Caged by Damnation (23 page)

Rafe cleared his throat, reminding us that we weren't alone. I turned to find Nicolai staring at us, but I couldn't decipher his poker face.

WILLOW

Watching the Hellhounds lose it on the Draconians was enlightening, but also confusing. I had no grief with them. If they protected my friends, they were all right in my book.

Ash's reunion with Savannah was endearing, but I was more interested in the fire I saw in the scarred Draconian’s eyes at their embrace. In the midst, Izzy walked into the fray, smiling when she saw me and Ash, as if she’d expected our arrival. Isis came up behind her, maneuvering around Izzy’s wings, and leaned into the wall to watch the interaction.

Isis looked different. Normally her appearance was her number one concern, but she looked like the living dead. Her skin was pale and her eyes were bruised. Her fingernails looked bloody and raw, as if she had been buried alive and tried to claw her way out. She was also unnaturally quiet.

Ash left Savannah to speak with Rafe. "Can you bring me to Griffin?"

Rafe looked to the other Draconians and then signaled for Ash to follow him past Isis and Izzy, who I was surprised to see didn't snap at them. Savannah asked my pack to come in and they looked at her like she was crazy.

Poison Ivy sizzled. "I'm not getting any closer to them."

"We're not anxious to have you around either," a platinum-blonde man with green eyes said. Izzy mouthed ‘Ryder’ to me. I nodded in understanding.

"At least we can be trusted," Vixen aimed at a different Draconian, as Liam entered and sat on the sofa.

"Well, we saved lives while you were off doing the bidding of your master," the Draconian shouted back at Vixen. His anger was a bizarre contrast to his appearance. He was wearing a hat from the 1920s over his light brown hair. His eyes matched his hair perfectly, and under different circumstances I would have thought him to be a cheerful sort. Although, I had a feeling those circumstances would need to be far from the Hellhounds.

"Cooper, enough," the scarred leader growled. "We all need to put aside our differences. We are supposed to be
protectors and can't do that if we're too busy fighting one another. That's how people get killed." His eyes narrowed at Ryder and turned back to us. "I'm Nicolai."

Once quiet ensued, Echo addressed the Hellhounds. "That goes for you as well." Vixen showed signs of protesting, but Echo covered Vixen’s mouth. "I don't want to hear it. If you can't follow this simple order, go back to the lair because you will be of no help here. End of discussion." Vixen took on the guise of an angst-ridden teenager, crossing her arms and pouting.

Reluctantly, we arranged ourselves among the Draconians. It was a tight fit, but at least the arguing had ceased. They filled us in on the events that had transpired and recited the prophecy, leaving us all speechless and darting looks at Savannah as if she were an escaped gorilla terrorizing civilians.

Scrye grasped Savannah in a tight hug, but Savannah's body remained stiff as a board, uncomfortable with the contact. "Prophecies are tricky and can have many meanings. It's clear that you are the one it speaks of, but don't fear it. Once you do, the power comes from the belief that fate is controlling you. It takes away your free will because you forget that it's your greatest power."

Scrye had turned to address us all when a knock sounded at the door. "Finally!" She grinned, as if she knew visitors would arrive soon. She opened the door and the Draconians screamed for her to stop, but it was too late.

Maye, Josephine, and Diamante stood at the door with relieved expressions. Soon we were all hugging, crying, and pulling them into the warmth of the cottage.

Isis gave the newcomers an exasperated look. "What took you so long? I've been calling you since the battle."

Maye flung up her hands. "We didn't hear you because we were weak." She held Savannah tightly and looked at the others. "Thank you for keeping them safe."

Maloc nodded. "We're grateful that you're safe too. Please, sit down." He removed himself from the sofa, making room for her. The others took the cue and gave their seats to Diamante and Josephine.

"Thank you." Maye sank peacefully into the sofa, watching everyone like a hawk.

Scrye took her spot once more. "As I was saying...." She repeated the prophecy for Josephine, Maye, and Diamante. "We should assign protectors to individuals. They'll need them if the demons attack again."

