Claimed by the Fallen: A Fallen Angel Reverse Harem Novel (The Fallen Harem Book 1)

by Samantha Britt

  At first, the brothers just stare at me. Their expressions are neutral, but I swear I see flashes of hurt in their matching blue eyes. Mr. Cohen finally says, “I’m afraid we will not be leaving you alone, Messenger.”

  “Why not?” Again, I take turns looking at all three of them. Adrian is smiling, content with his lot in life. But the brothers are clearly unhappy.

  Mr. Cohen continues, “Those monsters you just saw are not the only ones out there. They are yancor demons, and they live in packs. One must have sensed your developing powers and followed your scent to your home.” I try to hide my panic. If angels are real, I suppose I should have anticipated demons were too.

  I lick my lips. “But you guys killed them… Right?”

  “Not all of them,” Mr. Cohen reveals. “there can be anywhere from ten to fifty in a pack. Once one yancor scents its prey, the mark is sent to all pack members. Yancor demons are nasty, and they enjoy draining the blood of Nephilim because of the angelic power in your veins. Until we find the pack’s nest and destroy all of them, my brother and I will not be going anywhere.”

  I’ll be honest, that wasn’t what I expected him to say.

  Hearing the monsters can sense me, and that they might be coming back to kill me, fills me with terror. I think I’m about to hyperventilate.

  “My question is when would Veronica have encountered a yancor demon?” Gabe speaks to his brother. He glances at me, then back to Mr. Cohen. “You’ve been living in this region for a long time for her protection, yet you’ve never once encountered a yancor demon anywhere near her.”

  I barely register the fact Gabe said Mr. Cohen lived in Valley Lake to protect me. I’m too focused on the fact demons are after me.

  “That’s because the demon didn’t detect her in Valley Lake,” Adrian chimes in.

  All eyes turn to him.

  Gabe’s gaze narrows. “What do you know?”

  Adrian flicks an invisible piece of lint off his shoulder. “Only that the yancor demon sensed her at a concert in the city. It tracked her all the way to the town’s city limits before it attacked.”

  Memories from my nightmare crash against my mind. Only, now I know it wasn’t a nightmare. It was real.

  A flash of black feathers fills my vision as I recall the men who saved me and killed the creature. “It was you,” I breathe.

  Mr. Cohen and Gabe look at me curiously, but Adrian knows exactly what I’m talking about.

  “Yes.” He nods. “It was me and my brother.”

  “There’s another one of you?” I ask without thinking.

  Immediately, I shake my head. That was definitely not the most pressing item to discuss.

  Thankfully, Adrian seems amused. His smile is genuine. “There is, and I expect you two will come face to face soon.”

  For some reason, my heart flutters. I don’t have time to wonder why before Gabe interrupts. “You knew a yancor tracked her, yet you left her alone?” Disdain is evident in the question.

  “We killed the monster,” Adrian says calmly. Though, there is a glint of malice in his eye. “We made sure she and her friend got home safe.”

  Oh god… Joey!

  “Are you sure Joey is okay?” Anxiety for my friend overshadows the shock that my nightmare was real. “Does he remember things like I do?”

  Adrian is quick to reassure me, “He does not. Only someone with Sight would be immune to my mind alteration.”

  I’m only mildly relieved.

  I regret I haven’t taken the time to call my friend today. I ignore the rational side which reminds me I hadn’t known my nightmare was real, but that doesn’t absolve me of my guilt.

  “If I have Sight, why did I think the whole thing was a dream?” I choose not to wonder how my rescuers got me in my bedroom and into my pajamas.

  “Because that was your first night of transitioning,” Adrian continues to be nothing but patient with me. “You were still susceptible to our concealment.”

  “Concealment?”

  “The magic all angels use to hide our true nature from humans. Only demons, other angels, and Nephilim see the truth. If your neighbors would have looked outside during the fight, you would’ve been the only thing they saw.”

  I guess that explains why the men kept their wings spread open.

  I finally look at Mr. Cohen. “Were your wings always out when you were my teacher?”

  “No. We have the ability to conceal them at will,” he answers, “but it feels better. To have them out, I mean.”

