Caged in Darkness (Caged #1)(40)
“What in the nine hells are you three doing?”
With the whirlpool gone and the circle disbanded, I could make out what she was saying. I was grateful that she stopped howling, but it still took me a moment to process what she said. Willow had moved to stand with Izzy against the wall. They both stared in shock at the redhead.
“Who are you?” She looked familiar now that her hair had quieted and she was no longer shrieking.
“Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is why you thought it would be intelligent to summon a demon?” She crossed her arms, reminding me of Maye when she was angry.
I looked to Willow and Izzy for help, but they weren’t helpful. I straightened, looked the redhead in the eye and prepared myself to speak. “Not that it's any of your business, but that demon was trapped in a box my parents hid. I accidentally unleashed it and now it is killing people. We didn’t know what else to do. ” I took a deep breath. “I answered your question, now answer mine.” Crossing my arms, I attempted to look intimidating.
She sighed. “My name is Kali and I just stopped you from getting yourselves killed. Demons do not like to be summoned, but what you were summoning was far worse than the average demon.” She walked over, grabbed a chair, and straddled the back of the chair.
“Wh-what was it then?” Izzy spoke, but her question came out as a squeak.
“Do any of you know the story of the fallen angels?” Silence greeted her question, while we exchanged glances. Kali rested her arms on the back of the chair and propped her chin on them. “The angels who fell from heaven became the rulers of demons. Most of the fallen became generals of the demonic armies, but the original fallen became the rulers of the nine circles of hell. Are you following?”
“I think so. So, the fallen angels became like princes?” I shuddered at the thought.
“Yes. There were many different types of angels within heaven. Above all others, the archangels were the most powerful and dangerous. think of them as heaven’s soldiers. Archangels, being the most loyal to heaven remained at their post. However, a single archangel fell. His name was Asmodeus, but he is known by many names. Asmodeus was given the rank of arch demon is the highest ranking prince of hell. He was the one you were summoning.”
“What? You have got to be kidding me!” I felt sick, but forced myself to hold it together for Willow and Izzy.
“Your parents entrapped him when you were just a babe. Do not try to summon him again.” Kali stood.
“Wait! How do I fix this? How do I stop him from hurting everyone?” I was desperate. I ran and grabbed her arm. She turned back to look at my hand gripping her and looked into my eyes. At first, she seemed angry, but the anger seeped away and kindness took its place.
“I know you feel responsible." Kali sighed, and looked away. "I would guess that you need to figure out what your parents did to him, other than trapping him. Figure out why he is sticking around, when he could leave and gain power elsewhere. Oh, and try not to deliberately piss him off; unless you have a death wish.” She snorted and left through the door.
Izzy, Willow, and I barely discussed Kali and Asmodeus during the following days. We were more concerned with the death of Izzy's mother, but the demon haunted our every move. The community experienced more deaths and they weighed on us.
11: deals in seduction
LIAM
Against my mothers’ wishes, I gave Savannah her space the week after Izzy’s mother died. It seemed wrong to try to seduce her, while her best friend was grieving. After a week, I decided it was time to cheer her up.
My mother hosted a small gathering of the leading members from the coven. I brought Savannah as my date, but my mother stole her from my arm, and introduced her to the everyone. It irritated me to see my mother show Savannah off, as though she were a prized jewel she recently purchased. I stopped watching them after a while. I knew that my mother considered me bringing Savannah here, as my duty. Though, I would rather be anywhere else right now.
“Liam, if you continue to wear that sour expression, Savannah may begin to believe you’re not enjoying her company.” My mothers’ voice startled me. I had been so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t hear her approach.
“How could she think that? You have kept her from my company the entire night.” I sipped my whiskey, grateful for the numbness that spread throughout my body. It made my mother's company less hampering.
“Perhaps, if you were more social you would have remained with her. You can’t avoid your responsibilities forever. It’s time to be welcomed back into the fold. Tonight, would be the perfect time to start.”
“Mother, you can be so charming sometimes.” My voice was laced with sarcasm. “Did you forget why I left?” I glanced at her through my peripheral vision. “Just be glad I brought her and leave me be. I could always complain of a headache. Savannah would leave with me then.”
“You wouldn’t do that, because you know that if you did, I would make your life a living hell.” She sighed and shook her head. “Make certain you don’t forget why you are spending time with her to begin with.”
“I could never forget. You remind me every chance you get. Besides, there is no way Savannah will choose our coven over her family. She loves them too much.”