Caged in Darkness

by J. D. Stroube

  “Now, if I heard right, you need to make a weapon from bloodstone?” We nodded. “I have just the thing.” She opened a large trunk and took out a large box, which she set on the desk. Unlatching the box, she opened it to reveal a scabbard inlaid with ivory. She pulled a straight edged dagger from the sheath. “This is a stiletto. It’s Italian.”

  Maye handed the stiletto to me. The blade was sharp with decorative inscriptions along it. The hilt was shaped like a triton and was perfectly balanced with the blade. It wasn’t an overly decorative dagger, but it looked deadly.

  “What are you doing with a dagger?” Ash leaned forward with a worried expression. “I thought you didn’t believe in violence?”

  “Just because I don’t believe in violence, doesn’t mean I don’t believe in protecting the ones I love. Besides, I’ve never used it.”

  “Okay, does anyone else think it’s totally cool that Maye owns a dagger? I mean, talk about crazy!” Izzy spoke and then shrieked in excitement. “So, how do we do this?”

  Ash and I used our magic to encase the blade in a thin layer of bloodstone from a large chunk that Maye provided us with. We left the sharp edges untouched to allow for easy puncture. We then followed several rituals to destroy and ward off evil. When we were finished, Maye looked to Izzy.

  “What? What am I supposed to do?” Izzy waved her hands in the air. “I’m a ghost remember? I’m pretty useless.”

  Maye shook her head in amusement and walked with the dagger to Izzy. She then waved the dagger through Izzy’s insubstantial form and held it where Izzy’s heart would have been. Izzy gasped in amazement.

  “That tickles!” She bent over laughing and Maye removed the stiletto. It no longer gave the impression of bloodstone. The center of the blade held a deep metallic blue shimmer, while the edges glowed white.

  Looking at the dagger in awe, Maye spoke quietly against the blade. “Kissed by Death.” Maye’s words brought the blade to life. When she moved, the air gave it a fiery embellishment. “That is the blades name.” She walked to Ash and handed it to him. He took it carefully. “Savannah must be the one to wield it. I expect you to make certain she doesn’t get herself killed doing it.”

  “I’ll protect her.” He nodded seriously and slipped the blade into the scabbard.

  SAVANNAH

  Willow and I sat outside, wondering what the others were doing. It was strange that Maye already knew everything, but even more bizarre was the fact that she wasn’t stopping us. Why hadn’t she said anything before?

  “S, we have the dagger.” I turned to see everyone coming outside, while Ash handed me the dagger. I looked at the blade and thought it was pretty, but it didn’t look anything like bloodstone.

  “Guys, I thought you were supposed to make a bloodstone dagger. This is… I don’t know what this is.”

  “S, believe me, it’s bloodstone. It just looks different because Izzy blessed it or something.

  “Oh. Okay.” I examined the dagger more closely and sat back on the grass beside Willow. The world felt like it had slowed to a snail's pace. Our plans suddenly seemed real. Thinking about them and executing them were entirely different. Everyone seemed hesitant to break the silence, but Maye stepped forward and severed the string. She effectively pushed us over the cliff into the arms of the future; we just didn’t know what that future would be.

  “You have the tool. Now, you just need to figure out how to bring Asmodeus to you and how to keep him there long enough to kill him.”

  “Maye.” I shouted before she could leave. “Why are you letting us do this?” She turned back to look at our group.

  “I’m not letting you do anything. If I told you not to, you wouldn’t listen. I’m choosing to support you in the decision you have made. I’ll still be waiting inside with Josephine. I will probably end up baking a kitchen worth of baked goods, while worrying over all of you. There is a definitely possibility that I will wear the carpets down with my pacing.” Maye walked forward and held my cheeks.

  “Darling, you and Ash are my world. Josephine warned me that this was going to happen. I had to stand by and let the pieces fall where they may. I love you.” Maye hugged each of us in turn and walked back inside.

  “Have any good ideas?” Liam spoke while the rest of us remained in awe at Maye’s reaction.

