Page 44 of Protected by the Fallen
I pout with swollen lips. “I thought you said you couldn’t stop.” I try to kiss him again, but he dodges with frustrating success.
“Angel, have mercy. There is only so much a male can take.”
I grin. I like knowing I affect him as much as he affects me.
“Kiss me,” I command in a breathless whisper.
His face twists in agony. He jerks his head. “The first time I ravish you won’t be on a balcony.”
Ravish?
A thrill courses through me, and I press my legs even tighter. “What if that’s what I want?”
He growls, again. In a show of unfathomable self-restraint, he shoves away from me, leaving me chilly and alone on the railing. He pants on the other side of the balcony, looking at me like a lion depriving himself of sinking his teeth into his prey.
“Come back here.”
“No.” He huffs.
I hop off the railing, not bothering to fix my twisted gown. I glide across the space, intent on picking up where he so rudely cut us off.
A loud crash reaches my ears, and the embassy shakes. I lose my balance and fall down, scraping my palms on the rough concrete.
Adrian leaps on top of me, just before bricks crash down around us, dislodged from the building’s walls.
I tuck my head under his chest. “What’s going on!”
Adrian grunts. A piece of stone crashes beside us. Worried for his wellbeing, I almost don’t hear him say, “The Darkness is here.”
Nineteen
“What?”Stones continue to fall. Adrian tucks his head next to mine, shielding himself as best he can while still protecting me.
Sirens blare from inside the embassy. I want to look and see what’s happening, but Adrian’s hold is unrelenting. A rock hits my shin, and I hiss.
“Angel?” His body presses down.
“I’m fine.” Adrian is protecting my most vulnerable body parts. Yelling to be heard over the alarm, I ask, “How do you know this is The Darkness?”
The moment the words pass my lips, I feel it. A dark, coiling power circulates in the air above us. Warmth envelops me as Adrian enacts a ward. Pieces of the embassy continue to fall, but they don’t land within three feet around me.
“Sorry,” he pushes up, relieving me of his weight. He sits back on his heels. “I should’ve done that sooner, but I was—”
“Distracted,” I finish for him. Looking up, I see objects collide with Adrian’s ward, only to dissolve into harmless flecks of powder. The wind carries them away. “What’s going on, Adrian?”
He stands and holds out a hand to help me to my feet. “This is the first wave of The Darkness’ attack. We need to get you somewhere safe inside the embassy.” His hand grips mine and I’m dragged through the balcony doors and yanked down the nearest hall. I have no idea where we are in the massive building, but Adrian seems to know where he’s going.
“How do you know this is their first wave?” I pant, winded from the fast pace, and our recent make out session.
“Because they used the same tactic on the Light Council. Strike fast to incite chaos, then send in their legions for direct combat.”
Why would The Darkness let us know they’re here? Why not just invade and attack immediately? Catching your opponent off-guard seems the most reasonable strategy.
Shouts grow louder as we continue down the hall. I’m not sure where we’re going until we round the corner, and I see a familiar row of marble busts lining the walls. “We’re going to the library?”
“It’s the closest safe room.” Adrian tugs harder, and I nearly trip over my gown. I right myself and see Zeke running toward us.
“Thank The Creator, you’re alright.” Adrian drops my hand right as Zeke wraps his arms around my back, holding me tight against his chest, reassuring himself that I’m unharmed.
