Caged by Damnation

Author:J.D. Stroube [Stroube, J.D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-03-20T00:00:00+00:00

SAVANNAH

I gasped, fighting for oxygen, while the others congregated in a protective circle around me. A small laugh escaped between my wheezes. Their attempt to guard against my mental breakdown was futile, but flattering. Even Isis had taken a defensive stance, altering her gaze between corners, the door, and the skylight. She was ready for a fight, and it was too bad I couldn't hand her one.

Ash held my head in his lap, gazing down at me, while Liam applied a cool cloth to my temples. Ash's eyes were fiery. At first, I thought he was angry since he usually was when his element displayed itself in his irises. Then I realized that though the color spoke of fire, the movement within was closer to soft waves of lava. I had never seen his eyes take on that emotion.

Tears slid past the corners of my eyes, making their way towards his hands that were entangled in my hair. Instinctively, I grabbed one of them while he brushed away my tears. I planted a kiss on his palm. The others danced nervously, looking away and clearing their throats, embarrassed at being a part of such an awkward moment. Though I wasn't bothered by them witnessing my vulnerability.

Caught in the moment, I didn't initially notice Izzy as she broke through their ranks to come to my side. Her movements were exact and defensive, but with a glide that told me she was ready to go on the offensive. She exchanged a peculiar glance with Ash before touching my forehead.

"I'm okay." My voice was raspy, the way it would be after a bout of screaming at a rock concert. I winced, and that slight movement caused aches to spread throughout my body.

"Okay, is not how I would describe you right now," Ash said, looking away. I wasn't sure he was aware that he had spoken aloud until he looked down at me with worry in his eyes. "You look like hell," he laughed.

The others dispersed, going back to their search and giving me a few moments alone with Izzy and Ash. "It was a vision. I'm kind of getting used to them, but I don't normally get knocked on my ass from them."

"A vision? Do you normally scream like a banshee? You're lucky that Liam is quick on his feet and locked the sound in this room. Otherwise, we would have the entire compound arresting us right now." His mocha-colored eyebrows drew together; his lips thinned into a line that screamed judgment at me.

As if I could have stopped myself when I hadn’t been aware I was making noise. "I can't help when they happen." Shrugging, I sat up as slowly as I could manage. "They surprise me too."

I tucked my chin into my knees and looked around the room. Izzy maneuvered herself to sit on the opposite side of me, away from Ash. Holding my hand, she helped me to my feet. Dizziness swept through me, like a tidal wave of anxiety engulfing the core of my being.

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