Page 48 of Protected by the Fallen
I chew my lip and try to read Zeke’s expression for any sign of what’s going on across the embassy.
Zeke blinks, and he’s back with us.
“Well?” I ask. “You’re sure everyone is alright?”
“Not everyone.” I feel like I’m stabbed in the chest. Seeing the blood drain from my face, he quickly adds, “A few of our people are injured, but Adrian and the members of the Light Council are fatigued, but unharmed.”
My healing fingers itch to go and help the injured. I’ve seen the damage The Darkness can cause, and it’s gruesome. No one should have to suffer such pain.
“I see what you’re thinking,” Zeke says in a low voice, but Vera is too close not to hear. “Don’t even think about it. You know you need to lie low.”
He’s right.
And I hate it.
“What about Jude?” Vera twists her hands in her rumpled gown. “Is he okay?”
“I didn’t see him.”
Moisture gathers in her eyes. I want to embrace her and tell her everything will be alright, but I don’t. I keep my distance. I don’t want to give her false assurances. Just in case…
A scream tears out of my throat, and I bow over in agony. I don’t know what’s happening. I don’t know where the pain is coming from. It doesn’t even feel like mine.
Burning, sharp pain rips me open. My stomach is on fire, and my blood is boiling. I’m dying. I feel myself growing weaker. I feel myself fade away.
“Ron! RON!”
Zeke yanks my arm, and my head snaps back. The pain subsides, but it doesn’t disappear, becoming a quiet murmur in the background. Now, I am able to tell the pain isn’t my own. Physically, I am fine. There’s no gaping wound protruding from my abdomen.
“What the hell just happened?” Zeke barks. His fear makes him ten times more frightening.
“I-I don’t know. I felt like my intestines were being ripped out as I was burning alive.”
The reaction is so subtle, I almost miss it. Zeke’s eye twitches, and a flash of horror crosses his face.
“What?” I step close, pressing my hands against his chest. “What is it?”
Zeke swallows. For a second, I don’t think he’s going to tell me. Then, he utters the most horrible four words I’ve ever heard strung together. “It’s Joseph... he’s wounded.”
Twenty-One
“You can’t go.”Zeke seizes my arm right as I spin around, prepared to run out of the library, straight to the banquet hall.
“Let go of me.” My pulse races, and my legs are shaking. Joseph is hurt. I need to reach him. I have to help him. Damn the fact The Darkness still attacks the embassy. Joseph needs me.
“Be reasonable.” Zeke’s grip tightens. “You cannot go in there. There are too many witnesses.”
I shake my head. “I don’t care. I can’t let him suffer when I know I can help.”
“You won’t be able to help anyone ever again if they realize who you are!”
His voice is as cold as ice. I shake under the chill of his glare. “Listen to me,” he commands, “Joseph would not want you to risk everything on his behalf. You know this. Don’t be a fool.”
My soul howls in pain. My heart feels like it’s breaking. “You don’t understand. I can feel it. Heneedsme.”
Zeke shakes his head. “No. You cannot go. No matter what you think you feel. It will be alright.”
“You don’t know that.” I tug. It’s useless. He’s not letting go until he’s good and ready. Which will mean I’m too late.
