Caged by Damnation (Caged #2)(9)

I nodded. "Does he hate me?" The words spilled out before I could pull them back. It was like a verbal hairball that I couldn't control and needed to get out of my system, though I knew it would be unpleasant.

Griffin looked me in the eyes, and in the strongest tone I had ever heard from his lips, he said, "No."

"No? That's it? Can you answer with more than a single syllable? Please?" A loud grunt resounded from him, while I worried my hands into the folds of my skirt.

"He doesn't hate you. He's just confused. Give him some time. He's not going anywhere."

I heard the underlying message, as clear as if he had said the words aloud. Ash wasn't going anywhere, but Willow was. Subtly, Griffin was attempting to show me that my priorities were out of whack. I would have time to fix things with Ash, but who knew when I would see Willow again? Death might stake his claim and never release her.





CHAPTER 3


WILLOW

I walked through the woods, staying clear of the path, straining to fend off the wilderness. The rhythm of my heart competed with the quickening of the night. I was frozen, at war with myself. My biological makeup ensured my need to survive, but my sense of morality wouldn't allow a retreat.

I concentrated on each independent step, the feel of leaves crunching beneath my shoes, and on the song of the wolves as they cried to the moon. I wanted to join my voice with theirs. Freedom, the hunt, a pack; it was a sound of longing and of another's willingness to raise their voice with yours. It was strength and unity.

My breath caught as I pushed my way into the clearing. It was still. The breeze, all sounds, all smells, everything had been lost within the void. The only movement came from a single black rose that had clawed up through the soil and was angling towards the moon, as if wishing it weren't touched by Death. Like me, the rose yearned for something it could never have, the simplicity of white, the elegance of crimson, the delicacy of peach. It would remain a black rose, terrifying in its uniqueness, and breathtaking. Though it had the texture of something far darker, there was beauty in the emptiness that it carried with it.

I stood before Death's calling card, knowing that it was meant to antagonize me, and resisted the urge to join with the flower. The need to nurture and protect the rose from the evil clench of its master was consuming.

Honey and lemon drifted across my flesh, followed by a pressure change in the clearing that popped my eardrums. A noise that was not unlike the call of the wolves rose in the night. Initially a howl, the sound transformed into a blinding window and shattered into the depths of the forgotten.

The vortex had opened. Death stepped forth with a scowl and an air of suspicion. I wondered if he knew of Kali's visit. I peered behind him, expecting to see the familiar redhead, but was disappointed to find a different woman. She moved with the grace of a feline and the intent of a hawk. She was tall, with angular features, her hair resembling the softness of chocolate while her face remained severe. Her body stilled at the sight of me and her eyes brightened with wisdom. Her lips quirked into a tiny smile. "I'm Aria."

Death's gaze flickered from my head to my toes before lingering on my eyes. Minutes ticked by during his analysis, looking for a weakness. I could feel a minuscule particle of fear ripping through the threads that held me together, but I found the will to encase it within a mold of strength.

Death shifted from his typical predatory stance to a less intimidating one. His brown hair fell into his eyes, giving him an air of humanity. His vulnerability was deceptive. His stare held steel, domination, and power. I doubted anyone had ever tread over his toes, but I was about to and that thought thrilled me, while causing a slightly queasy drop to my stomach.

Aria must have gotten bored with our silent duel, because she stepped to the side and looked me in the eye. "Have you made your decision? Will you take your place as my sister?"

I had expected the question from Death and I had a witty comeback held in store for that occasion, but I didn't know what to say to Aria. I felt a pull towards her, as though I had known her my entire life, and yet it was faint. It was similar to the slightest touch of a feather across the base of my neck, enough to cause a tingle, but not enough for me create a connection.

I cleared my throat and faced Death. Somehow it was easier to stare him down. "I will agree to your terms, but I have some conditions of my own."

A sardonic grin held to his face. "I figured. Now, what would those terms be?"

His laugh was equally as irritating as his grin. I knew that he thought I would ask for something ridiculous, like riches or fame, but I wouldn't be asking for any of that.

"Obviously, Ash stays alive. Also, I will be able to visit my friends and family, as I wish."

"Fine. The deal is done." He held out his hand to shake on it, but I looked at him, aghast.

"You really think that's it? You think I would hand over my freedom that lightly?" I was really beginning to hate how people underestimated me. I had always been the nice, quiet, shy Willow. I refused to be that way now. My entire life I had felt another side to me, as though I were merely revealing a single side of a coin, but it was time that I flipped that coin.

He sighed. Aria chimed in, "What else do you want?" I knew it was rude, but I didn't look at her. I couldn't.

"In addition to those terms, I want you to bring Izzy back to life."