Page 19 of Hunted by the Fallen
“Try again. NOW!” He shouts, and my bodyjolts.
“I can’t—” The rest of my rebuttal dies off when Lukas snaps his fingers, and a searing pain travels from the bottom of my spine, up through my back, pressing into my head. I cry out and I double over. Agony like I’ve never experienced douses flames into embers, and I amhelpless.
Eight
The pulsating paindoesn’t abate. It comes in fresh waves every two seconds. It takes me a few seconds to realize Lukas’ snap is what initiated the dreadfulsensations.
“W-what are you doing?” I gasp, digging my nails into Charles’ leg. I think about turning my head to look at Lukas, but even the slightest movement feels like I’m cracking my skullopen.
“Motivating you.” A fresh rhythm of agony emanates from my wrist, traveling up the arm he holds againstCharles.
“Stop.” Tears prick my eyes, blurring my vision. “Please.”
“I will stop once you heal Charles.” Another stab hits me. This time, it strikes me between the eyes. Lukas shows nomercy.
I want to scream, but I’m unable to catch my breath. I’m still holding onto Charles. I try to pull away, but Lukas’ grip holds mestill.
“I… can’t.” I grit out. I twist my head slightly, wincing as the move makes my head throb. I glare at Lukas through a watery gaze. “I’ve told…you.”
“Wrong answer.” With his free hand, Lukas touches myback.
“AHH!” It feels like one thousand bees are stinging me at the same time. Lukas’ fingers are knives against my sensitive skin. “STOP!”
“Use your anger,” Lukas commands. “Allow your power to grow within you. Channel it to heal Charles. Only then will Istop.”
My body jerks beneath his touch, but I am unable to free myself of Lukas’ attack. He’s crazy. I should have listened to Adrian and the others about how dangerous he is. I should’ve made a scene at The Pier. Lukas may be able to manipulate time, but I could have tried to run away… break the magic…something.
But no. I just sat there at let Lukas run the show. Now, he’s torturing me, and I can’t fight against it. I’m defenseless. In the world of angels, I am no threat. Any Fallen can make me do what he or she wants, and I can’t stop it. I’m weak… I’m nothing but a burden to the four angels determined to protect me. Not to mention, I am a monster who enjoyed killing a demon. I’m not worth anyone’sconcern.
Stop it,my stubborn subconscious orders.Endthis.
I whimper.Ican’t.
Youcan!
Indignation rises in my chest, telling me that I’m not weak. My stubbornness reminds me I have the power to make demons disintegrate and bring people back from the dead. Inside me, there is an unknown reserve of power yet to betapped.
I’m. Not.Weak.
Lukas pulses another current of pain into myback.
I scream and throw my head back, hoping to make contact with my attacker’schin.
Lukas shifts out of the way. I grit myteeth.
He shouts, “Use your anger to harness your power and this willend!”
A guttural growl rumbles from deep within my chest. I feel heat gathering in my palms. I swing my hand back and shoot a stream of light from my fingertips, aiming for Lukas’heart.
The light never touches him. It comes within an inch of the precious organ before it hits an invisible barrier. The barrier ripples as it absorbs the light. My ego is damaged, but not mydetermination.
I release more Angel Fire. This time, Lukas stops it by snapping his fingers. I gape at the show of power. I put enough strength behind that attack to kill five demons, yet Lukas managed to neutralize it with barely anyeffort.
“I am stronger than you, Veronica,” he states the obvious. “You cannot harm me. The only way to end this is to heal Charles.” He snaps again, and more pain enters my body, making my vision go white for several seconds as I adjust to the newesttorture.
When my vision returns to normal, I glare at Lukas. The hatred I feel rivals that of what I felt for the demon who killed mymom.
Lukas’ face is void of all emotion. I don’t get the sense he is enjoying my suffering, but I know he has no qualms about keeping it going until he gets what he wants. I’m caught between despair and frustration. I’ve tried to use my Resurrection power dozens of times since the warehouse, and I’ve neversucceeded.
