Free Fallen in Love by Lauren Kate

Cam.”
    “On what? Living the good life?” Cam’s spark had come back, but it seemed garish in this pale, shadowy specter standing before Roland. “Start by finding yourself a deserted island. This one’s taken, but there must be more out there somewhere.” He flung his hand out at the world, at Roland.
    “I love a mortal woman,” Roland said very slowly. “I want to shape my life around her.”
    “You don’t
have
a life. You’re a fallen angel on the other side. You’re a
demon
.”
    “You know what I mean.”
    “Take it from me. Love is impossible. Get out and save yourself the heartache.”
    In that moment, Roland realized he’d been foolish to go to Cam for advice. And yet he’d
had
to come. Cam’s love story hadn’t worked out—but he still understood what Roland was going through.
    “Perhaps you could tell me what … 
not
to do?”
    “All right,” Cam said, taking a deep, shuddering breath. “Fine. Do
not
demean yourself by living a lie. Do
not
ask me if she will love you if she finds out what you are—even the most lovesick fool knows the answer to that. She will not. She cannot. Do
not
dream that you can keep such a secret from her, either. And above all, for Lucifer’s sake, do
not
forget that no temple on earth will have you should you choose to wed this poor creature.”
    “I believe I can make this work, Cam.”
    “You believe you and your love see eye to eye, then?”
    “Yes. We are devoted to one another.”
    “And what is her view on eternity?”
    Roland paused.
    “Don’t tell me you don’t know? Fine then, I’ll tell you. Here, Roland, is the unquestionable truth about our immortality: Mortals cannot fathom it. It frightens them. The knowledge will devour her—that she will grow old and die and you will remain the young and strapping devil that you are.”
    “I could change for her—I could make myself grow old, appear to wrinkle and wither and—”
    “Roland.” Cam’s face soured. “That isn’t your style. Whoever she is, it will be easier on her now, when she is no doubt young and shapely and can find another mate. Don’t waste her best years.”
    “But somehow, love must be possible. Just because you and Lilith couldn’t—”
    “We’re not talking about me.”
    They stood silently and listened to the echoing of the falling water around them.
    “Fine,” Roland said at last, “then what about Daniel and Lu—”
    “What about them?” Cam roared into the waterfall. His face turned red with sudden fury. “If they’re your models, go ask them for advice.” He shook his head, disgusted. “We all know what will become of them anyway.”
    “What do you mean?”
    Now Cam turned clear green eyes on Roland. And Roland flushed to find himself being pitied.
    “In the end,” Cam said, “he will abandon her. He has no choice. He is no match for this curse. It will outlast him and undo him.”
    Roland’s wings bristled. “You’re wrong. You have grown too close to Lucifer—”
    “That couldn’t be further from the truth,” Camhooted, but when he spun around, Roland noticed the branding on the back of his neck. The tattoo reached just beyond the high collar of his cloak. Unmistakable.
    “You wear his mark now?” Roland’s voice trembled. He didn’t have one. Would never hope to be offered one. Lucifer only branded certain demons, demons with whom he wanted a special relationship.
    “Cam, you can’t—”
    Cam caught Roland’s face in his hand and held tight. They stood close, locked in an intimate grip. Roland didn’t know if they were enemies or friends.
    “Who came to whom to ask for advice, Roland? We are not talking about me and the way I conduct myself. We are talking about you and the pitiful love story that you are going to have to end.”
    “There must be a way to—”
    “Face it: You wouldn’t have come to me if you didn’t already know the answer.”

    Of all the things that Cam had told him that day at the waterfall, his parting