Page 3 of Fear the Fall

Radioactive

The clouds roll through,black and ominous. Thunder rumbles in the distance, and for a moment I consider abandoning my post to watch from the shelter of the barn. But that wouldn’t be wise. I draw my strength from the energy produced by such storms. The closer I am, the more power I can harness, and I will need it.

Tonight, I hunt.

The thunder booms as the storm moves closer. The wind begins its shrill howl, slicing through the trees. Branches tremble at its force. The promise of destruction comes with every gust.

It won’t be long.

A twinge of excitement courses through me at the prospect. I throw my head back, inhaling the fresh air as it caresses my skin. It’s then that the sky opens up, bathing me with cool drops of heaven’s tears. I cry out as the vortex of energy swirls around me. The warming begins in my toes and I sigh as it crawls up my body, every hair electrified by the energy’s touch.

A human could not withstand such a process. Their minds have been closed off from the day of their birth. If they only knew the power they could wield, they’d be unstoppable. The mind is an extraordinary tool capable of anything, but humans rarely tap into that power. Instead, they live their lives defenseless and weak, unable to protect themselves from the evil that surrounds them.

Luckily for me, I am no human. Fallen from grace, I roam the earth determined to earn back my place in the heavens. Stripped of my standing and banished, I now walk amongst Heaven’s greatest enemies—demons.

Lightning flashes overhead, pinning me to this spot. Sparks erupt from my hands and I cry out at the exquisite pain. As quickly as the storm began, it’s over. The energy recedes, leaving me powerful yet hollow. As a virtue angel, I controlled the elements, and I’ve somehow carried that gift here to Earth. During storms is the only time I can come close to feeling like I did in Heaven, and it’s an effective slap in the face.

I fall to my knees, allowing the residual energy to create spasms throughout my body. Soon all of it will be soaked into my skin and stored for use. I begin to pray—a force of habit I’ve yet to break. My words are useless. God is undoubtedly not listening.

“Victoria?” I raise my head to a fellow fallen, Ezekiel. “Are you ready?” he asks, voice quiet as he realizes what I’m doing.

I stand to my feet, brushing off the dirt that coats my knees. “I told you, I work alone now.”

Two years ago, it was always him by my side. We’d fight together every night and wake up next to each other every morning. Those days ended the moment I realized Zeke was my Band-Aid.

He saved me from crippling despair and helped mold me into what I am today. For that, I owe him my life. But it’s not my life he wants. No, that would be my heart, and that was stolen from me.

“It’s dangerous, Tori. Why must you be so stubborn?” he practically growls, bringing me back to the present. It’s nothing new. We’ve had this same argument no less than twice per week for the past two years. Since the day I gave him my virginity. Yet he still persists.

“It’s not stubbornness; I just don’t need you slowing me down,” I say, turning my back to one of God’s finest creations. He’s a work of art, there’s no doubt, and that is exactly why I don’t need to be anywhere near Ezekiel Kincaid.

I don’t trust myself around him. I’ve already been weak in his presence, and I don’t intend to be that person again. He helped me through a trying time, but now I need to help myself.

Then there’s the fact that he’s teamed up with a few mortals who also hunt demons. Early on, they almost got us killed, because Zeke isn’t honest with them. They don’t know who or what he really is. He hides his true power. A power he too brought from Heaven. That’s a gift that shouldn’t be hidden, so I refuse to hunt with them. Why delay the monsters’ deaths just to deceive humans?

He barks a laugh. “I’m the best hunter on Earth. It’s you who can’t keep up with me.” My eyes meet his, and the sexy grin he has plastered all over his face makes my insides lava. I push down the lustful feelings, determined to resist.

He’s a test and I will not fail. Not this time.

“I’ll let you believe what you want to, but as for me, I go alone.” As I walk past him, his hand shoots out, grabbing me by the elbow.

“The easiest way to get yourself killed, Tori. I’m just trying to help. Why won’t you let anyone help?”

Tearing my arm free, I spin to look right into his cobalt blue eyes. “Because I have a job to do, and your help comes with ulterior motives. You want something we once had, and that’s no longer on the table.”

“Such as?” he drawls.

“Such as,” I repeat snippily, “sex.”

His brows rise and his lip quirks in a sexy-as-sin smirk. “Sex?”

“That’s what I said.”

“You know cuddling is just as good. Maybe a little makeout session.” He shrugs. “It doesn’t have to necessarily be sex, Tori. I’m open to all forms of foreplay.”

“Ugh. See?” I groan. “That’s exactly what I’m talking about, Zeke. Unlike you, I don’t want to be here,” I nearly spit. “I want to go home, and in order to do that, I need to prove my loyalty and allegiance. Falling back into old habits won’t get me there.”

“I remember a time when you enjoyed those habits.”

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