Page 16 of Hunted by the Fallen
To my right, I hear Lukas’ calm voice, “Ferrying takes some getting usedto.”
Ferrying? Is that what he callsit?
I don’t respond. I’d probably vomit if I tried. Breathing through the nausea, I keep my focus on the steady ground beneath me. But my forceful escort isn’t sopatient.
“Come.” Lukas holds out a hand in front of my face. “We have work todo.”
Seeing as I am trapped with Lukas until he either decides to take me back or one of my Fallen bodyguards finds me, I allow him to help me up. My palm touches his skin, and I can’t help but notice I do not feel the familiar tingling I feel when I touch one of my Fallen protectors. In fact, touching Lukas is uncomfortable. It almost feels like my hand is covered in grime. Once I’m on my feet, I pull my handaway.
“Thanks.”
Lukas gives me a curious glance, his eyes traveling to the hand I pulled back. He shakes his head and turns to walk away. I move to follow him, but I stop as I take in the immense stone house positioned in front ofme.
The dark grey stone rises four stories. Elegant carvings and statues make up its façade, and ivy crawls up the walls, giving the home a storybook appearance. I’ve only ever seen such magnificent structures in movies or pictures. I didn’t think such buildings existed inside of the United States. My thought gives me pause. What if I’m not in theU.S.?
I spin around, taking in the immense lawn I landed on. Perfectly manicured shrubs and trees fill my vision, but there are no indicators of what country, or even what continent, I amin.
Lukas looks back, realizing I’m not following him. “This way, Veronica. Someone needs yourassistance.”
I don’t budge. “Where amI?”
“Myhome.”
“And where is yourhome?”
He doesn’t hesitate. “Germany. Outside ofHamburg.”
Germany? I traveled thousands of miles in less than oneminute?
Fear starts to creep in. No one knows where I am, nor are they likely to find me in a timely manner when they realize I’m missing. I really am at Lukas’ mercy, and experience tells me that is not a good place tobe.
“W-why are wehere?”
“I’ve told you.” His gaze narrows: the only hint of frustration he gives. “I am in need of your healing services for afriend.”
I cross my arms, both for protection and comfort. “Who isit?”
“Come this way, and you shall find out.” Without waiting to see if I follow, Lukas resumes his journey to the front door of his immensehome.
I weigh my options. The only way I see returning home is if Lukas takes me back. And he’s unlikely to do that soon if I don’t do what he asks. I don’t like it, but I don’t have a choice. Just as Lukasintended.
I sigh and give in. I break into a light jog to catch up to Lukas. He’s already opening his front door by the time I reachhim.
The inside of the house is even more breathtaking. Gilded chandeliers and sconces fill the room, illuminating the black and white marble covering the floor and the priceless paintings lining thewalls.
This time, Lukas does pause to allow me time to take in the splendor. “Stunning, isn’tit?”
“Very,” I whisper, unable to conceal my awe. Though, I do try to lessen its impact by commenting, “I guess this means you’re rich,right?”
Lukas chuckles. “My dear, those Fallen really have kept you in thedark.”
His words pull my attention away from the lovely room. “What do youmean?”
He gestures to our immaculate surroundings. “Almost all Fallen are wealthy. We’ve spent millennia on this Earth, accumulating vast sums of money as the years have goneby.”
Almostall?
“What about the ones who aren’twealthy?”
