Caged in Darkness (Caged #1)(32)

“You got all that, from me talking about the little minx being immune to my charms?” I winked at Savannah and walked over to the others.

I introduced Savannah to the members of the coven. My mother managed to convince Savannah to stay for dinner and spent the entire time trying to charm her. It seemed to be working, because Savannah's color brightened as the day wore on. After dinner, the elders left to pursue their own activities and my mother motioned for Savannah and me to follow her back to the study.

“My son tells me you have some questions.”

My mother sat in the only chair, while Savannah sat on the love seat. I didn’t want to make Savannah uncomfortable and choose to stand near the fireplace. Silently, I allowed Savannah to lead the conversation.

“Yes, I recently found out that I have the blood of angels and demons in my veins. Is that true?”

“I’m not sure what answer you would like, but yes it’s true.” My mother leaned back in her chair to study Savannah’s face. “I suppose you hoped it wasn’t true?” Savannah nodded. “In any case, I don’t see why it matters. All it means is that your line is extremely powerful. It doesn’t mean you’re demonic or angelic. You are a witch, pure and simple.”

“Why would they have chosen to feed on the blood of demons?”

My mother snorted. “Why would your parents or why did your ancestors?”

Savannah gave my mother and me a startled look. “You knew about my parents plan?”

“That’s what you really wanted to ask about, isn’t it?” She was silent for a moment, and then turned to me. “Liam, I think that we are going to need some refreshments if we are going to have this chat. Could you see to it?”

I walked from the room in a daze. When I came back, it was to find my mother telling Savannah about her infancy.

“I was there the night you were born. Your mother was so happy. She cradled you and I could see in her face that you were the most important thing to her.”

“I find that hard to believe. The mother I knew did not care about me.” Savannah looked up at my approach and her face reddened.

“That only changed when they began to pursue their plans to gain power. Magic can be like any other drug. The more you have, the more you crave until nothing can sate your craving and you’re willing to give up anything, to have more of it. Your mother loved you, but that love deteriorated in the face of her addiction.”

The housekeeper came in with a tray of cookies and tea. She set the tray on the coffee table and handed a cup of tea to Savannah and my mother. Savannah grabbed a cookie and nibbled on it absently.

“Can we not talk about her? Could we just talk about their plans for the demon?”

“Of course, but I don’t know very much about that. When we learned that your parents planned to summon a demon, capture it, and increase their power… Let’s just say we weren’t too keen on their plan and removed them from influencing our young.”

After that, my mother told Savannah embarrassing stories about my childhood and Savannah spent most of the evening laughing, which I was grateful for. We left my mother and I drove Savannah home. I pulled into the driveway and turned to Savannah.

“Is there any way I could convince you to go out with me again? Do something that doesn’t involve frustrating family members or demons?”

Savannah reached into her bag, scribbled on a paper, and handed me her phone number. “That’s my cell. Give me a call and I’ll give you an answer.” Her cheeks reddened.

“Is this a compromise?” I laughed, and tugged on a stray hair that was hanging in her face. “Alright Princess, I’ll give you a call, but you have to promise to answer.”

“A counter offer… I like it. I promise to answer or to at least call back, okay?”

She climbed out of the car and made her way towards the house. A panicked feeling built in my chest and before I knew it, I was out of my car and jogging to her. She turned when she heard my approach. “I forgot.”

“Forgot what?” She leaned forward, waiting for my answer.

“This.” I grasped her waist and pulled her into my body to claim her mouth. She started to speak, but my lips silenced her. It was a chaster kiss than I was used to, but I was aware of her house behind her. If her guardian was inside, I didn’t want Savannah to feel any embarrassment at trying to explain the kiss. I pulled away to see a surprised expression cross her face and watched as she touched her lips.

“Oh.”

“See you later, Princess.” I got in my car and drove home.





ASH





I looked out the window when the car pulled into the drive. I thought it was Maye, but I watched as Liam kissed Savannah. I wanted to rage at the touch, but turned towards the kitchen and forced myself to heat up a slice of apple pie. I took my anger out on the it as I forked eat bite.

A few minutes later, Savannah came into the kitchen and hesitantly approached. “Hey.”

I looked up with a bite in my mouth and nodded. She walked forward, opened a drawer, and pulled a fork out. She came close and speared a piece of the pie to eat. I watched her, silently.

“I ran into Liam at the bookstore today.” She didn’t look at me as she said this. My hand tightened on the fork. “He brought me to see his mother and when he dropped me off, he kissed me.”