Page 22 of Fallen Angel

“First, you have to be patient with me and answer all my questions. This is all completely new and I’m still not sure I believe it.”

Callan straightened his posture and raised his chin. “I shall.”

“Second, you have to promise never to compel me.Ever.I don’t care if I can resist it or not, and I don’t care if your intentions are good.”

“Sometimes ’tis difficult to control,” Callan said. “A simple touch might influence your behavior, even if it is not my intent. ’Twas why I was pleased to see your ability to resist…”

“Promise me,” Hannah scrutinized.

“I promise.”

Hannah took a few steps toward Callan and stood inches from him. She brushed her arms around his waist and hugged him, squeezing tight.

He stiffened, then hugged her back. His heat cloaked her, and she tucked her chin against his chest. Though she sensed the Siren’s enchantment like a distant hum, she pushed it aside and melted into Callan. He flexed, pressing her to him. His comfort dismantled any suspicion or fear she may have had.

Callan pulled away from her, cleared his throat, and straightened his sweatshirt.

“I thank you for your understanding,” he said. “But now we must retrieve Mara’s grimoire. With haste.”

Before Hannah could tell Callan that the spell book sat in her bag, she heard her name being called from up the path along the cliff.

“Hannah!”

Landon, Bryce, and Amelia walked toward them. Hannah stiffened at the sight of Landon, afraid that he’d remember what transpired in the cave. The closer they got, the harder Hannah tried to relax and act natural.

“Funny bumping into you here,” Landon said to Hannah, looking Callan up and down.

“Small campus,” Hannah murmured.

“Hey, roomie,” Amelia smiled, her long blonde hair tucked into her sweater. “Who’s this?” Her eyes lit up at the new man standing next to Hannah.

“Uh, this is my friend Callan.” Hannah kept an eye on Landon, who was still sizing Callan up.

“Nice sweatshirt, man,” he said. “Think I have one just like it. Red Sox fan?”

Hannah was relieved that Landon couldn’t remember him. Callan’s spell had worked. Callan looked to Hannah, confused, and she realized that Callan had no idea who the Red Sox were.

Before she could intervene, Callan said, “I have never owned a pair, however, I am sure the color does not have an impact on their comfort.”

Hannah forced herself to laugh. “He has a dry sense of humor.”

“Right,” Landon said, his voice trailing off.

“How long have you two known each other?” Amelia asked.

Hannah was quick to answer before Callan. “Met him in my Anthropology class this morning.” Hannah observed the sun beginning to set over the ocean and couldn’t believe all that had transpired in the matter of only one day. Simply trying to remember all that she had learned—how drastically her reality had changed—was leaving her light-headed.

“You make friends fast,” Amelia said with a cheeky smile.

Hannah shrugged, uncomfortable at Amelia’s implication.

“She makes a great first impression, doesn’t she?” Landon said. “We couldn’t stop talking at the party last night. And then the beach after that.” He offered Hannah a smart smile.

It was obvious to Hannah what Landon was doing. If this had happened yesterday, Hannah probably would have been flattered and even enjoyed the fact that Landon was getting defensive over her. It would have fit in perfectly with her plan for a fresh start and a nice, normal college experience. But after today, that resolution had been put on the back burner…indefinitely.

Right now, all she wanted was to be alone with Callan, so she could ask the millions of questions that burned in her brain. She desperately wanted a clear picture of everything that happened over 300 years ago, and everything that was happening now. She wracked her brain for an excuse to leave.

Callan spoke up. “It feels as though I have known her for my whole life.” Callan smirked; only the two of them understood the depth of his comment.

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