Page 36 of Cage Me

The light pooled in his hand and he gave it a light puff of air to send it on its way. It crept across the ceiling, lighting up the dirty cave like rays poking through the dark clouds.

The instant it hit the tiny pale leaves Azy had found, they burst open and grew the size of elephant ears. She whispered encouragement to the plant that made him chuckle even as he had to press himself against the wall to stay upright.

“They need more. Sun and water.”

Crap. Cage reached deep inside, found the spark of life that kept him going and slowly drew it out. It was all he had left, so if this didn’t work. They’d be on their own.

No. Azy wouldn’t allow that. The thought of how pissed she’d gotten when he’d tried to sacrifice his life for hers added strength to the light, both inside him and to the sunshine imbuing life into this dark corner of hell.

She didn’t want him to die for her. What else could he do, but as she wished.

“It’s drying out. It needs more water.” Azy caressed one of the leaves and part of it broke off in her hand.

“That I can’t help you with, love.”

“Use your own elemental power, mermaid,” Fallyn said. “No, wait, pretend I didn’t say that. Shut up. No, you shut up.”

Huh. Did mermaids have power over water like blue dragons? Why hadn’t Azy used her ability all along.

“If I had could, don’t you think I would have been hot tubbing it up down here? Only witches and blue dragons can call to the water and ask it to bend to their will. I am neither.”

Well, that answered that question.

Fallyn squawked again. “I’m not telling her that. No. There is no such thing as... Shut. Up.”

In a voice stern like a schoolmarm Azy questioned the woman. “Fallyn, what did Izzy say?”

“Nothing.”

“Fallyn. I’ll drop water on your head if you don’t tell me.”

“Ack. You have the power. If you didn’t you would have died down here within the first day.”

Azy open-mouth stared at Fallyn. “You could've told me this days ago.”

“I didn't know.” Fallyn shrank away.

“I'm getting a cramp in my I don't care. Just get us the fuck out of here.” Jack grumbled and tried to readjust his big frame in the small space, which of course made rocks and dirt rained down on their heads.

Azy kicked jet in the shin. “Shut your pie hole while I try to figure this out.”

She reached up and through the leaves, gently pulling the stalk and root toward her. She bit her lip and glanced over at Cage.

He did his best to look at her like he wasn't about to pass out and gave her a wink. He had about ten more seconds of light to give her. “You got this. I know little to nothing about how waterworks, but with the wind and sun I only have to hold it in my mind and ask it to do what I need. For those that have the power over the element, you can bend it to your will.”

“I am not down with the whole power over and bending to my will bit. We are having a discussion about those two things later, dragon.”

if there was a room in here, Cage thought she would be waggling her finger at him like a angry schoolmarm. Apparently he had a thing for the sexy teacher thing with her.

“everyone has their own relationship with the elements, you have to find yours with it. But, you need to do it fast, because I've used up every reserve of energy I had to give you that sunlight. It's the light of day or bust for me.”

“Shipped. Stupid stoic males.” Her face crinkled into a look of determination and she gave him a quick silent nod. She closed her eyes and cupped the root in her palm. “Dear water element.”

The words fell out of her mouth in unsure somersaults.

Jett snorted, but before he could say anything about Azy's form of incantation, Cage kicked him in the other shin.

Azy started again. “Dear water element, please ignore the males in the room, and their dumbassery. Let's show them who's in charge here, together. Please help this little plant grow into a great big one that can break open the earth with the power your life-giving element grants it. Thank you very much.”

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