Hunted by the Fallen: A Fallen Angel Reverse Harem Novel (The Fallen Harem Book 2)

by Samantha Britt

  “Jesus. Don’t do that!”

  Adrian ignores my command. His muscles flex as he tightens his fists. The black V-neck he wears ripples. He must have transported… ferried? He must have entered the house the moment Preston’s truck was out of sight. “What did that punk do to you?”

  It takes me too long to realize who Adrian is talking about. For a second, I feared he knew about Lukas.

  “Preston?” I blink, confused. “He didn’t do anything.”

  “Then why did rush out of your date looking like you’d seen a ghost?”

  I can only stare at Adrian. Whatever emotions he sees on my face, they aren’t caused by Preston. I consider telling him about Lukas’ visit and subsequent actions, but I can’t find the words. If I tell Adrian what happened, he will demand details. All of the details. And I can’t stomach the thought of reliving the event. Not yet.

  “You looked upset when he came back from the restroom,” Zeke misunderstands my silence as continued confusion. He steps out from behind his angry twin, looking slightly agitated, but I know he’s not upset with me. He is bothered by what he thinks may have happened on my date to make me uncomfortable enough to leave. I can only imagine the fury both of the Fallen will feel when they learn what really happened. Yet another reason to hold off on confessing the truth for now.

  My lie forms on my lips with little effort. “Preston didn’t do anything. I left because I was beginning to feel sick.” Not only is the explanation believable, but it would also explain why I am pale and my limbs are shaking.

  Both of the Dark Fallen straighten. Worry for my health overshadows their suspicious of Preston.

  “Sick?” Zeke questions. “As in, your powers are emerging, sick?”

  I shrug, playing along with my lie. “I think so.”

  Adrian steps closer, intruding in my personal space. “What are your symptoms? How long have they lasted? Do they continue to linger?”

  I lean away from his imposing frame, caught off guard by the depth of concern I detect in his voice. “I’m fine.”

  He rumbles, “We’ll be the judge of that.”

  I stiffen, worried I made a mistake by claiming to be sick. “It’s not a big deal.”

  “Your powers should be done emerging,” Zeke explains. “And you should no longer feel weary as a side-effect. If they are still affecting you, we need to monitor your symptoms.”

  Crap. I hadn’t thought about that.

  I brush past the Adrian to walk upstairs. “Let me take a nap. If I still feel bad, I will give you a full report when I wake up.” My foot hits the first landing, but pressure above my elbow halts my steps.

  I turn and raise my eyebrow. “Yes?” I throw a little sass behind the word, hoping my attitude hides the anxiety his grip causes. My mind flashes to the memory of Lukas’ grip just before he released his power into my wrist. My panic makes my pulse race.

  The Dark Angel looks over me from head to toe. I know he can feel my rapid heart rate. His eyes sharpen into slits, and he pinches his lips together tightly before asking, “Are you sure that boy didn’t do anything to upset you?”

  “I’m sure,” I answer with a bite. But I know Adrian isn’t being pushy for the sake of being pushy. He is worried something bad actually happened with Preston. Guilt nags me. Despite their moments of concealing some truths from me, I believe the Fallen are only doing what they think is best. I know they care about me.

  Without thinking, I place my palm against his hand on my arm, aiming for a softer tone. “Nothing bad happened to me. I promise.”

  The lie tastes like ash in my mouth. I will tell the Fallen about Lukas’ visit eventually. But right now, I need to be alone. I need to process what’s happened, and I can’t do that with Adrian and Zeke hovering over me like a pair of protective watchdogs.

  Adrian stares at me for a moment longer, then drops his hand. “Alright. Have a good nap.”

  I glance at Zeke. He looks like he wants to say something, but he only nods and seconds his brother’s words, “Enjoy your rest.”

  So, without waiting for one of them to change their mind and resume the interrogation, I go to my bedroom and close the door behind me.

  I flop onto my bed just as my phone starts to ring. I don’t even need to guess who it is. Annie’s name flashes on the screen, but I don’t answer. She wants to discuss my date with Preston, but that, too, will need to wait until I can disassociate the date from Lukas’ attack.

