Page 29 of Hunted by the Fallen
My heartbeat slows as the truth of her words sinks in. She’s right. I thought about lighting Lukas up with my powers, and then ithappened.
Well… I tried to make ithappen.
Though I’d been blinded during the attempt, I suspect Lukas used his defensive shields to deflect myattack.
Lukas, still kneeling near me, says, “You may open your eyes now, Veronica. I believe your power hasabated.”
Instead, I squeeze my eyes tighter. I’m afraid of losing control like I did in the warehouse. “How do youknow?”
“Because your eyelids are no longerglowing.”
A simple enoughanswer.
Cautiously, I crack one eye open. When Angel Fire doesn’t fly across the room, I allow the other to open. I rub my eyes, more from habit than actual discomfort. Again, it doesn’t feel as if anything happened. My body remains unaffected by use of the destructive angelicpower.
Lukas is at eye level, and he is grinning like a fool. “I would call this adventure a success, don’t youthink?”
I think he is speaking to me, but Odette answers, “Indeed. A thanks would be mostappreciated.”
His smile grows as he faces the sorceress. “I am in your debt, Odette. Thank you for your services.” He withdraws a burlap pouch from his jacket pocket. The sorceress’ eyes widen withglee.
Lukas stands. His height makes me feel tiny. I scramble to myfeet.
“Your payment, as we agreed.” He holds out the pouch. Odette glides forward. Just as she’s about to grab the item, Lukas pulls back aninch.
Odette stills, and I hold my breath. Is Lukas about to renege on his deal with the sorceress? I look over my shoulder, finding the exit. If a fight goes down, I am going to get the hell out ofhere.
The sorceress lowers her hand and watches Lukas. I see no anger, only eagerness to get the object. “Is there something else, mylord?”
Mylord?
“Yes.” Lukas erases all signs of his previous joy as he levels an authoritative stare on the woman in front of him. “You shall not speak a word of what transpired here. To anyone. If you do, I promise the retribution I will seek shall not be overcome by any spell or trinket you have in yourpossession.”
I shudder. Lukas means business. The sorceress blanches, intelligent enough to take his threatseriously.
“Of course, my lord.” She bows low, her back completely flat. “Your secret is safe withme.”
“Good.” Lukas waves his fingers, and Odette rises. He tosses the pouch. Odette squeaks as her hands flail, relaxing once she has the item pressed tightly to her chest. She sighs, gazing at the pouch with excitement. Then, she lifts her chin and calmly says, “If there is nothing else, mylord?”
Lukas dips his head. “You aredismissed.”
The sorceress doesn’t waste a second. Still clutching the pouch against her chest, she swirls her fingers in the air beside her. Her lips move softly, and I am too far away to hear what she is saying. A black cloud of smoke forms at the tips of her fingers. The haze widens and extends to reach the full height and width of her body. Then, without looking back, Odette steps towards the smoky cloud. She does not come out the otherside.
“How are youfeeling?”
Fright washes over me. I’m alone withLukas.
I step back, but I don’t go far. I’d forgotten I’d moved to the back of the room. Lukas stands in front of me. I have nowhere to run. My hands begin to tingle, my emotion calling forth AngelFire.
Lukas raises his hands, trying to appear unthreatening. “I mean you no harm,Veronica.”
“Really?” My hands spark. My emotions are close to taking control. “Then what was that? What did Odette do tome?”
“You know very well what she did,” he replies with patience. His demeanor frustrates me. My temper wants him to be arrogant and cruel. I want a reason to unleash the power building in my palms. I want to make him pay for hurting my parents. I want to make him pay for hurtingme.
Lukas reads my thoughts in my eyes. He shifts his stance, centering himself into a sturdy position. He’s ready for whatever I mightdo.
“Odette undid the wards placed on you at birth. You can now access your powers without needing to endure a heightened state of emotional or physical distress.” His attention flickers to my hands, and he smirks. “Though, I’m beginning to question the wisdom of my decision. You seem rather trigger happy at themoment.”
