Page 44 of Hunted by the Fallen
Indignation sparks. “Don’t talk about me like I’m nothere.”
Again, I’m ignored. And that does nothing to soothe my rising temper. “I’m serious. I’m eighteen. I can make my own decisions. I want to help Fallen with mypowers.”
“You don’t know what you’re saying,” Joseph challenges, finally deigning to look at me. “Your powers are nothing but a beacon, marking you for anyone who is trying to findyou.”
I hold back my retort. We both know he doesn’t worry over my discovery itself, but rather that my discovery will ultimately lead to other angels figuring out the unique circumstances surrounding my birth. But Lukas doesn’t know that piece of information. Not yet, anyway. And I don’t think now is the best time to share the news of my Fallen parents’ rivalraces.
“I’ve shielded Veronica from every Fallen she’s healed,” Lukas states, “except forGabe.”
“Do you honestly think that is enough to keep Fallen from wondering at the identity of their mysterious healer? There hasn’t been one so powerful to mend snapped wings for millennia. Someone will come looking for her if only to abate their curiosity.” Joseph will not approve of my involvement in Lukas’ operation. No matter what anyonesays.
“I’m not going to stop,” I tell him. “I will keephelping.”
Joseph’s eyes flash. He’s never looked so dangerous. “We’ll see about that.” He leaves, using his angelic abilities to vanish from theroom.
I stare at the spot where he’d been standing. I’m wondering how long Joseph needs to calm down before he will actually listen to me. I hear Gabegroan.
“This is not good.” He rubs his hands down hisface.
“Where do you think hewent?”
“If I had to guess, my dear brother is informing the Dark Fallen about what he’slearned.”
Adrian and Zeke are sure to lose their minds when they find out what I’ve been up do. No doubt, they’re already freaking out after seeing Lukas sprint me away. Not to mention, I have to face the fact I kissed Zeke and Adriansaw.
Will Joseph really tell them about my powers without my consent and make mattersworse?
Gabe’s face says asmuch.
“Shit,” I mutter under my breath. There is no telling what mess will greet me when I gethome.
Gabe releases a humorless laugh. “My sentimentsexactly.”
Nineteen
Gabe doesme the favor of not immediately returning us to the house. We sit on a pair of swings in my neighborhood’s park. It’s too hot for parents to bring their kids outside to play, so we have the place to ourselves. The toes of my shoes drag against the soft mulch, uncovering the moist soil beneath as I sway back and forth. We’ve been like this for nearly an hour. I’m putting off the inevitable. I will have to face the other Fallen eventually, but I can’t bring myself to ask Gabe to take me home. I’m going to have to endure the lecture of the century soon. Just… notyet.
“I don’t think I ever said thank you.” Gabe breaks thesilence.
I press my cheek against the chain and look at him. “You’re welcome.” I know he’s referencing myhealing.
Now that the quiet has ended, Gabe has no plan to let it return. “We suspected you’d be powerful after your mother’s resurrection, but I have to admit, it is a different thing to experience itfirsthand.”
“I’m sorry if I hurt you.” I remember the pain I felt when I first began hishealing.
“On the contrary,” he replies, “I felt instant relief the moment you touchedme.”
“Really?” Stunned by the vast difference in our experiences, I explain what I felt during the healing. I describe the shortness of breath and radiating pain throughout my abdomen. It felt like my organs were being ripped open. I’d never struggled so much when healing aFallen.
“Hm.” Gabe purses his lips. “Perhaps you absorbed my pain as yourown?”
My eyes widen. I hadn’t thought of that. My symptoms did seem to match the injuries Gabe sustained. But that seemsunlikely.
I shake my head. “I’ve healed a lot of Fallen, and that’s never happened before.” Whatever caused my discomfort, it didn’t have anything to do with thehealing.
“It may be because of our…” Gabe trails off, and presses his lips together, rethinking what he was about tosay.
But the time for secrets is over. “Because you think I’m yourbashert?”