  I place the phone on my nightstand and stare up at the ceiling. Inhaling a fortifying breath, I permit my mind to revisit what happened less than one hour ago, though it seems like an eternity.

  Did I really manage to heal Charles? His wings had been broken—unusable. Their sickly angles and rumbled feathers looked agonizing and damaged beyond repair. Not to mention his ghostly pale skin and lackluster eyes. I don’t doubt the angel was knocking on death’s door. Yet, I managed to pull him back from the brink. All it took was Lukas searing me with unfathomable pain and maintaining the assault until I bowed to his demands and healed his friend.

  I wince as my skin tingles with recollection of the pain. I tell myself to relax. It’s over. I’m safe in my warded house, and I have two Fallen keeping watch downstairs. Nothing will happen to me. For now.

  I sit up and lean against my headboard, looking at the deceptively bright sun through the window. I wrap my arms around my torso. Lukas said he would come back. Now that I’ve managed to successfully use my healing powers, he will call on me to use them again. And unless I am able to manipulate my powers without his type of motivation, I know exactly what to expect the next time he needs my help.

  I shudder and hold myself tighter. I can’t let that happen. I can’t endure that kind of pain a second time. I really should tell the Fallen about what’s happened…

  Immediately, I see the negative to that plan. The only way Adrian and the others will be able to keep Lukas from getting to me is to be at my side even more than they already are. I won’t have a moment of rest without one of them being there. Part of me thinks that avoiding another painful encounter with Lukas will be worth it, but the other part of me—the part which knows how claustrophobic and singular I can be—knows I will quickly tire of their diligent hovering. The solution would be short-lived before it causes an equally suffocating problem. At least, that’s my opinion.

  I’m caught between two unsavory choices. Unless I manage to use my power without Lukas’ tactics, I’m going to lose no matter what choice I make.

  I sit up straight.

  That’s it!

  I need to master my Resurrection power. Now that I have proof the skill wasn’t a one-time thing, I can redouble my training efforts. That doesn’t mean I won’t tell my protectors the truth of today’s events, but it gives me more time. More time to practice my powers. And, hopefully, more time until Lukas’ next visit. I will wait for that experience before confessing what’s transpired. With any luck, I’ll have something more to report other than news of his torturous tactics.

  Otherwise, I worry my protectors may do something in the name of keeping me safe—something we may all regret.

  Ten

  “Are you sure you don’t want a break?” Mr. Cohen—Joseph asks me for the third time since we started training. It’s the day after my date with Preston. The day after I successfully used the Resurrection powers again. And I woke up this morning determined to work on calling forth said powers at will. The one moment of success, no matter how it had been achieved, has encouraged me. It drives me to keep practicing. A fact which has surprised my former teacher, as well as the other three Fallen. In all other training sessions, I wasn’t shy about quitting the moment I felt the tiniest bit frustrated.

  All five of us are in my backyard. Zeke and Adrian watch from the patio. They lounge in the cushioned wicker chairs, staying silent. Gabe sits under the shade of the oak near the back fence, playing fetch with Periwinkle. Unlike the silent twins, he offers suggestions to his brother from
time to time and encourages me not to give up. Not that I plan on it. My stubbornness, no doubt, will come in handy today.

  “No,” I pant, gesturing for him to continue firing assaults at me. “Keep going.” After an hour of failing to heal the dead beetle in the familiar cardboard box, we moved onto defensive shields. I hadn’t protested the switch. Using my Angel Fire in any way would lead to eventual success with Resurrection powers. Or so I hoped.

  Joseph frowns. “You’re exhausted.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “You’re sweating.”

  On cue, a bead of sweat runs along my left temple. Joseph trails its progress with concern. “It’s hot out here,” I point out the obvious. “I promise, I’m fine.”

  “Let’s break for five minutes. At least drink some water.” Joseph walks to the patio before I can respond. I have no choice but to follow.

  The second I step into the shade, Zeke holds out a water bottle.

