Sore from hunching over the book, I lift my arms over my head and arch my back. I don’t know how long Adrian and Zeke have been gone, but my muscles indicate I’ve been immovable for quite a bit of time. I wish I’d brought my cellphone or even a watch with me, but the Dark Fallen had been adamant about not bringing any personal items to the embassy. Apparently, if I were to leave one of my possessions behind, it could be used to track me.
So, I am sitting in a large library, unable to explore beyond the edge of my little section, and unaware of the amount of time that has passed. I debate browsing through nearby shelves again. If there is an organization to the placement of books, I do not know what it is. What I do know is these books hold information about all of angelic history. I decide to stop wasting my time trying to read a foreign language. I want to find a book written in English, preferably one which helps me understand some of the past of the four Fallen who’ve become such important figures in my life. Rocking back, I use momentum to rise to my feet. A person stands in front of me, and I let out a surprised shriek.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you!” A young woman with wide brown eyes holds her hands up innocently. She wears a delicate blue summer dress, cinched at a narrow waist. She can’t be more than five feet tall. And she looks anything but threatening.
Seeing the stranger isn’t a yancor demon determined to abduct me, I relax a little. But not completely. The area around me is almost completely silent. I should’ve been able to hear the woman’s approach. I’ve experienced too many dangerous situations to not treat a stranger with suspicion. I can’t let looks deceive me. “Who are you?”
“Vera.” She lowers her arms, brushing against the flowery skirt.
I’ve heard the name before. “Jude’s bashert?”
“Yes.” She grins warmly. “You’ve met Jude?”
“Briefly.” I look at the aisle behind her, wondering if she’s come alone. She has.
“And your name is?” she asks politely, folding her hands in front of her stomach.
“Veronica.” I continue to watch her with nothing short of suspicion. “Not to be rude, but may I ask what you are doing here?” There is no way Vera found me on accident. If she didn’t know Jude and I had already met, that meant he did not send her to find me.
A pinkish hue highlights Vera’s pale complexion. “I-I’m sorry for intruding. It’s just that… are you really their bashert?”
I blink. “Excuse me?”
Her embarrassment deepens. Vera averts her gaze, focusing on the books around my feet. “Ezekiel and Adrian. Gossip spreads through this place like a wildfire. Are you truly their bashert?”
Some of my apprehension fades away. For a second, I’d thought she might be asking about both the Dark and Light Fallen.
Now that I know she’s not, I am curious as to why the question embarrasses her. I nod my head once. “Yes, I am.”
“Oh my stars,” Vera gushes. Light shines in her eyes, and her lips are pulled into a wide smile. “I cannot believe it! How marvelous!”
Her response catches me off guard. “What?... Why?”
“Because those two have been alone for so long, of course.” Vera’s enthusiasm erases all traces of lingering embarrassment. “Those two have never even dated another Fallen or Nephilim. I mean… I only met them a couple centuries ago, but still. Most angels seek others for romantic company. But neither of those two did. I cannot believe they actually found their bashert, and that it is the same person. I wonder how they manage to contain their jealousy.”
So many things she’s said shock me. One, obviously more than the others. “Adrian and Zeke have never dated anyone?”
Vera shakes her head emphatically. “Never. At least, not as long as I’ve known them.”
“That’s ridiculous.” I refuse to believe neither of the Dark Fallen has dated. They are both drop dead gorgeous. How could they have walked the Earth for thousands of years and never shown any interest in another person? No. That’s impossible. I don’t buy it for a second.
“It’s true. Everyone knows. My poor Jude has tried to set those guys up so many times over the years, but they never show up. Or, if they do, nothing ever comes of it,” Vera babbles, certain of her claim. She sounds so human for someone who is supposedly centuries old.
I decide to change the subject. “How long have you been with Jude?”
“Since I turned twenty,” she replies, her eyes looking as she relieves the moment in her mind. “My father brought me to the embassy to see it for the first time. Jude was the guardsman who greeted us. The moment our eyes locked, I knew he was my basherten.”
