Page 32 of Hunted by the Fallen
Eventually, I fall asleep despite the dozens of unanswerable questions trying their best to keep me up throughout thenight.
When I wake in the morning, I almost have a heart attack. Lukas is hovering at the foot of my bed. I rub my eyes, thinking I’m still in a dream. Lord knows he’d been the star of my subconsciouscreations.
With hands tucked in his jacket pockets, he confirms he is not a figment of my imagination when he says, “Still willing to use those gifts ofyours?”
* * *
The next four days,Lukas calls on me for my help. I’m not sure if it’s a welcome coincidence, or if Lukas purposefully chooses to appear when I am not at work or spending time with my parents or Annie. Even if it is, I’ve started to appreciate the unannounced interruptions in my day to day life. I am thankful for the chance to practice my powers with Lukas, saving me from needing to ask one of the Fallen for their help. My interactions with my bodyguards remain strained, and I have no plans for that tochange.
Today, I am sitting in Lukas’ study at his magnificent home in Germany, struggling to read the ancient text he handed me when I asked for more information on the conflict which is causing so many angels to need my healing gifts. Just in the last forty-eight hours, I’ve repaired five angels shredded and/or singed wings. At first, I’d been wary to let so many Fallen see my face. My protectors’ desire to keep my identity a secret is still instilled in me. Fortunately, Lukas ensured all of my patients were not conscious when I arrived to provide treatment, making my worries a non-issue.
I groan and shove the book away in frustration, resting my forehead against the ground. “This is impossible. I can’t read thislanguage.”
Fully recovered from his injuries, Charles replies from his seat in a plush leather chair, “The book is written inEnglish.”
“Really, really old English,” I raise my head and throw back at him, but I do reach out and pull the book back in front of me. I squint and read each word slowly, trying again to decipher the unfamiliar vocabulary and sentence structure. The format is difficult to understand, and I don’t know how to solve my problem. I can’t remember the last time I had trouble readinganything.
Lukas sits at the chair opposite of Charles and chuckles. “Would you like me to translate for you?” Since that night when he appeared in my bedroom, the Light Fallen has proven true to his word regarding my training. But that doesn’t mean he is does it without some teasing involved. And, like Adrian, Lukas seems to enjoy pushing me beyond my self-imposed limits. Except, unlike Adrian, he only stops when I’ve breachedthem.
I scowl at Lukas from my spot on the bearskin rug. The fireplace roars behind me, warming my feet. Summer nights are chilly in Germany. “I would rather you justtellme.” Does everything need to be a lesson withhim?
Lukas sighs and rolls his eyes to the crown molding above us. “The young are soimpatient.”
“Indeed,” Charles agrees, “andimpolite.”
I throw him a glare. I’ll show himimpolite.
Lukas clucks his tongue, drawing my attention back to him. “There is no need for violence, Veronica. He read my glare easily. “Long story short, the demon population seems to be increasing in exponential fashion. A group of Light and Dark Fallen are trying to reduce the impact such numbers have on both angelic and humansociety.”
With wide eyes, I look back down at the book. “How in the world could this book tell me that?” From my best guess, the text was written at least three hundred years ago. If not more. It is anangelicbook afterall.
Lukas tsks. “Oh, ye of littlefaith.”
I frown. “What?”
Tired of this conversation, Charles speaks up, “The text predicts a day when God will send an army of demons to rise up and overthrow those whom Heaven has rejected and tossed into theabyss.”
My lips part, forming a surprised “O”.
Then, I murmur, “The demons are coming to fight the Fallen?” Against my will, my thoughts turn to my four protectors. I may be angry with them, but I don’t want them to come to anyharm.
“So says the prophecy.” Lukas gives a nonchalantwave.
“You don’t believeit?”
“I believe the demon population is growing. But do I think it is a result of God’s long-awaited justice for those of us he banished from Paradise? No. His punishment was enacted many millennia ago when we were cast from his presence forever.” His voice fades to a nearly inaudible volume. Lukas turns and looks out the west-facing window, lost in whatever thoughts and memories are playing in hismind.
Charles clears his throat. I look hisway.
His lips are pulled tight. “The Lord does not make deals with demons. He won’t be the person responsible for growing theirnumbers.”
“Then who is?” I ask. “Where do demons come from in the firstplace?
“The Darkness. Which has existed since the world first saw light,” Charlesanswers.
His words hang heavy in the air. The study suddenly feels stuffy. I’ve brought forth an intense subject. But I can’t resist the urge to learn more. I have so many questions. Questions that Lukas and Charles have spent the last four daysanswering.
“Who controls thedarkness?”