  “Thanks.” I take the bottle. The ice-cold water soothes my throat, but I won’t admit that to Joseph.

  I lower the water bottle, popping its cap on, then say, “Alright. Let’s go.”

  Joseph and Adrian wear matching frowns. Zeke shakes his head, “He said five minutes, Ron.”

  “I don’t need five minutes.”

  “What if I do?” Joseph asks, taking the wind out of my argument’s sails. He looks at the watch on his left wrist. “We’ve been working for more than two hours.”

  Two hours? I wasn’t aware we’d been at it for so long. But I’m undeterred.

  “Someone else can train with me.” My attention shifts to Adrian. “How about you?” I know how much the broody angel likes to push my limits while I practice. I could use that today.

  I’m stunned beyond belief when he says, “No. You need to take a break.”

  My jaw falls open. Are they all really teaming up against me?

  I snap my jaw shut and level an angry glare on the three Fallen in front of me. “None of you will train with me?”

  Adrian frowns, Zeke shakes his head again, and Joseph sighs. “I am more than willing to help you, Messenger, but not if I think you are pushing yourself too hard.”

  The memory of pain tightens around my wrist, reminding me of why I am so determined to do this. I throw my hands in the air. “I thought you guys wanted me to master my angelic powers.”

  “We do.” Gabe says from behind me. He and Peri join our group, forming a full circle with me trapped in the center. “But we don’t want you faint from exhaustion in the process.”

  I look at him over my shoulder, then turn sideways so I can see all of the Fallen from the corners of my eye. “Don’t be ridiculous,” I tell him. “It’s not even that hot outside.”

  “This has nothing to do with heat,” Adrian snaps. The tenuous hold he keeps on his temper is loose. “And everything to do with your resolve to burn yourself out. Your Angel Fire requires a lot of energy, and your body needs to rest.”

  “But I haven’t even used any Angel Fire today,” I remind them all. “I haven’t managed to do anything yet, and I need to practice.”

  “Why?” Joseph asks calmly. His all-too-knowing eyes lock onto mine, holding me hostage. “Why are you so determined to practice today? What’s happened to create such motivation?”

  The word motivation reminds me of Lukas. I try, but fail to hide my nervous gulp. All of the Fallen stiffen when they register my reaction.

  “What is it?” Adrian steps forward, once again intruding in my personal space. “What’s happened?”

  I step back, holding my hands out to make him keep his distance. “Nothing.”

  It’s Zeke’s turn to step forward. “Tell the truth, Ron.”

  “I am.”

  His eyes narrow. Zeke’s known me the longest, but I suspect all of the Fallen would have seen the quick flash of unease in my two-colored irises. “You’re lying.”

  My pulse quickens, rising with my panic. I’m losing control of the situation, and I need to get it back.

  Oh, who am I kidding? I never really had control of the situation. I haven’t had control of any situation since my eighteenth birthday. I cross my arms and take turns glaring at each of the angels. I receive two reactions. Gabe, Joseph and Zeke wear expressions of concern and unease. While Adrian returns my glare with one of equal malice.

  I focus all of my frustration on Adrian. If looks could kill, I bet mine would make him burst into ash and smoke. The Fallen know I’m tired of being pushed around. They know I resent my lack of freedom. The Light Angels and Zeke aim to be as understanding and conciliatory as they can possibly be. But not Adrian. He does not give a rat’s ass about how I’m feeling, nor does he try to do anything but mock me when I fail during our training sessions. Now that I want to succeed, he tells me to stop practicing. He’s a jerk, and I’m going to let him have it.

  Adrian watches me, and an infuriating smirk plays on his lips. I’ve never been one to condone violence, but I want to smack it right off his too-perfect face. My recent experiences have made me bloodthirsty, and for once, I don’t give a damn.

  I suck in a lungful of air, winding up to unleash all of my frustration and anger on the infuriating angel.

  Adrian continues to watch me, his smirk only growing with each passing second. His hazel eyes glimmer with amusement as they flicker over me. Then, Adrian freezes. His body goes rigid and his eyes stop shining. I stare at him then rub my eyes. Still, Adrian remains locked in place. I glance at his chest and do not see it rise or fall with his breathing.

