Fourteen
Seconds later, my room appears before me. Everything is as I left it, including Periwinkle snoozing at the foot of my bed. Startled, she leaps up onto all fours and barks emphatically. I’m surprised. I expected her to still be trapped in Lukas’ magic.
“That’s my cue to leave,” Lukas murmurs. I spin around just in time to see his form fade. Literally not two seconds later, my bedroom door swings in and bounces off the door stop, almost hitting Joseph on its way back. His hand snaps out to hold the door. Concerned, wild eyes scan the room from wall to wall.
“Are you alright?” The deep vibrato makes my knees weak. I force them to lock.
Unfortunately, another side effect of removing the ward has been a heightened awareness of the four Fallen Angels. I didn’t realize the change the first day the ward was removed. I’d been so angry at the Fallen, I couldn’t feel anything but distrust and fury. But now, that’s changed.
I can sense when one of the angels is near, and I can sense when one is coming. I know when they are worried, and I know when they are happy. I can feel their concern for me, and I can sense their dislike of one another fading with each day that passes. It’s the strangest thing.
Seeing Joseph’s worry fills me with a desire to alleviate the negative emotion. I hate the gnawing sensation his concern causes in my stomach, but I stay put and force myself to not run up to him.
Convinced the room holds no threats, Joseph looks at me. Goosebumps pucker my skin as his eyes trail over me. “Are you alright?”
My throat is dry. “I’m fine. Peri must’ve had a bad dream.” It’s a lame excuse, but I can’t think of a better one.
Joseph moves his attention from me to Peri. She leaps off my bed and trots over to his side, sitting patiently as she waits for a pet. Joseph obliges her by scratching her ears. I don’t know what it is about the Light Fallen, but Peri sure does like them.
“Would you like some lunch?”
Joseph’s question catches me off guard. “What?”
He stops petting Peri. “Lunch,” he repeats. “The meal after breakfast.” His lips lift in a crooked smile.
My cheeks pink. I’m not use to my ex-teacher’s playful side, but I am use to the warm affection his expression stirs within me. I’ve had a small crush on the man before I knew he was a Fallen Angel. It was innocent enough, just a starry-eyed high school senior enchanted by her intelligent and educated physics teacher. But now that the ward on my power is gone, the feelings I am experiencing are morphing into something not so innocent. I need to get a grip. Fast.
“Lunch sounds good.” I walk to the door, careful to not brush my arm against his as I pass. If his smile has such an effect on me, I don’t dare find out what a touch will do.
We walk down the stairs and enter the kitchen. Adrian sits at the table, his feet propped up on the chair beside him. I stop in my tracks. Joseph barely keeps from running into me. I feel his breath on the back of my neck. My body shivers. I step forward, crossing my arms to hide my reaction.
“What are you doing here?” My question sounds harsher than I intended.
Adrian lifts a dark eyebrow. “Well, hello to you too.”
I shake my head. “What I mean is, why are you two guarding me today?” I look back at the Light Fallen before returning my attention to Adrian. Normally, Adrian guards me with his brother. He has a nasty habit of instigating arguments with the Light Fallen.
“Zeke and Gabe are busy today,” Adrian answers. His expression gives nothing away, but my newfound connection with him allows me to sense a general sense of unease. Whatever Zeke and Gabe are doing, Adrian is worried.
My arms fall to my side. “Has something happened?”
Adrian’s shoulders stiffen. If I wasn’t looking for it, I would’ve missed the subtle reaction. Now, I know there is something they aren’t telling me.
Surprise, surprise.
“What makes you think something has happened?” Joseph asks, stepping forward to put himself in view of my face. He, too, has underlying concern within him. The emotion is accompanied by suspicion. I remind myself to tread carefully. I don’t know how the Fallen haven’t realized the ward is gone, but I don’t want to be the one to ruin my advantage. The moment they figure out I can sense what they’re feeling or thinking, I don’t doubt the Fallen will find a way to hide their internal musings from me.
“Gut instinct,” I tell Joseph. “It’s weird for you two to be working together.”
