Page 21 of Hunted by the Fallen
I don’t look at him. I don’t think I could bear it. Again, I justnod.
The room is quiet for a moment. Lukas clears his throat, then declares, “I shall return you to your home.” He snaps his fingers and the world twists and falls away. This time, the onslaught of nausea doesn’t alarmme.
The Pier and its surrounds come into focus seconds later. I am standing behind the chair I’d abandoned when we left, and Lukas is standing on the other side of the table, staring at me with a triumphant grin. I look away, trying to push away the memory of the debilitating pain he caused not five minutesago.
The restaurant is still stuck in time. A waitress’ pen hovers over an order pad, and another’s arm is extended as she passes out a customer’s meal. None of them know what has happened, nor will they. This is the world I live in now. Magic and Fallen can control anything they want. Includingme.
I feel like I’m close to breaking, and I don’t want to do it in front of Lukas. “If there is nothing else…” I gesture to the unmoving life aroundus.
I feel, more than see, Lukas pause. I imagine his eyes examining me from head to toe, taking in my avoidance of his gaze and my rigid posture. If he feels bad for causing me harm to get his way, he does not sayso.
“Of course.” He snaps his fingers, and the sound is nearly overwhelming as reality returns to its normal volume. Silverware clanks against plates, and people laugh at one another’sjokes.
I sigh, relieved that Lukas did not keep me caught in his web forever. I can only pray he leaves me alone now that I’ve healed hisfriend.
My hopes are dashed with Lukas’ next words. “Thank you for your help today, Veronica. I shall be calling on you for assistance in thefuture.”
I gasp and swing my eyes to him. He plans to torture meagain?
Before I can make a sound, Lukas adds, “If you do not wish to find out the truth regarding your parents, you best think on what it is you want as repayment for your services. Otherwise, I will be forced to improvise.” The words, themselves, aren’t threatening. But his tone definitely brooks no argument. He disappears the next second, and it is impeccabletiming.
Preston returns from washing his hands. My eyes flit over his face, looking for any sign he’s aware he was just caught in a time freeze. He looks normal, and that shakes me to the core. How has this become my life? Secret meetings with angels? Being tortured? Forced to use my powers? Things just keep getting worse and worse, and I’m about tobreak.
Seeing my expression, Preston smile fades away, replaced by concern. “Veronica? Is everythingalright?”
I swallow back the knot in my throat, and my hands shake as I rest them against the back of the chair. “I-I don’t feel well.” Not a complete lie, but it’s not the trutheither.
The truth is, I want to go home and hide inside the safety of my warded house. And, if I’m being honest, I want the comfort of knowing four Fallen Angels are looking out for me. I don’t doubt I’m being watched right now, but whichever angel is monitoring me does not know about Lukas’ surprise visit. Otherwise, I would’ve been swept away in sturdy wingsalready.
Preston furrows his brow. “Do you need to go home?” Not even a hint of disappointment or frustration sneaks into his tone. Preston’s only emotion is sincere concern for mywellbeing.
I nod, knowing there is no way I can pretend everything is fine for the remainder of our date. “I think that might be a goodidea.”
Preston begins to back away. “Let me go tell the waitress to cancel our order and I’ll take youhome.”
I offer him a wobbly smile. “Soundsgood.”
While Preston is gone, I work to compartmentalize my thoughts and urge my nerves to forget how painful Lukas’ attack had been. Dwelling on the memories will do nothing but prolong the trauma. And I can’t break down on the restaurant’s patio. I justcan’t.
Before long, Preston returns, folding a receipt into hiswallet.
Guilt hits me. “They made youpay?”
Preston reaches out and takes my hand, guiding me to the parking lot. I resist the urge to pull away. I wouldn’t be able to explain why I don’t want skin contact at the moment and pulling away would only serve to hurt Preston’s feelings, no doubt driving another wedge betweenus.
“Our food was almost ready by the time I found our waitress,” Preston reveals. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not a bigdeal.”
It feels like a big deal to me. I’m the reason our date is ending before we can eat. “I’ll pay youback.”
We exit the restaurant and walk to Preston’s truck. “Pay me back by feeling better. Then, go on another date with me.” He shoots me a kind smile, and I’m struck by how good of a person Preston is. With his popularity and good looks, I know it would’ve been easy for him to act like your typical entitledjerk.
“Deal.” I manage to return his smile despite the fact I’m stillunsettled.
Preston opens the door for me and helps me inside. “What about your boat?” I ask once he’s in the front seat and turning the key in the ignition. I’d forgotten we’d left the speedboat tied up on the dock. I don’t want Preston to drive me home only to have to come back out to the lake to retrieve hisboat.
“My parents are heading out to the lake for a late afternoon boat ride,” he tells me. “I texted them where I left theboat.”
Satisfied, I lean back in the seat and stare at the scenery outside the window, listening to the country music on theradio.
