Page 35 of Fallen Angel

“Raven?” her father called after her.

“One moment, Father.” She quickened her stride.

Her father watched after her warily, crossing his arms. Hannah followed Raven across the street.

“What have I done?” Callan’s head hung in shame.

Raven sighed. “Let us take a walk.” She held out her hand.

Callan blinked, his eyes glassy, and took her hand. Their fingers interlaced.

She led him a few feet into the woods, and Hannah followed. Raven put her arms around Callan and held him close. He hugged her back, anguish simmering in his eyes.

“It may take some time,” she said, “but I promise to free you.”

Callan took a step back and shook his head. “She is too powerful. Whatever she commands, I must obey.” His hands trembled, but Raven clasped hers over them.

“Realizing this, Callan, is the first step of breaking the bond. We shall find a way.”

“I am so sorry,” Callan said. A few tears escaped his eyes. “I should never have attempted to make you…”

“You were doing as you were told.” She gently wiped a tear from his cheek.

Callan covered her hand with his own upon his face and leaned into her touch. “I hope you understand how much I care for you, despite my poor behavior the other day.”

Raven smiled. “I have known you since we were both small children, Callan Delmonte. You care for me just as I care for you.”

Hannah watched their interaction and marveled at how simple and true their declarations of affection were for each other.

Callan placed a hand on her waist, pulled her hip against his. She tucked her chin. With a single finger, he raised her gaze to meet his. “I may be confused at which thoughts are my own, but I know for certain that I would like to kiss you.”

Raven stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. She caressed her hands behind his neck. Callan ran his fingers into her hair and held her head as he slightly dipped her back. He kissed Raven with the same passion he kissed Hannah the moment she released him from the cave.

A sense of sadness washed over Hannah. Callan cared for Raven. And though they were identical in appearance, they were not the same person. Raven was strong, powerful, poised, and always seemed to know the right thing to say. Hannah thought of herself as the complete opposite. While Raven may have been surrounded in light, Hannah felt muddled in the fog.

“Mr. Delmonte,” a deep and sultry voice called from deeper within the woods. Raven and Callan separated as Mara emerged from behind the trees. Her red eyes sent a chill up Hannah’s spine.

“I was looking to retrieve you for an evening wander, and Nathaniel told me you might be here.” She scrutinized Raven. “Miss Harlowe.”

“Mistress Eden. You have been greatly missed at our Friday gatherings.” While Raven was the picture of composure, Hannah noticed her nostrils flare in Mara’s presence.

“I doubt anyone has missed me, my dear. I have since found a greater use of my time rather than prattling along about the old ways of magic.” Even though Mara only looked to be about five or six years older than both Callan and Raven, she spoke to them as if they were young children. Naïve and impressionable.

“I would not consider them old ways when their values and standards are still upheld to this day…by most, that is.”

“I suppose we shall see how long that lasts, young Miss Harlowe.”

“I suppose we shall.” Raven and Mara stared at each other with pleasant smiles that masked their true feelings.

Mara caressed her hand against Callan’s cheek. The slightest wisp of what looked like black smoke hovered between her palm and his face. Faint cries poured from the smoke. Hannah straightened.

“Shall we?” Mara gestured into the deep of the woods.

Callan nodded. “Indeed. Let us go. Have a pleasant evening, Miss Harlowe,” he said, his voice stilted.

Raven held his gaze as long as she could as Mara led him farther into the woods. She glanced over her shoulder and offered Raven one last sadistic smile. Hannah’s blood chilled. As soon as they were out of sight, Raven stormed in the opposite direction.

Hannah’s head spun.She found herself in Raven’s father’s house, a fire crackling in the background. Raven anxiously paced back and forth.

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