Imprisoned Gods - G. Bailey Page 0,64
defiantly. "I'm not living with him," I state firmly, aware that I’m not exactly in a position to negotiate but not liking the idea of being in close quarters with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome.
"It isn't because he likes you,” Coxen tells me. “It's just a thing he does with everyone new. It’s kind of a tradition - after they pass their test, they live with him for a week, settle in, and choose where they would like to live in the prison.”
“So he’ll do the same thing with Seth, Killian, and Jade?” I ask.
“If they survive their test, then yes,” Coxen replies. In spite of my surliness, I can’t help but be a little disappointed that this is something that happens to everyone else. I had been starting to wonder if Storm… Well, best not to think about that now. The fewer distractions, the better. "Honestly,” he continues, “Storm may be all talk, but he is a good guy. I've never seen him do anything but help those who need it. He even opens his home to strangers because they need it. That's who he is."
"He is still an asshole," I point out.
"You'll learn," he says, shaking his head at me with a smile. I roll my eyes and walk after him through the plants, gently running my fingers across the leaves. Coxen pushes open the wooden door, which apparently doesn't need to be locked, although anyone that tried to steal from Storm would have to be pretty brave.
"Welcome to your temporary home," Coxen says as I walk into the entrance hall, shutting the door behind me. It's a small corridor with big stone archways on either side, and a staircase at the end which is made of wood, taking up all the space. Everything looks hand carved from scratch, and I have to admit it's done extremely well. "To the right is the kitchen and dining room combined, and Storm's private study is right behind there. That's the only room you aren't allowed in." He pauses to make sure I nod in understanding before looking to the left. "The living room is this way, and it opens up into the steam room at the back."
"Steam room?"
"Yes, there is even a natural rock pool in there. The caves were naturally here before the prison was built around them. Lucky really, as they are our water supply and help us grow food enough to feed everyone. Though we are all vegetarians," he explains to me, and I cringe. I love my burgers, bacon and everything meat related. I guess I will learn to cope...possibly. Coxen walks to the staircase, and I follow him, walking up them and into the stone-walled corridor. This is inside the cave now, I'm sure. There are at least seven doors down the corridor on the left side, and the right is a dead end. Coxen walks with me all the way to the end of the corridor before opening the last door and waving a hand for me to go inside.
"Thanks," I tell him.
"This is your room. Storm's room is the first door closest to the stairs, and mine is right next to it," he explains to me. “Though we all like our private space, so I wouldn’t go walking in people’s rooms.”
"So, you live here?" I ask him.
"Storm took me in when I was ten and causing big trouble. I needed a strong role model, and he was that for me. I don’t know, he helped me find my strengths and use them, so I just ended up sticking around much to his annoyance,” he explains, somewhat awkwardly brushing a hand through his hair. "I will be around if you need me, Karma. Dinner is in about four hours. Oh, and your powers are weakened here. Any magical objects won’t work either, it’s part of the magic of the prison. I thought you should know.” Well, at least I don’t have my necklace for it not to work.
"Thanks again," I reply before he nods and walks off down the corridor. I shut the door, resting my head against the wood and trying not to panic at how permanent this situation is starting to feel. I turn around, looking at the room I have been given. My bag sits on a single bed with blue sheets and a throw pillow that looks handmade. There is a woven trunk at the end of the bed and a blue rug in front of it. The room has