Adrian snorts. I look at him and my eyes narrow the moment I see his smug expression. What does he have to be smug about?
Before I can ask, Joseph clears his throat. “I’m actually about to leave. I’ll return this evening.” He speaks more to Adrian than me.
“What?” Unease claws at my throat. I haven’t been alone with Adrian since the night I snuck out of the house to rescue my parents. The Dark Fallen hasn’t hidden his contempt for my actions, but he’s limited it to impatient comments and displeased frowns. I attribute the reprieve to the presence of the other Fallen. The others would intervene if he ever tried to unleash the full extent of his anger on me. But Joseph is talking about leaving me alone with him. What is he thinking?
“Gabe reached out.” Joseph directs his gaze to Adrian. “He has a lead on his task, but he is requesting my assistance. Will you be alright watching over Veronica on your own?”
A silent conversation passes between them, reminiscent of the type I normally only see between the brothers. I detect anxiety, understanding and reassurance. Though, I’m not sure who is experiencing what.
“I think I can manage,” Adrian says with characteristic arrogance.
Joseph jerks his head in acknowledgement, not at all put off by Adrian’s tone, and walks farther into the kitchen. He opens the fridge and withdraws a pack of turkey meat and a container of sliced cheese. “Would you like a turkey sandwich? I’m making myself one before I leave.”
Hearing my ex-teacher offer to make me food is definitely weird. Of all the Fallen, he’s been the most reserved, but for some reason this moment seems noteworthy… personal.
Maybe it’s because of the feelings I sense rolling off of him—a mix of expectation and hesitation. I’m not sure what to think about them.
“Sure,” I force the word out when Joseph looks at me expectantly, a loaf of bread in his hands. “That’d be great.”
Joseph opens the bread. I sit in the chair across from Adrian, avoiding his stare. I watch my ex-teacher move around my kitchen with ease and purpose. He starts to assemble the sandwiches, humming an unfamiliar tune as he does. He is bent over the counter, spreading mayonnaise on the bread. My eyes trail over the expanse of his back. His muscles shift beneath his formfitting shirt. I look at his exposed forearms, and my mouth goes dry. I know Joseph is in shape—all of the Fallen are—but I never took the time to admire how in shape he is. I’d always been too timid—too respectful of the fact he was an authority figure in my life. Sure, I fawned over his looks and intellect in the privacy of my mind. But those reservations seem to have flown out the window.
Joseph slides the sandwich on a plate and hands it to me.
“Thanks.” I make sure to avoid accidentally touching his fingers.
His smile is bright. “You’re welcome.” Adrian moves his feet to the ground, and Joseph takes the seat.
I keep my eyes on the table as I eat. This is awkward. The Fallen know something is up. It’s obvious in the way they watch me. None have pressed me on my lack of desire to train, and none has pressed the issue. Not even Adrian who is known to be pushy. They are planning something. They have to be. Not even in my ideal scenario had I imagined such easy acceptance from them.
Loud banging shakes the front door. Chairs screech against tile as Adrian and Joseph stand and face the door with determination. I almost choke from the sudden movements, but I manage to dry swallow the piece of bread.
Joseph places a staying hand on my shoulder when I prepare to stand. He shakes
his head once, and his eyes brook no argument. I settle for rotating my body so my back isn’t to the door.
The banging continues. Then, I hear, “Ronnie, I swear. You better open this door.”
I recognize Annie. I exhale, then hop up from my chair. Joseph doesn’t try to stop me. Neither does Adrian. They must recognize my best friend, too.
Flipping the bolt, I open the front door. Annie stands on the welcome mat, really close to the door. I take a step back to allow more space between us, but she only follows.
Annie shuts the door. “Good to see you’re alive,” she growls. “Where the heck have you been?”
I hold up my hands, not completely sure where her anger is coming from. “What are you talking about? You’ve seen me at work.” She and I almost always work the same shifts at her family’s restaurant.
“You don’t respond to my texts,” she accuses.
“Yes, I do.” I would never not respond to my best friend’s messages. Mostly because I would expect her to freak out. Just like she is now.
