change my mind."

Death’s – Kai's – eyes changed then, a kaleidoscope of patterns and colors. They churned, as emotions competed with one another. Goodbyes had always been his specialty; after all, it was what he was created for. However, this was one goodbye he had never thought he would have to endure, and I hadn't thought I would force him to.

"I'm sorry, Kai." I needed forgiveness for leaving him alone to face the loneliness, and prayed he would one day find someone who would recognize the man within the beast.

"I know." A halfhearted smile crossed his face to be replaced with grief. "I would have ended my existence long ago if I could have." He shrugged. "How could I deny you something I would want for myself?"



I, Willow, could barely wrap my mind around these visions. My body burned, while my mind froze with images of another's life. Tears seeped from my true eyes, in sequence with the tears this other self was shedding.

I was losing touch with where Willow left off and Fury began. My memories melded with hers and I lost all breath, as it was torn from her. I felt her need; her desire to sleep, but I wasn't ready to go yet. I still had things to accomplish in my life.

Internally, I flailed against the loss of life, as breath was stolen from her lungs and the world faded away. Comprehension vanished; companionship, memories, and emotions took to her grave. They ceased to exist, as her-my essence was taken, contained within a vial with Death's promise of a new beginning. I would sleep, forget, and one day my strength would aid another. I wouldn't live, but my end would serve some purpose.

As the first Hellhound succumbed, I began to regain my senses, gasping for the breath I had been holding. Fire assaulted my airway, making it nearly impossible to refuse to slumber, but I remembered who I truly was. She was not Willow, nor was she Fury. She had been the beginning, but this was my time now.

The fire within swarmed from my toes to my fingertips, quieting to a tingling sensation, as each wave passed. My ears filled with sounds and notes that I had never heard, the gentle chirp of a bird, the hum from Nyx, as the gentle creature lay cradled against me, and the strain behind Death's breath in worry for me.