Fear The Fall: Fallen Hunters Series

by Melissa Winters

  Zeke.

  “Shhh. I’ve got you, Tori.”

  Of course it’s him. He’s always there when I need to be picked up off the ground. It’s been that way since day one. My instincts say it’s due to the ethereal pull we share, but something deep within questions that theory. I’m too fragile in this moment to examine any other possible reasons.

  His strong legs carry us quickly to some unknown location. I don’t ask, because I don’t care. There isn’t a thing in this world I care about. Getting out has been the one sliver of hope I’ve held on to, and in a matter of moments, that hope’s been dashed to shreds.

  “Put me down,” I whimper.

  I’m grateful that he saved me from having an epic meltdown in the middle of Jackson Square for everyone to see, but now, I just want to be left alone.

  “No. I’m making sure you’re okay.” He continues walking at a clipped pace.

  “Leave me be, Zeke. I need space.”

  “No.” It’s all he says in response, continuing to carry me like a child. His refusal to do the one thing I’ve asked has that last string of sanity snapping in half.

  My fists begin to beat on his chest. “Let me down. Now!”

  Zeke finally stops, lowering me to my feet. His firm hands grasp mine, which are balled into fists, holding me still.

  “Please calm down. I’m trying to help.”

  “I don’t want your help,” I snap. “Can’t you see that?”

  He takes a deep breath, allowing my hands to drop to my side. “When I stumbled across you in the square, you looked two seconds away from a full-blown panic attack.” His hand runs back through his dark hair in frustration. “So forgive me if I misread the situation. I’ll leave you to handle things yourself.”

  He stalks past me, heading God only knows where. He’s angry, and I can’t say I blame him. For whatever reason, he found me in my moment of weakness. If he hadn’t helped me, who knows where I’d be or what would’ve happened. It was out of pure embarrassment that I pushed him away, and the shame I feel for how I treated him hits me hard in the chest.

  “Zeke,” I yell to his retreating back. “I’m sorry.” My shoulders sag in defeat. All the energy is drained from my body, the fight gone.

  With my head lowered, I don’t see Zeke stop and head back in my direction.

  “You can’t keep pushing me away like this, Tori. Friends don’t allow friends to break down in public. I only did what I thought you’d want.”

  My fingers fly to my head, massaging at my temples. A headache is fast approaching.

  “Either you want me around or you don’t. I won’t play the part of your punching bag.”

  My eyes fly to his. Something akin to panic rises in my belly at the thought of Zeke giving up on me. Despite my actions, he’s brought me a sense of security. He’s the only other angel I’ve come across on Earth. He understands me in ways that nobody else ever could, and that’s not something I want to live forever without. I reach out to stop Zeke from retreating again.

  “Please don’t give up on me, Zeke. I-I can’t live alone here. I can’t be alone.”

  The tears cascade down my cheeks as the finality of Almada’s words settle over me. Zeke’s heated expression falls from his face as his arm shoots out, pulling me in to him.

  “I don’t wanna be alone, Ezekiel. Please don’t leave me. Don’t stop trying.” I can hardly contain the anguish that spills with every word spoken. The mounting fear of being deserted by Heaven and left to this rotting planet tears at my soul.

  “I won’t ever stop. I can’t,” Zeke coos into my hair. “Don’t you see that? I care too much, Tori.”

  “They’ve cast me out for good. I’m stuck here.” I cry harder. Every time I consider my new reality, the pain is more intense. Shouldn’t the agony ease? Can God not see fit to bestow some kindness on me?

  “You were right all along,” I say, peering up into Zeke’s concerned eyes. “I’m never getting back in.”

  He swallows hard, lips forming a perfect line. “How do you know this?”

  “The woman from the square. I found her.”

  He shakes his head. “She’s a crazy heretic, Tori. Surely you can’t believe her.”

  “Yet I do.” My eyelids flutter as I try to remain upright. The lack of energy, coupled with the life-altering news, has taken a toll on my body. I need to power up, but I doubt I could even conjure a slight wind in this shape.

