Page 30 of Claimed by the Fallen
“Just like you.” His brother finishes the last part of the speech Mr. Cohen had given me when we were still in thehouse.
“You had no business telling her anything.” The venom dripping over Adrian’s words takes me bysurprise.
I watch him and see that he doesn’t attempt to mask his anger. Adrian’s narrowed gaze and clenched fists reveal it all. “She is not yourconcern.”
“She, most certainly, is our concern,” Gabe moves closer to me, but his angry eyes are on Adrian. I feel the air shift as Adrian draws nearer to me, aswell.
“Mybashertis no longer alone. You and your brother can go sniff out another vulnerableNephilim.”
I see Gabe prepare to reply, but I jump in and ask, “What doesbashertmean?” The conversation inside my living room had been tense from the beginning, but the use of the unfamiliar term took the hostility to another level. I want to understand why that is the case, and why the men are using the word to describeme.
Gabe averts his eyes. I glance at Adrian and see he does the same. As does Mr.Cohen.
“What is it?” I frown. “Is it that bad?” Am I some sort of monster orsomething?
The possibility makes me think of the scaly creatures, and Ishudder.
Misunderstanding my reaction, Adrian quickly says, “It is definitelynota badthing.”
“Absolutely not,” Gabe seconds. “Especially considering you are ourbashert.” He shoots Adrian a pointedglare.
Adrian growls. “Are you deaf, light boy? She is notyours.”
“Who are you calling ‘lightboy’?”
“Do you see any other slaves here trying to please their master to be let back intoHeaven?”
“Shut your mouth,” Gabe gnashes his teeth. “You knownothing.”
“Why don’t you try to makeme?”
My neck swings back and forth between them. I don’t know what to think of anything I am hearing. Neither of them bothered to define the term for me yet, and everything they say only confuses memore.
Thankfully, Mr. Cohen intervenes…again. “
Enough.” He approaches and puts himself beside me, effectively positioning himself between the two arguing men. “Messenger has plenty of things to learn before either of you force your presumptions on her. Now, let’s take this conversation inside before we attractattention.”
I refrain from saying they’ve probably already drawn a fair bit of attention. After all, it isn’t like their broad wingspans are inconspicuous. It’s still dusk, and their unusual features are on fulldisplay.
Neither Gabe nor Adrian move for a few loaded seconds. I begin to think they don’t intent to when Gabe finally dips his chin and turns on his heel. He stomps toward my house. Mr. Cohen gestures for me to follow. I hesitate, unsure if it is wise for me to walk back into an empty house with the three men, especially not after seeing them fight and kill themonsters.
Seeing my hesitation, Mr. Cohen says, “It’s alright. I promise no one will hurtyou.”
I observe the sincerity in his eyes. Then, I look at the white wings hanging over hisshoulder.
I swallow and say, “This is real, isn’tit?”
Sadness creeps into his gaze. I get the feeling he wishes he could spare me from this fate. “Itis.”
My mind needs more confirmation. “You’re really an angel. You aren’t messing withme?”
“I really am,” he confirms with patience, “and I understand this is a lot to take in. Once we go inside, we can explain more.” Again, he gestures for me to proceedhim.
Adrian appears on my other side. He ducks down so his face is in my sight. “Come back inside with us, and I swear on my life, we will tell you everything you want toknow.”
The words are true. I’m not sure how I know that, but I do. Adrian does not look away as he waits for myresponse.
I sigh. “Alright. Let’s goinside.”
