Page 46 of Hunted by the Fallen
My throat dries,and I try to figure out why, exactly, Adrian is upset. I have multiple offenses under my belt. The question is: which of my transgressions has he heard about? Gabe believed Joseph left to tell the Dark Fallen about my removed ward, but I hope he’s wrong. Joseph wouldn’t reveal such news without me there to defend myself.Right?
Or maybe Adrian is upset over the kiss he’d witnessed between me and Zeke? Does he imagine the same thing happened between me and Gabe? I suppose our embrace might imply such athing.
Looking calm as ever, Gabe rises to his feet and offers a hand to help me up. I brush the mulch off my knees and straighten my back. I will not act ashamed. I will stand by all of my decisions, no matter how erratic and confusing they mayseem.
Adrian examines me from head to toe. I can’t tell if he is searching for injuries or looking for proof that my ward is no longerintact.
“So it’s true,” he says. “The ward isgone.”
I remind myself to stand my ground andnod.
“Howlong?”
“Five days.” I’m surprised Joseph hadn’t revealed that piece of information. Then again, maybe Adrian didn’t stick around to hear the whole story. I wonder if he’s been looking for me for long, or if he followed our connection right to thepark.
“And you have full access of yourpowers.”
It’s not a question, but I still answer. “Yes.”
His runs his fingers through his dark hair. “Well, isn’t that justgreat.”
Feeling brave, I ask, “Are any of you ever going to explain how you think my powers will bedetected?”
Adrian simply glares at me, as if explaining himself is beneathhim.
Thankfully, Gabe obliges me. “All Fallen have a signature. It’s unique to each individual, but it usually contains a mark which identifies a Fallen’sallegiance.”
“To the Light or Dark Council, youmean?”
“Exactly.” Gabe reaches out. Mindful of Adrian’s presence, he pulls back before touching me. “We fear your powers will contain traces of bothraces.”
“You fear,” I look between the two Fallen, “but you don’tknow?”
Adrian clenches his jaw and mutters, “No. Even now, I cannot get more than a faint read on yourpowers.”
I exhale. “That’s good news. If you can barely detect them right next to me, I bet no one elsecan.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that Veronica,” Gabe says. “There are other Fallen more powerful than us. They may be able to sense you even if wecan’t.”
The little bit of hope deflates, but I won’t apologize for what’s happened. I like having access to mypower.
“I won’t consent to enacting another ward on my powers,” I tellthem.
“Of course not,” Gabe is quick to say. “We wouldn’t ask that ofyou.”
“You wouldn’t,” Adrian interjects, “I would if such a feat was possible on a full-fledgedFallen.”
I gape at him before I get control of myself. “You would really do that to me? Even if I didn’t want youto?”
“If it meant protecting you,” Adrian doesn’t hesitate, “then yes. Iwould.”
“I can’t believe you.” I throw my hands in the air. “Are you really so pigheaded that you think your way is the onlyway?”
Adrian quirks an eyebrow, and I see his lipstwitch.
“Do you think this isfunny?”
“I think your vocabulary is funny, yes. This situation you’ve caused for yourself? No. I do not find that funny in theleast.”
