Page 71 of Claimed by the Fallen
“Fine,” I quickly agree. “Whatever it takes to get him to let her go.” I look back at my mom and see her wide eyes. I know her well enough to know she wants me to run. But this is my fault. I can’t let her pay for something that’s myfault.
“Absolutely not.” Adrian tightens his grip on my arm. “Don’t bestupid.”
“Don’t call me stupid,” I hiss, glaring back at him. “She’s mymom.”
“Do you think she would want you to sacrifice yourself for her?” He gives me a shake, as if that will help me see reason. But there’s nothing reasonable about anything in my lifeanymore.
I’m a Nephilim—angel—whatever. My entire existence has been a lie, except for the love my mom and dad have given me. I never once felt like an adopted child. I’m entirely theirs, and they’re mine. I cannot let anything happen tothem.
The demon grunts again. This time, it sounds angrier. Andimpatient.
“Please, Adrian,” I try a different tactic, gazing at him with desperation. Despite my best effort, Adrian is unmoved. He jerks his head once and says, “Never.”
The demon growls. Then, I hear my mom’s muffled cry ofpain.
I look back and scream as I see the demon slice into the tender flesh on my mom’s neck. With wide, blue eyes, Mom falls to the ground. Blood gushes out of her fatalwound.
No…
NO!
A red haze falls over my eyes. Vaguely, I realize Angel Fire has consumed all of my body. I hear Adrian hiss and drop his hold like I burned him. Then, Iexplode.
Twenty-Six
Blindingwhite light replaces the red, making me lose my vision for a second. When my sight returns, I see the light has spread out in a circle around me, igniting objects in its path. My battle cry reverberates through the warehouse. The sound is so strangled—so full of pain—I barely recognize it as my ownvoice.
Free of Adrian’s grasp, I walk forward. Flames continue to lick every inch of my body, miraculously leaving my clothes intact. My surroundings are blazing, but I don’t spare the fiery objects a glance. My attention is locked on the demon who just cut my mom’s throat. Black blood leaks from the corner of its eyes, and the creature seems disoriented as it stumbles back, trying to get bearings to make anescape.
I’ll be damned if I let the demon getfar.
As if some outside force is controlling my body, my arm rises and an electric bolt shoots from my fingers. The demon howls when the angelic power hits itsmark.
I shoot another bolt and grin when the demon cries out again. The monster’s pain pleases me. It deserves to suffer for what it’s done, and I’m determined to make sure thathappens.
The air around me grows warmer with every passing second. I hear someone shouting my name, but I’m too focused on my vengeance to acknowledgeit.
The scrawny creature cowers in the corner. It screeches unfamiliar words and furiously swings its head from side to side. It isn’t until I see the milky film covering red eyes that I realize I’ve blinded thedemon.
I feel nopity.
Again, I fire a shot of Angel Fire. This time, it burns a hole through the demon’s torso. My breathing is ragged, and I feel an undeniable dose of satisfaction when the yancor demon collapses onto the floor. My fury keeps me ablaze. I yearn to find other demons to make pay. Without thought, I glance down at the floor. My mother’s blood has reached my sneakers. Just like that, my anger fades away, replaced bygrief.
The Angel Fire dies out as I collapse onto my knees, unbothered with the fact there is blood on my pants now. My mom is lying with her back to me. I reach out to turn her over but hesitate. I don’t know if I want to see her wound up close. I don’t know what todo.
A strong hand lands on my shoulder. My tears begin to spill over and run down my cheeks as I look up atAdrian.
Gone is his characteristic smirk. I see only compassion and regret in Adrian’s deep hazel eyes. “I’m sorry,Angel.”
I whimper and look back down at my mom. She can’t bedead.
My mom is the most selfless and kind woman in the world. She’s done everything forme.
And how do I repay her? By being an abomination and getting her kidnapped so some weirdo angel can meetme.
Maybe if I refused to let my angelic bodyguards be around all the time, Lukas would have been able to meet with me on my own. The thought makes me shrug away Adrian’s touch. I know this is all my fault, but I can’t deny I want to lay some of the blame on him and the other three angels. They were supposed to protect me, but I’ve been hurt worse than I ever could have imagined. My mom is everything to me. She can’t be dead. I won’t let her bedead.
Strengthened by my thoughts, I don’t question myself when I reach out and touch my mom’s arm. Her skin is still warm, and that gives mehope.