“Your father is Fallen?”
“Yes, and my mother a human.”
“Really?” I was under the impression Fallen were discouraged from having relationships with humans. Adrian and Zeke had dropped that bombshell shortly before this visit to the embassy. If people ask about my parents, I am supposed to say my father is Dark Fallen and my mother is a Nephilim, making me Nephilim as well. Claiming a human parent would only bring unwanted attention, even more than I’m already destined to receive.
“Yes.” As if reading my thoughts, she explains, “Their relationship occurred prior to the stigma most Fallen have regarding relations with humans. Even so, the whole thing seems weird to me. Fallen want Nephilim numbers to increase. How is that supposed to happen if they aren’t supposed to intermingle with humans?”
I agree with her. “That does seem a little counterintuitive.” And from what the guys told me, plenty of Dark Fallen don’t abide by that rule.
“Exactly.” She puts her hands on her hips and shakes her head. “It’s silly. But no bother. I’m here. My parents were happily married. My upbringing might be considered unfavorable, but I had a better childhood than most.”
It dawns on me that Vera’s mother must’ve passed a long time ago. “I apologize if this seems rude, but were your parents soulmates?”
“Bashert and basherten, you mean?” She gives me an obvious look. “Yes. They were.”
I suppose there would’ve been no other reason for a Fallen to be with a human, at least not openly.
“How did your father take your mother’s… passing?”
“Oh.” Vera’s eyes dim. “I suppose he handled my mother’s death as well as one could expect. It helps that my mother lived a long, full life. She enjoyed her days on Earth until her very last breath, but she was more than happy to join the Creator in Heaven.”
“But you are Nephilim,” Vera’s tone brightens, and she tries to lure both of us away from the depressing topic, “as am I. We don’t need to worry about such matters. Our lives will far surpass those of ordinary humans.” Her expression tries to match her cheery tone, but evidence of her sorrow lingers in the slight quiver of her lips.
I clear my throat. “You’re right. Sorry. I was just curious.”
She waves a hand in the air. “There is nothing to forgive. Now, tell me. What in the world are you doing with all of these books?” She gestures to the sporadic arrangement of volumes forming a circle around where I’d been sitting.
“I want to learn more about angels. I want to understand the past.”
“What, exactly, do you want to learn?”
“… Everything?”
Vera’s brows furrow. “Didn’t your Father teach you?”
I don’t know what to say. Telling Vera my parents abandoned me as baby will raise unanswerable questions. She will wonder why an angel would leave his child clueless, and it will open up the truth of my heritage for her easy discovery. I cannot afford to risk it.
“No, not really,” I aim to sound indifferent. “He wasn’t around much.”
“That’s a shame.” She sounds like she really means it. Then, as she’d done moments ago, Vera shakes away her melancholy and perks up. “Well, I can help you learn things. Any topic of particular interest?”
“The Fall,” I answer immediately. “And when Fallen segregated into Li
ght and Dark.”
I hadn’t realized how curious I am about that particular topic until Vera asked the question. Were all Light Fallen immediately repentant and trying to redeem themselves to get back into Heaven? Or did their motivation gradually change after centuries of walking on Earth? And what about the Dark Fallen? Did the less optimistic group always view hope for redemption as foolish? Or did years of failure facilitate the creation of the hopeless perspective?
Nodding, Vera spins around and heads into the aisle of books. “I know exactly the text for you. This way.”
I hesitate. The guys told me not to venture out of my area. “I think I’ll just wait here.”
“Nonsense.” Vera waves for me to follow her. “The book I am thinking of is kept under lock and key by the librarian. We won’t be able to take it out of the Ancient section. We have to read it there.”
Torn with wanting to learn more about Fallen and the desire to adhere to my soulmates’ instructions, it takes me several seconds before I finally force my feet to move. I rush to catch up with Vera as she turns down another aisle. I pray Adrian and Zeke will not be too mad at me. Vera is their friend’s bashert. I hope that means I can trust her.
