THE SAINTS HAVE FALLEN: CHAPTER 22

The Saints Have Fallen is a YA Dark Romance Fantasy Novel written by Celine Mahadeo.

Novel. Fiction. Genre (Dark Romance Fantasy).

By Celine Mahadeo.

BLURB

After being stripped of his title as a God and turned into a demon in the presence of his brother, Yuri was banished to earth to live amongst the humans whom he hates. 200 years later, a young girl shows up at his doorstep holding both his life and death in her hands whilst not having any idea of the power in which she possesses.

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Chapter 22

Ana.

Yuri was bipolar. It was the only logical explanation I could make sense of. Apart from the whole Demon-God business, his behaviour and personality were bizarre. One minute he’d be a narcissistic twat, and the next he’d be near me- inches away- speaking low and soft, and brushing my hair almost caressingly. I wasn’t falling for that. Nope. I don’t know what trick he had up his sleeve, but he sees me as a lowly human. And as far as I know, men simply don’t just change overnight- human or not.   

I stared at the gushing water fountain before me, deep in thought. Quite frankly I was still processing the last few hours which happened. It all felt like a dream. Surreal. There’s so much I still don’t understand. The situation itself was much more complex than I’d imagined. I caressed the smooth lavender gemstone of Mathias which hung around my neck.

I need answers, Mathias. I’m more confused than I’ve ever been.

“Are you going somewhere, Ana?” Tomai asked, staring at my crossbag.

“Oh, I- I’m going into town for a bit. I wanted to get some more vegetables in the grocery, or maybe I’ll stop at the local market,” I lied with a soft smile. Lying was a terrible thing to do. Not to mention I was also a terrible liar. I felt guilty for it, but I knew I needed to figure things out on my own with no distractions. I recalled the interaction Yuri had with Quilt. They were already acquainted with each other, and Yuri didn’t strike me as someone who’d have many friends here. So, if my gut was telling me correctly, Quilt knew the truth and much more than he was letting out. There was a particular aura I always felt whenever he was around. Peaceful. Forgiving. Kind. If anyone would help me understand things further, it would be him. I contemplated whether I should have asked Yuri, but he seemed entangled in his own world of tasks and thoughts. Besides, I couldn’t handle the constant insults of humans being weak and beneath him. Whether it came from him or… A sudden flashback jolted into my mind like an icy dagger.

You are nothing.

No.

I pushed it away, sucking in my breath and tightening my grip on my gemstone. I am something to him. He loves me. No matter if I am alone, he will never leave me. Mathias, my faith, is all I have now.

“-Or maybe I can get Master Yuri to accompany you?” Tomai continued.

I smiled at the boy’s persistence for my safety, “I’ll be alright, Tomai. I’ll be back before you know it. Besides, it’s pretty early.”

His tilted lips and knitted eyebrows reflected how unconvinced he was. Before he could have said another word, I ruffled his hair a bit and spin on the heels of my boot, and quickly fastened my pace away.

From a distance, I saw the bright-haired boy run across the cobblestone road and entered the corner library. If he hadn’t gone in here, then I wouldn’t have even noticed it was a library. The small wooden door was in quiet view regardless of the quirky little sign that hang silently above.

‘Love & Quilt’s Best Book Buys’

I gave a small knock on the door and pushed it gently open. It did say open after all. The scent of cinnamon rolls danced through the air twisted with something peaceful and divine. Plush grey rugs floored the right side of the shop which was lined with rows of bookshelves, each itching for its spine to be cracked open and a reader to dive into its colourful world. At the far corner, there was a cozy little book nook. How wonderful to snug yourself there on a cold day with a tempting book in hand. Books, as cliché, as they may sound, helped me escape -away from the memories. Away from the past. It plunged me into a different world, a different realm where I could just forget. Especially when my reality was too hard.

A woman emerged from the door behind the countertop where the register lay heavily. Her sun-kissed blonde hair cascaded down in waves, stopping a little lower than her waist. Her turquoise blue eyes sparkled merrily as she soaked in my presence. The headband she wore was adorned with white crystals; one could easily mistake her wearing a delicate crown if not closely observed. She inhaled an excited little gasp and smiled at me as if she recognized a familiarity amongst us. If I’d known any better, I would have assumed she’s swiftly tackled me into a vibrant and endless hug the way a mother would her child. Tall, slender, and gracefully lovely. Were all people in this town so achingly beautiful? She parted her lips to speak eagerly but was replaced by Quilt’s voice behind me.

“Ana?”

“Quilt,” I smiled, pleased by his presence. “I came looking for you, I’d hope that maybe we can speak in private?”

“Of course,” he nodded and walked back to the door, flipping the open sign to closed. I wouldn’t take much of his time, I just needed answers. His silky blond hair danced playfully framing his face as his soft blue shirt was tucked neatly into his earthy brown pants the way a parent would dress their child on the first day of primary school. His eyes fell upon the woman behind me, but he didn’t ask her to leave, instead, he introduced us, “This is Loraine.” He paused and locked eyes with her.

