Page 24 of Hunted by the Fallen
“I don’t need fiveminutes.”
“What if I do?” Joseph asks, taking the wind out of my argument’s sails. He looks at the watch on his left wrist. “We’ve been working for more than twohours.”
Two hours? I wasn’t aware we’d been at it for so long. But I’mundeterred.
“Someone else can train with me.” My attention shifts to Adrian. “How about you?” I know how much the broody angel likes to push my limits while I practice. I could use thattoday.
I’m stunned beyond belief when he says, “No. You need to take abreak.”
My jaw falls open. Are they all really teaming up againstme?
I snap my jaw shut and level an angry glare on the three Fallen in front of me. “None of you will train withme?”
Adrian frowns, Zeke shakes his head again, and Joseph sighs. “I am more than willing to help you, Messenger, but not if I think you are pushing yourself toohard.”
The memory of pain tightens around my wrist, reminding me of why I am so determined to do this. I throw my hands in the air. “I thought you guyswantedme to master my angelicpowers.”
“We do.” Gabe says from behind me. He and Peri join our group, forming a full circle with me trapped in the center. “But we don’t want you faint from exhaustion in theprocess.”
I look at him over my shoulder, then turn sideways so I can see all of the Fallen from the corners of my eye. “Don’t be ridiculous,” I tell him. “It’s not even that hotoutside.”
“This has nothing to do with heat,” Adrian snaps. The tenuous hold he keeps on his temper is loose. “And everything to do with your resolve to burn yourself out. Your Angel Fire requires a lot of energy, and your body needs torest.”
“But I haven’t even used any Angel Fire today,” I remind them all. “I haven’t managed to do anything yet, and I need topractice.”
“Why?” Joseph asks calmly. His all-too-knowing eyes lock onto mine, holding me hostage. “Why are you so determined to practice today? What’s happened to create suchmotivation?”
The word motivation reminds me of Lukas. I try, but fail to hide my nervous gulp. All of the Fallen stiffen when they register myreaction.
“What is it?” Adrian steps forward, once again intruding in my personal space. “What’shappened?”
I step back, holding my hands out to make him keep his distance. “Nothing.”
It’s Zeke’s turn to step forward. “Tell the truth,Ron.”
“Iam.”
His eyes narrow. Zeke’s known me the longest, but I suspect all of the Fallen would have seen the quick flash of unease in my two-colored irises. “You’relying.”
My pulse quickens, rising with my panic. I’m losing control of the situation, and I need to get itback.
Oh, who am I kidding? I never really had control of the situation. I haven’t had control of any situation since my eighteenth birthday. I cross my arms and take turns glaring at each of the angels. I receive two reactions. Gabe, Joseph and Zeke wear expressions of concern and unease. While Adrian returns my glare with one of equalmalice.
I focus all of my frustration on Adrian. If looks could kill, I bet mine would make him burst into ash and smoke. The Fallen know I’m tired of being pushed around. They know I resent my lack of freedom. The Light Angels and Zeke aim to be as understanding and conciliatory as they can possibly be. But not Adrian. He does not give a rat’s ass about how I’m feeling, nor does he try to do anything but mock me when I fail during our training sessions. Now that I want to succeed, he tells me to stop practicing. He’s a jerk, and I’m going to let him haveit.
Adrian watches me, and an infuriating smirk plays on his lips. I’ve never been one to condone violence, but I want to smack it right off his too-perfect face. My recent experiences have made me bloodthirsty, and for once, I don’t give adamn.
I suck in a lungful of air, winding up to unleash all of my frustration and anger on the infuriatingangel.
Adrian continues to watch me, his smirk only growing with each passing second. His hazel eyes glimmer with amusement as they flicker over me. Then, Adrian freezes. His body goes rigid and his eyes stop shining. I stare at him then rub my eyes. Still, Adrian remains locked in place. I glance at his chest and do not see it rise or fall with hisbreathing.
“Adrian?” I reach out a hand but stop just short of touching him. He doesn’t react. I drop my arm and spin to look at the other Fallen, my pulse accelerates with a different sort ofpanic.
Just like Adrian, the other three Fallen are still as stone. None of them breathe. None of them even blink. Dread claws up my throat, threatening to chokeme.
The angel responsible for the time stop appears across from me, standing behind Joseph andZeke,
Lukas locks eyes with me. “I need your help.” I close my eyes the moment I see him raise his hand, bracing myself for my third trip through time andspace.