Unlike when the Fallen escorted me through the library, Vera avoids stepping into the open walkway located across the center of the library. We twist and turn through the maze of bookshelves, reducing the risk of running into anyone.
For someone so small, Vera moves quickly. I am almost out of breath with trying to keep up with her short, but fast, steps. I inhale, and the smell of aged parchment and leather fills my nostrils. I sigh, content. I absolutely love the smell of books.
We arrive at a sectioned-off area. Shining, gold chains line the perimeter, separating the five aisles from the rest of the library. A podium is placed beside a narrow opening between the chains. Behind it, a Fallen wearing a long, black robe sits on a stool. He leans over the podium, staring intently at something on its surface.
Vera clears her throat. “Master Nate?”
The male looks up. Intelligent, hazel eyes assess Vera. She stands unmoving, waiting for him to address her.
I’m surprised when the Fallen doesn’t spare me a glance. “Yes?”
“My friend and I request access to the Ancient section. We wish to examine The Book of Enoch.”
I know I’ve heard that title before. Was it in Sunday School? It definitely wasn’t in the bible. We were taught all the books of the bible in fifth Sunday school during fifth grade. I would know if Enoch is in the Old or New Testament.
Caught up trying to figure out how I recognize the name, I don’t immediately hear the Fallen ask me a question.
Vera touches my arm. “Veronica?”
I jerk back, alarmed by the unanticipated touch. Vera pulls back and shoots me an apologetic smile. “Sorry. Master Nate asked you a question.”
I turn my attention to the Fallen. Earlier, he’d ignored my presence. Now, I have his undivided attention. His eyes are illuminated with interest, and he wears an odd expression. It’s almost like he… recognizes me. Panic begins to rise. I’m worrying he sees one of my mysterious parents in my features. I am contemplating how to escape the library without outright drawing the attention of any angel within the four walls when Master Nate repeats his initial question, “What is your name, young one?”
“V-Veronica Messenger.”
“Messenger?”
“Yes.” I force myself not to fidget. He is staring. Everything about his demeanor is intense. I imagine the strength of the muscles beneath the black cloak. I wonder what feats he has performed to accomplish the title of “master”. It sounds distinguished. Though he’s tucked away in a library, I suspect he is a Fallen I don’t want to mess with.
“Hm.” The skin between his brows crease. “I am not familiar with that surname.”
Do Fallen have last names? I think of Joseph, also known as Mr. Cohen.
My lips press together. I’d thought the name had been fake. It seems I was wrong.
Fallen angels have well-known last names, and I just identified myself with a name which belongs to my very human adoptive mother and father. If this Fallen is a keeper of records, he will mark the name as foreign.
I want to scream at myself for my stupidity. How many times will I try to blow my secret today?
Vera clears her throat in a delicate manner. Master Nate looks her way, and I see her bestow a charming smile upon him. “May we view The Book of Enoch, Master Nate?” Her lashes flutter, and I realize belatedly she is flirting with the Fallen.
“Ten minutes.”
“Oh, thank you, Nate.” Vera touches his arm as she passes. I can’t help but notice she drops his title, and there is a certain familiarity in her tone. “We appreciate your kindness.” Behind her back, Vera motions me to follow. I comply, making a point to avoid eye contact as I pass the podium. I feel Master Nate’s gaze pressing against my skin. I exhale, relieved, once Vera leads me out of his view and behind a bookcase.
This section is deeper than I thought. Each aisle is wide—wider than the one’s in the main section. We walk several feet, and only once I feel confident we are out of earshot, I whisper to Vera, “Who was that?”
“Master Nate? No one. Well,” she pauses, “not no one. He is a powerful Fallen, but his notoriety comes from his intelligence. He is the embassy’s resident scholar.”
“What does that mean?”
“He keeps records of many things. Human events... angelic history. Instances where the two collide. He pretty much knows every historical event, even the ones not of great significance.”
