2.

My trembling hand skimmed over the brown old pages, the light provided by the small flashlight shakily dancing over the book, my slightly labored breathing being the only sound reaching my ears as I sat hidden behind the huge chair, hurriedly skipping over the words.

"...a fallen angel is a wicked or rebellious angel that has been cast out of Heaven...”

“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into Hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until judgment...”

...vile creatures...

...turned into demons...”

My lips escaped a small gasp, instantly covering them with my hand, the moment my ears picked up the sounds of footsteps echoing across the corridor, quickly switching off the small flashlight, now hugging the old book tightly to my chest as I sat completely still, afraid of being caught.

“What are you doing?”

A small, terrified shriek tumbled out my lips, only to instantly calm down, the moment I looked up and noticed my brother staring down right at me.

“Rem, you scared me,” I breathed, taking his hand as he helped me get up from the floor, still clutching the book tightly to my chest.

“You know you’re not allowed in here,” A frown marred his sculptured features, his bright blue orbs curiously eyeing the heavy leathered book attached to my hip.

“I know, I’m so sorry, I-” I nervously mumbled, only to be interrupted by his loud, tired sigh,

“Just go.”

I blinked a few times, weirdly staring up at him since this was one of the rare moments he was actually being nice to me, before he repeated again, this time a little firmer,

“Go, before anyone else sees you.”

And without a second thought, I bolted straight towards the door, tiptoeing like a small mouse on the big corridor, taking two stairs at a time afterwards as I hurried straight to my room.

Once inside, I quickly closed the door, resting my back against it as I exhaled a long, audible breath.

Thank you, brother.

Quickly making my way towards the huge, intricately sculptured bed, I slowly kneeled afterwards, my fingers lightly skimming over the golden, cursive letters embedded on the cover.

Angels and Demons

I sighed once again, shoving the heavy book under the bed, deciding to read it tomorrow, in peace and someplace else, where no one can bother or see me.

Only the gods know what mother would do to me if she would’ve ever seen me with this book.

---

Climbing over the stone balcony I tightly gripped the straps of my backpack, taking a deep breath, seconds before taking a gracious leap, flowing three stories down, my canvas shoes soundlessly landing on the soft grass.

Perks of being half goddess...

I smiled, feeling the warm, autumn sunrays caressing my cheeks, tilting my head up to give a wink, knowing Apollo will definitely notice, if he was not currently busy with some other issues.

With the sounds of tiny birds chirping I started walking, heading straight towards the woods, skillfully guiding myself in between the tall, thick trunks and once I have reached my special place, I slipped the thick straps off my shoulders, throwing the backpack on the ground.

Throwing myself on my knees, I quickly unzipped it and pulled the old, heavy book out, leaning my back against a fallen log afterwards as I flung it open and started reading again.

Not only after a few moments, my ears suddenly picked up the sound of a twig snapping, instantly drawing my attention.

“Meliae?” My eyes scanned all over the area, looking for that sneaky little creature, only to find nothing.

Hmm...

I shrugged, returning to my lecture, also adjusting myself into a more comfortable position.

“...gifted with the lethal touch, assigned to take care of all the human souls-”

“Boo.”

“Aaah!” My lips escaped a frightened shriek, instantly shooting up, only to notice him, dressed in those same dark jeans, matching t-shirt and combat boots, a small smirk sporting all over his inhumanly angelic features as he intently watched me from just a few feet away.

“Hello, Red.”

“Watcha’ reading there?” He curiously raised one eyebrow, his dark gaze landing on the leathery book tightly clutched to my chest.

“That’s none of your business,” I rudely replied as I glowered at him, holding the book even tighter, trying to somehow cover it under my arms as much as I could.

“What are you doing here anyway? And what do you want?” I spat, warily eyeing his every move.

“Woah, chill out, Red,” He defensively raised his hands, tentatively taking a step even closer, causing me to also take a step back.

“Stop calling me like that. I have a name, you know,” I angrily replied, watching that annoying smirk making its appearance once again on his flawless features, seconds before he lazily replied,

“Yes, I know, Daya.”

What a rude creature…

My scrutinizing gaze trailed all over him, ultimately landing on those soulless, pitch black orbs, remembering the few paragraphs I’ve read in the book I was currently still holding, boldly taking a small step towards him as I asked,

“Which one of them are you?”

His dark eyebrows instantly shot up, obviously not fully understanding my question, curiously eyeing me before my next question.

“Are you Death?”

That would explain why he isn’t affected by my “gift”...

To my utter disappointment, his features quickly contorted into a frown, seconds before the answer came,

“First of all, no, I’m not.”

“Second, my brother is not a fallen...And third, why do you want to know?”

“I...T-that’s none of your business!” I quickly blurted out, obviously not wanting to tell him anything about my little secret, my eyes instantly turning blurry after briefly remembering all those horrible things this gift of mine has done so far...

All that blood…All those innocent lives…

“J-just leave me alone...” I whimpered, breaking into a dash straight back to the house, too affected to even think straight at that specific moment.