Page 46 of The Fallen

?“We need to be on our guard. If he keeps his promise, he will unleash the other angels and start a war. We need to be prepared.”

?“Uncle Josh said the reason the fallen angels didn't want two descendants to mate was because they feared it would create a superior race. Do you think he will try to kill me now, since I have two descendants as parents?” Marie said.

?“He can try, but I won't let anything happen to you. We just need to figure out a way to keep him and the Watchers off your scent.”

?They made it to the house. Jason was standing outside, and it looked like he was waiting on Marie. Renea wondered who his parents were? Where he came from? He reminded her of someone she knew from her past.

?“This new guy is creeping me out. He keeps hanging around, but not saying anything. I don't know what his deal is,” Marie said.

?“Let me go talk to him and see what his story is.”

?Renea walked toward Jason and Marie had begun to walk away, but she turned around instead. She looked confused and bewildered. For some reason, Renea's heart began to race.

?“Mom,” she yelled. “What was my real dad's name?”

?Renea hadn't realized she didn't tell her his name. She expected her to ask earlier, but when they walked back toward the house without her saying anything, Renea thought she was in the clear. She hadn't said his name out loud in years, as if in doing so would make her have a mental breakdown.

?Marie's eyes were wide, waiting, needing to know. She knew she had to tell her. Renea grabbed her chest, the same time she said, “David.”

Chapter Thirty

Marie

She didn't know what that meant, but it had to be something major. It would have to be a conversation for another day. She had to deal with the pressing matters happening now. After the story her mom had told her, she knew she had to end things with Brenton. There was no way she could put either of them through this.

?She walked inside the house and spotted Brenton slouched down in the corner of the living room. She wondered if he had already picked up on what she was feeling.

?She made her way over to him slowly, trying to place his mood. She couldn't read him. He finally looked up and when he saw her, his eyes lit up. It took her back to the first day they met. He had the same look on his face now. The look that said, “I finally found you.”

?He stood up and pulled her into a hug. She melted into his embrace and squeezed him tight. She didn't want to let go.

?“What's wrong?” he asked. “You're shaking.”

?“We need to talk.”

?She put her hand in his and led him to the couch. He sat down and faced her. She decided to use the same approach he did when he wanted to share bad news.

?“Close your eyes, I want to show you something,” she said.

?He did it reluctantly. She let him search her mind while she thought about all the sweet moments of them being together; the first time they met, how she felt when she woke from her three day coma, their first kiss.

?When she opened her eyes, he was smiling. She loved how he made her feel; how that his smile brightened her day. She felt so safe and secure with him. She thought she couldn't live without him, but she would have to. She would have to make herself forget the feelings she had and move on.

?Things were different now. A war was beginning and she was at the center of it. She couldn't possibly put him in a position where he would be in as much danger as she was. It would be hard, but they had to do what was best.

?It reminded her of what her mom said and now she completely understood what she went through. Her heart ached for her and her mother, going through the same fate. Why did things have to be so hard for them?

?“Brenton...” she began.

?“Don't say it,” he cut her off. “I already know what you're going to say and I can't listen to that.”

?He grabbed her hands and rubbed her knuckles with his thumb. “You think I don't know what the dangers are for us? I do, I've known this whole time and that still hasn't stopped me. The reason being, I love you and you love me. How can you honestly walk away from this because something is scary and is going to be hard?”

?“Brenton, I can't do this. There is so much pressure on me and I don't know if I can maintain this and try to save the world. I just don't see this ending well.”

?“Why do you think you have to do this alone? That's what I'm here for. I told you I wasn't leaving your side and I meant it. I'm pretty sure the Watchers have already seen us kissing and they still haven't tried to hunt us down. We're okay.”

?Marie let go of his hand. It was too much to bear. It was true she loved him, but it wasn't enough to build on. This whirlwind romance happened too fast, it almost didn't feel real.

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