Page 52 of Protected by the Fallen
She hesitates. Adrian places a hand on her back and guides her forward. She’s scared. I don’t blame her. I’d be scared too. I’d be afraid to have my hopes destroyed. Disappointment is a gut-wrenching emotion.
Unlike Vera, though, I know I’ve succeeded. Her soulmate is healed. Now, she needs to wake him up. Hers needs to be the first face he sees after walking so close with death.
Vera climbs onto the bed. She moves with care, not wishing to disturb Jude before she’s ready. Folding her legs underneath her, she sits back and stares at her soulmate. She takes in his torn and bloody tuxedo, eyeing his mended wounds. Slowly, she reaches out and takes her soulmate’s hand. “Jude?” she murmurs. Then, with more strength, she repeats, “Jude. You need to wake up now, love.”
He doesn’t move.
I am about to encourage Vera to try again when she acts without instruction.
Scooting closer, Vera nudges Jude with her free hand. “Jude.” Another, forceful nudge. “Wake up.”
Jude groans. Adrian, Zeke and I release matching sighs of relief.
Vera squeaks like a mouse. She leans over his body, unbothered by the blood staining her gown. “Jude? Can you hear me?”
“Of course I can hear you,” he grumbles, throwing a hand over his eyes. “Why are you waking me up? I set my alarm.”
Vera laughs. It’s a mix of relief and hysteria. “Thank The Creator.” She presses her mouth against his, and I turn away to give them privacy. I meet Adrian’s gaze.
“I need a cigarette,” he says with a smile, rubbing a hand down his face.
“You shouldn’t smoke,” I chastise. Though, I understand the sentiment. The stress of the situation continues to rest heavy on my shoulders, and I know it will take time before I’m free of the lingering burden. Beside me, Zeke exudes similar exhaustion. I don’t look his way. I’m still angry with him.
“Say the word, Angel, and I’ll quit.”
I roll my eyes but smile in spite of how I’m feeling. “Sure.”
“You don’t believe me?”
“Not as far as I can throw you.”
“You wound me.” Adrian covers his heart dramatically. “Don’t you know I’d do anything for you?”
I fight the urge to laugh. On the bed, Vera and Jude continue their reunion. I tune out their conversation.
“We should go,” I say. “Give them some privacy.” I look to Adrian for his approval. I don’t know the state of the embassy after the attack. If he says it would be best for us to remain in Jude and Vera’s apartment, I won’t object.
“Agreed.” He says, sharing a look with his brother. I continue to avoid my other dark soulmate. “I’m sure The Council will call an emergency gathering soon. Until then, we can rest in our rooms.”
I lift the torn gown and hold it in my hands as I turn around. I am less than five feet from the door when I see a figure blocking the exit.
Master Nate stands in the doorway, sporting a damaged tuxedo like the other three Fallen in the room, but he appears unharmed. His eyes are locked on me, and I know before he says a word that he saw everything.
Not one to waste time beating around the bush, Master Nate states with self-righteous certainty, “You aren’t Nephilim.”
Twenty-Three
“This is an outrage.I demand the release ourbashertat once.” Zeke stands in front of the council, his arms crossed angrily over his chest. Adrian stands slightly behind him, and I have the feeling the only thing keeping him from unleashing his fury is the fact I am handcuffed across the room and my arms are held tightly by two Dark Fallen guards. One wrong move, and I can be knocked unconscious in a second, taken out of this chamber, and locked away where my soulmates won’t be able to see me.
After we discovered Master Nate’s presence, the conniving Fallen had blurred and appeared less than one foot from me. Before I knew what was happening, he’d wrapped me in a headlock, his angelic power licking against the tender flesh protecting my carotid artery.
After a series of violent threats, followed by a few requests for mercy by my soulmates, I found myself turned into The Dark Council. Master Nate hadn’t told the dark leaders why he detained me, only that it was a matter of great importance, and that I should be watched by the most diligent guards. Unfortunately for me, The Council listened. I spent the night locked in a prison cell, located four flights of stairs below ground. The cell was dark and damp. I thanked the guard who’d given me a thicker blanket than the ratty one tucked onto the metal cot pushed against the back wall. I would’ve freezed without it.
I’d spent the night expecting my soulmates to break me out of the cell. I imagined their heroic entrance, breaking down doors and ripping the metal bars off their hinges. I’d be grateful for the rescue, but fearful what they’d done to be able to reach me. For as much as I wanted to be out of the depressing cell, I didn’t want my soulmates to make enemies of The Dark Council. We have enough problems without adding the powerful organization to the list.
Alas, the hours passed without so much as a scuffle. No one tried to free me from my prison. Now, I see Adrian and Zeke have their own set of guards surrounding them, explaining the lack of rescue.
All twelve council members sit behind a long table. Their faces range from solemn to fearful to eager. Sarah is a member of the solemn-face crowd.
