Free Fallen by Elise Marion Page A

be cancer free.”
    “ Wait,” she said before he could pick her up and take off with her again. He let her go and stood back, waiting. “You were in pain in there. I saw you. What was that about?”
    “ It is a part of my gift. I’m able to feel what people around me feel; emotions, pain, everything.”
    Shayla’s eyes widened. “Then you had to have been in pain the whole time you were with me in the hospital! But you kept coming back.”
    He nodded with a smile. “Of course I did. I told you, something in you imprinted itself on me. The pain was bad at first, but as you healed it began to lessen. It was worth it just to be at your side when you needed me.”
    She stepped forward and placed a hand against his chest. He lifted his hand to cover hers. “Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked. “Do you really want to give up your gift for me?”
    “ Not just for you, Shayla. For me too. For us.”
    She stared up into his eyes, searching for any doubt or uncertainty. Within the smooth brown depths there was none. She raised her arms around his neck and allowed him to lift her into his arms again. Within seconds they were streaking across the sky again. He left her on the rooftop of her apartment with his promise to return soon. As a man. Shayla stood, hugging herself against the cold, and watched him streak across the dark night sky like a shooting star. She was still there, long after he had disappeared.

Chapter 14: Transformation
     
    When Amir landed on the steps of the throne room, at the heart of heaven, Sarah was there waiting for him. In her angelic form, she stood as tall as he did, her pearlescent wings stretched high. Her skin shone like iridescent gems and silvery curls tumbled down her back.
    “ I know why you’re here,” she said in place of a greeting. She crossed her arms across her chest. “Do you have any idea what you’re about to do ? ”
    Amir smiled. “Yes. I’m making a choice. I choose to be with the woman I love.”
    Sarah shook her head. “I don’t understand you, Amir. I don’t understand any angel who would give up what we do for a human lover. There is no justification for it.”
    “ I don’t expect you to understand,” he replied. “You can’t understand it until you’ve felt what I feel right now, Sarah. If you did, you would be surprise what you’d be willing to sacrifice.”
    Sarah unfolded her arms and stepped closer to him, her distress clear on her face. “You’re being irrational! You’re an angel, Amir. One of the most gifted I’ve ever known!”
    “ Goodbye Sarah,” Amir said, knowing that he could never make her understand. Most angels wouldn’t unless they opened themselves up to emotional love. Angels were aloof creatures, mainly out of necessity, especially the ones who chose to go to earth. It took a lot of will and dedication to stay the course when surrounded by the distractions the world had to offer.
    “ So that’s it?” she asked dubiously. “This is goodbye? You’re really going through with this.”
    Amir, who had turned to walk away, stopped to gaze back over his shoulder. “I hope that someday you could come to feel happy for me.”
     
     
     
     
    The gateway was open, and all Amir needed to do now was walk through it. Father stood at his shoulder, waiting patiently for him to proceed. Yet for a moment, he was hesitant. He wasn’t sure why, when all he had been able to think about since leaving Shayla standing on the rooftop was returning to her. Something in him was saddened at the thought of what he was about to sacrifice.
    “ It’s all right to feel that sadness,” said Father softly from behind him. “It only means that you aren’t taking this decision lightly.”
    “ I want you to know that I have loved every moment I’ve gotten to spend in heaven and on earth healing people. I’ll be happy with Shayla, but I will miss it.”
    “ You’ll return someday. Until then, enjoy your new life.”
    This was it, the