“One word texts are NOT responses,” Annie is close to shouting.
I cringe and glance into the kitchen. The Fallen are no longer there. A small reprieve. I don’t want them to have any more reason to suspect something is going on with me. Other than the usual “I’m a full-blooded Fallen with rival parents” thing.
My arms fall to my side. I’m not sure what to say to Annie. I know I’ve been distant the past few days. With avoiding the Fallen like the plague and my secret rendezvous with Lukas and his injured friends, I’ve tried to keep a low profile. But we’ve spent time together. It’s not like I completely disappeared. I knew Annie would never let something like that go.
I guess I didn’t do a good job of acting normal.
Before I can speak, Annie continues, this time with watery eyes, “You’ve barely even told me about your date with Preston. I thought we were best friends. Why are you pushing me away?”
Is that why Annie is so upset? I haven’t meant to push her away, but I realize that’s how it must seem. We’ve been friends since kindergarten. Inseparable. But now, for the first time I can ever remember, I am keeping secrets from her. Annie is smart. She senses the fact I’m holding out on her. I consider how my distance must feel to her, and it makes me feel awful. I don’t want to cause a rift with my best friend. My life is crazy. And Annie has always been there for me. I need to tell her the truth.
Still standing in the entryway, I close my eyes and take a deep breath. When I open them, I see Annie staring at me with a mix of uncertainty and determination.
“Annie,” I begin, my eyes falling to the floor—too chicken to see her reaction to what I am about to say. I can’t bear the thought she will think I’m crazy, but I’m done hiding what’s happening. Not if it’s causing her pain. That’s the last thing I want to do. “I have something to tell you.”
A pause. Then, she says, “I’m listening.”
Again, I close my eyes. My shoulders are hunched forward. This is it. There is no turning back. “The reason I’ve been acting so weird is because I’m—”
I never get the chance to finish. Someone knocks on the door behind Annie, and I nearly jump out of my skin. Through the frosted glass, I see two imposing figures standing on the other side of the door. I don’t need to guess who is here.
Still, I ask for Annie’s sake, “Who is it?”
“Zeke and Adrian.” Zeke’s voice is loud and clear. How did he get here so fast?
Annie lifts an eyebrow and whispers, “Zeke and his brother?”
I nod. Annie knows Zeke from the days when he was my kickboxing instructor. I’d had a serious crush on the mysterious teenager. Only, he wasn’t a teenager. I hadn’t known he was a Fallen Angel, and I had no clue that’s what I was either. But Zeke knew. He knew, and he hadn’t told me.
I’d been heartbroken when Zeke left Valley Lake without a word. Annie knew all about it. So when he made a reappearance with his brother, Adrian, I had to make up some lie about them passing through. Fully supportive of me seeking retribution my damaged fourteen-year-old heart, Annie told me to go after Adrian. I’d met the platinum blond the night of my eighteenth birthday before I knew anything about the Fallen world, and he hadn’t been shy about his interest in me. Except, it turns out, his interest was due to the fact he thought I was a Nephilim with emerging powers. And the soulmate connection he claimed we had.
I shake my head and step around Annie. Zeke stands closest to the door, wearing a pair of blue jeans and a black leather jacket despite the heat. Behind him, Adrian wears familiar dark jeans and a white V-neck. It’s almost the same outfit he wore the night we met. Unwillingly, my heart gives a little stutter. When my perusal reaches his face, I see he is smirking. One eyebrow arches, and I quickly turn my attention to his brother.
“Hey, Ron. Are you ready to go?” His lips are pulled in a smile, but his eyes flash with regret. I can almost hear him say I’m sorry about this.
“Go where?” It’s Annie who asks.
“For a hike,” Adrian answers smoothly. He looks at Annie with charming grin. “Would you like to join us? The more the merrier.”
A hike? My eyes bulge. What does Adrian think he’s doing? I don’t hike, and Annie knows it. I’m shocked when I hear Annie’s reply.
“Sure. Let me go change.”
I spin around, my eyes still wide. “What? Really?” Annie hates the outdoors. She won’t even run outside with me.
