Fear The Fall: Fallen Hunters Series

by Melissa Winters

  The master of deception, epitome of evil. Not someone I’ll give another single thought to. It would only give him power over me.

  If he spared me, he’ll come to collect his favor.

  I punch my pillow, irate that I have allowed myself to be in such a position. It’s the truth, and I damn well know it. When Lucifer saves your life, he comes calling. He is the bargainer, and my life has been spared for a price, whether I asked for it or not.

  I have to be ready for him.

  Therefore I Am

  The hail comes first, beating into my bared skin, melting instantly on contact. I allow the heavy rain to drench me through. My hands come up over my head, calling upon the clouds to form the cyclone that’ll deliver the energy I desperately need. My skin tingles with the knowledge that any moment, my call will be answered.

  My eyes close in preparation, but the wind never comes. Baffled, I open my eyes to realize the clouds aren’t obeying. The sky is the correct shade of green, but nothing twirls above. In fact, everything is entirely too still.

  There’s only one being that could interfere with my God-given gifts—another angel. A powerful one at that.

  “Where are you?” I call out, head swiveling left to right, trying to pinpoint where the angel is hiding out. What’s their motive for being here? I crouch low, getting into a fighting stance. I won’t be blindsided by an attack.

  “Very perceptive, Victoria.” Leeanna’s voice sounds from overhead. I turn to see her loitering on a tree branch. She leaps into the air, but her descent to the ground is slow and graceful. “Glad to see one thing about you hasn’t been corrupted.”

  “What do you want?” I growl. The last encounter we had almost ended badly for me, and I haven’t forgotten that.

  She shrugs. “I came to have a chat with an old friend.”

  “I’m not your friend. Tell me what you want and get the hell off my property.”

  Her eyes light up. “I see pleasantries aren’t necessary. I was afraid I’d have to go through this whole conversation playing at friends. I really don’t have time to fake anything, so I’ll cut to the chase.”

  “You have two minutes to state your business before I remove you myself.”

  She laughs. “You can’t possibly think you can still take me. Those days are over.”

  “It might not be as easy as it once was, but I won’t go down easily. Even you aren’t dumb enough to think otherwise.”

  “I have God on my side.”

  “I don’t, so there’s nothing stopping me from ending your existence. Or at least trying. I can assure you I’ll take extra care in making sure it’s excruciatingly painful.”

  Leeanna takes a menacing step forward, baring her teeth. “Careful, Tori. God might have plans for you, but if you get in my way, I’ll end you.”

  Now it’s my turn to laugh. “You? Disobey God? You don’t have the nerve.”

  “Try me.”

  “You’re still his obedient little minion. Nothing more. You and I both know that if he wills me to live, you’re powerless over it.” I shrug. “Unless you’ve decided to fall after all.”

  “After all?” Her eyes narrow in what appears to be confusion.

  “Zeke told me about your plans. Pretty shitty of you to lead him to believe you’d ever actually think for yourself.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “We’re playing that game now? Trying to act as though you aren’t the reason Zeke’s stuck here?”

  She shakes her head, looking thrown off balance more than anything. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Don’t I? I know that you act all high and mighty, judging me for falling victim to the king of deceit, but you won’t even admit that you yourself caused an angel to fall by tricking him into thinking you loved him.”

  She jerks back, her reaction switching from stunned to pissed. “Is that what he told you? That I made him fall?” She laughs incredulously. “You really are daft, Victoria. No wonder you were duped by Satan so easily.”

  “What the hell do you want?” I scream, causing a nearby flock of birds to shoot into the sky, scared off by my sudden outburst. Even Lee’s eyes widen.

  “I came to warn you.”

  I huff. “Why should I believe that you’d ever offer any word of warning to me? Am I not the scum on the bottom of your shoe? Or whatever it was you said about me back in the graveyard.”

  “I might’ve been unfair.”

  “Unfair?” I screech. “You have no idea what I’ve been through. You can’t even fathom the kind of game that was played on me.” I let the anger fester, unwilling to go easy on her. Not after she turned her back on me. “I didn’t stand a chance.” I choke on the words, desperately needing air.

  Leeanna used to be one of my closest confidantes, but now, the sight of her makes me sick. She turned her back on me the first opportunity she had, never once asking why or trying to understand my point of view. She’s the worst kind of backstabber.

  “I get it. I was struggling with my own emotions being back on Earth. I was harsh. Too harsh.” She blows out a breath. “I’m not asking you to forgive me, but I came with an olive branch.”

  “Why should I believe you?”

  “You probably shouldn’t.” Leeanna’s head falls, resigned. “But I came nonetheless, with a warning and a potential solution.”

  “Go on.” It’s all I can muster. I don’t trust her, but I won’t squander the opportunity for information if for some reason she is actually here to deliver relevant information.

  “There’s a coup going down in the underground, and it’ll take all of God’s legions to stop it from coming to fruition. The humans that Zeke has aligned himself with are not mere humans.”

  My ears perk up at this news. What can that possibly mean?

  “They’re Nephilim.”

  I gasp. “Nephilim? They’re real?”

  She nods. “Yes, and we need them to come into their full power. It’s imperative to this battle being won by Heaven.”