A sincere voice came from a brown-haired Draconian. "I know we are supposed to put aside our blood feud, but if we don't trust each other ... how are we going to be secure in the safety of these charges? How can we trust you to protect them?" His hazel eyes looked apologetic at the insult to the Hellhounds. Everyone considered the predicament and he adjusted his glasses, which had slipped down his nose. ”Anyone?"

Whisper spoke up, her black hair obscuring her almond-shaped eyes. "We protect in teams, one Hellhound for each Draconian." Cooper objected, but Nicolai and Maloc told him to shut it.

"Agreed," Nicolai stated, and looked at Echo. "It's probably the best way to ensure their safety. "I'll assign mine and you assign yours. Sound good?"

She nodded.

Savannah interrupted. "Why don't we all just protect one another?

As if speaking to a child, Echo said, gently. "If there is a fight it can be difficult to keep track of everyone. This way we all know whose back to watch. Of course, if someone else needs help, we will go to their aid, but it's better to stick to a plan."

"Oh." Savannah looked embarrassed.

They decided that Scrye and Nicolai would watch over Savannah, since Nicolai was the best fighter among the Draconians, and Scrye having the sight might come in handy. Aidan was chosen as a stand-in if one of them were detained.

Poison Ivy and I were both assigned Maye and Josephine, because I was basically a fledgling and they were the two least likely to need protection. Archer would be our backup.

Vixen and Cooper were displeased to find themselves as partners. They would protect Liam and Ash with Gabriel as the stand in. Ryder and Whisper were given Griffin and Isis to watch over. Wolfe would cover them. Which left Echo and Rafe to protect Diamante and Izzy with Julian as the third protector.

Though each group had been assigned three protectors, only two would take on the official duty. The third would act as the scapegoat, fighting the attackers long enough to allow the others to escape.

"Everyone should speak with their charges and partners to develop a plan of action. Should something unexpected happen, it's better if everyone is on the same page." Nicolai nodded to Savannah. "You, Calla, and Aidan, come with me." His voice was demanding and I could see Savannah fighting not to go off on him. She hated being ordered around.

Sure enough, Savannah allowed her emotions to best her. "I'm not some little lamb who's going to follow you around. My family just got here. I need some time with them. We can make plans in a bit.”

Nicolai glared at her, his teeth gnashing together. "That's fine, if you want to get them killed. Without a plan, you're risking everyone's lives. If you love them so much, you should want them to be safe."

Savannah sighed and disappeared down a hallway with the others.

Soon, Poison Ivy, Josephine, and Maye were standing with me outside near the gate. "What do we do? What type of plan are we supposed to make? One for during or after a battle?"

"You watch over Maye and I'll take Josephine. That way our attention isn't divided all the time. If something happens and we need to escape ... we'll need somewhere safe to hide out." She seemed more serious and less irritated than normal.

Josephine and Maye were silently watching us, allowing us to take charge since we were supposed to be the experts. "What about an amusement park? We can find someplace to hide out in one of those, right? Avoiding guards should be easy compared to demons."  Strangely, they all thought it was a brilliant plan.

The meeting was brief, Maye and Josephine made their way back into the cottage, leaving me with Ivy. "Are you okay?"

She glanced up and quickly looked towards the trees that we had come from. "That thing would have killed me. You stopped it." She looked back at me, her eyes narrowed and confusion abound. "Why?"

"What do you mean, why?" When she didn't answer, I realized she was asking why I’d saved her. "You think I would let you die, if I could help it? What kind of impression do you have of me that you think I would care that little?" I was insulted, but mostly hurt.

"It's not like I'm all that likable, and you barely know me. How could you care about me?" She hiccupped. "No one cares about me." The last was said with pain. "I ... don't inspire ... those types of ... emotions." The hiccupping had become worse and I wondered if it was a sort of defense mechanism.

