Free The Forsaken by Renee Pace

so-called rescue mission. Every time he was with Isabella, he felt like he was free-falling to Earth and often felt like he was the one in need of rescuing, rather than the other way around.
    “When we were exiled, it took us a while to find each other,” said Isabella in her matter-of-fact voice, while she soothed her sister. She used her healing voice to comfort her sister while her hands lovingly stroked Anya’s back.
    Nat moved in slow motion, fearful of causing Anya anymore distress. “Isabella, are you telling me that you all landed in different places?” He rested against Isabella’s bedroom wall. He needed to feel something solid because everything he learned shook the foundation of his beliefs.
    She nodded. “Yeah, but we at least all landed in the United States. I found most of my fellow Cherubs within months, but Anya here, took me longer. Left in the hands of mankind, she did not fare well. Oh, don’t mistake me, she’s physically unharmed—but some scars are deeper and more permanent. Shh, it’s okay, Anya. Nathanael needs to know. I have a feeling his stay with us is going to be longer than he anticipated.”
    Isabella took the time to tease him with a light smile. This Cherub was a warrior. A brave female. The mother to all her fellow Cherubs, she would and had fought for them. Nat’s knees grew shaky. He had thought to remove her from them when she was their foundation key, keeping them strong, allowing them to prosper, to survive.
    What right do I have to take her from them? The question caught him off guard. His fear must have shown in his eyes because Isabella, still soothing Anya with the comfort of her soft humming and gentle hand on her back, glared at him.
    Nat ran agitated hands through his bristly hair. “I had no idea. We all assumed you were safe in the comfort of the Cherub safe houses. To think of the struggle you all must have endured and still endure, I can only say with regret that…my ignorance has not helped my cause.”
    “Ah, yes, your cause . I believe you stated that when you first arrived. As you see now, that’s impossible. I’m sure you can petition the Mistress to secure you another Cherub. Trust me, I won’t mind. Come, Anya, let us take you back to your sanctuary. This Seraphim is done with us for the night and with any luck, he’ll be gone for good.”
    I guess I deserved that . “Anya, what happened to you?”
    Anya didn’t answer; he hadn’t expected her to. Her eyes were glued to something on the floor. Her hair was the color of filtered rays of sunlight.
    “I found her with foster parents who were anything but nice,” stated Isabella, coldly.
    Nat’s eyebrows quirked in question.
    “Anya was one of five children, living in a small house. The people used the children to get money from the government here, but they didn’t take care of the children.” Izzy leaned closer to him. “In fact, when she was caught praying or helping the other children she was beaten. When I found her, her body was so full of new and old bruises, that had not my faith stopped me I would have killed the humans. They were not demon filled but I wished with all my soul they had been. They were simply evil humans who wanted money for the drugs they bought. They used the children. I made sure to alert the police once I got my sister out of there.”
    Nat moved until he was within reach of the pair who were standing together, cuddled in their own safety. Slowly, he sank to his knees. “By the holiest of holy relics, I am sorry for your pain and the suffering you had to endure, Anya. If I could take that pain away from you, I would be honored to do so. Alas, my mere words of comfort and sympathy for your plight and that of your fellow sisters is all I have within my power to offer. I would slay a hundred thousand demons if I could stop your pain. By the path of light , I ask for your forgiveness.”
    “My forgiveness?” Anya’s voice was a mere squeak of a whisper.