Page 6 of Protected by the Fallen
Pain hits me. Why hadn’t I received a similar message?
I ignore my hurt feelings. Instead, I focus on consoling my friend. “I’m not abandoning you.”
“You’re halfway across the world.”
I sigh. “Annie, I told you. I’ll be back. In the meantime, you have Joey. Maybe he’s just worn out from his trip. You know how overwhelming his family can be.”
“Maybe,” she murmurs, semi-convinced. “Still, I would’ve expected him to want to see me. You really didn’t know he was back in town?”
I walk toward the window and stare out at the cloudy sky hovering over central London. “No, I didn’t know.”
“He didn’t text you?”
“No.”
Annie is silent for one second. “That’s… weird.”
“A little.”
“Did you guys have a fight or something?”
I think back to our last hangout before Joey left for California. We’d had a movie night, and he’d teased me about Preston. But that was it. We hadn’t argued or anything.
“No,” I answer. “At least, I don’t think so.”
“Hm.” Thankfully, Annie moves the conversation along, distracting me from worrying what I might’ve done to make my best friend ignore me. “Well, at least I’m not totally alone here. Freddy keeps hosting parties, and he always makes sure to invite me.” She confirms my earlier statement. “I swear, his parents are so chill. Mine would lose their mind if a bunch of teenagers took over the house every other night.”
Except for the fact Freddy’s mom offered me up to The Dark Council like a prized pig.
Trying to keep a level voice, I ask, “You are hanging out with Freddy?”
“A little bit.” Is it just me, or does she sound coy?
“Annie… what aren’t you telling me?”
“Nothing.” Nope. There is no denying it, Annie is acting funny. She’s definitely keeping something from me.
A thought comes to mind, and it takes me a moment to actually ask the question, “Are youseeingFreddy?”
“Well, duh. I see him all the time.”
I roll my eyes. “You know that’s not what I meant. Are you dating Freddy Hutchins?”
“… maybe…”
“Are you serious?” Alarms are ringing in my head. Freddy’s mother is Nephilim. That means Freddy is Nephilim. My mind is racing.
How much does Freddy know about me? Is he using Annie to get more information about me? Did his mother put him up to it? What is she trying to do? Annie might be in danger. I need to warn her, but how? I can’t tell her the truth. Not yet. I promised The Fallen I would wait.
“Hello… Earth to Ronnie?”
I press my forehead against the window. The glass is cool, and my face feels hot. “Yes?”
“Did you hear me?”
“Did I hear you’re dating Freddy? Yes, I heard you.” I close my eyes. This is a disaster. My best friend is being used because of me. I have to tell her the truth. But I know I can’t. I want to cry. I can’t believe I’ve put another person I care about in danger. No one in my life is safe from the impact of what I am. A tear escapes the corner of my eye.
“Well… don’t you want to ask me how it happened?”
