Page 43 of The Fallen

?A few minutes passed in complete silence. Marie tried to reach out to Brenton, but he wouldn't let her search his mind. The only thing she could make out was different scenes that kept playing of him and her. He was doing it on purpose, intentionally trying to make her see it. What was he really thinking?

?Before she could try and push past his wall, Shaniece and Eric returned with someone else. Marie's mind began to pound against her skull. Images flashed so quickly she wanted to throw up. She knew what she saw was memories she had when she was younger, but didn't understand why she saw those memories now.

?Her head felt like it was going to split in two. She was used to having migraines, she had them all the time when she was little, but this was nothing like she felt before. She put her hands over her eyes and forehead and pressed down. It didn't help.

?“That pressure you're feeling is not a migraine; it's the other half of you trying to come out. Now that you're close to your other twin, it will only get worse. Your body trying to figure out which power to use since you only claimed one side of it,” Azazel said laughing. “Jason, step forward.”

?Marie looked up long enough to make out a tall, Indian guy with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He stood, nonchalant, facing her with a swollen lip and a cut across his cheek. His clothes were disheveled and ripped. He had been in a fight.

?Words were flying through her head so fast, she couldn't make out what was being said or who was saying it. Her head continued to pound.

?Jason walked to her and pulled the sleeve up on her arm. There was a faded mark in the crevice of her elbow, one she hadn't noticed before. Jason touched it and it darkened. The mark was in the shape of an infinite symbol. He then pulled up his sleeve and there was the same mark on him.

?“It looks like Shamsiel and Semjaza bumped heads,” he laughed. “Semjaza was a smooth talker. I understand why you fell for one of his spawns, Renea.”

?“But how?” Marie asked.

?“It seems mommy and daddy have been lying to you,” he said turning toward Marie's mom. “Or is it just mommy whose a big liar?”

?Marie couldn't believe what she was hearing. Frank wasn't her real dad? Why would her mom keep that information away from her?

?Marie looked at her dad, he was still unconscious and losing a lot of blood. It didn't matter if he was her biological father or not, he was all she knew. She loved him and he loved her. She had to save them regardless of what happened in the past.

?Please dad, hang in there for me, she thought.

?Azazel lifted his hands, his fingers were connected together and he began to chant something in a language she had never heard before. It sounded like the same chant Helena sang.

?A light glowed and hovered over Marie's head. Once the light went out, Azazel stopped chanting and Marie's headache was gone.

?She heard Jason and Brenton's thoughts simultaneously, separate from each other, but she understood them all the same.

?“Now bring her forward. The blood has merged and she is ready,” Azazel said.

?DeMar pulled her forward and cut her other wrist. She bled out once more and he let it drain over the chains. A green glow cast a shadow over the whole cave as the chains melted away. The last chain fell and Azazel was free.

?DeMar pushed Marie back and knelt down in front of him. Shaniece and Eric did the same. Azazel pulled the blindfold from his eyes and looked around. His eyes were an eery purple.

?“Finally,” he shouted. “The world will be mine.”

?He grew in height right before Marie's eyes, and the cave seemed to stretch with him. He now stood nine feet tall. He wasn't filthy anymore, his hair flying around the horns on his head. His wings grew and expanded across the length of the cave. His clothes changed, he was now in full black and gold armor. And there were even muscles in his goat legs. He was a massive beast, half angel and half goat, he radiated power and prowess. One could tell he was a seasoned warrior simply by looking at him.

?“My children, step forward,” he said with his arms spread wide.

?Marie took this chance to move closer to Brenton. She needed him now more than ever. She was still losing blood and she felt weak. Brenton tore his shirt and wrapped both of her wrist then kissed her on the forehead.

?As she moved she saw Jason's eyes on her. She felt that he was confused about her and Brenton's relationship. Jason made his way to where she was and stood behind her. He didn't want to leave her side. Brenton shot a glance in his direction and looked him up and down. This wasn't the time.

?“You have done well, DeMar and Shaniece. Even you Eric, descendent of Ezeqeel. Decide now what you want for this favor and I will grant it.”

?DeMar stood up first, but before he could talk, a mighty wind picked up in the cave. It was all a blur, but she heard in her head, “Time to go.”

?The wind swirled around her mom and dad first and then one came for her and Brenton. She closed her eyes and hoped this was the miracle she was praying for.

?When she opened them again, they were back at her uncle's house. They had crashed into the back yard, toppling over his willow trees.

?Marie ignored the pain that shot down her back. She had to find her mom and dad. She jumped up frantically and searched the area. She finally spotted them near the house. Micheal was taking the cover off her mom's mouth. She ran and fell down in front of her.

?“Mom,” she cried.

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