His thumb stops its caress. He holds his breath. I feel his pulse against my fingers, and it’s almost as fast as mine. At this moment, I feel powerful. Joseph desires me. It’s written all over his face. His careful distance is gone, and I hope it stays away forever.
The last inch between us disappears. My lips crash into his with gentle force, and I swear it’s like I can hear angels singing.
I smile against him, finding my analogy funny. Joseph, sensing my humor, tries to back away. I don’t let him. Releasing our hands, I rise to my knees and place both of my hands on his shoulders. I kiss him again. And again. They’re only pecks, but the intimacy is huge. Joseph’s been so careful to keep his distance, but no longer.
Strong, calloused hands settle on my hips. He tilts his head back and lets me control this moment.
Our connection swirls around us in a warm embrace, binding our already linked souls together in an unbreakable bond. A robe ties around my heart, and it is attached to his, just like the tie I feel with Zeke.
I want to straddle his lap and fulfill my wish to press my body against his. A throat clears behind us, ending the long-awaited moment.
“Well… hello there, Love.”
Ten
All lust-filled emotions disappear in an instant. I scramble away from Joseph. My butt lands in the dirt. I spin towards the newcomer, recognizing the voice. “Lukas! What are you doing here?”
“I should ask you the same question.” Lukas grins from ear to ear. Disheveled hair falls in my face. I tuck the loose strands behind my ears and clumsily rise to my feet. My cheeks color with embarrassment.
Unlike me, Joseph stands with easy grace. He steps in front of me. “What are you doing here?” He repeats my question. You know it is not safe for Veronica to be seen with you.”
“But it’s okay for her to be seen with you?” Lukas lifts a brow. Amusement continues to cover his expression.
“We are being discreet.” Joseph crosses his arms. “A concealment ward is in place.”
His eyes gleam. “I would hardly call your behavior discreet.”
“Stop avoiding the question,” I interrupt, wanting to end this mortifying situation as soon as possible. After weeks working for his cause, I know Lukas. He won’t stop teasing us unless forced onto a new subject. “Has something happened? Do you need my help healing someone?”
“You are not going anywhere,” Joseph states with determination. “It’s not safe.”
“But if someone needs my help…”
“No.”
My blood boils. I thought we were over the Fallen commanding me to do things. I thought we’d finally reached the point where we had discussions about plans and ideas. I thought Joseph considered me an equal. Apparently, I was wrong.
Lukas clears his throat, and I’m stopped from unleashing angry words on the guy I’d been kissing less than two minutes ago. “I came here to warn you.”
Quick to act, Joseph’s power strikes into the air around us. I can feel, more than see, the protective barrier he’s constructed around me. “Warn us about what?” His voice is deathly low.
“The Light Council.”
I immediately look at Joseph. His face is carefully blank. Is that because he doesn’t trust Lukas, or is he hiding something from me? “What about the Light Council?”
“They have been asking questions,” Lukas admits.
Before Joseph can reply, I ask, “About what?”
Lukas meets my eye. “You.”
That can’t be good…
“What about me?”
“Did you reveal her identity?” Joseph growls menacingly, taking a threatening step towards the other Light Fallen. I grab ahold of his wrist. I’m under no disillusion I can actually hold him back if he’s determined to strike Lukas, but I can at least try to help remind him I am here. I know Joseph won’t want to lose his cool with me standing right behind him. At least, I hope not.
Lukas is the epitome of calm. I don’t know how he does it. I’d be peeing my pants if a Fallen Angel looked at me with such menace. I suppose Lukas may be used to that sort of thing. “I have not revealed Veronica’s identity, but the Light Council is proving themselves determined to find out who she is.”
“Why?”
“The council would like to know how it is my soldiers who face The Darkness are healed following gruesome injuries while their Fallen from the recent battle are not so fortunate.”
I suck in a breath. The guys did not tell me Fallen were injured during the attack on The Light Council. I feel guilty for not bothering to ask. I’d been so preoccupied with concern for my bashertens, I didn’t spare a thought for the other Fallen who faced The Darkness.
