Birthright (Beautiful Fallen Book II)
Birthright
**Book II of the Beautiful Fallen Trilogy** Ariana Benson never imagined the truth behind her birth or the horror that came with the knowledge. Now, six months after the devastating attack from the angel Judiel and the loss of Chris, she has the task of beginning the redemption efforts to save her kind from annihilation. But as she begins to learn more and more about her father Saffron, she also begins to wonder if there is more behind his selfish actions than simply being a Fallen Angel. What is Saffron planning, and will he help her save herself and the other Nephilim, or let them all die? **Available on Inkitt**
Excerpt
The shadows came up from the sidewalk and quickly wrapped around us. Before I knew it, we were back in the living room of the apartment. I shook my head to stop the swimming feeling. That always seemed to happen when he did that. I felt bitter cold afterward too. Saffron walked over to the patio door and looked at the rising moon, but before I could say anything to him, he suddenly turned. As he did, all of the furniture flew up to the ceiling and then crashed down to the floor. I screamed, backing up against the far wall and sitting with my arms over my head. “Who does that bastard think he is, seeing himself above us?!” Saffron fumed. “He is as damned as the rest of us! Loving a human soul will do nothing for that!” I stayed against the wall, keeping my hands over my head and wondering what the hell to do. Saffron was in a rage, and I had no idea how to make him stop. I thought about running to my bedroom and locking myself in there, but I worried about what might happen if I did. What if he became even angrier and came after me? I wished that Chris and the others were there now. They would’ve known what to do, or at least they would’ve tried to defend me. As Saffron made the furniture rise again, everything suddenly stopped. I slowly brought my arms down as a bitter cold enveloped the room. It looked like everything in the apartment except for the two of us had been frozen in time. Saffron looked shocked, actually taking a step back. “What is this?!” he demanded. A dark mist rose in the center of the room. It spun around in a large circle, forming a very tall, menacing-looking man. He was dressed in black leather and had hair that was somehow darker than Saffron or Jade’s. Deep violet eyes looked out from under those black bangs, regarding Saffron with cold, calculating intelligence. “Stop your raging, you foolish hypocrite,” he ordered. Saffron took a step back, looking nervous now; or maybe afraid was a better word. It made me even more nervous about all of this. “Why are you here? What do you care if I lash out in anger?” he demanded, though his voice had a slight shake to it. The Fallen’s expression remained neutral as he regarded him, “You finally earn your escape, and you continue to waste it. Do you think I do not know of your planning and dealings? Redemption is not something to be taken lightly, especially with all that can be lost. I am not willing to allow another exchange of power just for the benefit of one who does not know his place.” he went on. “What I plan is only in benefit for our kind. I do not intend to allow that angel to get that redemption and separate us from what we have created, though I will ensure the survival of my own.” Saffron countered. The Fallen turned his gaze to me as he said that. I felt like I was frozen in place under those eyes. “All for this worthless child you created. That is all this is.” he intoned. Saffron immediately flared up at his words. His burst of anger began breaking through some of the icy freeze of the room. “You will not speak of her in such a way! I created her; therefore, she is worth more than any of those others!” he declared. “So you say.” the Fallen responded without any emotion in his voice. The air itself seemed to grow darker as he continued, “Then why don’t we see if she’s worth your words?” My eyes grew wider as he spoke. The air suddenly became extremely hot. Saffron raised his hand, his black shadows appearing around him. “Run away Ariana! Get out of here!” he ordered. I managed to get to my feet and run to the door, wrenching it open. I hurried out into the hall, hearing the sounds of crashing from the apartment as I raced down the stairs, feeling the hot air behind me all the way. What in the hell is this?! I thought frantically. Who was that?!
