THE SAINTS HAVE FALLEN: CHAPTER 23

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 23

Ana.

Yuri stood towering above me as the sunlight flickered through the loose strands of his hair. Of course, he was scowling. At this point, I’m not sure he was even sure how to smile. His muscles were tensed as he folded his arm, and I could faintly see the chiseled sculpt of his arms. He let out a weary sigh and surprisingly welcomed himself to sit beside me.

“It wasn’t safe for you to leave on your own.”

I smiled into his heavy tone, keeping my gaze ahead into the slow streaming water, “I didn’t know I had a babysitter.” I didn’t intend to sound rude or snarky, so I maintained the softness within my voice as I spoke.

“Tell me about your family.”

I jerked my head in his direction, surprised. His tone was demanding but his face held genuine curiosity. “Has anyone ever told you that you are terrible at conversing?” I bit in my laugh. His annoyance was growing thicker by the second and I felt it scorching between us. Talking about my family wasn’t a topic I enjoyed so I focused on the positive aspects, like my grandfather and the last three years I spent with him. Still, I attempted to change his question, jokingly. “You can ask me how old I am first. I’m 19. I assume you’re…”

He blinked, not expecting my response. “My age does not matter.”

“That’s usually what the old people say when they-” He iced me a look, challenging me to continue. Okay, so someone didn’t like talking about his age. Noted. “I’m not sure what they teach you in Little God School but usually when you want to have a conversation with someone you don’t demand them as if you’re interrogating. It’s a give and take.”

“Are you saying you wish to strike a bargain with me? As a demon, I would advise you against it unless you wish to sell me a part of your soul.”

I parted my lips, about to speak but held myself back. He was beyond me. Beyond anything I ever knew. Letting out a soft sigh, I turned back to the silky water before me and fixed my eyes upon it, “I grew up with my aunt and cousin. My aunt was-” I paused, assessing my thoughts, “She was a decent woman. Kind enough to allow my grandfather and I to live with them.” I felt Yuri’s eyes burning into my skin as I spoke and kept my gaze stapled onto the water, “When I was sixteen, he retired and used his savings to buy a house elsewhere for just us. I guess he always felt like he was a burden that’s why he worked endless shifts. In his spare time, he would teach me about the Gods and all their stories and magic.” I turned to him in a subtle excitement, “Is it all true? I’m certain it is but I bet you know so many more.”

His expression softened as he studied me, “Perhaps one day I may tell you a few.”

The warmth of the sun caressed my skin, as I curled my toes within my boots. I couldn’t help but smile in response. “I was always intrigued by Mathias. His kindness, the way he forgave… If Mathias forgave the ones who injured him then who am I to not forgive the ones who hurt me?”

“And who hurt you?” His tone was grave, and it was as if he was expecting me to admit something.

I shook my head, turning away. It was a great deal of many things. But I wasn’t ready to open that jar of trouble just yet. I wasn’t ready to unravel the past, to count every scar, every bruise, every tear that fell, I- no. No. Yuri was absorbed into my words. Genuinely awaiting my response. No one ever spoke to me in a manner that was genuinely curiosity about me. I didn’t have friends, I genuinely wanted to but Aunt Edna never allowed me out much to interact with the young girls of my age. The only few I interacted with were Claudia’s friends and they weren’t very nice. I always wondered if it was me who found it difficult to have friends, my grandpa thought so. To a point where he found it best to homeschool me. He was always protective, but I know he meant well.

I couldn’t help but wonder though. Is this what it feels like? To have a friend, to have someone genuinely listen to you. It’s probably not the most ideal situation, with Yuri being a Demon-God or whatnot, but it was the closest thing. And maybe- just maybe– for a second, I could close my eyes and pretend it was the most human situation possible.

“Ana,” he repeated himself with a frown, “Who hurt you?”

I didn’t know how to answer that question. I didn’t know where to start. But I thought of the last thing that pained me still. “When we moved into the new house, my grandfather quickly fell ill. I took care of him, I just… I thought we’d have more time but before I knew it, he was gone. Watching your loved one die quickly is one thing but watching them slowly suffer and fade into nothing is another. It was cancer.” I answered, turning to him, “But he’s in a better place now. I’m sure. He was a good man. He never did wrong. Never.”

