“Not powerful enough to rival a full-blooded Fallen.” Master Nate drops the bomb, and it detonates in a flare of whispers and exclamations of surprise.
“Didn’t I say she feels strong?”
“I told you there was something different about the girl.”
“Oh, yes. I sense it now. She’s powerful.”
“Your Honors,” Sarah addresses the table. Thankfully, her behavior has returned to calm neutrality, but the act fools no one, “we all know my sons are the most powerful of our kind. Is it not to be expected that their bashert must also possess a wealth of power to be compatible with them?”
“I am not disagreeing with you, Your Honor,” Master Nate continues. “The girl’s powers are vast, which is to be expected as the match to your sons’ souls.”
“Then what are you implying, Master Nate?” the friendly female asks. Three other council members nod, supporting her question.
“I imply nothing. I’ve already stated the girl is not Nephilim.”
“The girl’s name is Veronica,” Adrian finally snaps, growling with a promise of violence. “And you’d do well to remember the type of enemy you are making today, Nate.”
Several Fallen gasp. “Are you threatening Master Nate?” Paul asks in mock outrage. His eyes twinkle, and I know he’s enjoying every minute of this. He was never on my side. It’s been an act this entire time. But why? What have I done to earn his ire?
The monster inside stretches her claws, longing to run them down the councilman’s flesh. I lure her back into her cage and throw the key far out of reach.
“Not a threat; a promise.” Adrian takes a menacing step forward. Zeke grabs his forearm, preventing him from moving any closer to the table.
I groan inwardly. This is hardly the way to convince the room Master Nate is wrong. Adrian needs to keep his cool. He’s walking right into the Fallen’s trap.
“Do you see his anger?” Master Nate looks at The Council. “Why is he so upset? Why threaten me? Unless what I say is true and he’s trying to protect the girl.”
“I am angry because my bashert is treated like a criminal.” Adrian tries to pull away, but Zeke’s hold is strong. “And I suggest you stop disrespecting her and use her proper name, or Creator help me, I will make you regret the day you ever decided to go against my soulmate.”
It’s small and quick, but I see a flicker of fear cross Master Nate’s eyes.
“Enough, Adrian,” his mother commands. “Ezekiel, control your brother.”
Zeke shakes his head, begrudging the impossible task, but he puts another hand on his brother’s free arm. He stands behind Adrian, retraining him from acting on the threats brimming in his gaze.
“You still haven’t explained yourself, Master Nate,” a different council member, one who’s remained silent until this moment, speaks. “You claim she’s not Nephilim, then what is she? A full-blood? Do you think The Council would not be able to sense one of our own? Do you question our collective strength?” I want to sigh in relief. One sure way to alienate council members is to insult their egos. I pray Master Nate keeps it up. If he does, I may be able to walk out of this situation without any violence from my soulmates.
I feel one of my guards shift closer. I think he’s preparing for Adrian to break free and attempt to reach me. “When I give you the signal, you need to hit the ground and get out of this chamber as soon as you can,” his breath caresses the side of my face, and I barely hear the whispered instruction.
Startled, I lift my head and try to meet his eyes, but they’re carefully trained on the council.
The massive doors at the entrance creak open. I, along with everyone else in the room, turn toward the interruption. Vera and Jude enter the council chamber, flanked by two guards armed with glowing broadswords.
I peek at the guard who warned me. He continues to avoid looking at me. What is happening?
“Ah, yes.” Master Nate sounds pleased, ignoring the council member’s questions. “I nearly forgot about the other witness to last night’s strange occurrence.”
Vera is shaking as Jude leads her forward. Obviously, they’d been summoned to the meeting. I don’t believe for one second that Master Nate forgot about them.
I try to catch Vera’s attention, but she is pointedly staring at the floor, only moving forward because her basherten is pulling her.
“Jude,” Sarah greets the embassy’s guardsman. “You should be resting after your ordeal. To what do we owe the pleasure of your presence?”
