Page 4 of Fear the Fall

I did. Zeke was passionate. He took his time and always made sure I was content. He provided comfort in a world that was foreign. I was lonely and he was good company. More importantly, he mended my shattered heart and battered ego. For a short time, at least.

“Yes. I did. Until I finally got my head on straight and my priorities in line.”

He scoffs. “You strive for the impossible. No one has ever been allowed back through the gates, and you know that. Once you’re forsaken, it’s done.” His eyes nearly beg me to heed his words.

I continue walking toward the barn, trying to put some distance between us. I’ve closed the door for us to be more because we have two entirely different paths. I want back in, and he’s determined to stay on Earth. He’d be my temptation and the very reason I’d never get home. I’ve tried to convince him, but he’s unmovable in his resolve. Which begs the question... why? What is he running from? I don’t ask, because that would mean I’d have to share my own past. For two years that’s been the one topic of conversation off limits. I don’t ask him why he fell, and he doesn’t ask me.

“One of these days you’re going to admit I’m right,” he shouts, but I pay him no mind. “You’ll spend a lonely existence until then.”

“Good,” I call over my shoulder. “Alone is what I need. Alone is what’s best. Maybe you should ditch your human shields and use your power to its fullest.”

“I’m no fool, Tori. I take help where I can get it. They’re safer with me on their team.”

“You’ll get them killed,” I shoot back in frustration. “What will God think then?”

“Nobody is watching, Tori. We’re on our own where He’s concerned.” He doesn’t need to clarify whoHeis. “Move on with your life. Embrace Earth. It holds plenty of its own perks.”

I whip around, stalking back toward Zeke. “If that’s true, then why do you insist on hunting?” I ask, folding my arms over my chest when I’m mere inches from him. “Why not go about your life?” I raise a brow, waiting for his answer.

I’m tired of him constantly questioning me. His actions make less sense. He doesn’t want back in Heaven, but he can’t help but continue God’s work here. It doesn’t add up. It never has. Yet another reason to add to my growing list of why I need to stay far away from Zeke. If he’d allow it.

“I’m a hunter, Tori. A power angel. When evil presents itself, I’m called.”

“Tsk tsk,” I say, waving my fingers in front of his face. “You’re aforsakenpower angel. According to your own words, you’re no longer needed. Nobody’s watching, so who are you trying to impress, Zeke?”

His hands are at either side of his temples, massaging out the headache I’ve certainly given him. This is our thing. Fight in circles, getting nowhere. “Maybe I don’t like to see God’s creation destroyed by those beasts,” he shrugs. “All of the perks of Earth depend on Earth’s existence. Someone has to save the humans from vampires.”

I sigh. “If it’s not the vampires, it’ll be another form of demon, Zeke. You can’t stop them from coming. Lucifer will send legion after legion until this world is destroyed.”

But not until he’s done toying with humanity—and other beings.

“If you truly have no intention of trying to get back to Heaven, then why not just throw in the towel and enjoy what time is left?” I ask, not understanding why he’s committed so much time fighting for a god he chose not to serve. I know little about why he fell, but he has admitted it was his choice. God did not cast him out.

“I’ve made it my mission to slow down his progress. Like I said, I kinda like Earth, and since I’m immortal and all, I might as well do something of significance.”

“You’re only immortal until Lucifer finds your weakness. None of us are truly immortal, Zeke. All of our existences can be ended.”

“If we work together, we’ll have a better chance of survival,” he says, leaning forward and taking a piece of my errant hair between his fingers. “We could both enjoy those perks.”

I inhale, breathing in the smell of sandalwood and wet earth, my eyes closing to hide the fact that it affects me. He affects me.

“Tori, look at me,” he commands, voice husky with want.

I do as he instructs, eyes roaming the six-foot-three warrior. He’s tanned and toned everywhere. The muscles in his arms bulge under his white Henley shirt. In the years I’ve been in this area, I’ve never seen him do a single thing aside from hunt, and it shows.

“Why did you fall, Zeke?” I whisper.

My hair falls from his grasp as he steps back, running his hands through his raven hair.

“You and I both know that’s not a conversation we want to have. When you’re ready to share, then I’ll consider doing the same.”

I sigh, knowing he’s right. I haven’t uttered a word of why I fell since the day it happened, and I have no intention to. Ever. The shame plagues me daily, and the nightmare of it all haunts my dreams.

“You have to open up to someone, Tori, and I’m all you’ve got. For reasons I don’t understand, we were brought together, and you can’t deny it.”

“It was a chance encounter,” I say, averting my eyes. “And I’ve been trying to escape you ever since.”

“I found you at your lowest point. It was fate.”

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