Caged in Darkness (Caged #1)(47)

“Ash, are you going to leave me to enjoy this on my own? Come on, get in here!”

He turned back to face me. “Give me an answer and I will. Otherwise, you can meet me back by the threshold.”

I thought about making him beg, but thought better of it when he started walking away. “Yes! My answer is yes!”

“Yes, meaning all?” I nodded in confirmation and he quickly stripped down to his boxers.

My heart beat raced, when he swam close to me. He dipped his head beneath the water and shook the excess liquid from it. Smoothing his hair away from his face, I slid my hand down to his shoulder, biceps, chest, and finally his abs. He pulled me close, until my naked breasts pressed against his chest and sucked in his breath sharply.

“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.” Grabbing his head, I pulled it down to kiss me. I enjoyed his reaction to me. It made me feel a combination of excitement and power.

Ash set me away from him and splashed some water in my direction. “I think someone needs to cool off.”

“Mmmm…and you don’t?” He laughed, but we both knew he didn’t need to answer the question.

We swam for a while; playfully dunking each other and splashing. When I walked out of the water, I expected to have to wait a while to dry off, but the water trailed off my form, leaving my skin pleasantly dry.

Ash led us back to the field of flowers and to the threshold. While witches could only enter a divine place at certain times, we could leave whenever we wanted. Before we stepped over the threshold, Ash stopped me. He kissed me deeply once more. Then we held hands and walked through the threshold.





ASH





Last night had been more amazing than I had hoped. The joy on Savannah’s face, in response to the purity of the divine place, was the happiest I had ever seen her. I walked into the halls of my high school with a wicked grin on my face, which is how Griffin and Isis found me.

“What’s with you?” Isis wasn’t used to me smiling anywhere near her.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I stopped when I saw their faces. They looked grim.

“She means, why are you so happy after what happened?” Griffin grabbed my shoulder. “I thought you would have more sense than that.”

“Whoa.” I held my hands up in defeat. “What happened?”

Griffin and Isis looked at one another and Griffin nodded. “Another kid died last night a few towns over. You didn't hear?" I nodded. "Remember Michael?”

“Michael, the shy guy on the baseball team?” I tried to grasp an image of him, but had trouble remembering conjuring an image of him. Isis nodded.

Griffin swiped his fingers through his hair and looked around to make sure no one was watching us. “That’s not all. Michael went on a lunatic rage last night and killed his whole family. Then today, a kid dropped dead in the hall and two others had psychotic breaks. They were removed to a mental health ward.”

“All that happened this morning? First period hasn’t even started yet!” I couldn’t believe what was happening around here, but I was beginning to worry that something supernatural was happening. These occurrences couldn’t be coincidences.

“That’s why school was called off for the rest of the week.” I turned at Savannah’s voice and saw Willow and Izzy standing with her.

“Hey, Savannah. How are you feeling? I haven’t seen you since your ascension.” We all looked at Isis in shock. “What? I can’t be worried? She looked like she was being bathed in the flames of hell! Even I was worried.” She shrugged, as if being worried about others was a common occurrence for her.

“Um, I’m okay. I guess…” Savannah crinkled her eyes and shifted from one foot to the other.

“That’s great! If you need anything…” Seeing our faces, Isis made an irritated sound and stomped off. Griffin soon followed.

I turned back to Savannah. “That was weird. What are your plans today? I mean, since we don’t have school.” I wasn’t sure if Izzy and Willow knew about last night, but I wanted to spend the day with Savannah. I could already feel my lips against hers, while she pressed her body to mine.

“She is hanging with us today. She already promised.” Izzy’s voice was laced with venom, unlike her normal cheerful self. Willow didn’t look much happier.

“Alright. Alright! She’s all yours.” I grabbed Savannah’s hand and held her eyes, as I slowly kissed her palm; savoring the contact. “I will see you later.” She nodded and I walked away to gain my composure.

I located Griffin and Isis in the parking lot. The three of us decided to see a movie and get some lunch. It was early afternoon when I arrived at home.

“Maye! You home?” I called out, with no answer. Instead, I heard voices murmuring in the living room. Following the sound, I found Savannah and Liam in a deep discussion.

“What the hell is he doing here?” I rushed forward to pull Liam off the couch, but Maye came out of nowhere and dragged me into the hallway.

“Think with your head, boy. What is throwing him out going to do other than anger Savannah?”

I stopped trying to press my way into the room and looked at Maye helplessly. “What should I do, then? After what he did to Savannah, I’m supposed to just leave him alone?” I spoke through ground teeth.