Page 52 of Fear the Fall
Devil Devil
Couldn’t sleep.Gone to talk to Blaine and the others to get them on the same page. xx-Z
That’s what I woke to. A note, basically cutting me out of the conversation that yesterday he thought it was important for me to be a part of. Then there’s that niggling feeling still present from yesterday, which isn’t helping my ultra-confused state about Zeke’s actions.
Instead of stewing all day, I pick up my cell—that I rarely use—and dial Zeke. After three rings, he answers.
“Morning.”
“Why didn’t you wake me?” The question sounds more whiny than accusing and I cringe at that truth.
“You were tired. I didn’t want to wake you.”
“If you were that concerned about getting Blaine the information and having a united front, I think waking me would’ve been fitting.”
“The more I thought about it, the more it didn’t make sense. They don’t know you. They don’t trust you.”
I bristle at this. The war doesn’t care who trusts me. It’s coming, and if any of us want to survive, differences need to be cast aside. Zeke knows this, and coddling the Nephilim during such a crucial time doesn’t even make sense. He’s a warrior. A fighter. He doesn’t have time for games or childish behavior, yet now, at the most pressing of times, he’s inviting both.
My question is why?
“Do what you have to, Zeke, but you and I both know that their feelings don’t matter to Hell’s army. They need to suck it up and prepare. Liking me has no relevance.”
“Blaine doesn’t want to discuss his lineage with you around. He’ll share which order his father is from, but not who is father is.”
“So you’ve already had the conversation with his group?”
“No. I’m on my way there now.”
He lied. Last night he told me he wasn’t sure if they were aware. He said he was trying to gauge whether they knew. If he hasn’t gotten there yet, then by his own account of what he knows, they haven’t talked about lineage or even confirmed that they are in fact Nephilim.
That niggling feeling morphs into suspicion and doubt. It brings life to Leeanna’s words and has me rethinking my earlier stance. Perhaps I shouldn’t write her off.
I dress quickly, needing to get out of this loft. The walls feel like they’re closing in on me as the uncertainty mounts. A run is necessary to expel this negative energy, and a storm is vital.
My arms pump hard, propelling me forward down an overgrown path. I leap over roots and downed tree branches, never once halting my pace. Sweat beads and runs down my face, but I don’t care. I like the proof of my efforts. When the last of my stored energy is depleted, I go in search of an open area, where I can summon my needed storm.
I’m in the middle of an open field, arms raised to the sky, preparing to begin my process, when the air around me shifts. Everything stills and the hairs on my neck stand on end. I’m in trouble.
“Victoria.”
That voice.
It crawls over my skin like a million tiny spiders, but it isn’t unpleasant, and that makes me instantly nauseous. Did my thoughts the other day conjure him? Because he’s here and there is no doubt he’s come to collect sooner than I expected. I am not prepared to see him, so I remain with my back to him. Not the best position to be in, but I have to trust that after everything, he’d give me a fair fight.
“Lucifer,” I grind out, pushing as much indignation into my voice as I can muster without giving myself away. My legs are wobbly, and my entire body is quaking inside.
“Lucifer?” he asks, sounding almost insulted.
I feel him closing in on me until his chest is inches from my back. He doesn’t touch me, yet every fiber of my being tingles, electrified. I can feel his warm breath tickle at the base of my neck. Perfidious goose bumps form all over.
“What? No more Luke?” he whispers into my ear.
My eyes slam shut at the onslaught of sensations his nearness causes. My body tenses and my hands ball into fists as I attempt to keep the emotions at bay.
“What do you want?” I murmur back, keeping my eyes closed, praying for this moment to end.
“He’s not listening, love. He never does,” he says, proving he’s entered my mind.