Page 47 of Hunted by the Fallen
I close my eyes and tell myself to calm down. Adrian is always infuriating, but now is not the time to for thisbattle.
“Can we go home?” I ask, not faking how tired I sound. I just want to lay down in my bed andsleep.
Adrian watches me for another moment. “Fine,” he says. “I assume you’ve got her.” He directs the last comment toGabe.
The Light Fallen steps closer and offers his hand, once again. I lay my palm in his and we travel the short distance back to myhouse.
I’m greeted by Joseph and Zeke. One throws the full brunt of his disapproval at my feet, and the other avoids meeting my eye. I hadn’t stopped to consider what Zeke must be thinking after my surprise kiss. He hadn’t shoved me away, but maybe he is regretting our kiss. That would explain why he can’t even look atme.
Adrian arrives behind us. I stand in my living room, surrounding by my four protectors, and they are all waiting for an explanation for what I’vedone.
I see no point in delaying. “Well, now know why I’ve been acting strange these past fewdays.”
Their reactions are all different. Joseph has perfected a disapproving expression. Adrian’s teeth grind together. Zeke frowns, but continues to look anywhere but at me. And Gabe remains calm. He isn’t going to chastise me. He knows I will get enough of that from theothers.
“Come on, guys. Let’s have it. I know I’ve endangered myself. Bring on thelecture.”
Joseph steps forward. “Your attitude is proof you are not taking the threat to yourself seriously.” I try to ignore how deeply his tone hurts myfeelings.
“I do take it seriously,” I point at him, then motion to all of the Fallen. “But I won’t apologize for agreeing to work with Lukas. I know what he’s done, and I know you think I’m crazy to say so, but I trust him. He helped me access my power, and he tells me thing about the angelic world that you all hide fromme.”
“Do not tell me you think Lukas helped you out of the goodness of his heart?” Joseph’s words drip with condescension. I don’t understand this drastic change in my ex-teacher. He’s been nothing but a jerk since Lukas’ house, and I’m tired ofit.
“Of course not,” I tell him. I know Lukas has an interest in my abilities. The thing is, I am glad to be able to help injured Fallen. I don’t resent Lukas’ motives. Not even a littlebit.
Joseph snorts, and I seered.
“If you’d stop being such an ass, maybe I’d have the chance to explain!” I can’t restrain my frustration any more. There is only so much a girl can take. I brace myself for his reaction. I anticipate more condescending comments, or perhaps actualshouting.
Joseph does neither. Instead, his hands unfurl, and I can see the fight leave him. My words landed quite ablow.
“I think we should all take a seat,” Gabe suggests. “What’s done is done. Now, we need to discuss where to go fromhere.”
Joseph is the first to comply. Zeke and Adrian follow. Gabe waits for me to walk to the couch before following. I sit on the very edge of the couch, as far from them as I canget.
Gabe clears his throat. “So, Veronica has access to her power. And there is a chance her identity may be detected. Anyone have any suggestions for how we handle thissituation?”
“We travel back in time and prevent Lukas from taking her to a sorceress,” Adrian states. For a second, I think he’s serious. Fallen are capable of many surprisingthings.
“A realistic suggestion if you please,” Gabereplies.
“I’m guessing hiding Veronica in this house for the rest of her life counts as notrealistic?”
I glare at Adrian, and I note his smirk. Some of my anger fades. In his own way, I think Adrian is trying to make me feelbetter.
“Correct,” Gabe says. Then adds, “My thoughts are we continue on as we have been. Except for the fact Veronica should no longer assist Lukas with his injuredcomrades.”
“What?” A sense of betrayal washes over me. I hadn’t expected that from Gabe. “Butyouare one of those comrades. If I hadn’t been there, you might have…” I trail off, unable to vocalize my fear for hislife.
Neither of the Dark Fallen seems surprised by news of Gabe’sinvolvement.
“I am not Lukas’ ally,” Gabe tells me. “I asked to join his forces in order to assess the enemy they’ve been shouting about these past weeks. I only planned to join one mission, but I unfortunately encountered more than I bargainedfor.”
“Idiot,” Joseph mumbles, but there is no bite in the word. My outburst has curbed the worst of hisirritation.
“What did you learn?” Adrian asks Gabe, taking the heat off of me for amoment.
He repeats what he’d said at Lukas’ mansion. “The Darkness is spawning demons at an alarmingly fast rate, and they are not the imbecilic demons we are used to. These demons are cunning and calculating. They work as a unit and are hunting down Nephilim and Fallen alike, draining them of angelic powers.” His expression dims as he relives a violent memory. “I saw many of our brethren perish at theirhands.”