  “Whoa. Let’s get you home and in bed,” Zeke says, lifting me once more into his arms.

  Typically, I’d rebel against being carried through the streets of New Orleans like some damsel in distress, but I don’t have the energy to fight it.

  I don’t know how we get back to my loft. Shortly after being hoisted up by Zeke, I dozed off, the last of my vitality zapped from me. When I come to, it’s pitch black, save for the thin stream of light floating in through the window. Zeke’s heavy breathing is the only sign I’m not alone.

  I roll toward Zeke, whose breathing has slowed. The light from the moon illuminates one half of his face, and I can’t help but inhale sharply at just how perfect he is. Humans carve stone images in the likeness of men far inferior to this angel. And here I am, curled up next to him. I’ve been such a fool, treating him like a nuisance.

  “You’re awake.” Zeke’s groggy voice filters through the room.

  “I am.”

  He stretches, yawning all the while.

  “I’m sorry if I woke you. Go back to sleep.” My hand reaches out, moving a stray piece of dark hair out of his eyes.

  “You can’t sleep?” he asks, eyes fluttering.

  I shake my head.

  Zeke’s hand cups my cheek and I lean into it. “What happened today, Tori?”

  I sigh, not sure that I want to get into it, but knowing it’s a conversation we’re going to have sooner or later. Might as well rip off the Band-Aid.

  “She said that God made other plans for me when I fell. Heaven’s gates are slammed shut to me.” My shoulders lift. “That’s basically it.”

  “You’ve always believed there’s a way. Why now? Why believe a stranger?”

  That’s the question I don’t have an answer to. For whatever reason, I felt the finality in her words. My soul felt the truth in them. How do I explain that to Zeke? He’s tried to tell me the same for two years, and I’ve never once listened.

  “If you want back, fight for it, Tori. Everyone is capable of atonement.” His eyes bore into mine, willing me to have hope. But all my hope is gone.

  “You don’t know the things I’ve done.” The words are whispered. “There might still be hope for you. Don’t allow me to drag you down.”

  “I don’t care about any of that, Tori. I just want you.” He clears his throat. “As my friend,” he amends.

  “What if it’s just our connection to Heaven that has you feeling this way, Zeke? What if it’s not real?”

  “Does it matter, Tori? Isn’t fate designed by Heaven? Do humans question the love they feel for another because it was destined? No. They embrace it, and so should you.”

  “What if I’m scared?”

  “What’s there to be scared of? We’re on Earth for a reason, and we’re lucky to have each other.”

  I groan, turning my back to him. I don’t want Zeke to see my vulnerability. He’s already witnessed too much of it tonight. “What if He takes that away from us too?”

  “God?”

  “Yes. If we’re banished to Earth, He doesn’t want us to be happy. It’s a punishment.”

  “I’ll take whatever I can have of you, for however long I can, Tori.” His chest is pressed against my back, and chills race up my spine at the contact. “Whatever it is pulling me to you, it’s strong. I don’t want to fight it.”

  A desperate feeling comes over me. A crazed need to be held. To have the events of the night wiped away. I could give in to this intense pull too. I could have more with Zeke. If I’m condemned to this fate, why not allow th
is? He’s as perfect as they come. Looks aside—and those are some impressive looks—he gets me like nobody else ever could. I’m immortal. He’s immortal. We could actually have a chance at a future. But he doesn’t know my past.

  “I’m broken.”

  “Who isn’t?” he counters. “Tori, we both fell. The reasons behind it and the things that have happened since don’t matter. They don’t define us. They don’t define you.” He turns me back toward him, putting his fingers beneath my chin and tipping it upward. “All I see when I look at you is a strong, beautiful woman. Nothing evil. Never that.”

  His words are a balm to my bruised and shattered soul. The way he looks at me, as if he truly sees me, gives me hope I dare not keep. Self-preservation has been my crutch, and losing that now wouldn’t be in my best interest. But to hell with playing things safe.

