Page 41 of The Fallen

?“Oh that, it burned a little coming in, but we figured our way around it,” Shaniece said popping her knuckles.

?There was steam coming off of Marie and Brenton knew this was bad. Before he could reach her, she lit on fire. Brenton was impressed and proud at how well she was controlling it.

?She put her hands up like she was about to shoot a bow and arrow and the fire transformed into one. Eric, who was just as tall as Shaniece, stepped in front of DeMar. Brenton stared into his dark, blue eyes and tried to read him, but all he saw was darkness. He glared at the other two and neither of them looked worried. Marie held the pose, aiming it toward them.

?“Either you leave or I'm torching all of you,” she said.

?DeMar and Shaniece produced some shuriken and stood grounded. Marie didn't waste any time. She let go of the flaming arrow, but it didn't connect. Eric waved a pale hand in front of the fire and it went out.

?Marie stumbled back, confused.

?“There has been a change of plans. We need you to come with us now,” Shaniece said in a cruel voice. “You won't mind if we take your girl for bit, will you?” she said looking at Brenton.

?“Azazel said he was giving her a week to find him. Why are you here?” Brenton yelled.

?“Oh, he sensed your little plan of attack and rescue. He was offended you thought you could succeed. You spit on his offer and disgraced him. He ordered us to take her. He is tired of waiting,” DeMar said, with an evil look on his face.

?Marie's flame went completely out and she gazed at him with fear in her eyes. He had to do something; anything.

?His mind went blank as they walked toward her; he couldn't concentrate. Both DeMar and Shaniece put their hand on Eric's shoulder as he reached out and snatched Marie's arm.

?Brenton quickly grabbed Marie's hand before they were sucked up in a whirlwind and disappeared from the room.

Chapter Twenty Seven

It only took them a second to get to where they were going, but Brenton's brain was completely scrambled.

?They landed in a rainforest in the middle of nowhere. Tall trees surrounded them and blocked out any sunlight. The air was hot and humid – stifling – and there was a sense of luxuriating life and growth around them. The sounds of various birds and animals would reach them occasionally, but for the most part, an eerie stillness prevailed.

?Brenton was standing in some marsh and was slowly sinking. Marie landed somewhere on the other side near a tree, struggling to get up. The other three passengers were standing over her having a mental conversation.

?Apparently they were trying to take Marie without him, but he wasn't letting that happen. He searched in his mind for a connection to anyone at Marie's uncle's house. He finally got Micheal and filled him in. Marie looked up at him and he knew she had linked on. She showed them the surroundings, but he didn't know what good it would do since they didn't know where they were.

?“Nacole has linked on as well; she said she might be able to pin point a location. Just try to stay alive,” Micheal said and let go of the connection before anyone caught on.

?Marie got up and made her way toward him. She helped him stand then clinched his hand tight. Brenton tried his best to break through their wall and hear what was being said, but they were better at keeping people out than he was.

?“I thought you said that when twins were together, they were unstoppable? Why didn't it work when we were back in my room?”

?“I don't understand it either. Maybe they are feeding off of Azazel's power. He is stronger than we are,” Brenton replied.

?“What should we do with him?” Shaniece asked, pointing at Brenton.

?“Azazel will figure it out. We need to move,” DeMar answered.

?They pushed Marie and Brenton making them follow. They walked for a few minutes until they were at the edge of the rainforest. They left plush greenery and walked right into the desert. Brenton didn't know how that was possible.

?The temperature changed, the sun was beaming down on them. Marie was analyzing the area, and Brenton could see from her thoughts she recognized the place.

?He saw a couple of glimpses from her vision and remembered the tree that was in the middle of the desert; it was the same one they were seeing right now. They looked at each other, both of them with wide eyes.

?They walked up to the tree and DeMar and Shaniece stood back while Eric waved his hand over the brush and a wind moved the earth that was covering the entrance of the cave. He disappeared inside then DeMar pushed him and Marie down there as well.

?It was pitch black in the space, but they knew where they were going. They walked forward and Brenton could see a light at the end of the cave. Spiders crawled all over the place and Marie tensed up. He tried to produce fire, but they were incapacitated here.

?“Don't even think about it,” DeMar said.

?Laughter haunted the enclosed space, Brenton turned to see the source appear in chains. The guy was just as Marie described him. He only heard stories of their ancestors, but to see one up close was chilling.

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