Fallen by Kelley R. Martin Read Free Book Online

that happen. I’d rather die first. 
    So you know what you have to do.
    Tears sprung forth for the millionth time that night as I said, “I’ll feed.”
    His brows shot up. “You will?”
    I nodded, forcing a small smile. “Tomorrow, okay? I’m exhausted right now… Lay with me until I fall asleep?”
    He climbed in behind me, holding me as silent tears streaked my pillow. His scent enveloped me, wrapping around me like a second blanket. I breathed it in like I’d been starved for it, ignoring the ache it caused my stomach and throat. His heart beat a steady rhythm behind me, almost like it was trying to lull me to sleep. To think I’d have to hurt it tomorrow…
    Two months ago, I’d have given anything to have forever with Thomas. But it turned out forever came with a price—one I wasn’t willing to pay.

Chapter Eleven
    Saturday, January 16th
     
    THOMAS
    My groggy head registered empty space beside me as I woke. Huh. Usually Em was all up on me in her sleep. She had a hard time retaining body heat otherwise…
    I felt around, but my hand only touched empty, cold sheets. 
    What the —
    My eyes cracked open as I lifted my head, seeing that I was alone in my bed. “Em?” I listened throughout the house, but it was still and quiet. Too quiet.
    I jumped out of bed, running towards the bathroom with my heart in my throat. Christ, if I found her lying on the floor, unconscious—or worse —I didn’t know what I’d do. I’d fucking lose it.
    Grabbing the doorjamb, I hurtled myself into the bathroom, my eyes darting all around. She wasn’t here.
    “Emily!” I wheeled out of the bathroom, running for the bedroom door, when my eye caught a slip of white on her light blue pillow. Frowning, I crossed over to it. How had I missed that?
    I picked up the note, reading her delicate handwriting:
    I’m sorry.
    I stood there, reading and re-reading the note. I tried to make sense of it, but I couldn’t. 
    She…left?
    The words repeated in my head until it sank in. She left. She left…me.
    My heart chipped away, slowly shattering into a million pieces as my world came crashing down around me. I couldn’t breathe. I gasped and gasped for air, but none came. My chest and throat were so tight it felt like I was suffocating in wide-open air. 
    The room spun and the earth shook below my feet as it opened up and swallowed me. Time slowed as her note dropped from my trembling hand. I watched it float to the floor as something dripped down my face and a strange, muffled sound broke out. Belatedly, I realized the sound came from me. I was crying.
    Clutching my chest, I collapsed to my knees, colliding with the ground in a deafening thud. I curled up into a ball on the floor, as everything faded to black.
    She was gone. Just like that. And she’d taken my heart. Ripped it right out of me.

PART II

Chapter Twelve
    GABRIEL
    A high-pitched chime broke through my sleep-induced haze, making me crack an eyelid open.
    Was that…was that my doorbell ?  
    I blinked several times, vaguely noticing it was still pretty dark outside. I stilled for a moment, listening for the sound again, but the house remained silent. 
    Must’ve imagined —
    The chime rang again just as I closed my eyes. I lifted my head, squinting at the clock on my nightstand. 6:17 AM. 
    What the shit? Who was at my door this  early? I hadn’t even been asleep for two whole goddamn hours.
    I rolled off my stomach and sat up, wiping my eyes then throwing the covers off me. I ran my fingers through my hair as I walked to the front door, not bothering to put any clothes on over my boxers. 
    A scowl settled on my face as I opened the door, preparing to rip the person a new asshole for disturbing me so early in the morn—
    My face fell as I saw Emily standing on my porch, her eyes red and brimming with tears. She looked awful, and it wasn’t just from the crying. She’d lost weight, her face almost gaunt. Her skin was pale and blotchy, with dark circles