Page 45 of Hunted by the Fallen
Gabe stops swinging, staring at me like I am responsible for hanging the sun in the sky. “I don’t think, Veronica… Iknowyou’re ourbashert.”
I’ve been so adamant about avoiding this conversation, but I can’t continue living this way. The alleged soulmate connection is responsible for Joseph’s overprotective behavior—for all of the Fallen’s overprotectivebehavior.
This conversation needs to be had, and I’m finally ready to get it out of the way, even if I’m still nervous. It helps that I’m speaking with Gabe. He’s the easiest Fallen to talkto.
“It doesn’t make sense to me,” I decide to start by restating one of my many qualms with the whole soulmate thing. “How can someone have twosoulmates?”
Gabe frowns. I don’t know why until he says, “Apparently, you havefour.”
I sit up straighter, no longer swinging. “Do you really believe that?” Last I checked, the two sets of brothers argued against the others’bashertclaim.
Gabe shrugs. “All I know is the Dark Fallen seem to have the same pull to you that Joseph and I experience. They can sense your emotions like we can, and they are fiercely determined to keep you from harm. Just like weare.”
He chuckles softly, and he doesn’t hold his thoughts in. “Ever since that day you swung a bat at my face, I haven’t been able to think of anyone but you. You fill my every thought, Veronica. When I am not with you, all I can think about is getting back to you as soon as I can. These emotions are foreign to me, but I knew within five minutes who you are to me. And I am observant enough to realize that is exactly how the others feel aboutyou.”
Warmth blossoms in my chest. I don’t know what to say. His words make me want to reach out and hug him. I want to tell him that despite all the craziness in my life, he’s been a constant source of comfort. His easygoing nature and perfect smile can brighten even my darkest day. I am so close to sharing my feelings, but the memory of my kiss with Zeke stopsme.
I can’t dothis.
My emotions are all over theplace.
And despite what the Fallen say about all four of them being my soulmate, I don’t have it in me to choose between them. I can’t be responsible for hurting any of their feelings. It feels unnatural to admit, but each of the Fallen means too much to me. I care about them. Alot.
No. I refuse to let my emotions get the best of me. Besides, I’m sort of dating Preston. Even if I haven’t seen him since our first attempt at adate.
Even to my own mind, it sounds like a weakexcuse.
I look at the ground. Gabe’s words were sentimental and perfect. I don’t want to hide how much they mean to me, but I don’t want to encourage them. Ican’tencouragethem.
“Please do not concern yourself with hurting my feelings,” Gabe says after I remain silent, misunderstanding why I have not replied. “I’m aware you do not feel the same pull the rest of usdo.”
Gabe has no idea how wrong he is. Since the sorceress removed the ward, I do feel a connection to the Fallen. And it’s more than just sensing their emotions or knowing when they enter the room. My soul begs for me to draw near them despite my anger for their deceit. My heart beats in time to theirs, and those truths terrifyme.
“Veronica?” Gabe speaks softly, wary of frightening me away. Like I could go anywhere. I still haven’t practiced using my powers to move locations atwill.
I meet his gaze, and the depth of emotion I see makes all of my worries seem foolish. He’s handsome, funny, and kind. Objectively, Gabe is the type of guy any girl would be lucky to have. How can I walk away from someone like him? I’d be an idiot to not give us achance.
My headspins.
How have I gone from crushing on Preston, to kissing Zeke, to now wanting to leap off the swing and throw myself into Gabe’sarms?
It’s because he’s your bashert.My inner voice tickles the base of myskull.
I don’t know what Gabe sees in my gaze or if he actually read my mind. But before I can take another breath, Gabe is off his swing and standing in front of me. He kneels down and reaches out to cup my face in his hand. My skinsings.
He licks his lips. “I don’t expect anything from you, Veronica. I know this is a lot. But if there is any way I might one day dare tohope—”
I don’t let him finish. His sweetness overwhelms me. Allowing my body to act on instinct, I push off the swing and wrap my arms around his neck. I have enough control of myself to not give in to my urge and kiss him. Something feels wrong about kissing more than one guy in the same day. I burrow my face into the base of his neck, content to revel in the smell of sunshine and fresh cutgrass.
Gabe leans back to counteract the sudden force. At the same time, he gathers me in his embrace. He turns and presses a kiss at my hairline. I smile. He really issweet.
“Well, isn’t thisquaint.”
Istiffen.
I peer over Gabe’s shoulder and immediately pull back. My arms slide down to rest on Gabe’s shoulder as I meet Adrian’sglare.
Twenty
