Page 41 of Hunted by the Fallen
“Brother,” Joseph sighs. “What have youdone?”
Seventeen
Brother?
Did Joseph just saybrother?
Forgetting my predicament, I look at my patient with fresh eyes. Rich, dark hair. Firm jawline. Laugh lines around hismouth.
How could I have missed it? Gabe is the Fallen angel in front of me, and he sustained a life-threateningwound.
The world around me blurs, and I choke on emotion. What would have happened if Lukas didn’t get me in time? Gabe could have died. What the hell was he doing to get sohurt?
Hearing my whimper, Joseph finally looks down, taking notice of the figure seated at his brother’s side. I hear him inhale sharply. “Messenger?”
Tears burn my eyes, but I manage to keep them at bay. I look up. “It’sme.”
“What—” Joseph hesitates, unsure what to say. Then, his features harden, concealing the worry for his brother. “What are you doinghere?”
I’m not given time to answer. Joseph connects the dots and whirls on Lukas, raising a fist blazing with Angel Fire. He strikes the other Light Fallen. Hard. Lukas doesn’t even lift a hand to defend himself. He hits the ground, and Joseph moves to step around the chaise, determined to strikeagain.
“No!” I jump to my feet and grab onto Joseph’s arm. “Stop. He didn’t doanything!”
“Like hell he didn’t,” the normally composed man shouts. He jerks out of my hold, but I quickly scramble to catch his arm again. “He kidnapped your parents, and now he’s abductedyou.”
“He didn’t kidnap me!” Not this time atleast.
Joseph doesn’t listen. He shrugs me off again and stalks to Lukas. Fortunately, the Light Fallen has found his feet. He holds up his hands. I think he’s going to attack Joseph, but nothing happens. Not until Joseph collides with the protective barrier Lukas haserected.
“Allow me the chance to explain,” Lukas requests in a calm voice. I don’t know if I would be so composed after gettingdecked.
I hurry around the chair to stand behind Joseph, but I don’t try to hold him back now that I know Lukas isn’t in danger of beingattacked.
But that doesn’t stop Joseph fromtrying.
Orbs of light fire out of the angel’s hand. One after another, the attacks come in quick succession. They sizzle against the barrier, and sparks fly all around them. I duck behind Joseph. I don’t know if the sparks would burn, but I’m not willing to riskit.
Joseph’s back stretches and flexes with each throw. I expect him to tire out, but he shows no signs of slowing down. Anger fuels him, and I know he is acting on my behalf. I need to convince him Lukas did nothing wrong. I came here of my own free will. And thank God I arrived when I did. Otherwise, I hate to think what may have happened toGabe.
Trusting beyond a shadow of a doubt that Joseph’s fury will not turn on me, I place my palm flat against the muscle covering his shoulder blade. The muscle twitches, but Joseph does not pull away. In fact, I swear he shifts back and gently presses into me. I’m not even sure he knows he does it. I can sense the intense fear he’s feeling on mybehalf.
Suspecting I have his attention, I repeat, “Lukas did not abductme.”
The attacks cease, though I’m not sure the reprieve will lastlong.
A loaded silence fills the parlor. I swear I can feel its weight on my arm, but I resist its strength, determined to keep my touch on Joseph. The contact soothes him. Again, our connection allows me to sense theemotion.
“If he did not take you, then how are youhere?”
I release the breath I’d been holding. He sounds normal. “Lukas comes to me when he needs my help, but I always go with himwillingly.”
“Help forwhat?”
This isit.
This is the moment I reveal the ward restraining my powers is gone, and I’mafraid.
I don’t know how Joseph will react. He’s already demonstrated he isn’t always as composed as I believed him to be. Will he chastise me for keeping the secret? Will he resume his attacks on Lukas? Or will his reaction be something I cannot even begin toanticipate?
