Page 60 of Fallen Angel

“You are not pleased that your beloved stayed for you?” Mara’s words prodded Hannah, but she maintained composure.

“I am only pleased that you have one more witch following your command.”

Mara smiled. “Kiss him,” she commanded.

Hannah’s stomach churned. She knew she had to obey. She walked toward Callan.

“Not him, dear.”

Hannah halted.

“Kiss Nathaniel.”

Hannah didn’t let any emotion play on her face. She simply changed direction and stopped in front of Nathaniel. She’d rather have swallowed soap than be forced to kiss the vile Vampire who changed Bryce and attempted to kill both her and Callan. Disgust tickled the back of her throat.

She pecked her lips to his then took a step back. Nathaniel smiled, and Hannah tried not to gag.

“I think you can do better than that,” Mara said. “Go on. Really kiss him.”

Hannah took a deep breath. Callan didn’t seem to care in the slightest. If anything, he looked amused.

Hannah rested her hand on the back of Nathaniel’s neck and reminded herself that she needed to be convincing. She moved her head closer to his and closed her eyes. She kissed him and forced her lips to linger.

Nathaniel parted his lips against hers. Hannah sucked on his bottom lip and did her best to control her gag reflex. She could tell that Nathaniel would have kept going, but she had had enough.

She pulled away and swallowed her revulsion. Her eyes glazed over Callan. He didn’t seem fazed. Sadness filled Hannah’s heart, knowing that she was that cold to him before he submitted himself to Mara.

Nathaniel gazed down at Hannah, his eyes fixated on hers, his mouth agape. Hannah wanted to slap the drool off his face and remind him that she was ordered to kiss him. She looked to Mara, and she appeared unsatisfied.

“Nathaniel,” Mara called as she sauntered toward them. “I think it is your turn to return the favor.”

Nathaniel’s eyes lit up. Hannah wanted to curse whatever sick game Mara was playing, but all she could do was stand there, neutral, and happy to play out Mara’s deranged fantasies. Nathaniel puckered his lips and leaned in toward Hannah.

“Do notkissher,” Mara interrupted. “Bite her.”

Hannah froze.

“You are certain?” Nathaniel asked.

While Hannah had no idea what his bite would do to her magic, she was certain that it would turn her into a Vampire. She felt the instinct to flee, but she knew that she could never outrun Mara’s quick tongue. If she tried to escape, Mara would know that Hannah was no longer under her compulsion.

“I am.” Mara folded her hands and let them rest against her stomach.

Nathaniel ran his tongue over his fangs. Hannah trembled. She was desperate for Callan to intervene, but he didn’t. He simply stood there and watched.

“I thought you wanted me to be a Siren? Help bring all the awakened witches to your side,” Hannah said, fighting the nerves that shook her voice.

Mara took a taunting stride forward. “You are a powerful witch. Maybe you could be both. A Siren and a Vampire. Would that not be incredible?” Her tone was fiendish.

Hannah wouldn’t give Mara the satisfaction of finding her out. She was already destined to die in a number of days. Perhaps a set of fangs was all she needed to defeat Mara. Hannah nodded. “It would.”

She took a breath and offered Nathaniel her wrist.

In a blur, he leaned Hannah back in his arms and revealed his fangs. His teeth skimmed her flesh and he hesitated.

“Nathaniel?” Mara asked, her voice threatening. “I thought I gave you an order.”

Nathaniel nodded, but he looked conflicted. He squinted and pushed his teeth closer and closer to Hannah’s jugular, each inch looking like an effort. Hannah wondered if her previous compulsion for Nathaniel never to harm her had anything to do with his hesitation. But when he re-opened his eyes and released a menacing growl, the suggestion fled her mind.

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