I couldn’t read his face. It was hard and his jaw clenched. I plucked a tiny flower from the patch nearby and smiled to erase the tension. “Some flowers still survive even after a storm weathers them.” The topic was rather heavy, so I brushed it aside. If Quilt didn’t help me then my last hope for information was Yuri. “I visited Quilt earlier.”

“Oh, did you?” His curiosity peaked. His violet eyes were now burning deep into my soul with intrigue.

“I wanted to understand why my grandfather sent me here. My gut kept telling me that he knows more than he’s letting out which is why I visited him.”

“And you never thought to ask me?” he raised a brow as he stood and stared into the sunlit forest ahead.

“Yes, but you’re not the most approachable. Other than the fact that you don’t even seem to know why yourself, do you?” His lips fell into a thin stapled line as I stood and spoke, “And to be fair the situation feels a bit awkward.”

“Take a walk with me.” He stated rather than asked.

“Are you planning to lead me into the forest to kill me?” I asked, keeping my steps in sync alongside him. We were about to cross the bridge when I heard mocking laughter. At the side, near the bin, a group of five children- three boys and two girls around the age of seven- were teasing a young girl and threatening to throw a notepad into the trash. Swollen tears formed in her eyes as she begged them not to do so. In a flash of a second, I saw the spitting image of my younger self within her. Why were children so vicious? I couldn’t walk away. I couldn’t. Determination lent wings to my feet as I strode over there. I snatched the notepad away and shot an icy look at the boy who kept the lollipop in his mouth as if it was a cigar.

“Whose is this?” I asked sternly.

No response. They all swallowed their sticky saliva and stared at me in front of the girl.

“Whose is this?” I firmed with a sharp and icy gaze.

“Mine.” The girl said from behind me, but I kept my eyes stapled on the group ahead.

“So why were you going to throw it into the trash?” I asked the boy roughly. He didn’t answer. Instead, I plucked the lollipop out of his mouth and hovered it over the trash.

“Hey!”

“Do you like it if I take something that’s yours and threaten to throw it away?”

He blinked.

“Exactly. Doesn’t feel good to be bullied, does it?” I stuck the lollipop into his hand, “And if I ever find out that you’re bothering her again, I’ll make sure I bring my dragon to eat you all up.” Three of them gasped. “And your parents too!” I startled them as one shrieked and they all backed away, horrified.

“Crazy old lady,” I heard the faint voice of the boy as he ran off. Turning back to the girl, I returned her soft smile.

“It’s beautiful,” I complimented the drawing of her castle as I returned her notepad. “Don’t let them make you feel anything less than you are. How they treated you was a reflection of who they are and what they have in their hearts, not you. Okay?”

She nodded silently as her arms wrapped around her notepad. “Thank you.” Her voice was as warm and calming as chamomile.

Yuri leaned casually against the pillar of the bridge and observed the scene which had taken place. The edges of his lips were tugged upwards, “I like the part about my dragon eating the children and their parents. Tomai has been feeling rather too hungry these days. A change in his diet might actually be a good thing.”

“I didn’t actually mean-”

“Why did you help the child? Do you know it?”

“Her,” I corrected him, “And no. Do you need to know someone to help them?”

He frowned deeply. So deep that even the bones of the dead must have felt startled and cold.

“When I was a child, no one stood up for me other than my grandfather and he was barely around because of work.” I walked across the bridge slowly as he followed, “Sometimes I admit someone would have, regardless if I knew them or not. I just wished people saw me. But everyone was so blinded by their own lives. It’s just how society is. I don’t want to be like that. I want to try and do the right thing, even if it seems like nothing.”

“Is there an accurate definition of right and wrong?” He asked. I turned to drown in the storm brewing within his eyes, “Someone may try to do what’s right, and yet it may be deemed as wrong.”

Somehow, I knew he wasn’t talking about the current situation. He was talking about his banishment. “I guess,” I spoke softly and empathetically, “Maybe it’s more subjective than we realize. And if that’s the case, then the systems within our worlds might not be the most comforting.” I turned to continue our walk, “Be whatever it is, I just don’t want to probe anymore hurt into this world. It has enough already.”

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