I debate whether or not to voice the question in my head. The need for information trumps my desire for discretion. “Does his knowledge include genealogy?”
“Of Fallen? Of course. Master Nate knows every one of our people. At least, he knows the families.”
I suppress a groan. Well… isn’t that just great.
Eight
Vera continues on her path towards The Book of Enoch, unaware she’s left me reeling behind her. I’d just told a Fallen angel my last name, and it is part of his job to know the names of all Fallen and their offspring. I’m screwed. Royally screwed.
I need to figure a way out of this mess. If I’m lucky, Master Nate might think he’s simply forgotten a Fallen’s last name. There have to be hundreds of them. He can’t possibly always remember all of them. Can he?
God, I’m an idiot.
I never should have left my safe section of the library. The guys are going to be so mad. Rightfully so.
Stop it, Veronica. I can fix this. If I’m not lucky and Master Nate has realized my name is unusual. If he realizes Messenger isn’t the name of any Fallen, he may investigate. And since he knows nothing about me except for the fact I know Vera, she will be the first person he asks about me. I need to get her on my side. A plan forms in my mind.
“Are you and Master Nate friends?” I remember how she’d dropped the title when she thanked him for letting us into the section of the library. It seems like a friendly thing to do.
Vera glances over her shoulder, but I can’t read her expression. “He was one of the first Fallen I ever met.”
“Before Jude?”
“Yes.” She continues walking but slows down. She scans the shelves to her left and right. “My father was… protective. Prior to my visit to the embassy, he rarely allowed Fallen to visit us in our home.”
“But Master Nate was one of them?”
“Yes. My father valued his intellect. Master Nate frequently dined with my family.” She stops walking, and I almost stumble into her back. “Here we are.” She is in front of a normal looking shelf of books. Some look old, but other than that, I don’t see anything special about any of the volumes.
Vera lifts her arms. Holding her breath, she reaches out and gently pulls the spine on a particularly ratty book.
“That’s what we’re looking for?”
“Yes.” Her voice is almost
reverent.
I guess when Vera said “under lock and key” she meant guarded by Master Nate. From where I stand, I don’t know what makes this ancient book more important than the thousands of others placed throughout the library. I remind myself to not be deceived by looks alone.
“What’s in it?” I lean forward, trying to get a closer look over Vera’s shoulder. She places the book on a short table beside the aisle, gently opening the cover. “The Book of Enoch contains one of the known recounts of the Fall.”
“Are there more than one?” I know humans have different versions of the Fall of Angels, but I would assume the Fallen would be privy to the truth since, you know, they are the ones who actually experienced the event.
“Many stories regarding the Fall exist. None know which is true.”
“How is that possible?”
It’s hard not to. My lips are pinched in a tight line. Clearly, she doesn’t understand my reaction.
Vera senses confusion. She tilts her head, and she turns back to look at me once more. “None of the Fallen remember the exact cause of their Fall… Haven’t Adrian and Zeke told you that? Or your parents?”
“No.” I shake my head. “They did not.” Nothing makes sense. If the Fallen aren’t aware of the circumstances of their Fall, why do Light Fallen strive to redeem themselves? They don’t even know what they are trying to redeem themselves for.
“How is that even possible?” I repeat the question, wondering if two of my soulmates are striving to achieve a pointless goal.
“Only The Creator knows,” Vera says solemnly. It sounds like a rehearsed response.
“What does everyone think happened?” I’m interested to hear the theories.
Color rises in Vera’s cheeks. She clears her throat. “Oh… well… The Book of Enoch suggests the Fall was instigated by… illicit relations between angels and humans.” She avoids my wide, incredulous eyes.
“Seriously?”
“Yes.” Vera peers up timidly. “The text documents several accounts of angels taking human brides.”
Protected by the Fallen: A Fallen Angel Reverse Harem Novel (The Fallen Harem Book 3) Page 6