  I nod on instinct, pretending like I understand everything. When, in reality, nothing makes sense. I stand from the couch. The sudden move makes each of the angels stiffen.

  “I’m tired,” I tell them. “I’d like to be alone.”

  “Of course,” Mr. Cohen says.

  “We’ll keep watch outside,” Gabe speaks at the same time.

  I look at Adrian and see he is watching me with his arms crossed over his chest. He raises an eyebrow and says, “Go and rest. We can speak more later.”

  I shake my head. “I don’t want to talk anymore. Can’t you guys just… kill the monsters? Or lure them away or something?”

  Adrian isn’t surprised by my questions. I have the feeling he expected them. “No chance, Veronica.”

  I prepare my argument when Mr. Cohen intervenes, “He’s right, Messenger. The yancor demons don’t give up so easily. As a new Nephilim, you are vulnerable.”

  “And you need us,” Gabe adds.

  “Whether you like it or not,” Adrian joins the brothers, “you’re stuck with us, Veronica. From this day on, you won’t be alone.”

  Fourteen

  When Adrian said I wouldn’t be alone, I didn’t realize he meant one or more of the angels would be following me around every time I left my house.

  But that is exactly what happens.

  My first week of summer is characterized by being tailed by tall, muscular, angelic bodyguards. Some girls might not mind their presence—heck, I bet Annie would consider it a welcome imposition—but that’s not me. I hate the extra attention. Throw in the fact the angels continually try to discuss my mysterious Fallen father, and I would rather hide in my room than face them. Unfortunately, I cannot spend all summer inside.

  Every time I step out my front door, I try to dissuade whichever angel is assigned to hover over me that day. But not one of the angels even pretends to consider my request. They are determined to protect me from the demons. Apparently, that means I’m not to have one second of alone time when I leave the safety of my home. I consider it a small miracle I even get that level of privacy.

  I said as much to Adrian on the second day, when he followed me into post office. I was trying to mail out my thank you cards for all the graduation gifts I’d received when Adrian informed me that he and the “light boys” used their angelic powers to protect my home from demonic intruders. As long as I am within its four walls, I’m safe. But the moment I cross the threshold of my childhood home, I am required to have an angelic escort anywhere I go.

  I gave up fighting the matter on the third day. I’d been vehemently arguing with Gabe after he insisted on accompanying me to my first day at my summer job, when he told me he and his brother killed another yancor demon the previous night. Apparently, my emerging powers continued to draw the monsters near, and one was seen prowling around the wooded area behind my house.

  Unable to argue against his presence after hearing that information, I am forced to spend my first day as a waitress with a protective shadow lurking in the corner of the Asian restaurant.

  I’m all hands and no grace as I wait on my first few tables. Gabe’s eyes feel like a brand on my neck, and knowing I have his attention makes my palms sweaty and my pulse quicken. Gabe watches my every move, and I stumble every time we make eye contact. I tell myself to stop looking his direction. But the moment my guard is down, I catch myself looking at him. It’s strange; I find his presence almost comforting, and not annoying like an un
wanted bodyguard should be. I attribute my comfort to the fact he is Mr. Cohen’s brother.

  Even though my favorite teacher broke into my house, and he helped turn my world upside down when he revealed himself as one of God’s Fallen angels, I can’t deny I trust him. I had spent an entire year valuing his opinions and respecting his authority. I’m convinced the fact Gabe looks like Mr. Cohen is the reason I feel easy around him. Not to mention, Gabe’s easy smile and casual demeanor make him even more approachable than his brother.

  I’m bussing a table, still aware of Gabe’s gaze, and I fumble with a pair of plates. They nearly slip from my fingers. I count my blessings that my new boss is my best friend’s father.

  Mr. Lee doesn’t notice my clumsiness as I make my way to drop of the dishes in the back. Or, if he does, he doesn’t think it’s any worse than normal. Both Annie and I are working for her family’s restaurant to save up some money for college. My parents don’t want me working while I take classes, so what I make during the next three months will have to sustain me until next summer. That’s the goal, at least.

