Page 28 of Hunted by the Fallen
Twelve
My head feelslike it’s going to explode. The pressure is too great, only lessened when its punctured by a piece of the invisible glass. Then, it builds back up at an alarmingly fast pace. I rest my free hand on the table, leaning over the sturdy surface as I try to keep from passing out. Odette does not release myhand.
Breathing does nothing. Each lungful of air is stolen before it can have a soothing effect. My eyes water. I wipe them, and my fingers come away withblood.
“Shhh.” Odette soothes, no longer sounding as mechanical. She caresses the top of the hand she holds. “Hold on. Just a minute or solonger.”
I won’t make it another minute. I don’t think I’m going to make it another second. My brain is bleeding; I’m sure of it. I need to get to ahospital.
I fold over, squeezing my eyes closed and resting my forehead on the table. My insides tear and my mind shreds into thinstrips.
When I am about to give up and welcome the dark abyss, Odette drops my hand. The horrible feelings cease. My eyes fly open, and I stumble back. I want to be as far away from the sorceress as possible. My back hits a wall, and I slide down it and sit on the floor. Trembling, I curl my knees up to my chest and wrap my arms around my legs, watching the two powerful beings with nothing short ofterror.
A hint of concern lines Lukas’ eyes as he glances between me and the sorceress. “Did itwork?”
Odette pulls her braid over her shoulder. “Who do you think you are talking to? Of course, it worked.” She begins tidying up the table, not sparing me a second glance. She must not know the level of agony she just caused. Otherwise, she would be apologizing to me like a decentperson.
My body continues to shake as I watch the sorceress clean. She pours the bright colored liquids down the sink, flushing them with water. Smoke lifts into the air as the various substances react. I wonder what the materials are, curious about what a real-life sorceress does despite the fact she’d essentially tortured me. The pain hadn’t lasted as long as Lukas’ previous attack, but I can’t help but draw a comparison between the two instances. I’m so occupied watching her, I don’t see Lukas’ approach until it’s too late. He kneels beside me, leaning forward to make sure he is in my line ofsight.
“How do youfeel?”
If I had any sense of self preservation, I would’ve kept my mouth shut. My return to Valley Lake depends on Lukas being willing to take me back and unfreeze time. But I’m a mess. The physical and mental stress of my past two meetings with the Light Fallen has rattled me beyond reason. I’d been a fool to believe I could handle another meeting with the angel. Unable to compartmentalize my emotions, Isnap.
“How do youthinkI feel?” My voice vibrates with barely contained rage. The hold on my sanity in fragile and very near its breaking point. I decide I am going to tell my four protectors about Lukas’ visits the moment I am able. I won’t be able to survive another bout of torture, and I will need their help to avoid his spontaneousappearances.
Instead of getting angry, Lukas remains calm. “I am inquiring after your angelic powers. Was Odette successful in lifting the ward keeping them from your fullcontrol?”
The sorceress hears and slams a flask onto the table, cracking the glass. “I’ve already told you, Isucceeded.”
Lukas ignores her. He lifts an eyebrow. “Well?” he asks me. “Do you feel alright? Can you touch yourpower?”
I glare with the intensity of one thousand suns. I wish I could shoot Angel Fire out of my eyes and burn him into a crisp. He is a piece of work. Causing my torment and then trying to pretend to be anally.
Twin beams of light blind me as they fire out of my eyes likelasers.
A loud crack breaks through theair.
I gasp and unravel my arms, pressing my palms onto the concrete floor and shutting my eyes oninstinct.
“What the hell was that?” I shout, pressing the heels of my hands into the solid floor, grounding myself. I wait for my eyes to scream in pain, but the feeling never comes. It’s just like when I shot Angel Fire from my hands. My skin had been left unsinged despite the fact my power made a demon disintegrate into ash, and my eyes seem equallyresilient.
Lukas chuckles, and the absurdity of the reaction almost makes me open my eyes. Almost. Remembering the frightening light keeps them pressedclosed.
“That, I believe, was you trying to smite me into the depths of hell.” For someone who’d almost been fried by my power, Lukas sure does sound atease.
“I-I didn’t mean to!” I’m telling the truth. Sure, I was angry for everything Lukas had put me through, but I wouldn’t really want to hurtLukas.
Wouldn’t you, though?The violent voice in the back of my mind tauntsme.
I shudder. I long to rid myself my recently emerged dark side. This isn’t me. I don’t try to hurt people. Not even Fallen Angels who’ve caused mepain.
“Relax. I’m not angry. In fact, I’m quitepleased.”
My forehead creases. I lift my head but remember to keep my eyes shut at the last second. I grimace. This is beyondfrustrating.
“What do you mean?” How could he be pleased with the fact I tried to hurthim?
From somewhere across the room. I hear Odette sigh. “He’s happy because you successfully called on your powers to do yourwill.”