"Well, I do." I'll admit that you can be a pain in the ass, but that doesn't mean I want you to die! You should work on your people skills, though. I think there's more to you than you let the others see"

"You know, I think I kind of like you." She smiled before tracing Maye and Josephine's steps.

The Hellhounds were peculiar, and I hadn't even begun to delve beneath their exteriors. As much as I didn't want to leave my old pack for the new one, they were growing on me. Now, if only we could keep my old friends from dying. That would be quite the challenge.  

CHAPTER 16

Savannah's Journal

Dwelling over the fate of Maye and Ash had been worse than anything the demons could have done. My heartbeat and my soul resided with me, but my life had been nonexistent until we were reunited.

Isis didn't seem angry with me for forcing her to leave with Maloc. In fact, it was almost as though she had forgotten; her mouth was firmly sealed and the memory stuffed into the back of her closet.

Willow had perfect timing with her arrival. She still looked like herself, but it was deceptive. Beneath her exterior was a Hellhound: wild, dangerous, and intimidating.

It was overwhelming being caught between the Hellhounds and the Draconians, while getting used to Willow and Izzy's changes. I hoped that a plateau was around the corner. I could use some downtime.

SAVANNAH

My group of protectors led me up a staircase and into the attic, which turned out to be Nicolai's room. It was bland, like a hotel room, with a bed, bathroom, and a table with drawers build into it.

I thought about the division of duties and a thought occurred to me. "What about Maloc?" Everyone stared at me. "Why wasn't he assigned to a group?"

Nicolai ran his hand through his hair, brushing it away from his face, revealing his scar. He pulled a chair from the far corner and sat. "Maloc isn't a Draconian. He's a friend of our race."

I nodded in understanding as Calla used some dust to heal both of my injuries. Silence ensued; Nicolai stood and paced like a cat waiting for a saucer of cream.

Aidan broke the silence and I shot him a grateful look. "If I'm going to be backup, maybe I shouldn't know the details. Savannah can fill me in if I'm needed, but it's better for me to be in the dark in case the enemy captures me."

Nicolai nodded and Aidan vacated the room, making me wish I had an excuse to leave as well.

"It's Calla, right?" She nodded. "I'll guard from a distance and you should stay close to get anyone who makes it past me.”

"Sounds solid to me. Where do we go if we need to make a getaway?"

Nicolai shrugged, as if there were no alternative. "We stay on the run."

"Um, I know a place." They looked at me, but I could see that Nicolai didn't expect much. "When my parents died, I inherited everything. We sold the house recently, but kept the lodge. Only Maye and I know of it, and it's in my mother's maiden name." I worried at my lower lip, uncomfortable under Nicolai's examining gaze. "It's not a fortified castle, but it's a good place to lay low. I've never been there, but I know where it is."

"Where?" Nicolai demanded and I decided that I was going to have to invest in a book about politeness.

"Green Lake, Wisconsin. It's secluded on the lake and there is only supposed to be a tiny town nearby."

Calla touched my hand gently. "You're sure that Maye is the only one who knows its whereabouts?"

I nodded. Inevitably, my thoughts went to my parents and their
hobby.
I hoped we wouldn't find evidence that they had left behind. Given their preference for sacrifices, it was possible that the place might be inhabited by a few vengeful spirits, or bodily remains. The thought make me queasy.

"Fine." Nicolai waved me away. "Go see your friends. We can work out the rest without you." The dismissal grated on me. It's true that I didn't want to go to the meeting
in the first place, but I had a right to choose when I wanted to leave.

Reaching my room in record time, I discovered Maye sitting on my bed. "Maye!"

I scrambled towards her, nearly knocking her off the bed with my excitement. She laughed at my antics, pulling me to her side, and I curled up with her.

Maye rested her head against mine. "When I awoke in your hospital room and you were gone, it killed me inside. Darling, you and Ash are my life."

I cast my head downward, ashamed.

She lifted my chin, brushed my hair behind my ears, and looked at my face.

"I'm sorry, Maye. Really, I am. Did you have trouble getting out?"

