Burning Cage: Book II

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Emery

My head pounds as I wake in someone else's bed. In the demon's bed. Luckily, the demon has been sleeping on the couch on the other side of the room. But he isn't there today. I see why when my feet touch the cold floor and my eyes land on the black splotch on the floor just in front of the couch. The carpet is singed to a hard crisp, and a smile creeps up on my lips. I almost got him that time.

I pull on a long, flowing sweater that buttons at the front, wrapping the tie belt around and securing the sweater closed. When I step out into the Hall, there isn't anyone guarding the door. A few moments later, I find that there isn't anyone guarding my room either. But that's wrong, they never leave me alone like this.

When I pull open the door to my room, I find that Emma has already woken and is nowhere to be found. Part of me starts to panic, but I force myself to stay as calm as possible as I start down the hall towards the stairs.

My hands glide over the curved railing to the stairs, and I twist around the bottom, heading underneath the long steps and pass through the large, open doors that lead to a large ball room lined with stained glass windows. When I reach the back doors, my heart has picked up pace—from running or from fear, I'm not sure. But once I get outside and step up to the edge of the balcony, the racing halts.

She's kneeling in the garden, smiling brighter than I've seen in months. Maybe not even since I was taken to prison for using my magic to save her.

I remember a time when throwing fists and being covered in mud was me in my most natural element. But Ella, she's always been better at growing than fighting. It's been too long since she had her fingers in the soil with the sun shining down on her, with flowers and vegetables rising from the ground due to her careful and loving work.

She laughs, a sound I barely hear since she's all the way across the lawn where the gardens start. But it still makes warmth blossom over my chest. I scan the rest of the area, searching for what inspired her.

The rose bushes create a wall of privacy for the smaller plots of growing spots inside, and various types of sculptures and fountains skew my vision even more. But then he stands up next to her, brushing the soil from his hands and saying something that makes her throw her head back and laugh even harder. She slaps her knees, and I find myself freezing across the freshly cut lawn. I hadn't even realized I started running for him.

I want to rush into the gardens and kick him square in the jaw. But I can hear the full genuine sound of her laugh now, and I'm afraid to ruin her happiness. She gets so little of it these days. But why Mateo? Why is he the one who has brought it back into her life?

My lungs fill with air as I slowly walk forward, careful not to let them see or hear me approach. I sneak up along the bushes, eavesdropping. But she's just explaining how she has been working on the tomato's for a few weeks and how surprised she is that they're already this big.

"It's probably Catalina, the Castle's Gardner. She uses magic to make the plants grow faster and bloom brighter—even in the winter."

"That's amazing." Her voice is filled with awe. "If I was a Caster, I'd want that magic."

He lets out a short, small laugh. "You already work magic on these garden. But I could ask her for a potion mix or two to help speed along the process."

"Really?" The excitement in her voice does something to my heart that, for the first time in a long time, doesn't involve pain.

"Sure kid."

I step out from my hiding place and smile down at her kneeling in the dirt. "Maybe I could help you."

They're both startled by my sudden appearance, and the smile fades from Mateo's face.