Caged in Darkness (Caged #1)(45)



I couldn’t look him in the eyes. I felt bare in front of him. My other pillow lay on the bed in front of me; I grabbed the pillow and wrapped my arms around it. “What do you think is going on between us? Other than all the kissing…”

Ash sighed, “I think you like kissing me and I think that you shouldn’t be kissing anyone else.” His eyebrow raised to question how I felt about it.

“I do. Like kissing you, that is… Now that I know the truth about Liam, I don’t plan to be kissing anyone else anytime soon.” I shrugged and avoided his eyes. Instead, I focused on my quilt.

“Ever. You don’t plan to kiss anyone ever again.”

The dangerous possessiveness I had seen at the bonfire was back. Ash’s intimidated me when his back straightened and his pupils melted to an acidic fire. I half wanted to flee the intensity that filled the room, but the other part of me…yearned for him? The feeling began in my throat, trailed along the side of my neck, and rushed down my spine to pool in the lower half of my body.

This was something new. Evidently, I am the type of woman who likes a possessive alpha male …Huh, who would have thought?

“Ash, I can’t promise that and I am not going to lie to make you feel better. I can promise that you are the only guy I want to be kissing, now.” I nibbled on my lip in uncertainty, because I knew this conversation was going to change the fabric of our relationship. It was as though we had spent years sewing a quilt and now we were removing the stitching to start over.

“S, we can’t do this half way. You know that, right? I mean, you are either mine or you're not. Half and half won’t work, because it would ruin our relationship.”

I nodded. I had been worrying over the same thing. We stood balanced on a teeter totter. Once small move on either part could leave one or both of us sprawled against the sandy ground. “Let me sleep on it. I’ll give you my answer first thing tomorrow. Okay?”

Ash nodded. “That’s reasonable, but S?” I looked up. “Make sure that you are certain about your decision, okay?” He didn’t wait for my response, but closed the bathroom door firmly behind him.

I watched the door for what seemed like forever. I was afraid of what it would mean to make the decision, because it would impact our relationship forever. I wasn’t even certain I should be making a decision like this given everything that was going on. I just got out of my first relationship and still felt betrayed. Plus, the demon was still out there and I hadn’t figured out what to do about that.

Something moved within me and Kit appeared in spirit form to pace around my room. His fur was silvery blue and his lengthy form took up most of my room. He sniffed the perfume on my dresser and sneezed; shaking his head in agitation. I laughed, when he pawed at the bottle, pushing it away from him. His eyes were curious as he paraded around to examine every corner of my bedroom. Once he was satisfied, he fell to the floor on his back, and wiggled his body in contentment. He kept his eyes on mine, while rubbing his back against the floor.

It was amusing to watch a panther cavorting like a kitten, but I needed to get some rest. I changed into a white satin slip, climbed under the covers and patted the blanket. Kit jumped onto the bed to lay his head on my legs with the rest of his body squeezed against my side. I thought he would be heavy, but the pressure was no more than the weight of a feather.

I remained awake, thinking about everything that had happened to me in such a short time. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do about Ash, but I didn’t think I could avoid kissing him. I couldn’t kiss him and keep our relationship as it had always been. Ash explicitly stated that it was all or nothing. I would have to choose all, because I couldn’t face being left with nothing.

My decision was made. Sensing my peace, Kit raised himself over me and his spirit sank back into my flesh. We became one again and I was reassured by his presence. At least there was one amazing gift Liam had left me. I would cherish Kit for the rest of my life, however long that would be.





12: Divine Energy





In sync with my recent dreams, the demon plagued my every vision. I worried that he might be really affecting my dreams. I reasoned that if he could haunt me in person, why would he choose to terrorize my dreams? Wouldn't reality be worse than fantasy?

Asmodeus's face swam into my vision and I struggled to get away. His arms grasped me to squeeze the air from my lungs. I tried to pull away from the darkness, but it smothered me, pulled me down into its oceanic depths. I began to hyperventilate, while crying for someone to help me. Did my thoughts lure him to my dreams? Had he come to finish what he started?

I forced myself to be still and breathe evenly. Blackness permeated my eyesight, but my other senses sharpened. I squirmed in an attempt to escape my assailant until I breathed in the smell of wildflowers. A cool breeze tossed my hair into my mouth, and I heard leaves flutter. I was in the forest. This was my territory. I knew this forest and I could easily find my way home once a chance to escape presented itself. Willow and I had built a fort here when we were younger. I usually sought it when I was troubled and thought it would make a wonderful hide out.

My attacker stopped to set me against a tree trunk. The wood rubbed my shoulder blades raw through the satin fabric of my nightgown. I felt vulnerable. A rush of air collided with my frame, but before I could kick my abductor; he took off my blindfold.

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