Page 58 of Fallen Angel

“He is free to leave,” Hannah said. It was difficult for her to care about the deal she made with Mara while she had this new command over her magic. All she wanted to do was use it.

“I am not going anywhere,” Callan said. “I shan’t let you use her like you used me.”

Hannah felt frustrated at Callan’s unnecessary chivalry. “You don’t need to feel guilty, Callan,” she said. “Truly. I feel amazing, and you don’t have to feel indebted to anyone here.”

“The thrill you are experiencing,” Callan said, “shan’t last. Once you realize that Mara is using you to do her bidding—to spread evil—the gratification shall fade, and you shall violently crash to reality with only guilt and regret to comfort you.”

Hannah’s magic lurched within her. She didn’t care for the discomfort his words were causing. “Don’t worry about me. What’s done is done. Just leave.”

“I am not giving up on you.” Callan took Hannah’s hand in his and held it tight. “Just like Raven never gave up on me.”

His touch tingled, and goosebumps traveled up her arm. She was reminded of the comfort and familiarity he had provided her even when they first met. His bright green eyes glowed against his dark skin, and Hannah felt a pang of affection when he gazed in her eyes. His touch was cracking away the hard shell this new magic provided—an impenetrable skin that had rid her of her guilt and given her free reign to use her magic as she desired. She was not ready for that exterior to be shattered.

Hannah pulled her hand away, convinced that how he was making her feel was some sort of trick.

“Raven should have given up on you,” she said. “If she just left you alone, she never would have died for you.”

Callan looked at Hannah with confusion.

She reveled in the fact that she was about to invert his world. “The spell Raven cast to counteract Mara’s was only partially to ensure her rebirth. The other half was sacrificing herself so that you could break out from under Mara’s command.” Hannah watched with delight as this news punched Callan in the chest. She could almost see him remembering his devotion to Mara melting off of him as soon as Raven’s body crumbled to ash.

Mara smiled at Hannah, and it gave her the validation she was looking for. She was right to tell Callan the truth. Perhaps if he understood what really happened, he would leave Hannah to explore her magic in peace.

Callan didn’t move. He looked like a ghost who was only now realizing he was dead. His eyes glossed over with water and his chin trembled.

Hannah knew he already carried the burden of Raven’s death. But the knowledge that Raven purposely sacrificed herself to save Callan, probably doubled his guilt.

A small spasm of sympathy stabbed at the back of Hannah’s mind. Her mouth went dry, and she swallowed a hard knot down her throat. Discomfort itched her skin when Callan didn’t say anything.

“I think it’s time for you to go,” she said. It was easier for her to act like she felt nothing than give into those pesky pangs of guilt and compassion that scratched at the back of her neck.

“No, I shan’t.” Callan nodded to himself. “I think it time for me to return the favor.”

Hannah had no idea what this meant, but she felt a sense of panic rise in her stomach.

Callan looked to Mara and took a deep breath. “Go on,” he said. “Sire me. I shan’t betray you this time—I shan’t be able.”

“No,” Hannah yelled, though she was not too sure where her urgency came from. She grabbed Callan’s arm and projected her Siren’s song over him. “You do not want to do this. You want to leave. You will forget about me and this place.” Though Hannah could feel the soothing lull of her words, Callan’s demeanor didn’t falter.

“A Siren cannot compel another Siren,” he said.

Hannah whipped her head to Mara. “We made a deal.”

“Indeed,” Mara said. “The deal stated that as long as Callan wished to be free of me, then he would be. However, he seems to be volunteering his loyalty to me.”

Hannah realized that Mara was right. Her chest felt heavy and swollen, as if her heart were being torn in two directions. She wanted Mara to get all that she desired. Mara gave Hannah the world. But not at the expense of Callan’s freedom. Her body heated and a sheen of sweat lined her brow. Without realizing it, Hannah tapped her fingertips to her thumbs and tried to pay attention to her breathing.

“Shall the spell be prepared?” Callan asked.

“My pleasure.” Mara licked her pale lips as she returned to her altar, caressing her grimoire.

Callan approached Hannah. He brought his lips to her ear and whispered, “Perhaps my sacrifice will aid you in finding yourself again.” Hannah looked at Callan with an alarming expression. “Only then shall Mara be stopped.” He turned his back on Hannah and knelt in front of Mara’s altar.

She didn’t want to stop Mara. Find herself again? Hannah had never felt more herself than she did now. She screamed these words in her mind. If he desired to rejoin Mara’s cause, then so be it. It didn’t affect her in the slightest. She walked to the altar and feigned indifference despite the raging battle in her mind and body.

“Suit yourself,” she said. She stood behind Mara, Nathaniel, and the grimoire.

“Ignis,” Mara said, and the candles surrounding Callan ignited. She cleared her throat and raised her hands in his direction.

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