“I knew it.” Joseph’s tendons roll against my hand as he tenses. “I knew it was a mistake to ever let you anywhere near her.”
“If I recall, Veronica willingly helped my cause. At least, she did after healing Charles.” Lukas refers to the time he kidnapped me in order to compel me to save the life of his friend, and suspected lover, Charles. Charles had been injured when yancor demons interrupted our first meeting. The monstrous creatures had tried to get to me for weeks after my powers emerged on my eighteenth birthday, and a yancor demon got ahold of my scent. According to my bashertens, my scent is particularly enticing to the power-starved demons.
Unfortunately for Charles, he’d been the one to suffer the consequences of my foolish decision to leave the protective wards around my house. I’d been so confident I could help save my parents from their captors. I never anticipated the night would end in violence and bloodshed.
But I suppose the terrible consequences of that night can be traced back to Lukas’ actions. After all, he’s the one who abducted my parents in the first place. His companion would’ve never sustained life-threatening injuries if he hadn’t attempted to force a meeting with me.
Even so, I cannot find it in me to resent Lukas or his actions. I’ve learned a lot since first meeting the rogue Light Fallen. He’s helped me strengthen and control my powers, and he did so when my Fallen soulmates had been determined to keep the extent of my powers from me. They’d thought they were protecting me, but eventually they learned they’d been wrong to keep something so important from me.
Joseph tugs against my hold. He slips away, but I quickly grab him with my other hand. I secure both hands just above his wrist and squeeze tight. “Joseph, stop. Calm down.” I look at Lukas, silently warning him to choose his answer carefully. “What have you told The Light Council about me?”
“Nothing.”
I know there is something he’s not saying. “But…”
“But I don’t know how much longer I can keep the truth from them.”
My jaw falls open, shocked by the admission. “But you promised. You promised, if I helped heal your soldiers, you would keep my secret safe.”
“And I’ve tried. Believe me, I will not willingly reveal your identity. But my spies have uncovered the council plans to bring me in for a formal interrogation.”
It’s Joseph’s turn to suck in a breath. Lukas’ expression is grim; his lips pressed in a hard line. Joseph’s muscles are still flexed, but one glance at his face reveals it is void of anger. A knowing look passes between the Fallen.
“What is it?” I ask, glancing between them. Their sudden change in demeanor is unnerving. “What aren’t either of you saying?”
“The Light Council has many powerful Fallen members,” Joseph begins, “Violence and torture are not normally tolerated in our ranks, but—”
“But all moral qualms go out the window whenever the council wants information.”
I gasp, horrified. “They’ll torture you?”
“And more,” Lukas confirms. For someone discussing inevitable torment, he sure does sound relaxed.
“What is your plan?” Joseph asks. “You know you cannot reveal Veronica’s identity.”
“Of course I know that,” Lukas snaps back. I don’t blame him. I understand Joseph’s
main concern is my well-being, but he can at least show some compassion for the predicament Lukas is in because of me… and because of his own actions.
“How do you plan to evade The Council?”
“I’ll go underground with the rest of my soldiers.”
“You aren’t going to keep fighting The Darkness?”
Lukas grins at me. “Of course I plan to fight The Darkness. I just need to stay under The Light Council’s radar until they lose interest in questioning me.”
“Is that likely?” Again, I look between the Fallen, searching for an answer. “Will the council forget about the mysterious healing of your soldiers?”
Lukas shrugs. “I can only hope. Once I go underground, they will have no one who knows the truth about what you’ve done for my comrades. None of those whom you’ve healed remember anything about you. Eventually, The Council will tire of chasing ghosts and focus their attention on more pressing matters.”
It sounds like wishful thinking. I stare at the side of Joseph’s face. His eyes are crinkled at the edge, revealing his uncertainty. “What are you thinking, Joseph?”
