Page 22 of Hunted by the Fallen
The drive to my house passes quickly. More than once, I think I catch a glimpse of dark wings in the side mirror. But when I look closer, the sight is gone. I’m wondering which of the Dark Fallen may be trailing the vehicle when Preston pulls into mydriveway.
“I hope you feel better soon,” Preston tells me as he helps me out of the talltruck.
I wobble for a second when my feet hit the pavement. Preston steadies me with a hand on myelbow.
“Thanks, me too.” I fidget. “I had a great time on the lake.” I can’t lie and say the same about ThePier.
“I’m glad.” He showcases his bright teeth. “We will have to do itagain.”
I nod. “Absolutely.”
We linger for another moment. If I wasn’t feeling unwell, I bet Preston would try to kiss me goodbye. As it is, I’m glad he doesn’t. Not only do I want to run into the house and avoid human contact for as long as I can manage, but the thought of any of the Fallen seeing my first kiss makes my stomach twistuncomfortably.
I wait on the porch and wave as Preston drives away. Once he’s out of sight, I release a deep sigh, dropping the false smile I’d painted on my face. A chill rushes through me, and I rub my arms as I turn and unlock the front door. I barely make it two steps into the house before my path is obstructed by a set of broad shoulders and darkwings.
“What happened?” Adrian growls the question. I yelp and jump an inch into the air, pressing a hand to mychest.
“Jesus. Don’t dothat!”
Adrian ignores my command. His muscles flex as he tightens his fists. The black V-neck he wears ripples. He must have transported… ferried? He must have entered the house the moment Preston’s truck was out of sight. “What did that punk do toyou?”
It takes me too long to realize who Adrian is talking about. For a second, I feared he knew aboutLukas.
“Preston?” I blink, confused. “He didn’t doanything.”
“Then why did rush out of your date looking like you’d seen aghost?”
I can only stare at Adrian. Whatever emotions he sees on my face, they aren’t caused by Preston. I consider telling him about Lukas’ visit and subsequent actions, but I can’t find the words. If I tell Adrian what happened, he will demand details. All of the details. And I can’t stomach the thought of reliving the event. Notyet.
“You looked upset when he came back from the restroom,” Zeke misunderstands my silence as continued confusion. He steps out from behind his angry twin, looking slightly agitated, but I know he’s not upset with me. He is bothered by what he thinks may have happened on my date to make me uncomfortable enough to leave. I can only imagine the fury both of the Fallen will feel when they learn what really happened. Yet another reason to hold off on confessing the truth fornow.
My lie forms on my lips with little effort. “Preston didn’t do anything. I left because I was beginning to feel sick.” Not only is the explanation believable, but it would also explain why I am pale and my limbs areshaking.
Both of the Dark Fallen straighten. Worry for my health overshadows their suspicious ofPreston.
“Sick?” Zeke questions. “As in, your powers are emerging,sick?”
I shrug, playing along with my lie. “I thinkso.”
Adrian steps closer, intruding in my personal space. “What are your symptoms? How long have they lasted? Do they continue tolinger?”
I lean away from his imposing frame, caught off guard by the depth of concern I detect in his voice. “I’mfine.”
He rumbles, “We’ll be the judge ofthat.”
I stiffen, worried I made a mistake by claiming to be sick. “It’s not a bigdeal.”
“Your powers should be done emerging,” Zeke explains. “And you should no longer feel weary as a side-effect. If they are still affecting you, we need to monitor yoursymptoms.”
Crap. I hadn’t thought aboutthat.
I brush past the Adrian to walk upstairs. “Let me take a nap. If I still feel bad, I will give you a full report when I wake up.” My foot hits the first landing, but pressure above my elbow halts mysteps.
I turn and raise my eyebrow. “Yes?” I throw a little sass behind the word, hoping my attitude hides the anxiety his grip causes. My mind flashes to the memory of Lukas’ grip just before he released his power into my wrist. My panic makes my pulserace.
The Dark Angel looks over me from head to toe. I know he can feel my rapid heart rate. His eyes sharpen into slits, and he pinches his lips together tightly before asking, “Are you sure that boy didn’t do anything to upsetyou?”
“I’m sure,” I answer with a bite. But I know Adrian isn’t being pushy for the sake of being pushy. He is worried something bad actually happened with Preston. Guilt nags me. Despite their moments of concealing some truths from me, I believe the Fallen are only doing what they think is best. I know they care aboutme.