“I summoned them,” Paul’s raspy voice answers before Jude can open his mouth. “Who better to tell us what transpired last night?”
“We’ve already voted on the matter,” the friendly female says, sounding exasperated. “If Jude and his bashert have new evidence, we shall hear it at another meeting. I, for one, am tired after last night’s attack, and I would like the right to retire and rest in my chambers.” The same three Fallen who agreed with her earlier agree with her again.
Roxy clears her throat, drawing the room’s attention. I already know this isn’t going to be good. “Perhaps their testimony doesn’t pertain to Master Nate’s resurrection accusation. I say we hear them out.”
Then, before anyone can object, Roxy looks at Vera. “Vera, why don’t you tell The Council what you told me?”
Roxy’s in on this too? I don’t understand.
I stare at Vera, begging her to not comply with whatever plan Roxy, Master Nate, and Paul have developed. She promised not to tell anyone what happened. I believe her word is good.
Weakly, and with downcast eyes, Vera quickly shatters my trust like a dropped piece of glass. “I don’t think Veronica is Nephilim.”
“Indeed?” Paul feigns surprise. “Why?”
Vera swallows. “Because she told me she’s full-blooded Fallen.”
Twenty-Four
Unlike the previous bombshells, this one doesn’t erupt into a room of murmurs and hushed whispers. Everyone is stunned silent, and I feel a dozen powerful eyes land on me. My ears are ringing.
“She’s lying.” The words are out of my mouth before my mind processes them. “I never said that.”
“What the hell is going on Vera?” Adrian shouts, equally pissed off by the betrayal. “Did they put you up to this? Did they tell you to lie?” He points an accusing finger at Master Nate before swinging it to Paul.
I’m shaking. Why would Vera lie? She could have told the council any of the things she actually heard, both in the library and in her private rooms. I know we just met, but she’s been friends with Adrian and Zeke for years. How could she betray them like this?
“I-I’m only saying what she told me,” Vera’s voice wobbles. She leans into Jude. He stands rigid beside Vera, making no move to comfort her, but not moving away either.
“You’re lying,” I repeat. “Why would I tell you I’m not Nephilim?”
Still avoiding my gaze, Vera says, “I asked you about your parents. You said you didn’t know them well. You confided that your parents were both Fallen and that they abandoned you as an infant.”
It’s so close to the truth that I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut. How does Vera know my parents left me?
“Is that true?” A voice booms, reverberating off the cavernous ceiling. I look at the council member beside Sarah. His face is a mixture of horror and curiosity. “Are both of your parents Fallen?”
“Of course not,” Adrian barks. Again, he fights against Zeke’s hold. A quick glance at the restraining twin tells me he is considering letting his brother go. Things are going south fast. I can see Zeke’s mind whirling, trying to figure out what to do next. “Fallen cannot mate. We all know this. I don’t know what game Vera is trying to play, but it is a dangerous one, and I plan to make the losers pay the consequences.”
Vera visibly withers. Again, she tries to seek comfort from her basherten, but Jude doesn’t spare her a glance. He is clenching his jaw, looking like he’s barely containing himself.
<
br /> “Perhaps one of her parents are heavenly angels like your own father,” Paul suggests as if the idea is novel, like he hadn’t kept it in the back of his mind, waiting for the right moment to unveil it. Only an idiot would think that’s the case.
Well, I guess I don’t need to figure out how to broach that subject.
“If that’s true, then her angelic parent would have Fallen,” Sarah says. “All of us would have felt such an angel’s Fall.”
Murmurs of agreement ripple across the table. I don’t know what to make of this situation. One minute, I think I am close to clearing my name, and the next I’m back on the metaphorical chopping block.
At least… I hope it’s metaphorical.
Adrian and Zeke hadn’t been shy when telling me my existence would not be welcome by either group of Fallen angels. If they figure out I’m from both bloodlines, I may not walk out of this chamber alive.
