Page 65 of Claimed by the Fallen
None of this isimportant.
All that matters is saving my parents, and that can only happen if my two chaperones let their guarddown.
Unaware of my inner turmoil, Zeke responds, “All of your powers will be inside you by tomorrow. I suspect most are already coursing through your veins, but unless you wish to release them, they will stay tightly bound under yourcontrol.”
“What? Really?” I think of the demon attack, and how the Angel Fire shot out of my palms without a thought. I mention the incident toZeke.
“That first time was unexpected. You had no idea the type of power hidden within. Now that you know the power is there, you can control its manifestation with a simplethought.”
Could it really be that easy? Deep down, I want to believe him, but I can’t stop the tendrils of doubt from sprouting in mymind.
“I’d feel better if you guys stuck around.” The irony of my words isn’t lost on me. Wasn’t I just saying how I need them to leave me alone so I can sneak out and save myparents?
I realize this entire conversation is pointless. Despite what the mysterious caller said, I don’t know if I’m going to make it out of the meeting alive. I don’t need to waste time worrying about a tomorrow which may nevercome.
I swallow back my fear, once again, and remind myself I’m doing this for myparents.
Someone knocks on the patio door’s frame, and I nearly jump out of my skin. I look through the glass and see Mr. Cohen is nowhere in sight. A stranger in a red and black hat stands outside,waiting.
Collected as ever, Zeke answers thedoor.
The stranger says, “One large pepperoni pizza with extrasauce?”
Zeke nods and reaches into his pocket and pulls out a wad of bills. “That’s us.” He hands the delivery man the cash. “Thanks.”
I stand and move closer to the door. I read “Louis’ Pizza Joint” on the man’s hat. Louis’ has the best deep-dish pepperoni pizza in Valley Lake, and it is myfavorite.
The pizza box is passed to Zeke. “No problem. Enjoy your dinner.” The delivery guy backs up a step, counting the bills, then dips his head. His eyes meet mine just before Zeke closes thedoor.
I move my attention to the fair-hairedangel.
“Dinner is served,” he tells me with a smallgrin.
“How did you know I like Louis’?” I think back, but I don’t believe I ever shared the fact with Zeke during our few late-nightconversations.
“Their magnet was on your fridge,” Zeke tells me. “I guessed it was afavorite.”
“Oh.” That makessense.
Zeke jerks his head for me to follow as he walks into the kitchen. He lowers the pizza box on the center island and moves to the cabinet for plates. Retrieving three, he walks back to me and offers meone.
I take the plate. “Thankyou.”
“You’re welcome. Go ahead and digin.”
I lower my plate and reach out with two hands. I pull a wide slice from the pie, careful to take the stringy cheese along with it. My stomach growls, and I realize I’m actually hungry. I credit the deliciousness of Louis’ pizza with my change inhunger.
I load one more slice onto my plate before I walk to the kitchen table. I plop down in the chair facing the kitchen and watch as Zeke gets three slices for himself. He sits on the chair to myright.
“Should we wait for Mr. Cohen?” I ask, grabbing two napkins from the holder in the center of the table. I hand one toZeke.
“I’m right here,” Mr. Cohen steps through the front door. I’m wondering where he’d disappeared to when he distracts me by saying, “and I thought I asked you to call me Joseph.” There is a teasing lilt to histone.
I blush. “Right. Sorry, Joseph.” Using his first name is really going to take some getting usedto.
“Forgiven, Messenger,” he returns with asmile.
Then, he looks at Zeke. “Thanks for ordering thefood.”
