Page 4 of Protected by the Fallen
Several seconds pass before Adrian finally dips his head in agreement. “So be it.”
I hear Sarah exhale, exasperated. “We needbothof you.”
“You will only get one of us, Mother.” Zeke is back to sounding calm. “That was the deal. Veronica will not be without our protection.”
“I am one of the most powerful Dark Fallen, and even I cannot enter this flat without someone opening the door. No one will be able to harm her even if they want to.”
Without missing a beat, Zeke says, “We will not risk it.”
Sarah refuses to give up. “The Light Council won’t survive without every last Dark Fallen helping to fight the demons,” she murmurs quietly, looking around as if the walls have ears. “We cannot afford to let the Darkness destroy the Light Council. Now, more than ever, we need an ally.”
I don’t know everything, but I know the Light and Dark Councils are not notorious allies. If the vast injuries I’d seen haven’t convinced me the Darkness was dangerous, the fact the Dark Council wants to team up with the Light Fallen does.
I swallow the lump in my throat. The memory of Gabe’s battered body makes me take their mother’s side. “You should both go.”
Both Dark Fallen whirl on me. “Absolutely not.”
“It is out of the question.”
“I can take care of myself.” I try to convey confidence through our connection, doing my best to hide my unease. If they were being asked to do anything else, I wouldn’t bother to argue with them. But this is Gabe and Joseph we are talking about. My entire soul feels like it is about to shatter by just thinking of them in danger. I can’t let Zeke stay behind if they really need help.
All of this and more is shared as I look between the Dark Fallen. Their mother might as well be invisible. The three of us are totally absorbed in each other, digesting what the other is feeling as emotions are tossed between us. Adrian is equal parts irritated and worried. Zeke is uneasy and conflicted. And I’m scared but determined.
“Please,” I whisper.You know how much they mean to me.
Adrian growls and runs agitated hands through his hair. “Fine. But you will not take one step outside of this flat. Is that understood?”
I’d expected more of an argument. Stunned, I can only nod.
“Are you sure?” Zeke looks at his brother, then his mother. His mistrust is evident.
“I’ve already told you, no one means the girl any harm.” Sarah puts her hands on her hips, tired of the insinuated accusations.
“I’m sure,” I answer for Adrian, shooting Zeke another pleading look.
“The sooner we go the sooner we can be back,” Adrian grumbles, clearly unhappy with the situation. I want to wrap my arms around him, but I resist. His mother watches us.
Zeke locks me in his gaze. “No leaving the flat.”
“You have my word.”
Three
I didn’t anticipatehow awful waiting would be. After several reminders that I am not permitted to even step out on the balcony, Adrian and Zeke left the flat with their mother. I spent the first hour back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling. My mind conjured horrific and bloody images of what havoc The Darkness was unleashing on the Light Council. I realized I needed a distraction. Immediately.
Pushing myself up, I wandered down into the dining room. There were some fancy pieces of art displayed, but I could only stare at the glass sculptures for so long before my concern for the four Fallen threatened to overwhelm me again. I missed the sweet escape of television. I’m sure I could have found some show to distract me, but the flat doesn’t have a T.V. Maybe a book can provide equal distraction.
Confident there must be a study or library of some kind, I walk down an unfamiliar hallway, opening doors and peeking inside. Other than the common rooms and my bedroom, I hadn’t explored the flat at all. That truth makes me realize how sedentary and unengaged I’d been this past week. I’m surprised Adrian and Zeke hadn’t forced me out of the flat. Both of them tried to lure me outside, but neither pushed the issue. They both were willing to step back and let me process things in my own time. I can’t say I would’ve been so accommodating if one of them had started acting like a lifeless zombie.
I enter a room with a large oak desk. The walls are covered with burgundy wallpaper and wood panels line the bottom half of the wall. The style isn’t an exact match, but it reminds me of Lucas’ personal study. Lucas is the Light Angel who’d helped me access my angelic powers. Unbeknownst to me, one or both of my mysterious angelic parents hired a sorcerer to enact a mental barrier which prevented me from reaching my powers with ease. The only time I’d managed to utilize my abilities were in moments of great distress. Like when yancor demons cornered me on Mrs. Hall’s lawn—back before I knew anything about what I am. Or when Lucas kidnapped my parents in order to lure me into a meeting with him, but then a pack of yancor demons arrived and one slit my mom’s throat.
My fingers tingle, remembering the Angel Fire I used to light up the creature and burn him to a crisp. Even now, I don’t regret the violence. Does it frighten me? Sure. But I would easily do it again if it meant protecting my parents. I may not be biologically related to them, but Oliver and Janet Messenger mean the world to me. They adopted me as an infant and raised me with nothing but endless love and affection. They treat me like their natural-born daughter, and they don’t deserve the danger my heritage puts them in. Yet another aspect of the latest revelations which causes me guilt. I hate that their lives are in danger because of me. Not to mention I have to lie to them all the time.
As I stand in the center of the study, I think about giving my parents a call. They aren’t worried about me. At least, not more than a typical parent would be while their child is traveling abroad. The Fallen made sure of that. But I’m sure they would appreciate a call.
I reach into my back pocket and stare at the black screen on my phone, weighing the pros and cons of calling my parents. On one hand, it will be nice to hear their voices and know they are alright. I trust Gabe and Joseph are keeping an eye on them, and the last I spoke with the Light Fallen, no demons or angels had snooped around my home since I’ve been gone. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be a relief to actually hear them say everything is normal back in Valley Lake. But if I call my parent’s, I will have no choice but to go along with the lies they’ve been fed. And I have no interest in doing that right now.
Sighing, I return the phone to my pocket. Before I can take a breath, the device buzzes and the familiar ringtone fills the room. I extract the device and once again see Annie’s name flashing on the screen.