Annie meets my gaze with a hint of defiance, daring me to try and prevent her from coming with us. “Yes, really. It’s a pretty day. Might as well enjoy it.” Then, she bestows a charming smile on the Fallen. “Be right back.”
Annie leaves and the Fallen step inside. The moment Adrian closes the door, I whirl on them. “What are you doing?”
“Keeping you from making a mistake.” Adrian drops the charm he used on Annie. His words drip with disapproval.
“What are you talking about?”
“We overheard your conversation with Annie,” Zeke explains. “We thought you were about to reveal the truth of who you are.”
“And what if I was?” I put my hands on my hips, looking between the Dark Fallen.
The twin brothers share a glance and, I suspect, a silent conversation. It’s Zeke who responds.
“That would be unwise.”
“Why?”
“For all of the obvious reasons,” Adrian answers.
I refuse to be so easily dismissed. “Which are?”
The muscles in his jaw twitch. “The more people who know what you are, the greater the chance you will be found by those we are trying to hide you from.”
“It’s Annie,” I remind him. “Who is she going to tell? I’ve known her all my life. I’m pretty sure she isn’t linked to anyone in the supernatural world.”
Adrian leans forward and matches my snarky tone, “Oh yeah? Just like she hasn’t suspected anything supernatural about you?”
I scowl, stepping away from his looming form.
“Exactly.” Adrian straightens, triumphant.
Zeke steps in. “We don’t know enough about Annie or her family to know if there is a connection to any Fallen or Nephilim. It is best to keep your secret between the five of us.”
I sigh, disappointed I won’t be able to confide in my best friend. “Until when?” I don’t know how much longer I can keep Annie’s suspicions at bay, and I don’t want to do irreparable damage to our friendship.
“We don’t know,” Zeke says honestly, “but the moment it is safe to do so, I promise we will tell you.”
I want to believe him, but then I remember all the times the Fallen kept secrets and deceived me.
“Alright.” There is nothing else I can say. Letting them know I no longer believe what they say will only reveal my hand, and I’m not ready for them to know what I’ve learned these past few days.
I walk up the stairs to my room. “Be down in five.”
As I change in
to workout attire, I can’t help but wonder how this hike is going to go. Will Annie press the Fallen for details about their lives? If so, what lies will they tell that I will be required to remember and reiterate when Annie, undoubtedly, wants to talk about them in the future?
I bite my lips and try to shake away the melancholy feeling rising within me.
So much for not lying to my best friend anymore.
Fifteen
Zeke drives us to the Alexander Greenbelt on the west side of Valley Lake. I’d stopped short when I saw the black Mercedes SUV in my driveway. I had assumed we would be taking my car on this spontaneous trip. I’d never seen the Fallen drive. Honestly, I thought they didn’t know how. Why would they? If I could fly or instantly appear at any location I wanted, I wouldn’t bother learning to drive.
Turns out, I was wrong. Again.
Not only can Zeke drive as well as anyone I’ve seen, but he owns a beautiful luxury vehicle. Annie and I had slid into the backseat for the drive. While she made polite conversation with the Fallen, I brushed my palm against the smooth brown leather seats and T.V. screen in the headrests. Remotes were built into the armrests. Valley Lake has its fair share of wealthy citizens, and many of my classmates drove luxury vehicles, but I’d never been in one before. Even though Dad is a doctor and he and my mom are financially well-off, my parents only buy used cars and only at mid-range prices.
I worry about the expensive vehicle when Zeke turns onto the gravel road leading to the start of the trail. But he doesn’t bat an eye as rocks and dirt kick up around the car. I remember what Lukas said about Fallen amassing wealth throughout the centuries and his comment about Adrian and Zeke choosing not to be rich. I don’t know where he got his information, but it may be time for him to find a new source.
I close the car door gently, then move to stand beside Annie. Her earlier irritation with me seems to have vanished. She rocks on her heels and gives me a sly smile. “I can think of worse ways to spend an afternoon than with two hotties.”
Hunted by the Fallen: A Fallen Angel Reverse Harem Novel (The Fallen Harem Book 2) Page 10