  “Adrian?” I reach out a hand but stop just short of touching him. He doesn’t react. I drop my arm and spin to look at the other Fallen, my pulse accelerates with a different sort of panic.

  Just like Adrian, the other three Fallen are still as stone. None of them breathe. None of them even blink. Dread claws up my throat, threatening to choke me.

  The angel responsible for the time stop appears across from me, standing behind Joseph and Zeke,

  Lukas locks eyes with me. “I need your help.” I close my eyes the moment I see him raise his hand, bracing myself for my third trip through time and space.

  Eleven

  The ground beneath my feet solidifies, but I don’t open my eyes. Not until I no longer feel the disorienting twists and turns of Lukas’ preferred method of travel.

  The world around me stabilizes. My head is spinning as I take in the concrete building in front of me, surrounded by empty fields. I just healed Charles yesterday. What could Lukas already need my powers for?

  Unless I failed. Perhaps Charles’ wings were only healed for a short while. Maybe I’m not as powerful as I thought.

  Immediately, I shake my head. There is no way my healing didn’t work. I mean, I brought my mom back from the dead, for crying out loud. My powers are obviously strong.

  Slowly, I rotate and find Lukas’ gaze. The fear I feel is only matched by my dread. “What do you want?”

  The Light Angel maintains a calm demeanor despite my less-than-polite question, but I know from experience that his mood can change in an instant. “Your gifts, Veronica, are required.”

  “Charles?” Though I’m relatively confident my healing was successful, there is always room for doubt. Especially since I can’t imagine another reason for Lukas’ second summons coming so quickly. I thought I would have had more time to practice my powers. I steel myself for another session of his cruel motivation, unsuccessfully attempting to convince myself it won’t be as bad as I think.

  “No,” he answers, his relief evident in the way his shoulders relax. “Charles is quite recovered. I don’t believe I properly thanked you for that, by the way.”

  His appreciation is surprising, but I don’t let it lull me into a false sense of security. “If not for Charles, then why am I here?”

  Lukas rolls back his shoulders and turns on his heel. “This way.”

  I hesitate for a second before picking up my pace to catch up to Lukas. Like the oth
er Fallen, he has a long stride and moves quickly.

  “Where are we going?” I won’t walk into the unknown without at least trying to prepare myself for what’s to come.

  “To meet with a friend.”

  “Is he sick?”

  “She is not.”

  She?

  My blood runs cold. I told Lukas I had no interest in learning about my birth parents. He’d seemed to accept it. But what if he hadn’t believed me? Or, more likely, what if he doesn’t care what I said?

  I stumble as the ground transitions from grass to gravel. “Am I going to see a female angel?” I hold my breath. The thought I might be meeting my birth mother makes my palms sweat and my stomach ache.

  Lukas snorts. “No. Odette is a sorceress.”

  I stop walking. “A sorceress?” That is, officially, the last thing I expected him to say. Angels, demons, and now sorceresses?. What’s next? Vampires?

  I shake my head. I doubt I will ever get used to the craziness of my new reality.

  “Why am I here to see a sorceress if she isn’t sick?”

  Lukas doesn’t bother to look back at me as he says, “Because I have questions. And she is the only one with the answers.” He pulls open the metal door, gesturing for me to proceed him into the dim room.

  Self-preservation has me shaking my head. “You first.”

  Lukas shrugs and pushes the door wider, allowing me to catch it as he glides inside. I lean forward, straining to see what is hidden in the strange building. The large room looks like an abandoned office with no electricity. Candles are positioned on the desks throughout the space. Cubicles divide the area, creating hallways. I turn back around. A breeze causes the fields of grass to sway. I don’t even see a road leading up to the building. It’s in the middle of nowhere.

  “Veronica,” Lukas’ voice comes from within the dim building. “Odette is waiting for us.”

  I don’t care if anyone is waiting for us. I don’t want to go inside the unusual building. It’s creepy to the max. But I know I only have the illusion of a choice. So, I enter.