  I’m in the middle of cleaning another table near the window when Annie sidles up next to me. “Okay. Who is the hottie checking you out in the corner booth?”

  I don’t need to look to know she’s talking about Gabe. Honestly, I’m surprised it took her this long to notice his presence.

  I try to play it cool. “Who?”

  Annie leans forward, picks up a straw wrapper and throws it on a dirty plate. She whispers, “The guy with black hair and piercing blue eyes. I noticed him a while ago, and he’s barely taken his eyes off you this whole time. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he knows you.” I detect the suspicion in her voice. She thinks I’m holding out on her—like I have some epic love story I’ve been hiding all these years. I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

  I make a show of peering over my shoulder for my friend’s benefit. Sure enough, Gabe is staring at me. He’s barely touched the Chicken Lo Mein he ordered from one of the seasoned waitresses over an hour ago. The twenty-year-old woman had practically drooled when she went to take his order. And seeing her blatant admiration had annoyed me for some reason.

  Gabe, noticing my attention, gives me a flirtatious wink. My face heats.

  “Oh my god,” Annie breathes. “He’s totally into you.”

  My blush deepens. I turn back toward the table and pick up the rest of the dirty dishes. “He is not.”

  I walk to the kitchen, making a point to avoid looking back at Gabe, while also cursing his instigating wink. I don’t doubt he did it on purpose, and I wonder if he was somehow able to overhear my friend’s whisper.

  I scoff. Of course, he heard Annie. Crazy bat hearing is probably one of his many angelic abilities.

  Using my hip to push open the swinging door, I duck into the safety of the kitchen. I exhale and relax the muscles in my shoulder. I scrape excess food into the compost bin before placing the dishes in the sink. Annie is on my heels, and she doesn’t let me avoid the conversation that easily.

  “So, do you know that guy or what?” she asks, tapping her foot impatiently.

  I roll my neck. Then, I turn to face my pushy best friend. “No,” I lie. “I don’t know him.” Telling Annie the truth would only cause her to ask unanswerable questions. I can’t begin to explain the crazy truth of who Gabe is—of who I am. I might not like it, but it’s better to lie to my best friend.

  “Well, girlfriend, it looks like you have yourself an admirer.” Annie nudges my shoulder. “Why don’t you go talk to him?”

  “What?” I stumble, not expecting her nudge. “Why would I do that?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because an absolutely drop-dead gorgeous man has spent the better part of the afternoon checking you out. He’s obviously interested. Why not go flirt a little? It would be good for you to get some practice in before we go to college.”

  I cross my arms. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “Come on, Ronnie,” she gives me a loaded look. “You know what I’m talking about. You’re super hot, but you don’t ever talk to guys.”

  This time, I don’t stop my eye roll.

  Annie sees and lifts her hands in surrender, “All I’m saying is it might be a good idea to get some practice interacting with guys before going to college. Like it or not, I’m dragging you out with me every weekend. You need to get used to talking to people, especially guys who might be interested in you.” She drops her arms and looks at me expectantly.

  “I don’t see why,” I counter. “I don’t even want a boyfriend.”

  “No one said anything about a boyfriend,” Annie states. “All I want is for you to be comfortable in your own skin. You’re beautiful. Guys notice you. Own it. Then, you can decide where it goes from there. I don’t want you to spend the next four years isolated in a dorm room, missing out on fun because you’re scared.”

  I think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard Annie say something like that.

  She’s told me I’m pretty many times, and I don’t necessarily disagree with her. I like my dark hair and clear complexion, and my features are in proportion with one another. Objectively, I’m not ugly. The only thing I don’t like about my appearance is the evidence of my heterochromia. Other than that, I know I’m okay looking.

  But Annie has never criticized my shyness before. She never made it seem like a bad thing that I wasn’t prone to flirting with guys. In fact, she and I often make fun of girls who act like they’re interested in nothing except catching a guy’s attention. If anything, we pity them. We definitely don’t act like them or applaud their behavior as good practice for college.

  So where are Annie’s words coming from?

  Is she regretting the fact we are going to the same college together?

  Does she not want to room with me anymore?

