Caged in Darkness (Caged #1)(52)

“Oh my God!” Izzy's flippant acceptance surprised me because it was the polar opposite to my own.

“He said, he warned you that your insult would cost you something, and I was the price.” Izzy took in my tears and willed her body to solidify. “Savannah, it’s okay. It didn’t hurt. It was quick. One moment I was alive and in a blink, I was a ghost.” She gave me a hug and I clung to her.

“What is this about a Demon?” Ash spoke from the bed.

I had forgotten that Ash was in the room with us and realized that he didn't know anything about the demon. Izzy and I took turns filling him in on all the details, until Willow showed up and took over. Apparently, Izzy visited Willow before me because she wasn’t remotely surprised to find two spirits in my bedroom.





13: Tracking Prey


ASH





We attended Izzy's funeral three days after Izzy’s transition into a ghost. She smoothed her form into a translucent replica, but allowed Savannah, Willow, and me to see her. We didn’t tell Maye about Izzy's ghost, but I had a feeling Josephine knew. She gazed at the spot Izzy stood in, as if looking past the material world, and into the spirit realm.

Izzy’s Dad, asked Savannah and Willow to sit with the family and to speak at the service. I sat with them for moral support, but I felt like a stranger. It was my first time in a church and Izzy wasn’t completely dead to me. Hearing everyone cry over their loss made me feel like an insensitive spectator, because I wasn't joining them in their moist ridden grief. Izzy was as real to me as she had been a week ago.

“This is awesome! Oh my God, did you see? Triton is actually crying! Who knew he was even aware of my existence?" Izzy's laughter echoed off the painted glass, but only the three of us were aware of her. She was excited to see who really cared about her and who was attracted to the drama her funeral presented. “Get it, invisible? I’m a ghost…”

“Shhh… Stop it. This isn’t funny.” Willow whispered from the corner of her mouth, while Savannah glanced to see if anyone heard.

“What? I’m dead. If I have to die, I might as well enjoy it. Besides, most of these people didn’t even care about me. They are only here for the pity party.”

Izzy walked to her casket to see her body and let out a owlish shriek. "Ugh! Why would they put me in a pink floral dress? Shouldn't the last dress my body will ever wear, reflect me?" She looked at us in disgust, shook it off, and danced back to our bench.

The priest ran through the traditional funeral speech, while Izzy serenaded us with own version. Hers consisted of finding poking and mocking everything the priest said. It was quickly obvious that she wasn’t a fan. The whole time her family had belonged to this church the priest had made her feel like the spawn of the devil. She thought it was because she dressed like a Goth, and she wasn't a fan of judgmental people.

The priest didn't miss a beat, as he talked out of his ass. “Izzy was a kind and generous girl, who touched the heart and soul of everyone she knew. She will be missed.”

Playing a game of mockery with the unknowing priest, Izzy spoke in a exasperated tone. “More like, Izzy was a nice girl that everyone avoided. She had a few people who cared, but the majority will forget her once this drama has passed. Her wardrobe will be missed, but will comfort many trash bins and Goodwill.” She made a disgusted sound about her wardrobe. “I can’t believe my Dad threw out all of most of my clothes and gave the rest to Goodwill! I spent years putting together the perfect wardrobe. Now, it might as well rot, because it certainly won’t be appreciated.” She pouted and went silent.

After the service, close family and friends were invited to brunch. Willow and Savannah sat across the table from me, fidgeting with the bread on their plates, while Izzy eavesdropped on nearby conversations.

“I wish this would be over already.” Savannah sounded miserable, but I was less worried about her, than I was about Willow. Willow's sallow skin and dark puffy circles around her eyes made her look like the living dead. It was not a good sign, but I knew it was common when someone died. Even if that loved one turned into an annoying ghost, who developed a knack for stalking.





The next day, Savannah showed up at Griffins and demanded to see me. Griffin barred her from entering, but Savannah wasn’t having it. She threw the force of her power against him and watched as he flew backwards into a wall.

“What the hell!” Griffin tried to stand but dizziness caused him to fall back to the floor. His ear was bleeding, but he didn't seem to notice, as he glared at Savannah in hatred.

“S, what the heck are you doing?” I pulled her away from Griffin.

“Willow is missing. She never made it home after the funeral and I’m worried. Izzy can’t even find her.”

“S, she probably just needed some time to herself. I’m sure she’s fine.” Savannah's eyes darted to Griffin before dropping her head into her hands. She was shaking in panic.

“She’s probably hiding from you. Do you normally barge into people's houses and throw them into the wall? Is this a psychotic tendency I should look forward to in the future?” Griffin stood and glared at Savannah. He shot an accusing stare at me.

Savannah looked up from her hands and shouted. “Shut up!” Griffin went silent and stared in awe. Savannah turned back to face me and spoke radidly. “No, see the coven gathered and with the murders and people going crazy…Then Josephine said she saw the sigil of death and there was blood. Oh God, there was blood!” She covered her mouth and fell against me. “I can’t lose anyone else. I can’t take it.”