“Quilt’s aunt,” she finished, dropping her eyes a bit but bringing them back to hold mine, “It’s so nice to finally meet you, Ana.”

Trickles of confusion splashed over me when she continued, “Quilt told me about you, he’d very fond of you.” A blush slashed across Quilt’s face, tangled with an awkward embarrassment.

“Anyone would be,” Quilt minimized with a compliment. “Forgive my aunt, she’s always a bit chatty.”

But my mind wasn’t processing his words fully, it had been lingering on the woman’s. The way she said my name… The gentleness of her aura. My eyes fell onto the necklace and the gemstone which graced itself into it. The faintest pink crystal, one which belonged to -and which was worn by those who prayed to- the Goddess of Love & Fertility. The sudden wash of realization drenched over me. Love & Quilt’s Best Book Buys. Could she actually be…? No, that wasn’t impossible… A Goddess right before me? I couldn’t have been that blessed. And yet, there was a pull towards her, this feeling I longed for which made me want to run into her arms and cry all the bottled-up, aching, agony away. She couldn’t have been Quilt’s aunt. Though she appeared older than both of us, she felt too ethereal to be anything more than God-like. Besides, the guilt of her words was present in her features when she claimed to be his aunt. Certainly, she was not a great liar. It relieved me somehow to know that she felt such. Then again, this was all a wild assumption. And yet, my heart knew the truth before me.

Perhaps I should test it.

 Loraine excused herself to shelve the remaining books on the return tables. “I like her,” I said to him, kindly. It wasn’t a lie. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say she looks like a Goddess descended upon earth herself.”

His eyes widened for a fraction of a second and quickly blinked the shock away. From the corner of my eyes, Loraine shot her head in my direction. It was humanly impossible to hear what I said. This too proved my theory right. It felt like a dirty thing to do, I admit, to subtly coerce the information out like this. I sighed, I didn’t want to keep this up. “Quilt, I need to know the truth… about why my grandfather sent me here. To Yuri. I remember your interaction with him and I know he isn’t much of the friendly type.”

He remained silent and pressed his lips into a thin firm line, his eyes holding worry. He wasn’t going to speak so I continued, “I don’t know who else to ask. But my gut is leading me to you. I know what Yuri is, and I know you already knew. What I don’t know is why. Did you know my grandfather? Or anything about why he’d tell me to visit here?”

“Ana…” the Goddess neared me, sympathetically.

“I’m sorry, Ana.” Quilt interjected slowly, “I can’t help you.”

Loraine iced him a disapproving look. He knew something but seemed to be holding back. Why? My heart sank, feeling the disappointment swell within me. I contented myself with his response and nodded. Loraine parted her lips to speak but let out a small breath instead. Her eyes were apologetic and filled with pain.  

“It’s alright,” I said in a whisper, attempting to not let my emotions betray me, “I’m sorry for coming so abruptly.”

He drew himself closer to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. His expression was torn. “Forgive me, I wish I could-”

I shook my head cutting his words off like scissors to ribbon. “I’ll visit you again, Quilt.” My smile must have seemed half-broken because his expression was not convinced. Before things grew even more awkward, I quickly headed for the door.

As I walked along the half-crowded street, I felt heavy eyes upon me. There were so many individuals around, no one would be willing or stupid to harm me in broad daylight like this. Would they? I researched a bit about Cher before I came here, the town was practically known for its sleepy drama, no crime, and friendly faces. Maybe I was a bit paranoid.

Across the park, there was a distinct little river and a fairytale-like white bridge that curved over it, adored with fallen leaves all in gold and brown tones. We were at the end of summer and fall was quickly approaching I mentally noted to myself. Sometimes I forget the season I’m in. Beyond the bridge was an open forest. I imagine one could have beautiful walks there. Simply to feel the crunch of the leave beneath your boots and inhale the crisp atmosphere. As tempted as I was with the idea of a brief stroll, I contented myself with sitting at the edge of the river near the bridge and soaking in the scenery beyond me. Patches of wildflowers grew in clusters around me. Plucking a few I caressed the petals with my fingertips and sighed.

What remained of my hope was fading. How am I supposed to get answers if the answers were beyond my reach and understanding? How? What do I do? Who do I go to? The feeling of hopelessness now crashed like a consuming, angry wave into my soul. Pressing my gemstone to my lips, I whispered. “How Mathias? I feel so confused right now. Please, I need you. I need to understand my grandfather’s wishes.” I sighed again wearily with a little smile, “You must think I’m impatient. But you know what’s in my heart and why I need to know. I didn’t expect all this. And right now, I feel like I have no purpose. I feel so lost… You’re all I’m sure about right now.” I squeezed my eyes tightly together, trying not to get too emotional, “I love you. With my heart and my soul and every drop of my breath. If-”

“Should I be concerned that you come out there on your own and talk to yourself, human?”

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