Page 42 of The Fallen

?“How sweet of you to bring our pet to join us Marie,” he said, still blindfolded. “I would say I apologize for the way you were brought in, but I'm actually not. You see, I'm ready to break free of this place and I don't have time for the silly games you descendants come up with.”

?Brenton was losing this battle. He didn't know what to do and hated that her uncle entrusted him to get Marie out of here. It was too much pressure. He would be letting so many people down. He had to think of something, stall them at least.

?“There's no way you can get out of here little spawn,” he said turning toward Brenton. “It's too late.”

?“You got it all wrong. Marie is not the one you are looking for. She doesn't have the blood you need to break those chains. Her dad is a mortal. It seems you've made a hilariously, embarrassing mistake,” Brenton said with a smirk.

?“It is you who made the mistake boy. Bring her to me.”

?DeMar and Shaniece picked Marie up and dragged her in front of him. They threw her at his feet and stood guard.

?“I've waited so long for this. DeMar would you do the honors?”

?DeMar brandished a small knife and bent down to Marie and smiled. Marie didn't move. She looked calm and collected. Brenton tried to reach out to her, but she was blocking him again.

?“Wait,” she yelled. “Before you do this, I need to know my parents are okay. You promised me.”

?DeMar stalled.

?“So I did. Bring the parents. They can witness this as well.”

?Eric and Shaniece disappeared once again, only to come back within seconds with two prisoners. Marie's dad looked like he was on his last leg. Her mom was struggling against the restraints trying to break free. Her mouth covered. She was screaming, but everything came out muffled.

?“Mom, it's okay,” Marie said with tears in her eyes.

?“Yes mom, its okay,” Azazel cooed. “Now DeMar, shall we continue.”

?DeMar swiftly grabbed Marie's arm and cut her wrist. Blood gushed out and dripped to the floor. Azazel took a deep breath in and laughed.

?“I told them they couldn't keep me down here forever,” he yelled.

?DeMar put Marie's dripping arm over the chains and waited, but nothing happened.

?Azazel stopped and backed up. He pulled the chain, but it wouldn't budge. Rage rolled off of him and he screamed so loud that Brenton felt like his ears were bleeding.

?He kept yanking the chains, seething with anger and shouting words in a language he couldn't understand. Brenton watched Azazel's tantrum with a smile on his face. Finally, one point for the home team.

Chapter Twenty Eight

Marie

Marie watched with tears in her eyes as her mom continued pulling at the chains. She felt so helpless. She didn't feel like an angel, only a failure. She knew she wasn't the one he needed, but Azazel wouldn't let her walk out of here. That she was sure of. She had to do something else.

?“That should have worked. She is the one,” Azazel yelled.

?DeMar stood over Marie waiting for any word to kill her. She could see it in his eyes. She felt his regret, the hatred he had for her. He wanted to be the one, the hero, the angel who set him free, but he was only a messenger boy. It irked him.

?“Should I cut her some more? Maybe you require more blood,” he said to Azazel. Loyal as ever.

?Azazel stopped dead in his tracks and turned to Marie once more. A lurid grin formed on his face and Marie felt sick to her stomach.

?“You almost had me, spawn. You are the one I need,” he chortled loudly. “You just haven't discovered your other half yet.”

?Everything seemed to stop in that moment. Marie had no idea what he was talking about, but something Helena said kept tugging at her. She said she had gifts that even her mother didn't know about. But if what he was saying was true then what did it mean for her father? Was he an Elyos, too? She then thought about what Brenton told her about her being adopted. Was there a chance that Frank wasn't her real father?

?“Exactly right, my dear Marie,” he taunted. He pointed at Shaniece and Eric and they came to him. He said something to them in a hushed tone and they disappeared again.

?Marie looked toward her mom. She had her head down. Marie didn't know if she was unconscious again or crying. Azazel was going to get what he wanted either way. There was nothing they could do. Even if she could come up with a plan, Azazel could read her thoughts. What she needed was a miracle.

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