Caged in Darkness (Caged #1)(59)

Death stopped and appraised Willow. “A mortal thinks she can stop death?” He laughed.

“Willow let him through.” It was Kali who spoke and she looked humble. I had never seen her this way before. It was as though all life had been sucked from her and she was merely a dog, lapping at Death’s heels. Ivy stood beside her with a domineering smile.

“No. Got it? I don’t care what you are. I gave him life and you are not taking it away!” Willow moved forward until her face was even with Death’s shoulders. He looked down, but his anger had evaporated. He seemed amused and it was confirmed, when he doubled over, holding his stomach from laughing.

The hellhounds looked on in horror, but Death’s laughter only made Willow angrier. When had she gotten a backbone?

“Don’t laugh at me!” She smacked Death across the face and everyone froze, while Willow’s face transformed into one of shock. “Oh my God, I… I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry. I’ve never hit anyone before. Are you okay?”

Willow moved forward in concern and tilted his head up to inspect her handiwork. A red welt was already swelling where she hit him. She caressed his cheek and we all watched, while she healed the injury she had caused.

Death’s eyes narrowed to slits. He grabbed Willow around the throat, dragged her to him, and then bit her neck. Blood trailed down her collarbone.

“Please, she didn’t know any better!” Kali rushed forward begging Death. “Don’t hurt her! She’s just a child!”

Death lifted his head from Willow’s neck and licked the blood that had pooled at her collarbone. “Why did you heal me?”

“I hurt you. I believe in fixing your own messes. Now, I think I would like to give you a new slap and not heal it!” Her hand reached up to repeat her earlier gesture, but he caught it and yanked her to him.

“Do you know what you are?” Death gazed in her eyes and nodded to Ash. “You have the power to give life. It’s a power that resides with me…and those who I gift with it. There is only one Hellhound I ever gifted with that power and she is long since dead.”

“Well, obviously you have your wires crossed, because I just gave him life.” Willow pulled her wrist from his grip and crossed her arms.

“Hasn’t anyone ever taught you to respect others?” Death reached out his arm to bar Kali, when she tried to go to Willow.

“I’ll respect you when you earn it, but it still won’t change anything. You will leave Ash alone.”

Death sighed, and Ivy laughed in the background. “It seems we are at an impasse. The only way you could have the gift to give life, is if you are a direct descendant of the hellhound I gave the gift to. I wasn’t aware any of her offspring survived.” He turned to look at Kali and Ivy, who shook their heads.

“I don’t care who I am a descendant of. I want you to leave.”

Death raised his eyebrows at Willow’s voice. “You think you can order death? His soul is mine. He died and I came to claim him. Although, I might be willing to make a deal.”

Willow shot a nervous look in my direction, but shook it off quickly to face Death. “What kind of deal?”

“I only have five remaining hellhounds. All of the others have died and they rarely give birth. I could use another. If you agree to join my ranks and take your place among your sisters, I will allow your witch to live.”

“What if I say no?”

“There are many ways to kill someone. Your witch might fall down the stairs and break his neck or a bus may hit him, while crossing the street. You can’t be with him all the time.” A crooked smile lit up his features and I shivered.

“I have friends and a family. Ask for something else.”

“No.” He snapped his fingers and a large tree branch fell next to Ash. “That could have been his head.”

Tears fell from Willow’s eyes, while she took in Ash and the enormous branch beside him.

“Willow, don’t do it. It’s okay. If I was meant to die…I can face that.” Ash stood and attempted to push Willow out of the way. She turned and looked Death in the eye.

“Give me until the end of summer to give you my decision.” When Death opened his mouth to speak, she placed her hand over his lips to silence him. “If he’s as easy to kill as you claim, you can wait.” His eyes crinkled in amusement and he nodded.

“You have a deal.” A sigil appeared on Willow’s inner wrist, in sync with Death’s words. Ivy howled to open a portal and they left.

I was alone in a clearing with Willow and Ash, but Izzy soon appeared to remind us that Savannah was facing an Archdemon on her own. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed.

“I gave her the dagger.” Izzy spoke quickly. “Well, come on. We can’t let her face this on her own!”

Her words pushed us into action. Izzy blinked out of sight, while the three of us raced in the direction Savannah had gone in. She went off the trail we originally set out and it slowed us down, because we had to track her.





17: Choices





SAVANNAH





I stood poised for Asmodeus’s attack, waiting for him to barrel through the woods and attack me head on. He walked through the trees and leaned casually against a tree. His neck, ankle, and wing had completely healed. Our efforts hadn’t even put a dent in his armor. It was insulting.