Page 13 of Protected by the Fallen
“Unlikely,” I hear Joseph counter. “His history fighting The Darkness is well known, and he begs daily for us to permit Veronica to resume healing. He wouldn’t try to dissuade her involvement, and he definitely wouldn’t work in favor of The Darkness.”
I lift my head. “Lukas wants my help?” I don’t know why I’m surprised. My resignation, for lack of a better word, had been sudden. I couldn’t exactly keep a low profile with the Dark Fallen if I was disappearing from London to work with a Light Fallen. But I thought the guys would’ve explained the situation to Lukas. I’d expected him to understand that I couldn’t risk discovery now that I was under the Dark Council’s nose. A horrible thought has me blurting, “Are people dying because I’m not there to help?”
“No,” Gabe looks like he’s about to reach out and touch me. He thinks better of it. His hand falls to his side. “No one is dying.”
I hear what he isn’t saying. “But they are hurt.”
“Your only responsibility is to yourself,” Adrian tells me sternly.
I sigh and shake my head, trying to clear away the gruesome images my mind has created. I’ve seen many victims of The Darkness, and I know they are not pretty sights. I should be there to help. I’m a coward for staying hidden when others are suffering—a worthless coward.
This time, it’s Gabe who growls, “You are not a coward.”
I blink, stunned that Gabe had been so in tuned to my thoughts that he actually knew what I was thinking. Curse this mental connection!
Joseph steps in between me and his brother. “Enough. We need to focus. Whoever sent the letter must know about Veronica’s healing power. Such information may mean they know about her parentage. Regardless, we need to heed the warning. Veronica will continue to avoid involvement with The Darkness in every way.”
“What?” I scramble to my feet. “We’re just going to bow down to this guy?”
“Yes,” Joseph doesn’t hesitate. “Your safety is our number one priority. We will not risk angering this individual until we know what, if anything, he knows about you. Despite all odds, your secret remains a secret. We will keep it that way as long as we can.”
Around me, the other Fallen mumble their agreement.
“I can’t believe this,” I level my disapproval on each of them. “We’re doing what he wants!”
“Exactly,” Joseph says with a calm rivaling my frustration. “And you will stay safe.”
“So, what?” I cross my arms. “I’m just going to stay in London, locked in a flat, until the Dark Council no longer uses me to blackmail Zeke and Adrian to do their bidding? When will you all be tired of being manipulated?”
“I will suffer the manipulation as long as you are safe.” Joseph moves closer until he is staring down his nose at me. “And you would do well to remember how precarious our situation is—how precariousyoursituation is.”
I know it sounds crazy—the Fallen have done nothing but protect me—but it sounds like Joseph is threatening me.
Before I can accuse him of such, Zeke clears his throat. “The moment it is safe for you to leave London, I will personally take you home, Ron.” His honesty manages to soothe my frustration, and I feel the fight leave me. Exhaustion takes its place.
I hang my head. “I know none of this is what you want for me,” I speak to all the Fallen, “but I can’t hide forever. I’ll go crazy. Ihaveto do something.”
“Glad to hear it, Angel.” Adrian’s relief is evident. He’d been worried about me this past week. They’d all been worried.
“I’ll go back to London,” I say, then face the Light Fallen. “But I don’t want you guys to stay away. I… I don’t like not seeing you.” I will benefit from seeing Gabe. His easy grin and positivity will prove invaluable whenever I’m feeling depressed. And even with Joseph’s bossy behavior, I want to see more of him as well. I focus on my ex-teacher and notice the pink hue highlighting his cheeks.
He swallows thickly before saying, “I’m sure we can arrange that.”
“Agreed,” Adrian states.
And despite the many turns this conversation had taken, I find myself smiling.
This newest threat may seem large, but I remind myself that it is only one of many. I’ve been attacked, abducted, manipulated, and used. Nothing in my life is easy, except for the fact The Fallen give me a sense of comfort and assurance I’ve never experienced before. Danger may be right around the corner, but I know my chances of overcoming the trials thrown my way are better with all of mybashertensby my side.
Six
“I don’t like this,”Zeke mutters under his breath. He speaks right into my ear, so I know he wanted me to hear.
“Me either,” Adrian seconds loudly. His eyes dart from left to right as we proceed down the corridor. Dark velvet covers the floor and muffles the sounds of our footsteps. The blood red color is rich and expensive. I say nothing, too focused on not panicking as we continue on our path.
We are in the Dark Council’s embassy. It’s been two days since The Darkness’ attack on the Light Council and the delivery of the threatening note, and Zeke and Adrian had been summoned to a meeting with the Dark Council this morning. They aren’t the only ones. Zeke told me all Dark Fallen who’d fought in the conflict were called to the meeting. He suspects it will be a debriefing of some sort.
Adrian and Zeke had tried to negotiate with the council, insisting only one of them needed to attend the meeting, but the powerful entity wouldn’t back down. Adrian, always the first to show his temper, ranted and raved, claiming he didn’t give a damn about the council’s summons. He planned to disobey the request… until his mother showed up at the flat.
