Caught in the Basilisk's Gaze (Monsters of Faery, #4)

by Mallory Dunlin

"I feel like a ghost," he said in a low voice, sounding defeated. "A thing made of battlefield ash and remembered screams. I don't know how to be anything else anymore." "Then don't be." I ran my fingers along the edge of his sharp-tipped ear, then started rubbing it, a weary smile touching my mouth as he relaxed despite himself. "If you're a ghost, haunt me. Let me hold you when your nightmares leave you screaming. Water the ash with tears and watch the wildflowers bloom with me." I rested my face against his, and he didn't pull away. "I always loved ghost stories. I can love yours, too."

All frightened creatures huddle in the back of the cage when the door is opened, sure that only more pain awaits them on the other side. When the door has only ever opened for punishment, why would you expect anything else?