Caged in Darkness (Caged #1)(19)

Maye stared at me in pity. I knew the look, because she wore it whenever she referenced my past.

“I know what I saw. It was this thing, it had wings, and…”

“Oh sweetie, I know you think you saw something. It’s not that I don’t believe you, I just think that it was a hallucination.” She moved to brush my hair with her fingers. “The stress of being in this place has probably gotten to you and I doubt you slept well last night. It is completely normal to think you saw something that wasn’t really there, under these circumstances.”

I thought about Maye’s logic and it made sense. If there had been something in the passageway, Maye would have seen it too. I did have heightened emotions and we did just talk about me facing my demons… Could I really have imagined it all? I felt foolish and I knew my face showed this.

“Do you want me to get the items from the room? I could call Ash and have the boys come get them.”

“Yeah… I think Ash should do it. I don’t want to go back there and I don’t want you to hurt your back.” I paused. “I’m sorry if I scared you. This place gives me the creeps. I’ll be happy once it’s sold and I never have to come here again.”

Maye giggled; a bizarre sound coming from a robust middle aged woman. “I say that we take the rest of the afternoon and make a girl day of it.” She winked.

“Oh, no. Not more shopping, please say you don’t want to shop. Please, please, please…”

“I was thinking more along the lines of a spa day. What do you think? We could go see a movie after…” Her voice trailed off. I realized she was offering the girl day because it was something she needed, not because she felt sorry for me.

“If I must.” I gave her an exaggerated sigh. “To be pampered for an entire afternoon, I shall positively die of it.” Holding my hand to my forehead, I pretended to faint. I opened one eye to see Maye beaming in happiness. I would endure anything for her.





6: Magnetized





Sixth Entry: Facing my Demons





Visiting my parents’ estate was an experience I was glad to be done with. The more I thought about the man with wings in the passageway, the more I realized I was stupid to think it was real. Of course, my mind could make up something horrific when under that much strain.

Ash picked up the things from the passageway and everything else that I couldn’t carry. He put most of it in the attic and I planned to get a better look at the collection of items soon.

I’m beginning to worry about Ash. He was cold towards me this afternoon and he has never been that way. Did I do something wrong?





Savannah





Izzy and Willow came by my house to get ready before the bonfire. That’s usually how it worked out. Willows house was cramped with too many family members. Izzy lived in an apartment that was considered a two bedroom, but really her room was closer to a walk in closet.

The bonfire was little more than an annoyance on my attention radar, but was obviously socially significant to Izzy. It wasn’t that she necessarily wanted to “socialize” at the bonfire, but she wanted to broadcast to the general population that her antisocial behavior was a personal choice, not a sentence to social leprosy.

I had misgivings about being around those who were not part of the coven, while this close to my ascension. I knew that the closer I was, the more dangerous I became. My gift would gradually become uncontrollable, as I approached my 16th birthday.

If my emotions became chaotic, my gift would inevitably follow. I had nightmares the bonfire would turn into a real life Carrie remake and I would star as the psychotic witch who destroys everyone in a fiery rage. I knew this was unlikely, but it didn’t stop me from worrying.

I would be a landmine hidden beneath the teenage population, awaiting an unwary shadow to make a wrong step, in the unending pursuit of impressing the teenage socialites that were the cafeteria one crowd. That wrong step could result in an explosion of my power and could have seriously terrible consequences.

It was times like this that I regretted keeping my other life separate from Izzy. She wasn’t a witch, but she was my friend and someone who I thought would understand.

I put the finishing touches on my makeup and stared in the mirror. Izzy and Willow were getting ready in the bedroom, but I wanted to be alone. I was feeling nervous about going out looking like this; especially when my gifts were acting up.

I groaned at my appearance. I chose to leave my hair down for once and let it dry naturally. Loose curls hung down my back with wild abandon. I rarely wore make up, but Izzy taught me some techniques. I gave my eyes the smoky gray look, added some highlights to my cheeks, and the barest amounts of pink lip-gloss. I didn’t need foundation or mascara.

I wore a burgundy mini dress with a sweetheart neckline, a tapered waist, and a slightly flared skirt. The bell sleeves hung loose, and my back was completely bare down to the very bottom. I felt exposed. Izzy forced me to buy a bra that linked in front, but was backless and strapless. The cups were sticky, and I personally thought that calling it a bra was an insult to actual bras. Still, it gave me the merest sense of coverage and I was thankful for any. Izzy tried to convince me to buy a pair of strappy stilettos but I told her she was insane. Instead, I wore a pair of gray flats. I didn’t need heels with my height and I wasn’t sure I would be able to walk in them.