He runs a hand over his eyes in a tired gesture. “I’m thinking it was a mistake to ever let you work with Lukas.”
“It was my choice,” I remind him. In fact, I started working for the charismatic Fallen behind my bastertens’ backs. “And there is no point in dwelling on what you should have done. The question is, what do we do now?”
Joseph steps back and turns toward me. I release his wrist, no longer worried he’s going to attack Lukas. He stares at me for a long moment, and I see thoughts racing behind his blue irises. He’s worried about me, as always, but this time there is genuine fear in his gaze. I don’t know what The Light Council is capable of, but Joseph does. And his reaction makes me never want to come face to face with the fair-haired Fallen.
“If I may offer a suggestion?”
We look at Lukas. His shoulders are rolled back, and his chin is elevated. “My spies have also told me of Young Veronica’s introduction to The Dark Council and Fallen within the embassy.”
“Yes,” I confirm. “And?”
“Might I suggest the Light Council would hardly pay you any mind as the bashert to Dark Fallen. Sure, they will be interested in the arrival of a previously unknown Nephilim. My sources confirm that is what they believe you to be,” he says as a side note.
“While the Light Council searches for me and the unknown source of healing among my soldiers, they will hardly think to look at individuals in the Dark Embassy.”
I’m not sure I follow. “What are you saying?”
“That, at the moment, your association with Dark Fallen is your best cover.”
“Are you suggesting I move into the embassy?”
“Yes.”
I lean back, stunned. “I was joking.” I look to Joseph. His face is pensive.
“You aren’t seriously considering what he says!” I think of the scores of Dark Fallen who’d stared when I showed up with Adrian and Zeke at the embassy. Everyone had been interested in the two elusive and mysterious Fallen’s soulmate. Living among them is impossible. Too many eyes will watch my every move, and I can’t afford to have that much attention on me—not if we all still want to keep my secret.
“The Light Council isn’t something to be trifled with. If they are hunting for the source behind the unprecedented healing, it will be best to get you as far out of sight as possible.”
“You don’t think my appearance among Dark Fallen will be noticed? Zeke and Adrian are well-known, right? You don’t think the Light Council will want to learn more about their bashert after all this time?”
“You may have a point,” Lukas says, “but unless they have a reason to suspect you are connected to me, or any of my soldiers, none will not suspect your involvement.” He gives Joseph a pointed look, and my stomach clenches.
“Are you saying I can’t see Joseph or Gabe?” I sound calm, but inside, I rebel against the idea. I only just got the Light Fallen back in my life. I’m not ready to forgo their company. They, Adrian and Zeke are the only reason my existence isn’t completely lonely and miserable. If I can’t be home with my family and best friends, at least I can have all four Fallen in my life.
Joseph reaches out and takes ahold of my hand. “We will not stay away like before,” he assures me. “But we need to be extra careful to not be seen anywhere near you or Adrian and Zeke.”
“How much more cautious do we need to be? We’re already super careful.”
“Lukas’ news does not mean we need to change anything,” he laces our fingers together. His display of affection almost distracts me. Almost. “All this means is we need to be sure we are vigilant.”
“What will the Light Council do if we aren’t?” I ask the dreaded question. “Will they hurt me?”
Lukas interrupts before Joseph can answer, “I doubt it. But all Fallen, both Light and Dark, will have a renewed level of interest in you. And I’m sure I don’t need to say it, but that hardly bodes well for your unique story.”
Like Sarah, the leader of the Dark Fallen, Lukas knows I’m not Nephilim, but he doesn’t know about my dual-bloodline.
“You’re right. You didn’t need to say it.” Joseph bites back.
Lukas holds up his hands. “I simply want to make sure Veronica understands what’s at stake. I’ve grown rather fond of the child.”
Does he really think I could’ve forgotten? “I understand.”
“Good.” Lukas levels me with an even, determined stare. “Then listen to your protectors. Keep a low profile. And for Creator’s sake, do not ever admit to knowing me.”
