Free Fallen Angels by Natalie Kiest Page B

was if Kara was okay.
    I didn’t take my eyes off the window until I saw my father exit the house and make his way toward me. Ducking behind the trees, I waited for him.
    “This is not very becoming of you my child. Hiding in the shadows, so she doesn’t see you?” my father said as he stepped into the trees.
    “What the fuck are you doing here? Is Kara okay?” I asked.
    “I was doing what you could not. Checking on Kara for my fierce daughter.” He chuckled. “Kara is fine. It’s a girl, Chloe Lilith, after your mother and her friend. You should go see her, instead of lurking around out here.” He smiled, and then vanished.
    I wanted to see Kara, but I was worried how she would react to my sudden appearance after everything I had said and done. She would think I was here to end her baby’s life, but I just wanted to hold Kara and make up for all the time lost between us. I could be near her now, and the thought alone made me smile.
    I skulked in the trees for a few days, only leaving to feed. I had to be sure taking Kara’s blood would not be an option. When I returned that night Kara was standing in the window of my room. She opened the window and sent her thoughts to me. She knew I was here, and she thought I was here to kill her baby.
    Kara was the only one swirling in my thoughts; her baby was the last thing on my mind. I had to see her, and I knew when she left the window open, she was inviting me in. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if this was the right thing to do. Why would Kara invite me in if she thought her baby would be in danger?
    It was either a test or a trap. Whatever awaited me, I would happily walk into it to see her again. So, without any caution I quickly made my way across the lawn; leaping up to the open window I crawled into my old room. The bathroom light shined brightly, illuminating my room, which appeared to be Kara’s now.
    The water in the bathroom was running, and I could smell her. Her delicious, sweet scent had returned to normal. Excited to see her, I rushed into the bathroom a little too fast. What I saw both excited and saddened me. Kara was standing in front of the mirror, naked. She was thin, and surprisingly her body looked nearly the same as I remembered, except for the terrible scars that seemed to glare at me through the mirror.
    I knew then that the child had to live, because killing it would only destroy another piece of Kara, and I would never hurt her again. The answer to all of my worries and fears had been right here all this time. Finally, I was seeing so clearly what I had been missing. I was relieved when she let me hold her, unafraid of me and my touch. I never wanted to let her go. I had to stay here. To be close and watch over them both. Kara would always be home to me.
    Making love to Kara that night was different; she had to be in control of every move. I was unsure whether it was her rape or if it was her mistrust in me, until I saw the glint of joy in her eyes as she forcefully pinned my arms at my sides. I knew exactly what she was trying to do. She was trying to get my demon to burst from its cage. It was a test, one I knew I could pass with ease.
    The harder she pushed to see my monster, the gentler my touch became. It seemed to irritate her that I could have such control, and when I tried to hold her after she was spent, her behavior proved I was right. Her angry words, her pain and disappointment. Kara really thought I had used her? How could she think…My thought abruptly turned into a new question. Had I used Kara?
    Slipping out of the house and back to the trees, I couldn’t shake the thought that she was right. What possible reason would I have to use her? Kara was my whole world. I used her as bait, once, no, twice. Those moments didn’t count since I was trying to protect her in the end. Did I use her for her blood? No, Kara willingly offered that to me. Kara’s accusation didn’t make sense. I had never used her for anything other than