Page 55 of Roman

She moved behind Armaros, hiding from them.Realization hit hard that she didn’t know anyone in this room.All these immortals were staring at her and Roman, watching them with blank expressions.She couldn’t tell what any of them were thinking.

A hand touched her shoulder.Charlotte screamed, slapping it away, then turned to find Cassandra standing behind her.

“Do not be afraid of him, Charlotte.He is not what you think.”

Charlotte leaned away from her.“Armaros,” Charlotte said, her voice trembling.He was the only one she felt safe with.He had protected her, no questions asked, for years.

The giant angel looked over his shoulder and down at her.“Yes?”

“Can you please take me to my room?I-I don’t feel safe here,” she whispered, tears now flowing freely.

Charlotte couldn’t stop herself from shaking.She had to get away from Roman, had to get away from all these eyes on her, so she could think straight and make some sense out of all this craziness.But most of all, she needed to try to wrap her head around what Roman had just said.

Armaros looked surprised before simply nodding.

“Charlotte, wait.Please let me explain,” Roman pleaded, making his way over to her again.

Maalik grabbed Roman by the arm.“Give her some space, brother.”

Roman looked at his brother with an incredulous look, as if Maalik’s request was insane.

“She will be fine, Roman.I will take her to one of the guest rooms where she can rest,” Armaros answered, trying to reassure him.

Charlotte could see Maalik whispering to Roman, never letting go of his arm.Roman’s eyes never left hers.Finally, he stilled, giving Armaros a small nod.Charlotte released a breath as Armaros gently took her hand.

“Come.”He led her from the room and away from all these beings.

* * *

Charlotte satin a chair on the balcony of the room Armaros had led her to.When he’d first left her in the room, she’d immediately locked the door behind him, knowing damn well all the men in this goddamn mansion could probably just rip the handle off, so it really was no use.But it made her feel safer to lock it.She’d lay on the bed just for a second, she told herself, but exhaustion took over, and she passed out for God knew how long.For the first time in a long time, she’d had a blessed, dreamless sleep, waking up feeling more refreshed than she had in a long, long time.

The view from the balcony was stunning, looking out over the Hills to the city below.It was insane to Charlotte that she had been living such a normal life only days ago, down there in the bustling city with no knowledge of these immortal beings even existing.There was this whole secret world living right alongside her, as well as all the other humans down there, and none of them even knew about it.Even more disturbing was that an entire war was going on between these different species of immortals, a dangerous war at that.And now, here she was, sitting on this balcony in a house full of fallen angels, surrounded by magic and ancient prophecies, and she was the star of the show.The one person who could bring on the end of days.Oh, and don’t forget she’d just found out she might be an angel.Or part angel?God only knew.

I didn’t ask for this,Charlotte thought helplessly, hugging her knees to her chest.

To top it all off, she’d gone and done something stupid.She had fallen in love with a monster.

Her feelings tore her apart.She had started to trust Roman, to feel safe with him and care about him.Only to find out he’d been hiding a huge secret, not just from her, but from the people he cared about the most.He wasn’t just a fallen angel—he was also a demon.It terrified her.Demons had tormented her for so long, and now the person she wanted to trust the most, turned out to be one.

Charlotte had been alone for so long.Besides Ava and Kate, she had no one.She had always fantasized that a knight in shining armor would come and save her from her dreary life.Where she didn’t have to work so hard just to survive.After what happened with Roman and the feelings she’d begun to have, she’d allowed herself to think maybe he could be that for her.Until it all came crashing down.

“If you don’t get sacrificed first, stupid,” she angrily snapped to herself.

Charlotte had to make a decision.If all this was true and she could be the reason the world burned just like in her dreams, then maybe she should consider other options.Maybe I should be killed.The deadening thought crept through her mind.What if she took herself out of the equation and killed herself?The thought sank heavily into her chest, realization slamming into her that this was probably the best option for everyone.The only option.

If Lucifer got out, millions would die in a horrible, agonizing way.How could she let that happen?She couldn’t.

A knock on the door snapped her from her dark thoughts.Charlotte got up and walked back into the room.

“Go away, Roman!”she yelled, too scared to open the door and face him.

“It’s not Roman.It’s Maalik,” answered the deep voice coming through the door.“May I please come in?I just want to talk.”

Charlotte stood, staring at the door.She had never spoken with Maalik.Knew nothing of Roman’s brother, except that he had been just as shocked as her about Roman’s secret.She couldn’t see any harm in just talking to him.She walked over, unlocked the door, and pulled it open.

Maalik stood there, looking at her with penetrating emerald eyes, his hair the same golden blond as Roman’s.His hair looked dishevelled, as if he had been running his hands through it.He towered over her like a handsome god.His black dress pants and white shirt with the top few buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up past his elbows did nothing to hide his large, lean, muscled body.

Do all these angels look like gods?she thought as Maalik entered the room, shutting the door behind him.

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