Her stare was disapproving, noting the change in the flow of the conversation, how I was steering it away from my reproachful behavior. "Josephine came to visit you. We located Liam's mother after we exited the compound and grouped together, searching for
you kids. What were you thinking, wandering around alone after being poisoned?"

"I wanted to find Izzy. You looked so peaceful that I didn't want to wake you."

Maye's expression changed to one of understanding. "I see. You should have told me first, but given all that has happened since..." She sighed. "It seems petty to focus on that. I'm glad you're all safe."

"For how long? Those demons were after me; they'll come again and everyone should be far away from me when they do." My eyes flooded with unshed tears, my heart felt like it was tearing in two and all I could think was that I wanted to hold onto Maye until I was safe again. I needed her to tell me that everything would be okay and that we would always have one another.

"May I interrupt?" Josephine was standing in the doorway. We made room for her on the bed. It was a tight fit, but I didn't mind. "Have you been having visions?" she asked with a knowing look. "I thought as much; portents are in the air. It would be wise to pay attention to them. They might save your life."

Maye stood to stretch her legs and grabbed a book from her oversized wristlet. She preferred the miniature version of a purse to the real deal. "Here, Diamante said that this is about Izzy."

I pushed it away. "You should give it to her. She deserves to know about herself before the rest of us."

Maye nodded. "I will give it to her in the morning."

"Well, this is rather depressing. Here we find that all of our loved ones are safe and instead of celebrating, we're moping about!" Josephine's tone took on a teasing tone, as she looked up at Maye. "What did you think of Maloc? He has his eye on you." She waggled her eyebrows.

Maye's lips pursed in a disapproving frown. "Oh, quiet. I'm much too old to concern myself with men. I have no use for one."

"I can think of a few uses," I said, smiling.

Maye narrowed her eyes at me and groaned. "Now, Josephine, you're making a bad impression on Savannah. I don't want to hear any more of it. He was simply being a gentleman."

"It's just fun to tease you," I giggled, hiding beneath the covers when she tried to hug me to death, only coming up for air when I heard Maye and Josephine go back to their conversation.

Josephine sent me a conspiratorial look, a silent communication to help her antagonize Maye. Watching them bicker like an old married couple made me feel lighter. I was used to this; it was a piece of home.

Moments later my room was overrun by Willow and Izzy, pronouncing the downstairs as a silent tomb and telling us that the tunnels had become a bachelor's den. Ash and Liam had taken to the tunnels with most of the Draconians and were keeping Griffin company.

The thought of Griffin made me feel guilty about not visiting him. Truth was, I was afraid of what I might see. We’d nearly died together, and he still might. Somehow I felt I had failed him, as if his soul had been torn into the netherworld and I could have saved him, but had been too slow or frightened to make it in time. I could almost feel his fingers slipping from my grasp, his scream swallowed by the River Styx, while souls pulled him down into an inky hell.

My bed squeaked as Maye lifted herself from it. "Well, I think we best leave you girls to yourselves. We need more rest than we did at your age." She held her lower back, emphasizing the comment about her age.

"I don't know about needing more sleep, but I agree that it's best to leave the young to themselves. We would ruin your fun, anyhow." Josephine smiled, following Maye from the room.

Izzy shouted at them, "I thought you said that you're only as old as you feel!" They turned back with a smile.

My friends took to the bed. Izzy sat at the end to give her wings room to breathe and Willow curled up between us. We filled in the gaps since we had last seen one another. It felt like a decade had passed, but it hadn't been very long at all.

Willow squirmed, her habit when she couldn't find the right way to voice her thoughts. "We're all different," she said. 

I smiled. "No, we're still us. We just have some new ... aspects. Besides, the changes aren't all bad. You're the big bad Hellhound – by the way, it's a little strange to think of bookworm Willow being an all-powerful Hellhound. Although, Izzy definitely gives you a run for your money."

"We're not the ones with the fate of the world resting on our shoulders." Izzy had meant it to be teasing, but all humor vanished from my face.

