Page 48 of Fallen Angel

“Make it so, every eighteenth year, that I’m returned to the earth.”

Raven felt the flames against her flesh and screamed louder than the high-pitched whistle of the cracking wood.

Hannah was pulled from Raven’s burning body to the sound of Mara’s minacious laughter. She plummeted back into her own body in the clearing with Mara, Nathaniel, and Callan.

“Absolvo,” Mara said between her cackles.

Hannah gasped for air as elasticity returned to her body. It was as if the cement shell plastered on her skin was cracked and brushed away, allowing her magic to awaken. She frantically pieced together Raven’s spell and recited it in her mind.

The life I save in the name of light, is Callan Delmonte, my love.

May the sacrifice of my death, give him the strength to rise above.

Fight against this evil chant, that prohibits my rebirth.

Make it so, every eighteenth year, that I’m returned to the earth.

It took Hannah a few seconds to decipher and absorb Raven’s spell. Once she did, she understood why Mara was so pleased.

Mara had found the answer she was looking for—how Hannah, the image of Raven Harlowe, could possibly be standing in front of her. Raven had sacrificed herself so that white magic would set Callan free.

Callan stood, bound by Mara’s shadows. He looked at Hannah with concern, clearly not understanding what had just transpired. Despite being released from Mara’s spell, Hannah couldn’t bring herself to move or speak.

Callan struggled against the tree, but Nathaniel pressed the blade to his neck. “Listen to my voice, Nathaniel,” Callan said. Hannah could hear his Siren tone coming through, and she knew it wouldn’t work. “Release me and impale yourself with that blade.”

Nathaniel winced and shook his head, resisting Callan’s charm. “I already told you, brother. Mara’s commands trump your trickery.”

“You may release him, Nathaniel. Let him run into the arms of his beloved,” Mara said. Nathaniel freed Callan, allowing him to rush to Hannah’s side. “For he may not have long left to be with his Raven,” Mara whispered.

“What happened?” he asked. “What has she done to you?” Callan ran his hand over Hannah’s hair and gazed into her disturbed eyes. Hannah was too stunned to answer.

“Sly Miss Raven Harlowe made a deal with the Devil,” Mara said with a smug grin.

“What is she talking about?” Callan shook Hannah. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

“And not a very good one, might I add,” Mara said.

Callan turned to Mara. “Spit it out, you miserable crone. What did you do?”

“Raven cast a spell within mine. She would be reborn, but not for very long.” Mara looked down at Hannah. “I wonder if this version of Raven is as selfless or devout as the Raven I knew three hundred years ago.”

Desperate, Callan turned to Hannah and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Hannah, prithee. What does she speak of?”

Hannah swallowed a dry knot in her throat and took a deep breath. “Raven made it so that she could be reincarnated, but only until she turned eighteen in each life.” Having been inside Raven’s mind, Hannah knew that it was not only a compromise to not being reborn at all, but also an offering she made in order to set Callan free.

Though Callan’s face dropped, he didn’t let go of Hannah. She could tell that he was trying to be strong for her sake. She knew that she couldn’t tell him that Raven’s sacrifice was partially a bargaining chip for his freedom. It would destroy him. She only hoped that Mara didn’t divulge this information.

“How long?” he asked, his voice quiet and controlled.

Hannah’s entire body shuddered just as a car would before breaking down. “I turn eighteen in one week.”

Chapter Fourteen

Numbness glazed over every inch of Hannah’s body. She embraced it. Tall trees loomed above, the sunlight making their bark appear red. She breathed in the cool air and basked in its fresh, earthy scent. She wondered what this place would look like once winter hit. Glistening white snow would erase all the dead leaves. She was looking forward to experiencing a New England winter for the first time, but now, that wasn’t going to happen.

Hannah shuddered to erase the thought. If she were to truly process the fact that she only had one week left to live, she would crumble to the forest ground and disintegrate into the earth.

“Undo this now!” Callan was on his feet in seconds, charging toward Mara.

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