Page 23 of Protected by the Fallen
I’d closed my mouth really quick.
I continue watching Joseph work. I tell myself to stop staring, but I can’t. It’s always been this way. As a student, I would often find myself staring at him. Though, considering he’d been my teacher, I always made sure to never cross the line and let him see my fascination. At least I tried to. Chances are, I wasn’t always as stealthy as I hoped.
But Joseph is no longer my teacher. Well... not in the traditional sense. He helps me train with my powers. Of all four Fallen, he’s the most effective instructor. It’s been one week since my trip to the Dark Embassy, but I’ve made vast improvements in that short time. I’d been ecstatic when I learned my Light Fallen would keep their word and no longer stay away from me. Gabe and Joseph never returned to the apartment, but it’s easy for Zeke or Adrian to sneak me out whenever we have plans to meet up. Which has been every day this week.
My time with Gabe is always relaxed and easygoing while my visits with Joseph are always focused on training. I never hang out with both of them at once. I’ve started to wonder if they have some agreement between themselves. It’s like they intentionally arrange for the other to have alone time with me rather than simultaneously spend time with me. Not that I mind that much. I enjoy the different aspects of our relationships. Gabe is a stress reliever, while Joseph is a motivator. I don’t want to be weak. I want to be as strong as I possibly can. I don’t ever want to feel helpless again, and Joseph is determined to help me reach my goal.
I continue to watch him. He rolls up his sleeves, revealing muscular forearms. Every cell in my body swoons. I wish I felt as comfortable with Joseph as I do his brother—or even Adrian and Zeke. It’s no secret I’m attached to Joseph. I’ve daydreamed about what it would be like to kiss him, but I just can’t seem to bring myself to cross that line. All four Fallen are all my soulmates, and I am beginning to accept the fact I can have feelings for all of them without being disloyal to the other. Those feelings have been expressed with hugs, caresses, and two bouts of kissing Zeke, but none with Joseph. And I don’t want that to be the case.
I blush and inhale slowly, trying to clear away the evidence of my embarrassment before Joseph reaches me. He is crossing the field now, and I am again struck by his effortless grace and stunning looks. He’d left me speechless the day I met him on the first day of school, and he continues to have the same effect on me. But things are different now. He’s mybashertenand I’m hisbashert.It isn’t strange to show affection to one another, or it shouldn’t be. No matter how many times I tell myself my feelings aren’t inappropriate, I can’t seem to shake away the fact that itfeelsinappropriate. I mean… Joseph was my teacher. Our relationship had been defined in terms dictated by societal conditions. He could be my mentor. I could be a star student. He could find me intelligent. And I could have an innocent crush. But never was our relationship supposed to develop into anything deep or meaningful.
Take away the fact we are soulmates. If Joseph and I were nothing more than a teacher and student who decided to date after I graduated high school, scores of people would shout their criticism. So would I if the situation involved another couple.
I am attracted to Joseph, and I believe he is attracted to me. But I can’t help but wonder if he is as affected by the stigma others would put on a relationship between us as I am.
Joseph rolls his shoulders and plops down beside me. His body is angled slightly away, but his shoulder brushes against mine as he leans back to rest against the same tree trunk. He bends his legs and places his forearms on top of his knees. “You’ve truly done well, Messenger.” I glance his direction. He is staring straight ahead at the field of wheat. “Your control is leagues beyond what it was back in Valley Lake.”
“Thanks,” I murmur. I wonder if he senses my embarrassment. I focus on keeping my feelings contained. I’ve learned from Gabe that while the Fallen can detect my feelings, most of the time I project my emotions for them to pick up. He swears he rarely tries to get a read on my emotions on purpose. The only exception being when he fears I may be in danger or about to do something foolish, like running off to rescue my parents from a hoard of demons on my own. I’m not sure Adrian grants me the same level of privacy, but I would expect Joseph to.
“Next time we will exercise your healing abilities.” He rotates to look at me. “It’s been a while since you’ve called on them.”
“Not many Fallen to heal locked up in the London apartment.”
His lips turn down. “Don’t Adrian and Zeke allow you to leave with an escort?”
“Of course.” Since I’m no longer imposing my own exile from the rest of the world, my two Fallen roommates make a point to drag me out of the apartment and show me the city this past week. They’ve taken me to tour Parliament and Big Ben. They bought tickets for the three of us to ride the London Eye, and the view up there had been incredible.
Tourist attraction after tourist attraction, Adrian and Zeke tried to distract me from the aspects of my life which continue to burden me. Namely, missing my parents and life back in Texas. And the ever-looming fear the Dark Council will learn the truth and I will have to fight for my life.
“Then why did you say you’re locked up?” Joseph isn’t asking to be antagonistic. Concern motivates the inquiry. I hate that I’ve worried him.
“It’s nothing. I was exaggerating. It’s just hard not to have a moment alone, you know?” Don’t get me wrong, Adrian and Zeke do their best to give me space. But at least once every thirty minutes one of them comes and checks on me. It doesn’t matter if I’m reading in the study and haven’t moved for two hours, every half-hour, one of them appears.
Joseph grabs my hand. His touch sends thrilling sparks through my arm. “This won’t last forever, Veronica. I promise, you will have your life back soon.”
My lips have parted. I press them together. “I know.”
His fingers squeeze, and I’m surprised when he doesn’t release my hand. “Have you spoken to your family lately?”
“I spoke with Mom yesterday. Dad had to stay late at work. I think I’m going to try and give him a call tomorrow.”
Joseph nods. “I’m sure he’d like to hear from you.”
“How have they been?” I turn my torso towards him. “I mean… they don’t act weird or anything. Right?” One of my concerns about the mind manipulation the Fallen performed is the magic may negatively affect my parents’ minds. There must be side effects when someone’s memories and thoughts are messed with. It’s one of the reasons I’m glad Gabe and Joseph have taken it upon themselves to watch out for them. With every new threat and danger I learn about, I’m glad to know my parents aren’t alone.
“Your mother and father are well. Nothing about their behavior is atypical.”
I take a deep breath. “And no demons or Fallen have come near them?”
“No.” His thumb moves along the back of my hand. I’m not sure the gesture is intentional. “I hope you know I would tell you if that ever happened.”
The emotion in the air is palpable, and I can’t tell if it comes from me or Joseph. “You promise?”
“Messenger.” He leans toward me, filling my vision, forcing me to look into crystal blue eyes. “I wouldneverhide something like that from you. You have my word.”
I believe him. Without a doubt.
“Thank you,” I try to say, but the words come out breathless. What did I expect? It’s not easy having an attractive guy so close to my face.
