Page 35 of Demonic Cage
“And every demon-souled child is fed poison, just like you,” Darya adds calmly. He scrutinizes my face as if every little reaction interests him. “It’s not your fault, Lotte. It’s in your blood. Your blood is bound to Filizi.”
I feel the protective wall I’ve built around my heart over the years shatter. I feel lighter; liberated. My clenched fists relax.
It’s not your fault, Lotte.
No one has ever told me that. Everyone said I was crazy, and it was solely my fault. It was easier for everyone to medicate me. To lock me up.
“Memories can give you chills,” Darya continues quietly, running his finger gently along my bare arm. My stomach contracts at his touch.
“If you ever feel cold here, know that it’s not possible. The temperature is such that you’ll never shiver. Hell’s flames heat Filiz.”
“I was sure it wasn’t the rays of sunshine from Heaven,” I mutter disdainfully, and a silver streak lights up in Darya’s eyes. He smiles.
“Come with me!” He reaches out towards me.
My mouth stays open as I realize what he means. I look up and point to the sky.
“Up there? Impossible!”
He bends down to me, our eyes aligned. His fiery breath hits my face. I blush at his proximity.
It’s not your fault, Lotte.
“Don’t you want answers, Lotte?”
The way he says my name…
“Can’t we just sit down and you tell me everything nicely?”
Darya straightens up, looking at me expressionlessly.
I sigh, then step uncertainly closer to him. I must figure out who I am.
“Wrap your arm around my neck,” he commands.
He has to bend down for me to interlace my hands around his nape. His firm body gently presses against my soft parts. Warmth floods my chest.
He pulls me into his arms. I gasp at the movement and press harder against his neck. He grins broadly, unfolding his massive wings. They are so different from the others I’ve seen. They’re beautiful. The light dances a sparkling performance on the yellow membrane, as if tiny gemstones are reflecting on it. I’ve always wondered what it would feel like to have wings. Like having a new arm?
Before Darya launches off, his eyes catch the statue squatting among the dead desires.
“I see you’ve been having fun.”
I scream as we leave the ground. The vines melt into a green mush, and the statues bloom as dots in the distance. Thin, gray mountains surround the vast space, and the whole landscape bends under our feet. I press myself against Darya’s body.
“If you didn’t panic unnecessarily, you wouldn’t be suffocating.” He looks at me with his cloudy gray eyes.
“Maybe you were born with wings on your back,” I say, struggling to breathe, “but us mortals are not used to this!”
“If I knew my mother, I could surely ask her,” Darya says without much emotion.
“And your father?” I enquire, but he doesn’t answer. His gaze stares into the distance, as if struggling with how much he should reveal. Since he doesn’t speak, I continue.
“Why do we see demons in our dreams?”
“As I said, your blood knows where you belong.”
“Are my parents my real parents?” The question slips out of me.
