Page 14 of Hunted by the Fallen
“The truth regarding the fantastical conditions of your birth.” Lukas holds up a hand when I open my mouth. “And, before you ask, I am referring to the fact you are the offspring of not one, but two Fallenangels.”
My heart continues to pound. I lick my lips, but I will myself to not look away from the angel. I don’t want him to know how scared Iam.
“How did you know?” The question is barely above awhisper.
Lukas leans back in his chair, adopting the casual demeanor he’d abandoned earlier. “Dear, Veronica. Haven’t your angelic shadows toldyou?”
He’s baiting me. I know it. But I can’t resist rising to it. The Fallen haven’t been lying to me, but I suspect them of keeping some information from me. I have no proof, but its hard to ignore how my protectors grow silent every time I walk into a room. I know they are talking about me, and my instinct says its important. But whenever I ask one of the Fallen about it, my question is expertlyavoided.
I crave the knowledge Lukas is dangling in front of my face, and he knowsit.
“They haven’t told mewhat?”
His lips pull into a triumphant grin. “That only a full-blooded angel could have performed the miracle you achieved. But, even then, the gift is a rare and covetedone.”
I remember the night at the warehouse. The only living creatures who’d seen me bring my mom back to life had been me, my four bodyguards, and the few remaining yancor demons. The latter of which who hadn’t lived to tell the tale. None of us had seen Lukas, or his assistant, Charles in the aftermath of the bloody battle. We weren’t aware anyone had seen my display of power. We thought the secret of my newfound ability wassafe.
We’d been horriblywrong.
“So, what now?” I channel my fear into frustration. That isn’t hard to do. Nothing is more frustrating than feeling like you aren’t in control of your own fate, and I’ve felt that way ever since I turned eighteen. “Are you going to report me to the LightCouncil?”
Not only should my birth have been impossible, but it was also forbidden. My parents are both Light and Dark Fallen, and the two groups of ex-heavenly beings do not mingle, for lack of a more accuratephrase.
Lukas blinks and appears genuinely taken aback. “Turn you in? Why on Earth would I ever dothat?”
Ifreeze.
He doesn’tknow.
Somehow, Lukas has not put together I am a mixed Fallen. If he had, I don’t doubt he would have said as much. His ignorance is a small mercy, and one I hope continues in myfavor.
Careful to not give away the truth, I ask, “Then what do youwant?”
Lukas stares at me. Hard. I force myself to maintain his gaze as I wait for his answer. The angel wouldn’t have gone through all this trouble of isolating me and stopping time unless he had a good reason.Right?
The seconds tick away in my mind even though the clock on my phone remains locked in time. Then, Lukas explains, “Originally, I wanted to recruit you to join a cause which is in the interests of Nephilim and Fallen alike. But now, I need yourhelp.”
I replay the words, unable to guess what cause would concern me, but it is his last statement which stands out and commands my attention. “You need my help. For what?” Despite how many times I’ve asked for information, Lukas has masterfully succeeded in giving me tidbits without truly revealing anything of substance. Now, though, I can sense his avoidance is going to end. Anticipation builds as I wait for him tospeak.
Lukas breaks eye contact. He studies his hands, focused on his fingernails. “As I’ve previously said, your ability to heal is coveted. I would like to enlist your services whenever I haveneed.”
Services? I pinch my lips together, then ask, “You mean, when you’re injured?” Can angels even be injured? I’ve yet to see evidence of that. Adrian and the other angels had stood amidst the flames of the warehouse and none of them have even the slightest hint of aburn.
“Me, or any of my allies.” Lukas lowers his hand, and piercing green eyes meet mine. “You would be called upon anytime one of us needs to behealed.”
“Can’t all Fallen heal injuries?” I think of my bodyguards healing my dad’s bruises after the attack at thewarehouse.
“Yes, but not everyone can bring someone back from the dead.” His eyes trail over me, as if searching for the miraculous power within me. “When it comes to my allies, I would prefer to have an angel who can bring them back if their injuries prove to be toomuch.”
I’m totally against the idea of being at anyone’s beck and call. My life is chaotic as it is. The last thing I need is to throw another wrench into it. Besides, I don’t even know how to use my healing abilities. I tell Lukas asmuch.
He isn’t deterred. “You will learn to yield your powers. I will teachyou.”
“You? How do you know how to use mypowers?”
“I had a friend with the Resurrection gift,” he reveals with a bored wave of hishand.
Resurrection? An apt name for thepower.