  Knowing me almost as well as I know myself, Annie sighs. “Ronnie, I’m not trying to hurt your feelings. Just… do me this one favor. Go refill the guy’s water. Bat your lashes at him a few times, ask him how his meal is, then come back to the kitchen.”

  My heart skips a beat just thinking about flirting with Gabe. “I don’t see the point.”

  “Just trust me,” Annie’s coffee-colored eyes implore me to humor her. “Please.”

  I stare at her for a few seconds. I realize she’s serious, and I know she won’t back down.

  “Fine, but I’m just refilling his water and talking about food. I’m not batting my eyes.”

  Annie holds up her hands in surrender. “Alright, deal.”

  I shake my head, silently chastising Annie’s pushy behavior. I wash my hands in the sink and dry them on a towel before walking out of the kitchen. I sidestep the other waitress as she barrels past me to retrieve an order. Grabbing the water carafe, I inhale a steadying breath and walk towards the back corner of the restaurant.

  Thankfully, Gabe doesn’t see my approach. He is looking down at his cell phone, frowning at whatever he sees on the screen. My clumsy limbs appreciate the reprieve.

  It isn’t until I’m standing beside the table that Gabe looks up. Instantly, his lips turn up. “Veronica,” he greets.

  I hold up the carafe, careful to not let the item slip through my fingers. “Water?”

  He nods and pushes his glass towards me. “Please.”

  I try to hide my trembling hands as I pick up the glass and begin to refill it. I clear my throat and ask, “How’s your food?” I know Annie will ask me if I actually engaged Gabe in conversation, and I don’t want to lie any more than I have to.

  “It’s good,” he replies. A knowing smile pulls at his lips.

  I notice and look back at the water glass. “Why are you smiling?”

  Instead of answering, Gabe catches me off guard when he says, “Your friend is right you know.”

  I place the glass back on the table and meet his eye. “What?”

  The skin around his eyes crinkle with his smile. “Your frien
d. When she said you’re beautiful… she’s right.”

  His words do strange things to my heart. The organ twists and turns in my chest, but it isn’t an unpleasant feeling.

  I’m not sure what to say. Do I thank him for the compliment? For some reason, that seems like it would only serve to open a discussion I’m not ready for.

  Maybe Annie is right… I need to practice talking to guys more.

  The next words sort of spill out of my mouth. “Y-you heard that? All the way from the kitchen?”

  Gabe chuckles and confirms my earlier suspicions, “Yes. I have good hearing.”

  I bob my head, unable to come up with anything else to say.

  The bell over the front door chimes, giving me an excuse to look away so I can greet the new customer.

  “W-welcome to Lee’s Kitchen,” I rush to say. “Feel free to sit anywhere.”

  “Veronica?”

  It takes me a moment to recognize the newcomer; I’m still flustered from Gabe’s compliment. When I do, I become nervous for another reason. “Preston?”

  Sure enough, my high school crush is standing in the doorway of the restaurant. He’s sporting one of our school’s t-shirts and athletic shorts with tennis shoes. His arm muscles stand out, and I wonder if he’s just finished working out or something. I double check that my mouth hasn’t fallen open as he walks towards me.

  “I didn’t know you work here.”

  Remembering the angel behind me, I step away from Gabe’s table and meet Preston closer to the middle of the dining area. “Today is my first day,” I tell him. Then, to prevent awkward silence, I ask, “Are you here to eat?”

  “Nah, just picking up an order before I head home.” Preston gestures towards the take-out counter. Hey, are you going to Freddy’s party tonight?”

  The question takes me by surprise. I blink before answering, “No, I don’t think so.”

  “Oh, man. You totally should. Most of our graduating class will be there.”

  I don’t tell Preston I wasn’t invited to the party. That would be too embarrassing. “Okay. Cool. I’ll think about it.”

  “Awesome.” Preston’s eyes travel the length of my body, reminding me of the concert. He’d checked me out then, but I’d been wearing a tight, leather skirt. Now, I’m sporting smudged jeans and a black V-neck. They aren’t exactly the most attractive pieces of clothing.