Page 18 of Hunted by the Fallen
My throat tightens. I step forward. My thighs barely touch the edge of the bed. Charles looks at me with a mix of frustration andexhaustion.
“How did this happen?” I ask, still in disbelief that a Fallen could sustain such drastic injuries. In my mind, the heavenly beings were immortal—indestructible. I consider my angelic protectors and the lengths they are willing to go to ensure my safety. The truth laid out before me is sobering, and I finally understand why my protectors are so diligent in their mission to keep me fromdanger.
Charles closes his eyes. “The yancorattack.”
I gasp. “A demon did this toyou?”
“Not just a demon,” Lukas interjects. “Severaldemons.”
I look between the two angels. I see Lukas’ guilt and regret, as well as Charles resignation. “What do you want me todo?”
“Nothing,” Charleswhispers.
“Heal him.” Lukas says at the sametime.
My eyes trail over Charles’ injuries. I’m guessing his injuries are far beyond the abilities of a typicalangel.
I shake my head. “I-I don’t know how to healthis.”
“You brought your mother back from the dead.” Lukas’ voice is hard. “You can figure out how to mendwings.”
Fear and unease coil in my chest. Lukas’ desperation makes him dangerous, and I know nothing good will happen if I fail to accomplish the task he’s set out before me. But that is not to say I don’t want to helpCharles.
I face the injured angel. He’d been harmed while trying to fight off the demons who’d wanted to take me. If not for him and Lukas, the demons may have reached me before my four bodyguards had the chance to intervene. I lick my lips, determined to at least attempt to repay Charles for hissacrifice.
“I can try, but I can’t promise it willwork.”
Lukas snorts, and Charlesgroans.
“This is nonsense.” He opens his eyes to stare at Lukas. “Don’t be a fool. Let me passover.”
In two steps, Lukas is standing over the bed. He stares down at Charles with unrelenting determination. Reaching out, he clasps the injured angel’s hand in hisown.
“Not yet,” he whispers, bringing the hand to his lips and placing a firm kiss on the knuckles. “It’s not yourtime.”
Charles shivers. I don’t know if it’s due to his fever or Lukas’affection.
Lukas rotates his neck and pegs me with an equally intense and pleading stare. “Veronica, please try to heal myfriend.”
I swallow back my emotion. I move to sit on the other side of the bed, taking Charles’ free hand. I close my eyes. I think about my mom and dad. I think about Annie and Joey. I imagine how I would feel if it was one of them lying ill on the bed. Heaven knows I would not simply stand by and allow them to die without at least trying to stopit.
Pouring all of my energy into my efforts, I try to bring my dormant power to life and push it into Charles’ weak form. I feel sparks lighting my skin, illuminating the depths within. The fire wants to be unleashed. I can sense its longing to be free. But nothing ignites. Nothing happens. I’vefailed.
I part my eyelids. Lukas is holding his breath, his eyes wide. Seeing mine open, he erases the hopefulexpression.
“I’m s-sorry,” I whisper, breaking on the lastword.
“No.” Darkness swirls in Lukas’ gaze. “Tryagain.”
Charles tries to pull his hands away and sit up. I release him. Lukasdoesn’t.
“Don’t move,” Lukas orders. Dutifully, Charlesobeys.
Lukas leans forward until his face is in line with mine. “Try.Again.”
I feel awful. I know the pain Lukas is feeling must be great. He, obviously, cares for Charles. But I did my best. I’d warned him that I hadn’t yet mastered my healing abilities. Given the progress of my training with Adrian, I doubt I everwill.
But Lukas will have none of that. He growls and reaches forward, grabbing my wrist, and forcing it to rest on top of Charles’leg.