  “But they’re forbidden celestial beings. God himself is said to have snuffed them out of existence when he learned of their existence. How is this possible?”

  Leeanna’s head swivels as though she’s searching the area for eavesdroppers. “That’s what angels are told to prevent us from acting on the human instincts that assault us when we come to Earth. Kind of like the whole Bible thing. It’s more of a tale to keep us in line as opposed to absolute truth.”

  “So he doesn’t exterminate Nephilim? What about the angels that created them? Are they roaming Earth too?”

  Her hands shoot up to stop my assault of questions. “I don’t know everything. You know Heaven’s rules. We only know what we need to know where Earth is concerned.”

  I roll my eyes. Such antiquated ideals. If we’re to protect humans and Heaven, isn’t it vital to have all of the information? Is it smart to allow one entity to hold so much power? Not once has a single angel questioned God’s motives behind these blatant censorships.

  Lucifer did.

  “They need to be trained differently, Victoria. They’re celestial, and they are capable of so much more than what you’ve seen. Knowing this, you need to lead their training. You’re the only one here on Earth worthy of such a task.”

  “What about Zeke? Shouldn’t you be confiding in your former almost-lover?”

  Leeanna grunt. “You and I both know Ezekiel was never as strong as you. You’re the best to lead this earthly legion.” She pulls her bottom lip into her mouth and seems to consider her next words. “For the record, we weren’t lovers. Almost or otherwise. You got a distorted version of things. Why he’s lying to you, I have no idea, but he isn’t telling you the truth.”

  I search Leeanna’s face for some tell that she’s the one lying, but I find nothing but honesty in what she’s saying. If nothing else, she certainly believes things went down differently.

  “Your Zeke is hiding things, Victoria. You
don’t have to believe me, but you shouldn’t blindly trust him either. If we’re to defeat Hell’s army, we need to all put our differences aside and be honest with each other. God might not want you to have all the answers, but truly, I think you deserve to know everything.”

  “Which is?” I press, wanting to end the riddles and get to the deception she’s alluding to.

  “That’s a conversation that needs to be had with Ezekiel.”

  She might not be lying about the secrets, but I know Leeanna has ulterior motives. She always does. I just need to uncover what her intentions are.

  “What conversation is that, Lee?” Zeke’s deep timbre has me spinning to see him walking with purpose toward us. His eyes are trained on her, fire burning behind his irises. He’s pissed, and all his anger is directed at her.

  Maybe there is hope that he’ll get over her after all.

  “I’m only trying to clear up some misunderstandings that you seem to have created between Victoria and me. She seems to be under the impression that I jilted you. Why is that, Ezekiel?”

  “I’m not speaking about the conversations I have with Tori to you. You aren’t part of our relationship.”

  “Seems you’re building said relationship on lies, or at the least half-truths.”

  The growl that rips through Zeke’s chest has my eyebrows shooting skyward, but Lee doesn’t so much as balk.

  “Leave,” he seethes.

  She smirks, turning to face me. “Good luck, Victoria. Remember what I said.”

  With that last reminder of her warning, she shoots into the sky, leaving me to deal with a very hostile Zeke.

  “What was that about?”

  “Calm down. Whatever anger you feel toward her, I don’t deserve to shoulder. You can leave if you plan to talk to me like that.”

  His face falls, and the wrath that was just evident disappears. “I’m sorry. She just . . . infuriates me.”

  My initial thoughts go to her deserting him on his fall, and I immediately have the urge to ease his pain. That’s quickly replaced by the memory of her claiming that his story isn’t the truth. What am I supposed to believe?

  “Are you hungry?” I ask, deciding to table my wayward thoughts. He needs to fully calm down before I go down that road of questioning.

  “No. I grabbed something on the way back.”

  I head toward the barn, climbing the steps to the loft in search of a banana for now. Zeke’s on my heels the entire time, but he doesn’t say anything. I’ve never been one that’s felt the need to fill the quiet with forced conversation. I enjoy silence. It’s therapeutic. But right now? It’s awkward.

  Zeke makes himself comfortable on my bed, while I peel the too-ripe banana and take an unsatisfying bite.

  “Tired?” I ask around a mouthful.

  “Frustrated.”

  I chew, giving myself time to organize the chaos of questions fighting for the top spot in my mind. All of them need to be asked, but the order and way in which I tackle these subjects will make all the difference. I don’t want Zeke to shut down and subsequently shut me out.

  “Did you know the humans are Nephilim?”

  Zeke sits up, staring blankly into my eyes.

  My lips purse and eyes widen in a well, did you know expression.

  “Leeanna tell you that?”

  I nod, because I don’t want to give him too much.

  He groans. “I suspected as much.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I was trying to determine how much Blaine and the others knew about their descent. I’ve always suspected they knew more than they were letting on.”

  “Did the topic come up today?”

  “No. I didn’t tell them about us.”

  My eyes narrow and nose scrunches. “Why? Wasn’t that the point? To give them all of the sordid details?”

  “I was trying to buy us some time to consult with local witches to see what provisions we can have created to help the humans into their powers.”

