Rise of the Fallen Read Online Free Page B

of wind blew the curtains nearly to the ceiling.
    My window was not open before I fell asleep. I rushed over to it, pulling it closed quickly. My heart was pounding loudly in my chest. Another crash of thunder was all that was needed to make me jump. I jammed my eyes shut and whispered Cael’s name.
    In an instant, painless flash of crimson flames, I was in Cael’s room. He looked up from his book and jumped to his feet.
    â€œEmilie, what happened?” His voice was full of concern as he brushed the hair from my eyes. I was surprised to see I was shaking.
    â€œWere you in my room?” I asked quietly, looking up into his eyes.
    â€œNo, I wasn’t. Why do you ask?”
    If it wasn’t Cael, who could it have been? As far as I knew, no one else had any idea where we lived.
    â€œI fell asleep on the floor near my door and when I woke up my window was open and I was in my bed,” I mumbled.
    Cael gently pushed my hair behind my ears. His hand rested against my neck while he spoke again.
    â€œPerhaps it was Soul. Or perhaps I was right and he has already told someone where we are.” His voice was soothing yet condescending.
    I felt uneasy with his hand against my neck. Once again he was trying to blame it all on Soul.
    â€œHe doesn’t know where we live. He’s not a demon.”
    Cael dropped his hand at the venom in my voice.
    â€œOh well, you’re just the big expert on knowing a demon in human form when you see one, aren’t you?” he said roughly. I froze.
    â€œWhat’s that face for, Emilie? Have you forgotten about Dorian? Because I haven’t.”
    Cael was right. I had no reason to trust Soul. I hadn’t been given any reassurance that he was a human; perhaps it was just wishful thinking. I had chosen to ignore the facts yet again. Strangely enough, I didn’t feel one bit guilty about it.
    I glanced up at Cael and replied in an angry whisper, “I said I was sorry. What more do you want from me?”
    He looked me in the eyes. “I know you’re sorry. That doesn’t change anything. You have no idea what I’ve done for you, to set you free, to set us both free.” His voice had lost all harshness, now it took on an urgent edge.
    I wasn’t going to let this go.
    â€œFreedom? This is freedom? Sure had me fooled,” I laughedsarcastically.
    â€œI beg your pardon?” Cael’s voice was calm.
    â€œYou call this freedom? We are hiding out like animals. We do nothing. We sit around and wait for them to find us. There was more dignity back in the shadows of the underworld. More respect,” I said, not breaking eye contact.
    He was silent for a moment, taking a step back as he spoke. “But I thought this was what you wanted, Emilie.”
    â€œThis is not what I want! This is what you want. It’s always been about what you want.”
    A flash of lightning lit up the dark sky outside.
    â€œFine, what do you want then?” he asked softly.
    What? That was definitely not the reaction I had expected from Cael. I had expected some big rant about him knowing what was best for me, or him wanting to protect me.
    â€œI want to use my powers. I don’t want to hide, to be afraid,” I said softly, taking a step towards him. “I want to feel alive again.”
    â€œOkay. Use your powers however you see fit,” Cael said, shifting nervously and smiling. “Just do me a favour and make sure you aren’t caught using them.”
    I smiled, “I promise I’ll be careful.”
    He shrugged lightly, a tense smile on his face. “They’re your powers, Emilie. I have no right to control them, or you. Feel free to do what you want. I won’t judge you. I have a request though,” he said quietly, his eyes meeting mine.
    â€œAnything,” I replied instantly.
    He opened his mouth to speak, just as the room was engulfed in darkness. It must have been the power lines.