Page 72 of Fallen Angel

“Then that is exactly what I shall do.” Black smoke emitted from Mara’s palms, echoing with fearful cries, and the dark magic plumed against the cave walls.

“Do what you will,” Hannah screamed over the sobs that spewed from Mara’s haze. “I’m going to die anyway, but I know I’ll be back.”

At this, Mara retracted her magic. The shrieking smoke flew back into Mara’s body, and her red glare burned into Hannah’s eyes. “You think you have outsmarted me? That you are more powerful than I? We shall see about that!”

Mara’s threat both terrified and electrified Hannah. She thought Mara was about to do exactly as she had hoped.

“I shall do what I tried to do three hundred and twenty-six years ago. This time, however, I shall get it right. You shall perish today, Ms. Fenwick. And you shall never again see the light of day.”

Hannah released a slow and controlled sigh, preparing herself for Mara’s wrath. This was it.

She looked at Callan, and despite his resentful expression, she offered him a longing gaze. He awakened her to a whole new world—one where the unexplainable anxiety and adrenaline filling her body finally made sense. He provided her answers to a truth that burdened her for years. He helped her realize who she was and what she was capable of. If it wasn’t for him, she never would have discovered her true feelings.

She mouthed three last words to Callan. “I love you.”

His eyes widened, more with suspicion than anything else, but at least he would know how she truly felt once she was gone from this earth—once he was free.

“Silentium,” Mara yelled.

Her lips fused together. Hannah knew that her time left was limited. Though she felt incredible pain and trepidation at what was to come, she was happy knowing thatI love youwere the last words she will have ever spoken. Hannah realized that Mara was silencing her so that she couldn’t tamper with the spell about to be cast upon her, just as Raven did all those years ago. But it didn’t matter. Intervening would defeat Hannah’s purpose. And even though all was going according to plan, tears still slid down her face.

The witches walked forward, but Hannah stopped them. She raised her hands out in front of them and shook her head. Hannah reassured their confusion with a sincere nod, closing her eyes for a moment and then reopening them. They took a step back and followed her lead as Mara raised her hands into the air.

“Might you wait until your spell is properly prepared?” Callan whispered to Mara.

“History is not repeating itself, now, Mr. Delmonte, is it?” she hissed at Callan through clenched teeth. “Is there any reason you would desire me to spare this girl?”

“Absolutely not,” he said. He glanced at Hannah, his eyes filled with dubious suspicion. He wished to protect Mara, not Hannah. “’Tis just—”

Mara cut him off. “Good. Then step aside. I shall finish this once and for all.”

Callan nodded and treaded backward a few steps. He fidgeted with the hem of his shirt.

Mara took a deep breath and spoke:

“I call upon the darkest forces to undo what once was cursed.

The spell I cast upon Raven Harlowe, I now ask to be reversed.

Reborn only to die on her eighteenth year was not the dark intent.

But rather to cease rebirth at all, her soul forever in descent.

So now I break the destined cycle of Raven reincarnate.

And commit this Hannah Fenwick to a darker, wicked fate.”

Hannah felt her magic writhe within her, panicking at the black spell infiltrating her soul. She moaned at the discomfort she felt from the magic being cast upon her, but no noise came from her bound mouth. Regardless of her magic pleading with her to fight back, Hannah ignored the urge. She thought of her mom and dad. She could smell her father’s aftershave and feel the grass beneath her feet as she walked barefoot through vineyards with her mother. It helped to know that she might be able to see them soon.

As Mara continued, Hannah noticed a pained expression on her face. Callan saw it too.

“Something is wrong,” he said, walking to her side. “Please, stop this now.”

Hannah knew she could count on Mara’s stubbornness and arrogance. Her black magic was far too powerful for anything bad to happen to her.

Mara pushed Callan away and carried on with her spell despite the agony playing on her face.

“Strike her down and kill her now, I wish to wait no longer.

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