Page 36 of Hunted by the Fallen
“Annie,” I begin, my eyes falling to the floor—too chicken to see her reaction to what I am about to say. I can’t bear the thought she will think I’m crazy, but I’m done hiding what’s happening. Not if it’s causing her pain. That’s the last thing I want to do. “I have something to tellyou.”
A pause. Then, she says, “I’mlistening.”
Again, I close my eyes. My shoulders are hunched forward. This is it. There is no turning back. “The reason I’ve been acting so weird is becauseI’m—”
I never get the chance to finish. Someone knocks on the door behind Annie, and I nearly jump out of my skin. Through the frosted glass, I see two imposing figures standing on the other side of the door. I don’t need to guess who ishere.
Still, I ask for Annie’s sake, “Who isit?”
“Zeke and Adrian.” Zeke’s voice is loud and clear. How did he get here sofast?
Annie lifts an eyebrow and whispers, “Zeke and hisbrother?”
I nod. Annie knows Zeke from the days when he was my kickboxing instructor. I’d had a serious crush on the mysterious teenager. Only, he wasn’t a teenager. I hadn’t known he was a Fallen Angel, and I had no clue that’s what I was either. But Zeke knew. He knew, and he hadn’t toldme.
I’d been heartbroken when Zeke left Valley Lake without a word. Annie knew all about it. So when he made a reappearance with his brother, Adrian, I had to make up some lie about them passing through. Fully supportive of me seeking retribution my damaged fourteen-year-old heart, Annie told me to go after Adrian. I’d met the platinum blond the night of my eighteenth birthday before I knew anything about the Fallen world, and he hadn’t been shy about his interest in me. Except, it turns out, his interest was due to the fact he thought I was a Nephilim with emerging powers. And the soulmate connection he claimed wehad.
I shake my head and step around Annie. Zeke stands closest to the door, wearing a pair of blue jeans and a black leather jacket despite the heat. Behind him, Adrian wears familiar dark jeans and a white V-neck. It’s almost the same outfit he wore the night we met. Unwillingly, my heart gives a little stutter. When my perusal reaches his face, I see he is smirking. One eyebrow arches, and I quickly turn my attention to hisbrother.
“Hey, Ron. Are you ready to go?” His lips are pulled in a smile, but his eyes flash with regret. I can almost hear him sayI’m sorry aboutthis.
“Go where?” It’s Annie whoasks.
“For a hike,” Adrian answers smoothly. He looks at Annie with charming grin. “Would you like to join us? The more themerrier.”
A hike? My eyes bulge. What does Adrian think he’s doing? I don’t hike, and Annie knows it. I’m shocked when I hear Annie’sreply.
“Sure. Let me gochange.”
I spin around, my eyes still wide. “What? Really?” Annie hates the outdoors. She won’t even run outside withme.
Annie meets my gaze with a hint of defiance, daring me to try and prevent her from coming with us. “Yes, really. It’s a pretty day. Might as well enjoy it.” Then, she bestows a charming smile on the Fallen. “Be rightback.”
Annie leaves and the Fallen step inside. The moment Adrian closes the door, I whirl on them. “What are youdoing?”
“Keeping you from making a mistake.” Adrian drops the charm he used on Annie. His words drip withdisapproval.
“What are you talkingabout?”
“We overheard your conversation with Annie,” Zeke explains. “We thought you were about to reveal the truth of who youare.”
“And what if I was?” I put my hands on my hips, looking between the DarkFallen.
The twin brothers share a glance and, I suspect, a silent conversation. It’s Zeke whoresponds.
“That would beunwise.”
“Why?”
“For all of the obvious reasons,” Adriananswers.
I refuse to be so easily dismissed. “Whichare?”
The muscles in his jaw twitch. “The more people who know what you are, the greater the chance you will be found by those we are trying to hide youfrom.”
“It’s Annie,” I remind him. “Who is she going to tell? I’ve known her all my life. I’m pretty sure she isn’t linked to anyone in the supernaturalworld.”
Adrian leans forward and matches my snarky tone, “Oh yeah? Just like she hasn’t suspected anything supernatural aboutyou?”
