Page 14 of The Fallen

?He wondered to himself if he was the one who brought them here. It looked like Marie never had a problem with people attacking them until he came along. He was already causing problems.

?“Frank is coming,” Marie's mom said. “Brenton, you must go. He doesn't need to see you here.”

?Brenton understood. He hugged Marie, trying to give her some sort of comfort before he left. She was probably thinking he was a trouble maker. He wouldn't be surprised if she didn't want to see him again.

?He leaped from her window right before her dad turned the corner of their street. He took off in the night with a new reason to dread the future. The funny thing was, he was more worried for Marie than he was for himself.

Chapter Nine

Renea

Last night was the worst night of her life. The thing she feared most came true and there was no way she could stop it. Marie had learned she was part angel and there was already threats being made on her life.

?She had to break down and tell her everything, all the secrets she kept bottled up for so many years; things she vowed she would take to her grave.

?She had to know this would happen, but she tried her best not to think about it. She just wanted a normal life for her and her family. Was that too much to ask? She didn't want Marie to be apart of a war that started long ago; something she had nothing to do with.

?Now this Brenton, Marie's other half, was here and apparently he brought some unexpected visitors with him.

?She knew it was angels who attacked them last night, but she couldn't understand what they were after. Marie couldn't have given off any aura. Brenton must have left a trail when he came looking for her.

?She couldn't sense who it was, but she felt their hatred. They were fast, precise and angry, that was all she knew. She had to summon all her energy just to run and identify where the knives were coming from in order to keep them alive. The explosion she created really took it out of her. She didn't think she would be able to do it since it had been so long, but she made it happen purely on the need to survive and get back to Marie. There was no denying it, the whole situation drained her. And now she had to face whatever else was to come.

?She couldn't let them take her. That was not an option. But her fear was that Marie would want to go. Marie was so much like she had been when she was growing up; always asking questions, curious about everything, absorbing anything she saw or heard. She was a true warrior at heart, but Renea still couldn't allow it.

?After she left Marie's room, she lie in bed thinking about what she should do next. Elyos didn't need sleep. They could, but it wasn't required. Renea hadn't slept in years, especially the first few years of Marie's life. She often wondered how Marie could. She figured it was because she let the mortal side of her take reign and she was more human than angel now.

?Marie wasn't strong enough to go through this. They would have to move again. This time to somewhere more isolated. It was the only reason she decided to move here in the first place. This was a town of good people who didn't care about keeping up with the outside world. They had their own thing going; it was nice and refreshing.

?Brenton had to go and screw things up by looking for Marie. He found her and ended up inadvertently bringing danger with him. This was such a mess.

?After Brenton tried to pry through her thoughts last night, it was harder to concentrate on blocking her own power. The feeling came back to her, the one she hadn't felt in so long and it could have destroyed him. Then when she sensed danger was coming, it made things worst. All she could think of was getting them away from Marie.

?She paced the kitchen, waiting for Marie to come downstairs. She had to figure out a way to keep her from pursuing this life.

?She closed her eyes and pushed her senses out. She was rusty at first, but once she stabilized herself, she could feel everything that was happening in the house.

?Her husband was gone, but she sensed he was troubled before he left; something he was keeping to himself. He was probably still suspicious about the story she gave him about the window and why it shattered. She would have to deal with that later.

?She pushed past that and felt Marie's aura. She was up in her room pacing as well. There was so much heat coming from that direction. Marie was upset.

?She pulled back, not wanting Marie to feel her prying, but she didn't know what else to do. Apprehension was thick in the air. She blinked trying to get back in focus, but her mind was too clouded.

?Brenton and Marie were leaving today, taking a flight to Black Rock Desert in Nevada to find Helena, the one who shielded Marie. She was convinced this was the only way she could protect herself. She hated being the weak one of the group. Renea felt differently.

?Marie walked down the steps, bags in hand and eyed her. She was quiet since their talk, but Renea could sense there was more she wanted to say.

?“Marie, listen. Before you commit to doing this, we need to talk first,” she said.

?Marie put the bag down on the floor and pulled a chair out. They both sat down at the kitchen table.

?Marie's eyes bore into her, searching for answers, needing to know everything. Renea could feel that she was hungry for information.

?“Mom, there's no way you're stopping me from doing this,” Marie said, placing her hands on the table. “You know I have to go. So please give me your blessing or I'm doing this without you.”

?Renea studied Marie's hands for a moment before speaking. She remembered when they were just baby hands getting into trouble. She was older now and wanting to make her own decisions. This was too much for her to process.

?“Marie, you just found out that you are an Elyo and you think it is so cool,” Renea said rolling her eyes, “but what you're walking into is dangerous. You could get yourself killed. Last night was just a taste, next time they won't be so nice. Someone tried to kill us. For what, I don't know, but I'm not willing to risk your life to find out.”

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