Page 30 of The Fallen

?Marie felt guilty for even asking. She knew her mom did what she thought was best and she loved her for that. But now she was in the middle of a war and it seemed she was the only one who needed training.

?Helena had to be wrong, she wasn't the key to winning this war. Maybe her only job was to find the person who was. Whatever she had to do, she would do it.

?They made it back to the house and he showed her the third floor, where the bedrooms were. She stood, looking down the hallway at several doors, waiting for him to guide her to her room. He opened the door and left her to herself. “Come down whenever you're ready,” he said and closed the door.

?She walked around the small box of a room and touched the walls. The room was furnished sparsely and had a Spartan appearance, but contained everything she would need: a laptop, dresser, bed, even clothes in the closet.

?She sat down on her bed, took the backpack off her shoulders and threw it in the corner. This was it. It was time to put up or shut up.

?She mentally reached out to Brenton. She needed him here for comfort. His face appeared in her mind. He had something in his mouth. She laughed, “I need you. Come find me.”

?He chewed whatever it was he was scarfing down before answering. “Open the door,” he said and winked before letting go of the connection.

?She got up from the bed and opened the door and there he was, being cocky. She didn't care because he was so cute.

?“Brenton Kane, at your service,” he said.

? She grabbed his shirt by the collar and pulled him inside, “What took you so long?” she joked.

?“Traffic in the hallway.”

?They sat down on the bed. His eyes were unusually green, like seaweed. She was instantly pulled into them, mesmerized by his face. She was already in love with him.

?She couldn't help it; she leaned in and kissed him. After all that happened, she felt safe with him. She only knew him for a week and he was already her constant, her rock. They were hardly apart since the day they met, and she knew her heart would ache if he left.

?She wondered if all twins were like they were. Did it have to happen like this? Were they destined to be together forever?

?He pulled away from the kiss and stared into her eyes, “It's amazing how fluid your thoughts are in my mind now. I don't even have to try or search for them.”

?He tugged on a strand of her hair and pushed it from her face. At first he was gazing at her like he could see into her soul, then his expression turned to one of concern. He sat back on the bed and sighed. “I love you Marie, but we can't do this. I should have told you before, but I guess I was being selfish.”

?“Tell me what?”

?“It is forbidden for us to be together.”

?Marie was stunned by what he said and she let a single tear fall as he laid out the story of the rules they had to follow; about how they would be cursed if they went down that road. The vision she saw in his head before they left her house was her mom showing them what happens if they were caught. Why didn't her mom warn her before she was in too deep? She was overwhelmed with so many emotions. Fear, love, anxiety, anger.

?She finally found someone to love and care for and it turns out its against company policy. She didn't know what to do with herself. She tried to hold in the tears, but they came involuntarily.

?“I want to show you something,” he said, “close your eyes.”

?She did as he asked hoping for something to ease her pain. She ventured through his mind, seeing different aspects of his childhood before it went black. It changed to a scene of them together on top of a tall building holding hands. The sun was setting in the background and the glow on his skin was alluring. She wanted to stay there forever. It changed again and they were cuddled up together in a hammock in the middle of what looked like a rainforest.

?When she opened her eyes, he was gazing at her. He had a doleful look on his face. She tried to search his mind again to see what was wrong, but he was blocking her on purpose. He grabbed her hand and interlaced their fingers.

?“What's wrong now?” she questioned.

?“There's something else,” he said putting his head down. “I really wanted you to come with me and I was scared that if you knew what was happening, you wouldn't. I have to say this now to completely clear the air.”

?Marie didn't understand, but her heart sank. “What else?”

?“The reason I came to find you was because someone is killing us off one by one and I was afraid I would be next.”

?Marie gasped, but he quickly continued. “Without you, I'm vulnerable. The angels who have been killed so far have been ones who were alone, without their twin. We thought that if the twins were together, it would protect them against the attacks. We don't know who is doing this, but I promise we will find out. I just needed you here because my powers are stronger when you're around.”

?Marie let go of his hand and scooted back on the bed. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. He was using her. This was some game to him. She had fallen in love with him only to find out it was all a lie.

?“Don't think like that, Marie. I do love you,” he pleaded.

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