Page 9 of Hunted by the Fallen
Zeke shifts his feet, looking like he’d rather be anywhere but here. “Is this adate?”
I feel myself blush, but I force myself to maintain eye contact. “Yes.”
Neither of the angels says anything. If it weren’t for the sound of birds chirping and cars driving by, it would be completely silent. I hold my breath, unsure what will happen next. I dread the thought that either Adrian or Zeke will choose the moment to mention our supposed soulmate connection, but I’ve already considered the possibility and determined it was unlikely. Ever since my initial freak out regarding the Fallen Angels’ claims about me being theirbashert, there seems to be an agreement to back off all soulmate talk. For which, I am eternallygrateful.
Now, I can only hope the dark angels continue their avoidantbehavior.
It takes several long, agonizing seconds before Adrian finally ends the silence. “No.”
I blink, unsure I really heard him correctly. “What?”
Adrian flicks his cigarette bud onto the ground and uses his boot to smother the embers. “No. You cannot have the afternoon to yourself.” He snaps his fingers and the buttsdisappear.
I can’t believe he really said no. I open my mouth to tell him he has no right to control what I do with my afternoon, but I can’t seem to form the words. I snap my lips shut and content myself with staring daggers at the insufferableangel.
“What my brother means,” Zeke swiftly says, sensing I am one well-formulated thought away from unleashing fury on Adrian, “is that we cannot let you go anywhere without an escort. Lukas is still out there, and we have to assume he still wants to use you for whatever he had planned before the demons interrupted yourmeeting.”
I’m still angry, but I am able to see reason. Zeke is right. Lukas hasn’t made an appearance since the night of the warehouse, and my gut says it’s only a matter before he tries to make contact. Adrian and Zeke are simply being smart by not allowing me to go off on myown.
So why am I so irritated? Again, I fear that something fundamental changed in me the night I killed the demon. I was never so quick to anger before, wasI?
I breathe in and out, forcing myself to not say anything inspired by my anger. “Fine. I can’t go alone. But is there any way you two can watch over me from a distance orsomething?”
Zeke turns to look at his brother. The pair maintain eye contact, having a silent conversation. I’ve noticed both sets of brothers seem to have the ability to communicate wordlessly with oneanother.
I’m surprised when Adrian answers, “We will stay out ofsight.”
“What? Really?” I’d expected the Dark Fallen to try and negotiate terms with me. Maybe even insist to sit no more than one table away from me and Preston. I definitely didn’t expect them to immediately acquiesce to myrequest.
Adrian nods. “Really. We won’t interrupt your date, Angel. But just know, we will be watching the entire time. If anything goes down, we won’t hesitate to intervene.” There is a hard glint in his eye. I know he means what hesays.
But why do I have the feeling Adrian isn’t talking about demons or otherFallen?
Five
My parents returnfrom church before Preston arrives to pick me up for our date. I’m disappointed. I’d been grateful when they let me skip church without too many questions, and I’d hoped to leave before they came back home. Turns out, I’m not solucky.
Mom and Dad have barely walked through the front door when I hear Preston’s truck pull into the driveway. I stand from the couch in the living room. Zeke and Adrian had disappeared the moment they heard the garage door open, announcing my parents’arrival.
Mom peers out the window. “Who’sthat?”
I cringe, dreading the impending interrogation. “My friend,Preston.”
“Preston McKenna?” My dad joins Mom at the window, separating the blinds to get a better look at our visitor. “What’s he doinghere?”
I tug on my khaki shorts and straighten my flowing tank top. “We-uh… have lunchplans.”
Both of my parents spin around at the same time. Each of their eyes widen, but their expressions convey different emotions. Mom looks excited while Dad looks like he just swallowed a piece ofliver.
“Are you going on a date, Ronnie?” Mom whispers inglee.
“Please, don’t overreact. This isn’t a bigdeal.”
“Aren’t you supposed to ask our permission before you agree to adate?”
I give my dad an incredulous look. I can’t tell if he’s being serious. “I’m eighteen,” I remind him. I know I’m living under their roof, but never before has my dad ever said anything about needing permission before I do anything outside of staying out past my curfew. Then again, I guess the subject of dating hasn’t really ever come up. Until a week ago, I never had a guy interested inme.
With that in mind, I add calmly, “I didn’t know you would want to know about my lunch plans,” I tell my dad. “Sorry.”
