Page 7 of Rejected Darkness

"Bella, Sweetheart, what are you doing here?" Great-grandmother Aurora questions, her voice full of concern.

The second I see her the dam breaks and the tears fall. Unable to hold them back I collapse to my knees in her doorway and cover my face as I sob.

"Oh, Sweetheart," she drops to her knees in front of me, pulling me in for a hug. "He wasn't worth it. Any man who doesn't see your worth isn't the one for you. Let's get you inside and get a cup of tea, then we can talk."

My great-grandmother helps me rise to my feet, guiding me into her kitchen and helping me sit in a chair at the table. I watch as she moves around the small room getting everything for our tea. It takes a bit but slowly I'm able to get control of my emotions and the tears slowly stop, allowing me to clearly see the kitchen once more. The white cabinets stand out from the teal walls. The large window above the sink is open, allowing fresh air to enter and circulate around the room. Closing my eyes I take several deep breaths, letting the fresh air enter my lungs.

"Thank you, Memaw," I smile, opening my eyes.

"You're welcome, Sweetheart. You know I'm always here for you no matter what." She places a cup of hot tea in front of me. My hands immediately grasp the mug, letting the heat help relax my muscles. "I want to give you some information while you're here."

"Information?" I inquire, tilting my head.

"Yes. About what is to happen next," she answers with a soft smile. "You will most likely be sent to RISE Academy."

"That's the reform place, right?" I have heard about it; everyone has, but only some get sent there when rejected, I thought. Not that rejections happen often, as it is.

"Yes, Reform Institute of Self-Enhancement is where most rejected angels are sent. It's not a bad place. If anything, it's just somewhere safe that angels can go to improve themselves, and many times, their mate takes them back." I watch as my memaw takes a sip of tea before nodding at me to do the same. Bringing the steaming cup to my lips, I let the honey chamomile soothe my lungs before taking a sip.

"So the rumors are true? It's an academy where I have to go and change myself to be what my mate wants?" My voice shakes, and I take another sip, hoping the tea will calm me. I don't want to change myself and my ways just to make someone else happy. "I should be accepted for who I am."

"I know, Sweetheart. You are perfect as you are, and in time, your mate will see that. Let me give you some history of RISE Academy before we talk about what to expect." Memaw reaches across the table and pats my hand in a loving gesture. "The Academy was created many, many centuries ago when our ancestors faced the first mate rejection. No one had thought it was possible until it had been done. That first rejected mate was left alone, shunned from society, and ended up dying from loneliness well before she ever should have. It was only a few years after her death when another rejection took place. Our ancestors didn't want to see another angel die well before their time and decided that there needed to be a safe place for the rejected to go and learn in hopes their mate would take them back."

"Why do they assume it's the rejected angels' fault?" I snarl, clenching my hand in a fist. I hate that we get blamed. It's not my fault I'm different. "Maybe the person doing the rejection should go to the school and fix themselves for thinking they are superior."

"I hear you, Sweetheart, but that's just not how our society works. The rejected gets blamed, even if it's wrong," Memaw sighs. "I wish it were different, I really do. Ready to keep going?"

"Yeah," I sigh. "Hit me with the rest of our messed up past."

"With the Divine's blessing, our ancestors reached out to the other races to see if they had the same issues. As other races provided their input, the leaders decided there was enough of a need to create a safe place for the rejected to go. That is how RISE Academy was created. It's a safe place for people to go,to discover and better themselves. Please don't view this as a bad thing for yourself if anything look at this as an opportunity to thrive in an environment away from your father and his expectations. You, my sweet great-granddaughter, are going to thrive while attending RISE."

"Thank you, Memaw," I give her a soft smile, reaching across the table to grasp her hands. "I was terrified, and still am, of what's to come, but knowing that you believe in me is everything I need."

"I'm so happy to hear that," she grasps my hands in return. "You are the brightest young woman I have ever known. You, Arabella, were meant to thrive in this life and I have every belief that you will do just that."

Both of us turn our heads at the same time when we hear my father shouting from a distance out the open windows.

“ARABELLA!!!!” he shouts, his voice carrying. “YOU GET YOUR WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT ASS OUT HERE RIGHT THIS SECOND! HOW DARE YOU EMBARESS THIS FAMILY LIKE THAT!”

I knew he was going to be angry. I already know what is going to be coming but it’s worth it. Everything I’ve done is worth it if it means I’m free.

"He got here faster than I expected," Memaw chuckles. "One last thing. You may find out things about yourself and your past while at the academy. Do not be scared. Do your research and learn everything you can. You were blessed by the Divine with extraordinary powers and bloodline. Do not fear it. Embrace it. Promise me?" She demands, her eyes widening as my father kicks in the front door behind me. "You must promise me, do not fear yourself, and trust the Fallen."

"I… AHHH!!," my sentence is cut off as I scream when my father grasps my hair, yanking me off the kitchen chair.

"I told you that you would be punished if rejected. You are a disgrace to our family, the Seraphim, and the angels!" he snarls, pulling me behind him and toward the door.

"Let her go, Castiel!" Memaw shouts behind us. She tries to grasp my arm and hold me back but my father's grip is too tight on my hair and it only causes me further pain.

"Oh shut up you crazy old woman!" he shouts at her. "Stop filling my daughter's head with your nonsense. You are probably why she was rejected. Letting her believe she can think for herself and not follow what her father and even her mate tell her. This isn't a woman's world. It's a man's." He shoves me in front of him out the door before pushing my great-grandmother away from us. "Stay away from my daughter or you won't like the consequences!"

"MEMAW!" I try to fight his hold but it's too strong. "I promise, Memaw! I promise to keep an open mind!" It's the only thing I can give her as my father drags me away toward our house. I see the smile and acceptance my great-grandmother gives me as we walk away and it gives me the strength I need for what's to come.

Chapter 4

Arabella

"Wake up!" my father screams, pulling me from deep sleep. As I try to roll over to follow his orders and sit up, I see my wrist handcuffed to the post on my bed.

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