Page 68 of Fallen Angel

Hannah turned her attention back to Bryce, whose eyes fluttered awake. He opened his mouth to speak, but his lips were dry and cracked. His fangs were dull and barely noticeable—probably from a lack of feeding.

Amelia was quick to take a mouth swab, dip it in water, and rub it over his lips. “Look who came to visit,” she said, her voice high-pitched and animated.

Hannah stepped forward and looked down at him, trying to picture the fresh-faced, vibrant Bryce she met at her first college party. It was impossible to think that he had degraded in just a matter of days.

Bryce looked up at Hannah. His eyes widened and he shifted away from her in his cot.

Callan stepped forward.

Hannah took Bryce’s hand. “Calm down. You’re okay. You’re safe.” Hannah could feel her glossy words flow into Bryce’s ears. He relaxed into a trance.

“That was weird,” Amelia said. “Are you in pain?” she asked Bryce.

“I’m okay,” he croaked through an eased smile.

“It probably just took him a moment to recognize me,” Hannah said. “He seems okay now.” Her stomach growled, and Hannah realized that this was the perfect moment to make her escape.

“Jeez, get some food in your belly, Fenwick,” Landon said, trying to lighten the mood.

“Callan, would you mind running to the cafe next door? Get some sandwiches and chips or something?” she asked.

He looked at her with suspicion. “You shall accompany me, yes?”

Landon and Amelia exchanged glances.

“I’d like to stay just a little longer,” she said. “Maybe I’ll be able to help Bryce.”

“I do not have any coin,” he said. Hannah realized that she didn’t either. Any cash she had was in her bag, which was still in the cave with Mara.

Landon reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Here, man.” He handed Callan his credit card. “It’s on me.”

Hannah smirked at Landon’s power move, even though it was completely lost on Callan. Callan took the card and puzzled at it.

“You just give it to the person at the cafe. It has money on it,” she whispered. “We did this to him. I just want to make sure he isn’t in any pain.”

“I did it,” Callan whispered, looking to Bryce. “You had nothing to do with it.” Hannah thought that some of Callan’s humanity was showing, but that was simply wishful thinking. “If I had simply killed him, we would not be wasting our time here.” His words dripped with frustration and an utter lack of remorse.

“By the time you return, I’ll be ready to leave,” Hannah said.

Callan formed a fist around the credit card and tilted his head. He turned to Amelia and placed his hand on her shoulder. “You should retrieve our food.” His Siren’s voice was clear and enticing. “You desire this.” He handed her Landon’s credit card.

Amelia looked at him like he had lost his mind. “No, I’m good. Thanks, though.”

Hannah smiled to herself, knowing that her compulsion had trumped Callan’s.

Callan eyed Hannah, probably piecing together that she told Amelia not to listen to him. He looked to Landon and must have realized that he was too far away to touch without being completely awkward.

“Fine. I shall go,” he said. He moved his mouth close to Hannah’s ear so that no one else could hear him. “You best be here when I return.”

Hannah nodded with annoyance, conscious not to lose the assertion she exhibited against Callan back in her dorm room. He turned to leave and disappeared behind the infirmary doors.

“He’s not as charming as I remember,” Amelia commented, but Hannah didn’t have time to entertain her gossip.

She took Amelia’s hand and put her other hand on Landon’s shoulder. She looked back and forth between them. “Go back to your dorms now.” She felt the current of her song course on the sound waves that came from her mouth.

They nodded and walked away. Hannah placed her hand on the side of Bryce’s cheek. “You don’t feel any pain. That hunger you feel is no longer there. You can let go now. You’re at peace.” She noticed his eyes fill with tears, and he sighed with relief.

“Thank you.” His eyes closed, pressing a couple tears down his face. His chest rose with a shallow breath and fell once more. One arm slid off the edge of the bed as his body went limp.

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