Page 53 of Fallen Angel

“No,” Hannah screamed. She grabbed his hand. “I won’t let you do this.”

“This is my penance,” he said, a certainty in his eyes. “This shall make up for all the horrible things I have done. This shall make things right.”

“And what about all the horrible things you’ve yet to do? If you do this, you will hurt so many more people, and unlike Raven, I won’t be able to stop you!” Hannah’s veins pulsed within her forehead. Her magic raced through her, which only angered her further. What was the point of having this power if she couldn’t use it?

“But you shall be saved. You shall get the chance to live that Raven never had.”

Hannah lowered her voice and brought her lips close to Callan’s. “What makes you think Mara will actually let me live? Say she does agree to end my curse. That doesn’t mean she won’t kill me here and now. You do this, and you only help her turn the world to darkness.”

“Right now, I do not care about the world,” he said. “I only care about you.” While Hannah should have been overwhelmed by his devotion, she was only irate at the sentiment.

Callan stepped toward Mara.

“Raven wouldn’t have wanted this,” Hannah said.

He looked back at her and smiled, having surrendered to his decision. “You are not Raven.”

Hannah’s heart thudded against her chest, and she found it difficult to find the right words to say next. She still wanted to yell at Callan—tell him what he was doing was reckless and stupid—but she also felt as though he couldn’t have said anything more perfect.

“Do we have a deal?” he asked Mara.

“I am a woman of my word,” Mara said. She moved toward him, her body slithering like a snake. She put her hand out for Callan to take, but he hesitated. “Is there a problem?”

“Break the curse first. Only then shall you have me.” At this moment, Hannah thought that maybe that was his plan. Mara would break her curse, and then they would make a break for it before Callan could once again be trapped by her influence. If this was his plan, it was not a good one. Mara was too powerful for both of them. Trying to outrun her was the definition of futile.

“And how am I to trust you? You have betrayed me before.” Mara snarled at Callan.

“If I do not follow through with my promise, you may kill me.”

Hannah’s heart beat against her chest so hard, she wondered if anyone else could hear it. How could he be so reckless with his own life? Especially after everything he had been through. This wasn’t happening. Thiscouldn’tbe happening.

Mara pursed her lips and released a long hum. “Not good enough.” Relief flooded Hannah’s heart, but the sensation was fleeting.

Callan took a deep breath. He darted a sorrowful look at Hannah. “If I do not surrender myself to you after freeing Hannah from her curse, then you shall kill her.”

If there was one thing that Hannah was certain of, it was that Callan would never risk her life. This was how she knew that he truly intended to allow himself to be controlled by Mara once again.

“Now that shall do nicely.” Mara licked her lips.

Hannah couldn’t let this happen. She had to do something. If she could access her magic, shewoulddo something. She would combat Mara and hope that Raven’s sacrifice and white magic would prevail over darkness. She would keep Callan from having to turn himself back into someone he loathed.

“Wait!” she shouted. “I have a better offer to propose.”

“Hannah, what are you…”

“Be quiet, Callan,” Hannah said, not surprised at her sharp tongue. While she may have had strong feelings for Callan, his white knight mentality wasn’t helping her anxiety.

“I am listening.” Mara brushed back her long black hair and crossed her arms.

Despite her tall and intimidating posture, Hannah made sure to look straight into her glowing, red eyes. “If you break my curse, I will eventually learn how to use my magic. It may take some time, but I will come for you, and I will destroy you.”

Mara and Nathaniel laughed at the prospect.

“Laugh all you want, but you killed Raven because you were afraid of her. She was a threat to you.” Hannah’s legs trembled, nevertheless she maintained a stoic expression. She had to make Mara believe that she was strong—that she was fearless.

Mara’s laughter subsided, and Nathaniel followed suit.

Hannah took a step toward Mara in order to solidify her appearance of bravery. “You want all the witches who were recently awakened brought to you, so they can become your creatures, correct?”

---