Page 34 of Fallen Angel

“How do you know of that?”

“Simply because I do not practice dark magic, does not mean I do not keep myself apprised on it. Especially with all the trials happening in Salem. There are entire sections on dark sorcery in the town’s library that sit on the cliffs. And if you are not careful, that witch hunt shall come to Cape Cove,” Raven said. Her voice rose, and her calm demeanor faltered.

Callan looked bewildered at her resistance. He glanced between his hands and the steadfast Raven who stood before him. He mustn’t have known yet that Raven could resist his compulsion.

She stomped away, a look of anger on her face, then turned on her heel. “Those people you are recruiting to join Mara’s coven, they are not doing so by choice. You are compelling them. Do you not see that you are destroying lives?”

“W-Well,” Callan stuttered, “some witches, perhaps, need simply be shown the way.”

“A moment ago, you argued they were joining voluntarily. What is it you truly believe? How many of your coven resisted before youconvincedthem otherwise?” Raven marched back to Callan and stood at eyelevel in front of him. She held his gaze, her fists balled at her sides.

Hannah could see Callan struggling. He cowered a few steps away from Raven, and his posture sunk.

“You are conflicted,” Raven continued. “As you do not know which thoughts are yours, and which were forced upon you by your master.”

“She is not my master,” he replied through gritted teeth.

“Mara created you. And within dark enchantments, the created is sired to their creator. The evil that has corrupted your magic instills you with a sense of gratitude and devotion toward her. But that is not truly you, Callan, is it?” Raven took a step toward him.

“I pray you to stop. I do not wish to hear it,” Callan said, shutting his eyes.

“Youmusthear it. You must face what you have done and what has been done to you. Do you ever remember desiring to explore the darkness before Mara came upon you? Can you even remember your true self? Before you were enchanted to become a Siren?”

Callan’s upper lip twitched in frustration. He grabbed Raven’s forearm. “You shall not resist me.”

She winced.

“You shall join us.” Callan’s concentration was so severe, it was frightening.

Raven struggled under his grasp.

“And you shall no longer ask questions.” His fist tightened around her wrist.

Hannah lunged forward. “Callan, stop,” she yelled, forgetting that they couldn’t hear her.

“You are strong,” Raven said, grinding her teeth.

Callan smiled, reveling in his power.

“But as am I,” she continued. “Let my skin be fire and resist your desire.”

A white spark illuminated beneath Callan’s hand and shocked him backward. Hannah gasped. She committed Raven’s spell to memory. Perhaps, one day, she too would be able to command the surging energy within her.

Callan held his hand and looked at Raven in disbelief. “How did you…”

“Great power may also come from the light.” Her fingers twinkled with glistening orbs.

Callan rubbed his hand, glaring at Raven. “I should go,” he said, his voice low and cross.

“Think about what I have said. If you desire to be free from the dangerous path you have chosen, I may help you.” Though Raven exuded a tough exterior, there was a sadness behind her eyes.

Callan shook his head and walked away. No wonder Callan didn’t want her to perform the memory spell. He didn’t want her to see what he used to be.

Hannah propelledthrough her subconscious to another time in Raven’s life. Darkness swirled around her until her feet were steady on the ground. She blinked to clear her vision.

It was dusk now. Oil lamps lit the street. Raven, her father, and twenty-or-so other men and women left a gentleman’s house, filing out, hugging goodbye, and exchanging pleasantries. He waved them farewell from the porch. Hannah assumed this was the Friday gathering of witches Raven mentioned.

Raven walked arm in arm with her father, and something caught her eye. Callan skulked beneath a large oak tree across the street, at the edge of the woods. Raven dropped her father’s arm and walked toward Callan.

---