Eleven
I will say this for the Dark Embassy, they definitely know how to host a guest.
I’d thought our London apartment was nice, but the private rooms within the historic building put its finery to shame. Adrian, Zeke and I share a suite with three bedrooms, one study, a formal dining room, and two parlors for entertaining. Gilded light fixtures are posted against the walls in every room, and chandeliers hang from the ceilings in the parlors and dining room. Fine curtains frame each of the tall, wide windows throughout the rooms.
Adrian and Zeke had not hesitated when Joseph informed them of Lukas’ spontaneous visit and his word of warning. My meager belongings were immediately moved to the embassy, and I’ve scarcely been out of our new rooms the past two days. Everything happened so quickly, and I am struggling to process and accept all the changes. It doesn’t help that it feels like a new one appears every hour, on the hour. Back at the apartment, it seemed like The Dark Council or Sarah, on the Council’s behalf, regularly requested the guys’ presence for one job or another, but it’s only grown worse now that we live in the embassy. Adrian and Zeke are right under the council’s nose, and it is easy for them to be summoned within a moment’s notice. I am constantly left alone. I’m trapped in the embassy by myself, and I don’t do well with being alone. It gives me too much time to think and overanalyze whatever preoccupies my mind.
“Angel?”
I lift my eyes from the plate in front of me. “Yes?”
“Did you hear my question?”
Adrian and I are having lunch, and for once our conversation has nothing to do with Fallen angels, demons or the security of my secrets. As boring as it sounds, we’ve been discussing college. I talked with Annie this morning, and she’d excitedly shared the fact she’d been accepted into the Honors college at Texas State after waiting to hear back for more than two months. The subject sparked a conversation with Adrian, and we’ve been discussing the merits of liberal art studies versus a Bachelor of Science degree before I lost focus and zoned out.
“No. I’m sorry. What did you ask?”
“If you have considered what you’d like to study in college?”
Part of me—the bitter part—wants to remind Adrian I will not get to choose what I do with my life. As a Fallen angel of both bloodlines, I can’t see a future beyond all
of this hiding and secret keeping.
But Adrian isn’t trying to be cruel. He isn’t trying to taunt me by reminding me of all the things I will never get to experience thanks to the incredulous truth of what I am.
So, I answer the question like I would have before all of this happened—before I learned Fallen considered me a threat. “Pre-med. Probably biomedical sciences.”
“Medicine.” Adrian dips his chin. “Like you’re father.”
“Yes.” My adoptive dad, Oliver Messenger, is a dermatologist. I always saw myself doing something more exciting than mole removals and acne treatments, but still medically related. At one time, I considered emergency medicine, but then I changed my mind to surgery. Who knows which one I might have chosen if circumstances had allowed?
“Well, you’re certainly smart enough for medical school.”
I raise an eyebrow. “How would you know?”
“Joseph was your teacher, right?” he asks in an obvious tone.
“Yes, but I didn’t think you guys are actually friendly enough to talk about stuff as unimportant as my high school grades.”
“Nothing is unimportant when it comes to you, Angel.” He flashes a flirtatious smile, and I roll my eyes.
“Well, the four of you do seem to be getting along more.”
“We have a common interest,” he says, rephrasing what I’ve already heard on several occasions. The millennia-old conflict between Light and Dark Fallen is all but forgotten when it comes to me and each of my four soulmates. It wasn’t always that way, but I have to admit it’s nice to not hear constant insults thrown between the two sets of brothers.
I know I should feel flattered by the situation. Instead, it’s starting to feel like I’m ganged up on. No longer can I fib to the Dark Fallen and know the Light Fallen won’t set the record straight. The guys share all intelligence, and definitely the kind which concerns me.
“Have you always wanted to follow in your father’s footsteps?” Adrian asks.
“Pretty much.”
Protected by the Fallen: A Fallen Angel Reverse Harem Novel (The Fallen Harem Book 3) Page 8
