Page 56 of Protected by the Fallen
Murmurs of agreement ripple across the table. I don’t know what to make of this situation. One minute, I think I am close to clearing my name, and the next I’m back on the metaphorical chopping block.
At least… I hope it’s metaphorical.
Adrian and Zeke hadn’t been shy when telling me my existence would not be welcome by either group of Fallen angels. If they figure out I’m from both bloodlines, I may not walk out of this chamber alive.
“I can only say what I know,” Vera whimpers, feeling the tides of the council’s opinion turn against her. She is desperate for them to believe her. I don’t understand why. “Veronica knows next to nothing about our history. Her surname is fake. It’s not in our books.” Her voice grows stronger with conviction. “The girl was raised by humans. She’s been hiding among them until Adrian and Zeke found her.”
How does she know that?
“Are you accusing my sons of treason?” A black cloud forms around Sarah’s body. Her powers stir the air into a vortex of wind. I feel the pressure of its strength brush against my skin. I take an involuntary step back, but the guards’ hands keep me from going far.
Glass breaks in the distance, and I think Sarah is responsible. But when the council members jump to their feet and brandish their powers on their palms, I get the feeling I’m wrong.
“Demons.” Paul snarls. His hands flare a brighter orange.
“Not just demons,” another says, sniffing the air like a dog. “Wolves and the undead if I’m not mistaken.”
Wolves?
As if summoned, a huge furry form bounds through the open doorway, followed by humanoid-figures. Their red and black eyes identify them as demons, but they look normal enough with proportional limbs and torsos. I fight the urge to scream a warning to mybashertens. They are the closest to the door.
Zeke releases Adrian, and both turn to face the oncoming attack. The hoard draws closer, and I yank my arms violently. I have to help them!
Suddenly, the pressure on my arm disappears. I almost fall on my face from the lack of tension holding me back. I spin around and see one of my guards slumped on the ground, the other looking at me expectantly. “This is the part where you get down.”
I drop to my hands and knees, bruising the knobby bone. I hear a bang. I look over my shoulder in time to see a piece of the wall crumble to the marble floor. The mark hit at approximately eye level. Did someone try to hit me?
“Move.” The guard above me shouts. He draws his sword, and it illuminates with his power. “Hide.” Then, he’s rushing forward to join the battle. My eyes are glued to the oncoming wolves and demons, fear for my soulmates making it impossible for me to heed his commands. I’m shocked when I see the same guard run pass Adrian and Zeke. He joins the invaders and begins launching attacks at The Council. I scramble back, ignoring the burning of the spell as the cuffs rub my skin. The guard warned me, but he’s allied with the enemy. Can this day get any more confusing?
I army crawl away from the table, realizing that’s where the demons focus their attention. Adrian and Zeke stand in the middle of the room, and they’ve combined their powers to create a glowing barrier, preventing the enemy from drawing any closer.
But the barrier doesn’t stop all of their attacks. The humanoid demons lob assaults around the barrier, and some manage to make it through. I didn’t know demons could do that. I didn’t think any could rival the power of Fallen.
I need to get out of here.
I am backing up toward the side door council members use to enter and exit the chamber, when another volley of breaking glass reaches my ears. I burrow my head in my forearms just as glass rains down around me. The sharp fragments slice my skin. I hiss and keep my head down. A sliced arm is better than a sliced eye.
The room grows dark. I wait ten seconds before hazarding a glance up. Adrian and Zeke are still blocking the majority of demons and wolves, but another group has appeared behind them. I look up and confirm their entrance through the stain glass windows lining the edges of the walls, just below the ceiling.
Adrenaline pumps through my veins as I wait for one of the enemies to turn their attacks on me. I try to call on my power, but the spark in my chest doesn’t ignite. I try again, and growl when the tiny flame I’ve conjured sputters out. Fresh burning around my wrists reminds me of the handcuffs. Of course, the spell must prevent me from using my powers. I need to get them off if I have any hope of surviving.
I see the unconscious guard, and I make my move.
Crawling forward, I wince as new shards dig into my skin. I don’t stop moving. The key ring is hooked on the Fallen’s belt. I couldn’t believe when the guards first put on the cuffs, the only thing needed to activate the spell woven into the bulky metal had been turning the bright gold key in the lock. I hope deactivating the spell works the same way.
Shots fire all around the room, but I’m left alone for now. I reach the guard. Propping on my elbows, I use my fingernails and detach the key ring. Several metal keys clank together, but their noise is drowned out by the sounds of the fight. I find the bright gold key. Huffing from effort, I bend my fingers and wrists in a way which gives me access to the lock. The notches slip past the lock twice. The third time, I want to scream with frustration. My fight or flight response is good for survival, but it severely hinders my fine motor skills. Biting my lip, I focus. Careful not to move too fast or jump when I hear power whizzing above my head, I finally manage to slip the key into the lock.
Yes!
My fingers pinch the head of the key and I twist my wrist. The lock clicks, the metal cuffs fall off my wrists, and the relief is immediate. I scramble to my feet, calling on my Angel Fire. I use the hot white power to burn off the bottom of my torn gown. The last thing I need is to trip in a room full of demons likely to kill me on sight and Fallen angels who won’t hesitate to lock me up again.
“RON!” Zeke’s shout draws my attention and I throw my arms up, barely managing to deflect the bolt aimed at my chest. Shock ripples through me. I know I didn’t imagine it; the power had originated from a Fallen. Demon’s power wasn’t as collected and sleek. Their attacks were chaotic and messy, though sometimes delivered with accuracy.
I spin to face the table of council members. All twelve are positioned behind personal barriers as they volley attacks at the demons. I cannot tell which Fallen tried to attack me. None meet my eye, each preoccupied with the enemy in front of them. I need to get far away from The Council. I need to reach Zeke and Adrian and get the hell out of here. My soulmates maintain the barrier, and they are unharmed, but I see them casting concerned glances my way. I watch Zeke try to slip away from his position, only to be stopped by a rather well-placed sling of demonic energy. Adrian takes a turn, only to be kept in place by a similar strategy. The demons are keeping Zeke and Adrian from me. I’m sure of it.
Determined to thwart their plan, I prepare to go to them. Right as I lift a foot, a furry form barrels into my side. I fly across the room, my back running along all the shards on the tile. I can’t help it; I scream.
Above me, the beast shudders and next to my ear, I hear a painful wail leave his snout. We slide to a stop, and the weight of the creature presses down, preventing me from breathing. I try to shove it off, but it’s just too big.
