Page 13 of Hunted by the Fallen
Preston backs away, keeping his eyes on me until he is forced to turn around or risk running into a table. I chuckle and wave before he disappears into therestaurant.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and see several messages from Annie. I’m in the middle of applauding my decision to silence the device prior to the date when a shadow is cast overme.
I look up, expecting the waitress, and my heart stops. I blink, unsure if I am imagining the sight in front ofme.
I’mnot.
Lukas, the angel responsible for abducting my parents and endangering their lives, is gazing down at me with a polite smile. “We meet again,Veronica.”
Six
“What do you want?”Despite the fear I feel from seeing Lukas again, I use the anger churning in my chest to force the question past my grittedteeth.
Lukas sits in Preston’s chair, unbothered by my less-than-friendly tone. His suit is neatly pressed, and it looks out of place in the relaxed lakeside atmosphere. Not that he cares. “I would’ve thought you’d be dying to see me. Seeing as how our last conversation was interrupted soabruptly.”
“You thought wrong.” I look around the restaurant, waiting for one of the Fallen to notice the angel at my table. I’m startled when I notice the rest of the world seems to have stopped. Like… everything is frozen. I turn back to Lukas with renewedfear.
“What did youdo?”
He waves a hand. “Nothing more than give us a moment ofprivacy.”
I grip the armrests, my nails digging into the wicker material. He can stop time? Is there anything Fallen Angelscan’tdo?
“What do you want?” Irepeat.
Lukas gives no indication that my short replies anger him. In fact, he seems delighted. His eyes glimmer with amusement. “Totalk.”
“Aboutwhat?”
“Many things. But how about we begin with the fact you are notNephilim?”
Alarms ring in my head. I attempt to keep my expression neutral, but I have no idea if I’ve succeeded. “What are you talking about?” My heart is banging against my sternum, and I can only hope Lukas is unable tohear.
His lips twitch. There is no denying it. He’s definitely amused. “My Dear, I’m talking about your unprecedented ability to bring your mother back fromdeath.”
My blood runs cold, and I know the color drains from my face. My eyes dart to the patio’s exit, frantically trying to come up with a way toescape.
“No need to worry, Veronica.” Lukas sounds cool and collected—everything I am not. “Your secret is safe withme.”
I decide denial is the best tactic. “I don’t know what you’re talkingabout.”
Lukas levels me with a look; his amusement flickers away. “Do me the honor of not treating me like an imbecile?” Anger and violence flash beneath his expression, and I get the first glimpse of the kind of angel Lukas is when he’s not preoccupied with playing games. The gentleman act is just that: an act. Mr. Cohen, Gabe, Zeke and Joseph had all treated Lukas like he was a threat. I’d been a fool to not believethem.
I swallow the knot in my throat. “What do you want fromme?”
The fury beneath Lukas’ calm façade is concealed. He is back to acting like the serene and welcoming angel from our first meeting in the warehouse. “For us to be honest with oneanother.”
“Aboutwhat?”
“Let’s start with how long you’ve known you are not, in fact, aNephilim?”
I pinch my lips together, debating whether or not I should end my pretend ignorance. I’m trapped in Lukas’ magical time freeze. Pissing him off again might not be a goodidea.
“A little over oneweek.”
“You knew the truth at the warehouse?” He stares at me intently, searching for any sign ofdeceit.
“What truth are you referring to?” I am not going to risk giving him more information that I haveto.
