Page 31 of Hunted by the Fallen
“Will you take me homenow?”
Lukas watches me warily. “If you’dlike.”
“I would.” I continue to try and get my anger under control. I will confront the four Fallen, but I need to get ahold of myself first. Going into an argument this heated won’t benefitme.
Lukas offers his hand. I place my palm in his. When we don’t immediately transport, I lift my gaze to meet his tentative one. “What?”
He clears his throat. “I’m sure this doesn’t need to be said, but for the sake of covering my bases, please do not share what you learned about my affections today. I prefer to keep my private lifeprivate.”
I would never think of doing such a thing. “I won’t say aword.”
The tension in his shoulders lessens. “Thank you, Veronica. And I meant what I said about hoping we could find an arrangement for you to help me with your gift. I hope you will consider payment of somekind.”
I’m still reeling from learning the Fallen kept such a secret from me. But my head clears enough for me to ask, “Who would I behelping?”
To his credit, Lukas doesn’t act surprised by my sudden question. “Myallies.”
“LightFallen?”
He nods, then adds, “I am acquainted with some Dark Fallen aswell.”
“Why would they need healing? Is there a war going on or something?” I say it half-heartedly, not really expecting my words to be true. But Lukas’ face darkens with heavyemotion.
“You might saythat.”
“Really?”
The fingers holding mine flex. “Perhaps this is best discussed at anothertime?”
If I wasn’t at my limit of self-control, I might try and insist he answer my questions. As it is, I just want to gohome.
“I’ll help your allies. As long as you promise to help me train with my powers.” After learning the Fallen allowed the ward to remain intact, I no longer trust them with mytraining.
“You have my word.” Lukas tips his head, then the world shifts. Seconds later, I’m back in my yard. The four angels are exactly where I leftthem.
“Until next time, Veronica.” Lukas drops my hand and disappears, snapping his fingers right before he drops from sight. I face the Fallen aroundme.
Adrian still smirks like an arrogant ass, and I want to smack the expression from his face. I can’t believe they’ve all lied to me for solong.
I shock all of the Fallen when I brush past them and enter myhouse.
“Messenger?” Josephcalls.
At the same time, Zeke asks, “Are youalright?”
I ignore them. I need to get ahold of the violence swimming in my gut before I do something I regret. Now that my power is within reach, there is no telling what might happen if I losecontrol.
Thirteen
Igoto bed without uttering more than a single sentence to any of the Fallen. I hear their whispers of concern and confusion, but I pretend I don’t. When Gabe inquires after my health, I answer with one word. When Zeke questions whether I work this evening, I respond in the negative. No matter who speaks to me or what they speak about, I make sure to not ignore them completely, but I do not encourage any continued attempts at makingconversation.
Let them stew in their worry, the darker side of my mindwhispers.
A chill rolls over my skin, and I burrow deeper into my comforter. The Fallen have no idea what has transpired the past two days. They do not know about Lukas’ reappearance, and they do not know the ward keeping my power from reach is no longer present. I half expected the angels to notice the change the moment I returned to the backyard, but I see no sign that is the case. I decide that is another reason to ensure I only try to use my powers with Lukas. It’s petty of me, but I want to give the Fallen a dose of their own medicine and keep a secret from them foronce.
I toss and turn, my mind unwilling to succumb to sleep. I think of Lukas and wonder when his next visit will come. Now that I can touch my powers, I am eager to practice using them. I want to be able to defend myself against anything that comes my way, no matter when itcomes.
Unable to fight it, my thoughts turn to my angelic parents. I consider what Odette and Lukas said about why the ward was enacted in the first place. If the goal was to keep me from detection, I wonder whether or not that went out the window once I reached eighteen and my emerging powers made me discoverable. Or perhaps the ward kept my emerged powers from mass detection? Adrian and the others were able to sense me because of their proximity. The same goes for the yancor demons. If one or both of my parents truly wished for me to remain hidden, I want to know why. Who or what were they trying to keep from findingme?
