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This chapter is pretty sad... :(

Angelic—Devyne Heartbreak

"What do you think you're doing?!"

"Payn, let me—"

"You'll be killed, Vyne. They'll kill you!"

"They're not like—"

"How would you know!? You don't know what they can do… you haven't seen them…"

"Neither has Bella, and she—"

"She's an ignorant human! Who would not be in this mess were in not for your meddling!"

She fell silent. That last remark had stung. After a minute, she spoke again.

"I'm glad you think so highly of me, Payn. But as I see it, that's none of your business. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you, but they're not like the others. They're not. The Cullens are…different. They don't even hunt humans, let alone Angels! I can't stop now, I can't. And you can't make me. I'm a grown up. I make my own decisions. So stop interfering, because it has nothing to do with you."

He wanted to tell her that she was wrong, that it had everything to do with him. Because he knew about the danger that Vampires held. He wanted to tell her, but he couldn't. He couldn't relive those memories now. They would come back to haunt him later—they always did—but he would be ready for them, then. Not yet…

He watched her for another minute in silence, torn. Much as he wanted to storm away and tell her that it would be her own fault if she was killed, he could not. He loved her. And seeing her dead… like his friend… would be too much. He could not bear even the thought of anything happening to her.

"Please, Devyne… I'm begging you…"

"No."

More silence. It was awkward, and it hurt them both. Much as Payn wished he could stop her, he knew that there was nothing he could do… that she knew of. She was too set in her ways. But perhaps, if he was discreet enough, he could halt this process of his own accord. Then it wouldn't matter… Then they could be together… Then he would not have to constantly worry about her safety…

Had she not been and Angel, she would not have heard the words he whispered as he turned away and left her standing there, rooted to the ground where she stood, unable to move. Something held her back inexplicably.

"I love you."

She wanted to cry out, to respond. But it was too late. He was gone.