Phoenix Contract: Part Three (Fallen Angel Watchers) by Melissa Thomas

doctors called it a miracle,” Matthew continued, refusing to hear or acknowledge her objection.
    “That fire killed my mother,” Aiden whispered in a hollow voice. Her heart was bereft. She’d grown up motherless and never overcome her sense of loss. It empowered her with self-righteous anger to have anyone, even Matthew, use her mother’s death as evidence in an insane fantasy.
    “Yes, your mother—”
    “Stop! Stop right there.” Infuriated, Aiden shot to her feet. How dare he involve her mother in this madness?
    “And then there are your dreams,” Matthew continued, unhearing and heedless of her protest. He hadn’t heard her. “Your dreams alone are clear indicators of—”
    “STOP!”
    Aiden’s shout rocked Matthew backward and shocked him into silence. He stared at her blankly, leaning back hard in his chair so that the leather creaked.
    “I can’t, I won’t hear any more of this,” Aiden continued. She lowered her voice but remained adamant enough to make her point.
    “W-what’s wrong? I know that it’s shocking but—”
    “You’re saying that I killed my own mother,” Aiden said, choking the words out past her strangled throat. Her green eyes brimmed with tears, and when she blinked, they flowed freely down her cheeks.
    “Aiden, no, I—” Matthew extended his hand, fingers closing on empty air.
    “I’m not. I’m not. You have no proof,” Aiden insisted, shaking her head hard so that more tears flowed until she couldn’t see clearly.
    “I do. If you’ll just allow me to show you. You haven’t heard all of the evidence,” he said.
    “I don’t want to hear more. Enough of your lies! All you’ve done for years is lie to me. How can I believe anything you say now?”
    Matthew gasped and recoiled from her vehemence. He clutched his hands to his chest as if he’d been struck. “Aiden, no!”
    The priest stood, an action that propelled Aiden. With a sob, she ran from the study. Father Matthew, ridden with infirmities that left him physically disabled, had no hope of catching her.

     
    Phoenix Contract is available in all parts via Kindle Unlimited.
     
    Click here to read Part Four.
     
    Visit Amazon.com to read the complete story.
     

About the Author
     
    Melissa Thomas breathes life into her dreams, bringing imaginary characters and fantasy worlds into our reality. She loves her characters so much they become her alter-egos, enacting the exciting adventures she envisions for them. She is a resident of San Francisco, California and adores the picturesque city by the bay. Her hobbies include surfing and scuba diving.
     
    Phoenix Contract is her debut novel.
     
    You can learn more about Melissa at http://thephoenixascending.blogspot.com/