“I can only say what I know,” Vera whimpers, feeling the tides of the council’s opinion turn against her. She is desperate for them to believe her. I don’t understand why. “Veronica knows next to nothing about our history. Her surname is fake. It’s not in our books.” Her voice grows stronger with conviction. “The girl was raised by humans. She’s been hiding among them until Adrian and Zeke found her.”
How does she know that?
“Are you accusing my sons of treason?” A black cloud forms around Sarah’s body. Her powers stir the air into a vortex of wind. I feel the pressure of its strength brush against my skin. I take an involuntary step back, but the guards’ hands keep me from going far.
Glass breaks in the distance, and I think Sarah is responsible. But when the council members jump to their feet and brandish their powers on their palms, I get the feeling I’m wrong.
“Demons.” Paul snarls. His hands flare a brighter orange.
“Not just demons,” another says, sniffing the air like a dog. “Wolves and the undead if I’m not mistaken.”
Wolves?
As if summoned, a huge furry form bounds through the open doorway, followed by humanoid-figures. Their red and black eyes identify them as demons, but they look normal enough with proportional limbs and torsos. I fight the urge to scream a warning to my bashertens. They are the closest to the door.
Zeke releases Adrian, and both turn to face the oncoming attack. The hoard draws closer, and I yank my arms violently. I have to help them!
Suddenly, the pressure on my arm disappears. I almost fall on my face from the lack of tension holding me back. I spin around and see one of my guards slumped on the ground, the other looking at me expectantly. “This is the part where you get down.”
I drop to my hands and knees, bruising the knobby bone. I hear a bang. I look over my shoulder in time to see a piece of the wall crumble to the marble floor. The mark hit at approximately eye level. Did someone try to hit me?
“Move.” The guard above me shouts. He draws his sword, and it illuminates with his power. “Hide.” Then, he’s rushing forward to join the battle. My eyes are glued to the oncoming wolves and demons, fear for my soulmates making it impossible for me to heed his commands. I’m shocked when I see the same guard run pass Adrian and Zeke. He joins the invaders and begins launching attacks at The Council. I scramble back, ignoring the burning of the spell as the cuffs rub my skin. The guard warned me, but he’s allied with the enemy. Can this day get any more confusing?
I army crawl away from the table, realizing that’s where the demons focus their attention. Adrian and Zeke stand in the middle of the room, and they’ve combined their powers to create a glowing barrier, preventing the enemy from drawing any closer.
But the barrier doesn’t stop all of their attacks. The humanoid demons lob assaults around the barrier, and some manage to make it through. I didn’t know demons could do that. I didn’t think any could rival the power of Fallen.
I need to get out of here.
I am backing up toward the side door council members use to enter and exit the chamber, when another volley of breaking glass reaches my ears. I burrow my head in my forearms just as glass rains down around me. The sharp fragments slice my skin. I hiss and keep my head down. A sliced arm is better than a sliced eye.
The room grows dark. I wait ten seconds before hazarding a glance up. Adrian and Zeke are still blocking the majority of demons and wolves, but another group has appeared behind them. I look up and confirm their entrance through the stain glass windows lining the edges of the walls, just below the ceiling.
Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I wait for one of the enemies to turn their attacks on me. I try to call on my power, but the spark in my chest doesn’t ignite. I try again, and growl when the tiny flame I’ve conjured sputters out. Fresh burning around my wrists reminds me of the handcuffs. Of course, the spell must prevent me from using my powers. I need to get them off if I have any hope of surviving.
I see the unconscious guard, and I make my move.
Crawling forward, I wince as new shards dig into my skin. I don’t stop moving. The key ring is hooked on the Fallen’s belt. I couldn’t believe when the guards first put on the cuffs, the only thing needed to activate the spell woven into the bulky metal had been turning the bright gold key in the lock. I hope deactivating the spell works the same way.
Shots fire all around the room, but I’m left alone for now. I reach the guard. Propping on my elbows, I use my fingernails and detach the key ring. Several metal keys clank together, but their noise is drowned out by the sounds of the fight. I find the bright gold key. Huffing from effort, I bend my fingers and wrists in a way which gives me access to the lock. The notches slip past the lock twice. The third time, I want to scream with frustration. My fight or flight response is good for survival, but it severely hinders my fine motor skills. Biting my lip, I focus. Careful not to move too fast or jump when I hear power whizzing above my head, I finally manage to slip the key into the lock.