  Willow chipped in her two cents. “Well, I guess we could summon him…”

  I knew that would bring Asmodeus to us, but I was worried that the coven could get hurt. “If we did it in the forest, we wouldn’t have to worry about anyone getting caught in the middle.”

  Everyone agree, we spent the afternoon hammering out the details and the part each of us would play. We decided that the following evening would be the right time to put our plan in place. The sooner; the better.

  15: To live or die

  SAVANNAH

  We choose our playground and set the stage. Liam, Ash, and Willow would attack Asmodeus with their magic, while I distracted him in my panther form. We needed to keep Asmodeus on the defense. Once we had him sufficiently distracted, I would shift back into my natural form and stab Asmodeus. Izzy’s job was to keep hold of the dagger and hand it to me, when the time came.

  It was easy to set up the circle to summon Asmodeus. Since we had done it before, the guys let us take the lead. They seemed shocked at the full force of the whirlpool. It was stronger outside than it had been in Izzy’s apartment. Nature enhanced the summoning, and the winds the whirlpool created seemed had the intensity of a hurricane.

  We expected the demon to show itself, but we didn’t expect that he wouldn’t appear within the circle. Instead, he took corporeal form behind Liam. He used one arm to send Liam flying through the air until he hit a tree trunk with a resounding crack. The other arm gestured towards the circle and pulled the energy into his palm.

  Asmodeus smiled, while his hand held an enormous ball of energy. His head twitched back and forth, as it had in the secret passageway. His eyes sought mine and in the space of seconds he conveyed his amusement at our attempt to confront him. My stomach dropped when his head turned to Ash and he sent the energy ball flying towards him.

  The ball hit Ash in the chest and I expected him to fly backwards, but the ball transformed into vines, which wrapped around his ribcage. They started tightening at a slow, agonizing pace. I focused on transforming into my panther form. Meanwhile, Willow called on Earth. The roots of the surrounding trees sprung up through the dirt, at Asmodeus’ feet and grabbed his wrists before he could do any more harm. Asmodeus merely laughed at her attempt and broke the restraints.

  Liam shook the pain from his injured body and sent an ice storm towards Asmodeus. I urged my body to shift more quickly and watched as the ice climbed through the feathers of Asmodeus’ wings. In response, Asmodeus snapped his wings open and sent icicles flying in all directions. One caught Liam in his arm, but he continued his fight.

  I burst forth as a panther, sinking my teeth into the Arch demon's feet and dragging until he fell backwards. Switching tactics, I went for his wings and repeatedly bit, until I was certain they were damaged enough to prevent flying. His blood tasted different than I expected. It was warm and rich when I thought it would be stale and tar-like.

  “Willow!” Liam shouted. I looked towards her to see a tiger made entirely of fire. Liam created a wall of ice between Willow and the tiger, but her arms had already been badly burnt from trying to fend it off.

  Asmodeus shook me off, which knocked the wind out of me. He walked towards Willow, who was now standing with Liam. Ash lay on the ground beside them; his face blue and the vines wrapped tightly around him. His mouth was frozen in a silent scream and his eyes were dead. My heart broke and I roared with all the pain this demon had brought into my life.

  I stalked Asmodeus; not wanting to signal my approach and threw my whole body against his back. My teeth reached for his throat. Finding skin, I bit down with all the force I could muster. A sound tore through him that I recognize
d as a scream, but sounded closer to a terrifying song.

  Asmodeus threw me off him and crouched. His face was twisted in anger, his eyes blazed with an inner fire, and his skin electrified with inscriptions.

  “I will kill you for that!” He bared his teeth and I saw each of them was sharpened to fine points. I roared in response; begging him to try. A slow, wicked smile lit up his face; showing me that he understood my dare. My paws inched backwards, while his feet replaced the ground I gave up. I turned and ran; he pursued.

  He was fast, but I had the strength of a panther behind my movements. I needed him to follow me. Ash was already dead, Willow badly wounded, and Liam’s injured was more extensive than I originally thought. I wouldn’t let him hurt anyone else I loved.

