Page 138 of Demonic Cage
Lavian flashes his white teeth, and his smile is incredibly attractive.
“I’m glad you’re well. It will take some time for you to recover. After that, we can begin the ceremony.”
My mouth suddenly goes dry. The ceremony?
“To become an angel,” Lavian clarifies.
“Oh, of course,” I stammer, lowering my gaze.
“You’re still confused,” the angel says, and I look at him again. I let my eyes roam over his crossed, muscular arms, broad shoulders, and white wings, now folded behind him.
“Lotte…”
“Yes?”
“What you did in the cave… when you threatened that lunatic playing with the vines after you snatched the dagger. That was simply perfect!”
Lavian’s sparkling eyes cause a faint smile to form on my lips.
“What can I say?” I laugh timidly. “Men eat out of my hand.”
The angel laughs.
“I believe they do, yes,” he says, then clears his throat, as if he suddenly caught himself being friendly with me. I am confused by this sudden change of heart. “The point is, you’re alive. Your injuries will heal in a few days, and then I’ll come back for you.”
He walks towards the door.
“I’ll inform the Elders that you’ll be ready then.” He doesn’t ask; he states it. I nod slightly. Lavian gives me a soft smile, then, before stepping out, he suddenly turns back.
“Your bag is there,” he says, pointing to an oval marble table. “The dagger is with us, safe, but I thought you might need the rest, as they’re from your world.”
“Thank you.” I nod, and before the silence between us becomes awkward, Lavian leaves. His soft footsteps fade into the distance.
I get out of bed, grab my bag, and sit back down on the blanket. I clutch the only remaining relic of my human life.
I survived Darya. And now what?
I have to become an angel, but am I capable of it? Am I ready? I think of Sylla’s images, the joy and satisfaction I felt after my sins. Angelic blood flows in my veins, but how much has my demonic blood tainted it?
I reach into my large bag. The first thing I see is a note.
If you’ve woken up, don’t be afraid, you’re safe!
I’ll be back soon. Until then, just get stronger so we can start
the ceremony as soon as possible!
Lavian
My throat tightens. I quickly crumple the paper and shove it deep into my bag. My hand catches on Pandora’s book, and I open it to the drawing of the girl.
Peace washes over me, as if I’m with her again. Pandora’s perfectly drawn features warm my heart. She wanted this too, for me to get out. That’s why she helped me. I stare at the text.
I still don’t understand everything, and a distant voice in my mind whispers again that I need to decipher them. I start flipping through the book, which I know from cover to cover. When I finish, I slam it shut. But before I put it back in my bag, my hand stops.
Something is wrong.
I know this book like the back of my hand.