Willow and Izzy opted to room with me for the night. We were all reluctant to part after understanding of our doom had set in.  Willow and I would share the bed since Izzy's wings would get in the way.

Archer, one of the Draconians, brought her a cot for the floor. It would allow her to sleep on her back without locking her wings. His visit was brief, but kind. He didn't direct animosity at Willow for being a Hellhound, and was kind to Izzy and me, insisting on making Izzy's cot up, and even fluffing the pillows for her. He wasn't like the other Draconians. His gray eyes were more subdued, as if life had grown tiresome. I wondered what horrors he had seen that had wrought such a weary gaze.

Izzy sat on her newly-made cot, ogling Archer’s back as he left. "Dying and being reborn really makes you appreciate the finer things in life." She tilted her head to watch, as he turned through the doorway to walk towards the main section of the cottage. "Do you think he'd notice if I started following him around?"

"Leave it to you to check out a guy at a time like this,” Willow smirked. “Besides, I'm pretty sure he's off limits."

Izzy rolled her eyes and shot back, "Like you didn't notice. And how exactly is he off limits?"

Shrugging, Willow's face scrunched up, mimicking the studious face she used when confronted with someone who didn't understand material. "He's a Draconian, and in case you haven't noticed, Draconians and Hellhounds don't mix. I'm not sure why, but it's probably a good idea to stay away from them."

"Uh, Willow, I don't think that rule applies to Izzy. She's not exactly a Hellhound. Plus, if you want to stay out of the feud, you  might want to avoid making decisions
based on them. Otherwise you're going to end up smack in the center."

"I guess. It's just that I want you guys to all get along. Plus, it doesn't help that I know next to nothing about the Draconians. This Hellhound thing should come complete with a manual." As she spoke, Willow turned pensive, holding the purple pendant around her neck and staring into a void about which I knew nothing.

Kit, seemingly irritated with being cooped up inside, chose to release some tension. He darted out of my body, stalked to Willow, licked her cheek, and laid his head in her lap. Absently, she gave him a few pats. A purr that clattered, like a muffler gone bad, rose from his chest and settled into an easy tremor.

"We will." I locked gazes with Izzy and she backed me up, repeating the same. "We should get some rest."

Willow nodded and soon we were tucked in for the night.

I tossed and turned, the knowledge of my destiny crippling any true rest that I might have gained. Eventually, the moonlight fell on my face and I gazed at the man in the moon, knowing he would protect me. My mind softened, drawing me towards a deep sleep, which made dreams inevitable.

One moment I was aware of Willow's frenzied movements and the next I had been chained to my dreams.

Asmodeus smiled down at me. "Now you know." We stood beside the window to my room, with Willow and Izzy. Our sleeping forms were undisturbed.

"Know? Know what? Are you talking about the prophecy? It's cryptic, I don't know anything."

He grinned. Pressing his palm into my cheek, he gazed at me gently. "In denial, my little Anakim?" He chuckled.

I slapped his hand away and moved backward. "It's not denial. The prophecy has many interpretations."

Asmodeus recited the prophecy – as if I needed to be reminded; it was engraved into my memories. He said, "What do you want it to mean?"

"I don't know. What kind of question is that? As if I have a choice. The fates have woven my tapestry. I'm simply the design, and a flawed one at that."

"Not so. The prophecy leaves you with a choice, and perhaps those flaws you're not fond of are your strengths."

I groaned. "Right, strengths. That makes a world of sense. Why do you keep showing up? You're slowly driving me insane!"

"You need me to. You're holding everyone at arm's length, but you can't push the dead away." Asmodeus pointed to Willow and Izzy. "Make sure they're ready; they, too, have crucial parts to play."

Horror grasped my chest, grounding my denial into a putrid mixture. "What do you mean? Why do you care?"

He laughed, reminding me that he was evil, even if this was only a dream. "Haven't you figured it out yet? Why do you think Izzy's spirit remained while my other victims passed on? She has a purpose, a destiny of her own."