Page 1 of Protected by the Fallen
One
I’m lying on a couch,staring at the gold crown molding on the ceiling above. My sneakers rest on the cushion, and I know I should take care to not dirty the expensive fabric, but I can’t find the motivation to sit up and untie the laces. I don’t really have motivation to do anything.
Ever since I left Valley Lake and moved in with the Dark Fallen in London, I haven’t done anything other than wake up and wander throughout the fancy apartment located just two miles from Buckingham Palace. If I look through the dining room windows, I can see the very top of the royal residence. I’ve wanted to visit London for as long as I can remember. British historical dramas are some of my favorite shows, and they always paint the city in an exciting and romantic light. But instead, I stay inside. Despite Zeke and Adrian trying to convince me otherwise, the city below conceals untold danger. Mrs. Hutchins, my classmate’s mom, had blindsided me when she abducted me and took me to face the Dark Fallen Council. I’m convinced there is no one I can trust. Except for my parents… and the Fallen, of course. I had no idea leaving home would be so hard. I thought the decision would be easy knowing I was protecting my family, but I was wrong.
My phone vibrates. I lift the screen from my chest. This is the second time Annie has called me today. She and my parents believe I am on a trip with the Fallen, and the angels used their ability to manipulate human minds to convince them that the trip is not strange. No one has questioned my spontaneous European vacation with two men my parents have never met. It’s almost eerie—the way the angels can make us believe whatever they want.
Not us,my inner voice reminds me. I’m not human. I’m not even a half-human.
The Fallen originally thought I was a Nephilim, a human/angel mix. But through a series of strange situations and unusual detection of my powers, they realized I am a full-blooded angel. I was born after angels fell from Heaven. I shouldn’t exist.
But Concealment doesn’t stop Annie from calling me to voice her discontent. My best friend thinks I’ve abandoned her, and she’s kind of right. We had plans to hang out all summer, not to mention I’d been hired as a waitress at her family’s restaurant. Now, Annie is spending the summer without me, and I’d been forced to give up the job I’d hoped would give me spending money through my first year in college.
“Are you going to answer that?”
I turn toward the sound. Adrian stands in the entrance of the parlor where I am lounging. And he’s shirtless. Water droplets pepper his torso. I quickly avert my gaze, and I immediately regret it. Adrian doesn’t need help coming up with more reasons to tease me. He’s got a trunk full of embarrassing moments to bring up whenever he is in the mood.
“I wasn’t planning on it,” I say toward the ceiling.
“Why not?” His voice is closer. I look and see Adrian is leaning over the back of the sofa, looking at my phone. An earthy scent tickles my nostrils, and his hair smells like citrus. I try not to let the enticing aroma distract me.
“Because I’m not in the mood to lie to my best friend today.” I drop my phone on my stomach. Adrian watches the movement, his eyes dimming.
“Angel, you know you just need to say the word and I will take you back home. Zeke and I can handle the Council.”
“I know,” I murmur, looking away from his sympathetic gaze. He’s said as much every day since I agreed to move in with the Dark Fallen.
Ever since Mrs. Hutchins, my ex-classmate’s mom, brought news of my existence to the Dark Council, they’ve been using me as leverage to get Adrian and Zeke to agree to work for them. As theirbashert, my safety matters to the Dark Fallen, and the Council isn’t shy about using that to their advantage, even going so far as to threaten the safety of my family and friends. The Dark Council had left me no choice. I couldn’t risk my parents. Not again.
Adrian knows that, and he hates the position I’ve been put in. He would gladly defy the Council and take me home, telling the powerful angels to shove their demands. He longs to quit working for them. I know Adrian would do anything for me, and that’s what makes this whole situation so awful. I hate the fact he and Zeke are forced to do something they don’t want to, all in the name of protecting me. I cause the angels nothing but trouble, and I feel so guilty.
“Hey,” Adrian says softly, detecting the turmoil in my expression, “How about we get out of the flat? Let’s go for a walk. We can check out Hyde Park. Kensington Palace is there. We can take a tour.”
Again, guilt gnaws at me. I’ve been too scared to leave the flat, which means the Fallen don’t leave the flat unless they are called by the Council to do some mysterious task. I haven’t asked what they do when the Dark leaders summon them. Honestly, I’m too afraid to ask. What if it’s something dangerous? I don’t know if I can handle any more fear or anxiety in my life. I feel close to a panic attack as it is.
“No, thanks,” I reply. “I think I’ll just stay inside today.”
“You stay inside every day, Angel. Come on. Humor me. Forget Hyde Park, let’s just go for a walk around the block.”
I close my eyes to avoid his pleading stare. I can sense his concern through our connection. “I don’t feel like walking.”
Strong fingers wrap around my hand, pulling it away from my stomach. I look at Adrian. I’ve grown use to his flirtatious and antagonistic side, but the depth of his affection still surprises me. His concern fills me, and I have to breathe slow to keep it from overwhelming me. He is worried. It’s almost like I can see myself through his eyes. I’m paler than I was a week ago, and I know he sees the dark purple shadows under my eyes. I eat the bare minimum, and I don’t sleep well. I wonder how long it will be before he physically forces me out of the flat and back into the world. It’s that thought which finally makes me agree.
“Alright.” I push off the couch.
“Alright?”
“I’ll go for a walk.” I face him, and my eyes immediately zero in on the dark grey towel wrapped around his waist.
My mouth pops open. “You’ve been talking to me this whole time, and you aren’t even wearing pants?” My voice raises an octave, and I focus my attention on the Oriental rug under my sneakers.
Adrian chuckles, and the sound does funny things to my stomach. “It’s not like I’m naked, Angel.”
“You practically are,” I counter, and my blush deepens. Why did I say that? God, kill me now.
“No, I’m not. Would you like me to show you the difference?”
“No!” I turn around. “I’m going to grab a sweater.” I make a beeline for the room I’m staying in, cringing as Adrian’s laugh follows me. I doubt I’ll ever get over being awkward around the Fallen. Things have gotten easier since we first met, and I’ve even given in to my desires and kissed Zeke. The notion I am the soulmate to four Fallen angels hasn’t been easy to accept. Now that our connection is present, I’m unable to deny how I feel about each of the Fallen Angels. But I’m still a naïve teenager. I don’t know the first thing about love or pursuing a relationship. Or intimacy.