  Izzy appeared in my path with the dagger. I shifted as quickly as possible and took the blade in my hands. She handed me my dress, which I threw on as I ran. It was dark and though I could hear his laughter behind me, I was terrified of making a wrong turn.

  I was a mouse in a wooded maze. Asmodeus laughed as I made a futile attempt to escape, but only he knew the way out. He didn’t count on the fact that I never intended to find my way out. I was fighting for the survival of my loved ones now. I didn’t care if I lived or died, but I needed them to. If this would be my last stand, I could die with that. I refused to stop even though my veins melted away to acidic fire. I needed freedom from the cage he had made of my life. I needed to have a choice.

  My dress strap caught on a branch and was torn free causing minor pain, when the edge pressed into my shoulder and drew blood. Chaotic laughter trailed behind me. The ageless trees loomed around me to conceal this creature, which would destroy everyone I loved. Their branches attempted to restrain my wrists, while their roots shackled my ankles. I clawed at the barriers until I came to a dead end. I had made a wrong turn.

  Towering rocks trapped me between them and him. My attempt to climb them proved useless, which left me a single option. I turned to meet him in the dance of death. One of us would die tonight. I tore the dagger from the scabbard and threw the scabbard into the forest. I took a fighting stance and waited.

  15: Ultimatum

  LIAM

  Willow leaned over Ash’s body and tore the vines from him. Tears carved their passage down her cheeks to bathe his face. I sat inches away holding my shirt to the wound from the icicle. I wanted to go after Savannah, but I knew I would be a liability. I tried to comfort Willow, but she pushed me away.

  Willow gently lifted Ash’s head and bent her head to kiss his lips. I thought she was saying her goodbyes, but her body began to spasm. Her limbs tightened and relaxed in patterns, while she pulled his lips open. The spasms moved from the lower half of her body to the top in waves.

  When the waves reached her neck, a long trail of green smoke trailed from her mouth like a snake. Its head moved clockwise around his lips and dipped into his mouth, similarly to how a child tests the water with their toes before diving in. The snake plunged into Ash’s mouth and down his throat.

  I felt sick, as I watched the snake’s tail emerge from Willow’s mouth to swim into Ash’s. It caused Ash’s throat to expand with its size. Once the snake had left her completely, Willow collapsed beside Ash. Her chest continued to swell with each breath she took.

  Ash’s body jerked. His eyes opened to reveal white sockets, while his chest twitched with electricity that ran along his skin. His body curled into the fetal position and wiped back, until I thought his spine would split in half.

  Willow woke and scooted away from Ash’s body in horror. Her hand covered her mouth and a sound tore from her chest. It was a familiar sound; almost comforting. Though, I wasn’t anxious for her call to be answered.

  The ground shook with the full force of her call. The air behind Ash turned into a minor cyclone; pulling debris into its vortex. I stood, still holding my wound and limped over to Willow. She finally quieted, but it was already too late. Death stepped through the vortex and walked forward.

  With each step he took, the plants at his feet blackened and decayed. He was furious. Ash’s eyes blinked open. He sat up in amazement, but when he saw Death approach him, he did what any sane man would do; he moved away.

  Behind Death, Kali and her sister Ivy came through the portal and it closed behind them. Ivy was smaller than her sisters. She had a petite frame, but was quick. Her Hellhound name was Poison, which suited her personality. Though, her appearance did not. She was a platinum blond with a vivacious body.

  I cleared my throat. “What brings you three to my neck of the woods?”

  Death flipped his head in my direction to assess me. He looked like an ordinary man; brown hair, onyx eyes, tall, and well built. However, he had such an intensity that no mortal could be in his presence without fear. This was Death; the one thing that all living beings avoided and feared.

  “Silence.” Death turned to face Willow. “What makes you think that you have the right to command death?” His voice was hollow; like the absence of sound and yet we all heard him.

  “I… If I have the power to do it that gives me the right.” She stood and placed herself between Ash and Death. “You are not going anywhere near him!”

  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 desc
endant 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.