Yes!
My fingers pinch the head of the key and I twist my wrist. The lock clicks, the metal cuffs fall off my wrists, and the relief is immediate. I scramble to my feet, calling on my Angel Fire. I use the hot white power to burn off the bottom of my torn gown. The last thing I need is to trip in a room full of demons likely to kill me on sight and Fallen angels who won’t hesitate to lock me up again.
“RON!” Zeke’s shout draws my attention and I throw my arms up, barely managing to deflect the bolt aimed at my chest. Shock ripples through me. I know I didn’t imagine it; the power had originated from a Fallen. Demon’s power wasn’t as collected and sleek. Their attacks were chaotic and messy, though sometimes delivered with accuracy.
I spin to face the table of council members. All twelve are positioned behind personal barriers as they volley attacks at the demons. I cannot tell which Fallen tried to attack me. None meet my eye, each preoccupied with the enemy in front of them. I need to get far away from The Council. I need to reach Zeke and Adrian and get the hell out of here. My soulmates maintain the barrier, and they are unharmed, but I see them casting concerned glances my way. I watch Zeke try to slip away from his position, only to be stopped by a rather well-placed sling of demonic energy. Adrian takes a turn, only to be kept in place by a similar strategy. The demons are keeping Zeke and Adrian from me. I’m sure of it.
Determined to thwart their plan, I prepare to go to them. Right as I lift a foot, a furry form barrels into my side. I fly across the room, my back running along all the shards on the tile. I can’t help it; I scream.
Above me, the beast shudders and next to my ear, I hear a painful wail leave his snout. We slide to a stop, and the weight of the creature presses down, preventing me from breathing. I try to shove it off, but it’s just too big.
Another whine escapes the beast, and I feel a wet nose brush against my neck as the beast lifts its head. The creature stares down at me. This close, it looks like a big dog, rather than a massive wolf. Friendly eyes assess me. Still, natural fear of the sharp canines ma
kes the blood run out of my face. Wide, intelligent brown eyes stare back at me, and I can see pain in the creature’s expression. That’s when I see the crimson color seeping over brown fur, dripping onto the marble floor in sickening plops.
“You’re hurt.” I pant, still lacking oxygen. Is it possible the creature took a shot meant for me?
No, that can’t be. It’s with the demons. The beast isn’t an ally.
But then why hasn’t he sunken his jaws into me?
The creature whimpers and shocks me when it dips down to nuzzle my cheek, then shifts off me. I take a lungful of air, gasping. I roll onto my stomach, grimacing as I pull tender flesh. My eyes are drawn back to the animal.
The wolf hunches over, and I can barely believe my eyes when I see its fur-covered body fade from view with a bone rattling shudder. The massive animal shrinks in on itself, until all that’s left is a half-naked tan body, covered with blood. The man’s cheek lies flat against the floor
My heart stops beating in my chest, and horror consumes me. “Joey?”
Twenty-Five
Joey Mestas, my best friend, lies unconscious next to me. I scramble to him. I lift a hand, but I hesitate. Should I touch him? What if this isn’t really Joey? What if this is some next-level demon magic I know nothing about?
I see the burned flesh streaked across his back, and I immediately abandon every suspicious thought. I place my palms on my friend’s arm and push my healing powers into his body. I take care, not wanting to dose him with too much angelic power. I’ve never healed a human, and I don’t know how it will affect him.
But he’s not human, is he?
I shove the question away. There will be time for an explanation later. Right now, I need to heal Joey. Now that I know it was him who tackled me to the ground, I don’t doubt he took a shot meant for me. I’m determined to take away his pain.
Protected by the Fallen: A Fallen Angel Reverse Harem Novel (The Fallen Harem Book 3) Page 16
