Page 46 of Protected by the Fallen
“In the banquet hall.” I tell him the feeling began when his mother first approached our group. I’d attributed it to nervousness, but now I don’t know.
“Hm.” Zeke rubs his chin. “You’ve felt it since then? It’s been constant?”
“Yes. Well no…” My face heats, remembering the kiss on the balcony. Lust had been the only sensation I’d felt when Adrian and I kissed. “There were a few minutes where the feeling wasn’t there.”
Please don’t ask me to explain. Please don’t ask me to explain.
Thankfully, Zeke breezes past my reaction as if he didn’t notice. “When did the feeling return? Once you entered the library?”
“No. I think it was right after the initial attack occurred.” Since I grasped we were under attack, the gnawing sensation hasn’t loosened its hold on my intestines. Even now, I feel close to vomiting.
Zeke doesn’t know what to say. He glances at Vera, and I understand he can’t say what he wants until we don’t have an audience. “Try not to worry. Everything will be okay soon.”
I nod. That’s all I can do. I know Zeke, and I know he thinks there’s more to my uneasiness than your typical fear in a dangerous situation.
Movement through the bookcases draws my eye. “Watch out!” I leap forward and shove Zeke, knocking him onto his back. I’m fast enough to avoid the sizzling bolt that strikes the ground right where we’d been standing.
Twenty
Like a panther,Zeke twists and gets his feet under him. He crouches, grabs my arm, and tosses me under the nearest table. Vera dives to join me, shaking like a leaf.
“Stay here,” he growls in a deep, dangerous voice. His eyes are solid black, and he wears a mask of fury. I’ve never seen Zeke like this, not even when he battled yancor demons. He’s terrifying.
I dig my fingernails into the carpet as Zeke stands and begins firing shots in the direction of the attack. Books thump as they hit the ground, and toppling shelves make the floor shudder. A loud crash hits the top of the table, and Vera screams.
“It’s okay.” I take her hand and squeeze. “We’re going to be okay.” Inside, I’m freaking out, but I manage to sound calm. I bet Vera’s never experienced danger like this. Me, on the other hand, dangerous situations have kind of become routine.
“Why would The Darkness come in here? The council members are in the banquet hall!” She shouts to be heard over splitting wood and crashing furniture.
The dreadful feeling returns, and I know, without a doubt, The Darkness is here for me. I feel it in my bones.Crap.
Another crash. I duck my head instinctively.
“We need to get away from here,” Vera tries to pull my arm. I pull back.
“No. The best chance we have is to stay here while Zeke fights.” I fling my emotions up, hoping Zeke picks up on them. He remains with us in the Ancient section, and I see his legs bob and weave as he avoids incoming attacks. He needs to summon Adrian back here. Now.
Zeke gives no indication he understands what I want. He’s preoccupied. It’s up to me.
I close my eyes and push my fingers against my temple.
Please work.
I hunch over and think Adrian’s name, over and over, projecting terror and helplessness. We need his help. I imagine my emotions trailing out of my mind and floating in the air. Mentally, I throw it past the toppled shelves and magical attacks. I envision it zipping through the hallways, winding down the staircase, and shooting into the banquet hall.
Find Adrian.I command the emotion, then open my eyes. I fall back and my head hits the leg of the table. “Ow.”
“Veronica!” Zeke yells.
“It’s nothing!” I shout back before he decides to investigate. The last thing we need is for him to get distracted. “I hit my head!”
I hear him grunt and see his dodge. Another beam of power strikes the shelves behind him. Zeke moans as if he’s been hit.
“Zeke!” I am one second away from rushing out of my hiding spot when a thunderous clap reverberates overhead, throwing me back on my bottom. Every single bookcase, table, and chair fall over. All except the table Vera and I hide under. My terror grows when I see all four walls of the library. We’re no longer concealed.
Then, I see the mutilated bodies. Severed limbs, decapitated heads and charred intestines are scattered about the disheveled library. I gag.
Vera crawls out and stands. I follow, careful to keep my eyes away from the gory scene.
