Page 39 of Claimed by the Fallen
I sigh and look at the road. I’ve slowed down quite a bit while Zeke talked, but I need to pay attention so I don’t miss mystreet.
“You say you left to protect my identity,” I summarize his words. “So why are youback?”
“Because I told him about your transformation.” Adrian leans forward and places his hands on the front seats, near ourshoulders.
“You didn’t bother to come check on me beforehand?” If Zeke realized I was ignorant of my angelic heritage, why wouldn’t he come back to give me a heads up about my transformation before itstarted?
“I didn’t know your birthday,” he says in a flatvoice.
His words sting, but I refuse to let them affect me. I would’ve thought he cared enough to find out my birthday before he left in the middle of the proverbial night. “Got it. You’re back because you learned about mytransformation.”
“And the yancor demon nest hunting you,” Adrianstates.
His words bring forth images of black blood and burnt flesh. I swallow back my nausea. “So, what? I’m going to have four bodyguardsnow?”
Adrian and Zeke do not hesitate. “Yes,” they bothsay.
“Fantastic,” I mumble under my breath. Just what I need, my old teenage crush turns out to be an angel, and now he’s going to follow meeverywhere.
I don’t know how much longer I can take the angels and their constant proximity. Eventually, my parents are going to see them, and I don’t know what I will tell them when they do. I hardly think the truth will go over well. My mom and dad would take me in for a psychological evaluation the moment I uttered anything about Fallen Angels andNephilim.
No. Telling them the truth is not anoption.
I pull into my driveway and thank God my parents are at work. After I exit the car and close the door, I look at the angels, shiftingawkwardly.
“Well… now I know you’re an angel,” I speak to Zeke. He has his hands tucked in his pockets, again, and the sunlight glints off the familiar stubble on his chin. I marvel at how foolish I’d been to ever think he was a teenager like me. I blame movies. They always cast actors in their twenties to portrayteenagers.
In the real world, I should’ve realized there was no way Zeke was the sixteen-year-old he’d claimed to be. He’s all muscle and confidence, just as he’d been four years ago. Obviously, he’s well past the awkward years ofpuberty.
“There is something else we wish to discuss,” Adrian says. He jerks his head towards my house. “Can we speakinside?”
“Oh… uh…” I try to think of an excuse to avoid talking. My mind and heart are a mess after seeing Zeke again. I’ve managed to hide how deeply his reappearance has affected me, but I need a moment to get my thoughts and emotions undercontrol.
My phone rings in my purse. I quickly reach for the device. “Hello?”
“Alright, spill. What happened with the two blond hunks?” Annie immediately asks. She must’ve timed my departure from the restaurant and the drive to my house perfectly. So much for waiting for me to textfirst.
I cringe and cover the earpiece, hoping the guys won’t be able to hear any other embarrassing comments from my friend. “Hold on,” I tell her before also muffling themouthpiece.
Then, I look at the angels. Adrian is smirking, but Zeke won’t meet myeye.
I focus on the amused brother. “Can we talk later? My dad usually comes home early on Wednesdays.” And I don’t want him to see me with theangels.
Adrian looks at his brother. He nods. “Sure. It can wait. We’ll talk at lunchtomorrow.”
“Lunch?” My voice raises in pitch. I cough to clear mythroat.
“Yes,” Adrian doesn’t back down. “We might as well eat while wetalk.”
Normally, something as casual as lunch wouldn’t unnerve me. But I can’t pretend lunch with Adrian and Zeke would be casual. Just thinking about sitting across from their matching hazel eyes, subjecting myself to their undivided attention, rattlesme.
I stand there, trying to find a way to get myself out of the meal, when Zeke says, “See you tomorrow, Ron.” He turns and walks down my inclineddriveway.
Adrian dips his forehead, still smirking, then follows histwin.
I watch their departure with mixed emotions. I’m glad to be alone to process my thoughts, but I cannot deny the disappointment I feel when seeing them walkaway.
“Hello? Earth to Veronica?” My hand has slipped from the earpiece, allowing Annie’s voice to breakthrough.