  “Do you think it makes sense to go to the coven before we even know for sure which lineage they descended from? That will make a huge difference in how we bring out their individual gifts.”

  “Fair point. I’ll round them up tomorrow and we’ll tell them everything.”

  I lie back and curl into Zeke’s side. “Still want me to try to conjure that storm?”

  “Nah. Not now.” A yawn escapes Zeke’s lips. “I’m wiped out. Tomorrow will be better. Let’s rest tonight.”

  I remain snuggled into Zeke, but my thoughts keep straying to his story about falling. At the end of the day, that matters less than how we need to move forward with the Nephilim, but I can’t help but question why Leeanna would claim he’s not telling me the truth. Why lie? After what I told him, his story seemed parallel. What could possibly be worse than staging a fall with another angel—the devil included under that umbrella term?

  “Did you fall for the reasons you said?”

  The question is out before I can think better of it. Zeke stiffens, and it makes me wonder why. Is he thrown by the shift in conversation, or is that a tell that he’s not being entirely truthful?

  “Why would you ask me that? Did you talk to Leeanna about that?”

  I shouldn’t lie—I’m questioning him about lies—and yet a voice in the back of my head, one that sounds a little too much like Leeanna for my liking, urges me not to divulge my entire conversation with Leeanna.

  “No. I just . . . I’m having a hard time seeing someone as high and mighty as Leeanna in a different light. That’s all.”

  He huffs. “Leeanna isn’t the perfect servant she attempts to convince everyone she is.”

  “That I don’t doubt.”

  She’s threatened to end me despite God’s will. Serious or not, that, in and of itself, is a slight on God. His word is the almighty word, and she knows better than to question it.

  “Let’s not talk about Lee tonight. I want to spend time with you.”

  I lean up and place a kiss on Zeke’s cheek. “What do you want to do?”

  “Make out? Get to third base? Normal stuff.”

  I smirk. “You’ll be lucky to get to second base before I fall asleep.”

  “Is that so?” he asks, practically jumping up to straddle me. “I think I can convince you to stay awake.”

  “You can try.” I bite my lip, eliciting a groan from Zeke.

  His lips press against mine and we’re soon lost to sensation and pleasure as his hands run down my chest. He lifts my shirt and bra so that my breasts are bare to him. As good as his hands feel on me, I can’t help being distracted by all the things Leeanna said.

  I’m not sure that I trust a word she says, but something niggles, and I can’t put my finger on it. Maybe I’ve allowed her to get into my head too much. Zeke’s given me zero reason to question him, and until he does, I’m going to push down my worries and focus on the impending war. It’s coming. Of that, I’m sure.

  Devil Devil

  Couldn’t sleep. Gone to talk to Blaine and the others to get them on the same page. xx-Z

  That’s what I woke to. A note, basically cutting me out of the conversation that yesterday he thought it was important for me to be a part of. Then there’s that niggling feeling still present from yesterday, which isn’t helping my ultra-confused state about Zeke’s actions.

  Instead of stewing all day, I pick up my cell—that I rarely use—and dial Zeke. After three rings, he answers.

  “Morning.”

  “Why didn’t you wake me?” The question sounds more whiny than accusing and I cringe at that truth.

  “You were tired. I didn’t want to wake you.”

  “If you were that concerned about getting Blaine the information and having a united front, I think waking me would’ve been fitting.”

  “The more I thought about it, the more it didn’t make sense. They don’t know you. They don’t trust you.”

  I bristle at this. The war doesn’t car
e who trusts me. It’s coming, and if any of us want to survive, differences need to be cast aside. Zeke knows this, and coddling the Nephilim during such a crucial time doesn’t even make sense. He’s a warrior. A fighter. He doesn’t have time for games or childish behavior, yet now, at the most pressing of times, he’s inviting both.

  My question is why?

  “Do what you have to, Zeke, but you and I both know that their feelings don’t matter to Hell’s army. They need to suck it up and prepare. Liking me has no relevance.”

  “Blaine doesn’t want to discuss his lineage with you around. He’ll share which order his father is from, but not who is father is.”

  “So you’ve already had the conversation with his group?”

  “No. I’m on my way there now.”

  He lied. Last night he told me he wasn’t sure if they were aware. He said he was trying to gauge whether they knew. If he hasn’t gotten there yet, then by his own account of what he knows, they haven’t talked about lineage or even confirmed that they are in fact Nephilim.

  That niggling feeling morphs into suspicion and doubt. It brings life to Leeanna’s words and has me rethinking my earlier stance. Perhaps I shouldn’t write her off.

  I dress quickly, needing to get out of this loft. The walls feel like they’re closing in on me as the uncertainty mounts. A run is necessary to expel this negative energy, and a storm is vital.

  My arms pump hard, propelling me forward down an overgrown path. I leap over roots and downed tree branches, never once halting my pace. Sweat beads and runs down my face, but I don’t care. I like the proof of my efforts. When the last of my stored energy is depleted, I go in search of an open area, where I can summon my needed storm.

  I’m in the middle of an open field, arms raised to the sky, preparing to begin my process, when the air around me shifts. Everything stills and the hairs on my neck stand on end. I’m in trouble.