  I inhale deeply, relishing the way Zeke makes me feel despite knowing better. I haven’t felt like this since—

  I pull out of Zeke’s grip at the thought of him.

  The man who made me fall. The ultimate deceiver.

  “Don’t do that,” Zeke begs. “Don’t pull away from me. Don’t punish me for the sins of others.”

  And that’s just it. I am punishing him for something he has nothing to do with.

  I am broken.

  He leans into to my ear and whispers. “I remember a time not long ago when you begged me to touch you, Tori.”

  I shiver at the reminder of those early days. Days when I was more broken than I am now. More confused and lonely. Those days were my darkest, and I gave into every temptation imaginable, because I felt hopeless. I told myself I was damned to Earth without a chance of redemption. Little did I know I was correct.

  “I had you in my arms once, and I know how good that felt. Let go.” Zeke lowers his mouth to mine, and I stiffen. “Give in to me, Tori. Let me take care of you.”

  Some things never change, and in this moment all of my weaknesses are on full display. Without another word, I seal my lips to his. Temptation in the form of man has always been my downfall, and here again I prove that in fact, nothing has changed. I’m already damned. Might as well enjoy the perks.

  Play with Fire

  I woke this morning, wrapped in Zeke’s warm embrace, with a new outlook. Earth will be what I make of it, and certainly, having him by my side, it won’t be all bad. After our talk, he held me. It was everything I didn’t know I needed.

  With my new outlook, I managed to drum up a storm. Energy is stored and ready to go, so I can get back to hunting demons. That is normal, and some sense of normalcy is what I need right now.

  “What are you smiling about?” Zeke asks from across the table at a small café in the Garden District. We’re seated on the patio, enjoying the fresh air.

  “I’m excited to hunt.”

  His eyebrow quirks. “Hunting? That’s all?”

  “It’s been a while.” I wink.

  “It’s been a few days.” He chuckles, leaning across the table and taking my hands in his.

  “Is there nothing else that excites you?”

  “I think you could give me some reasons.”

  Lifting my hand to his mouth, he places a kiss on my knuckles that’s a promise of more to come.

  “Would you look at that. Our man Zeke’s been keeping secrets,” a gruff man jests as he walks by the café with a group of people.

  Zeke’s eyes close. “Shit,” he says under his breath.

  They beeline to the door, and I know it’s a matter of time before they join us on the patio.

  I remove my hand from his, putting some distance between us. “Who are they?” I ask, not turning to see if they’re already behind me.

  “People you’ve made it clear you have no interest in knowing.”

  Human hunters.

  I turn to find four sets of eyes staring me down with varying degrees of interest—and hostility. Three men and one woman. A woman who is definitely plotting my murder in her head, if her deep scowl is any indication. Interesting.

  “Guys, this is Tori. She’s a . . . friend.”

  The short, stocky blond man raises an eyebrow. “Friend, eh? Is that what you call it these days?”

  The other two guys laugh, while the lone woman continues to throw eye daggers my way.

  “What are you up to?” Zeke asks, trying to steer the conversation into different territory, and I’m grateful for it. I don’t need these humans, who are already attuned to too much of the celestial world, working out what Zeke and I are.

  The blond shifts on his feet, looking to the tall, muscular, brown-haired man to his right, as if to defer to him. This must be the leader of their rat pack.

  “We’re heading to the north end. A pack of wolves was spotted there last night. We’re going to remove them if they’re still there,” the man explains, standing tall and never once looking in my direction.

  I internally huff a laugh at his ridiculous story. Of course I know that wolves equal demons. If he’s not exaggerating about it being a pack, that’s ambitious for a group of powerless mortals to take on. This human is either extremely brave or entirely too stupid. Which is exactly why I’ve chosen to stay away. That type of unjustified bravado will get them killed.

  “We’d ask you to join us, but, well, it looks like you’re otherwise detained.”

  “Detained?” Zeke chuckles. “I’m in no way being held against my will.” Zeke looks at me and winks.

  “Leave them to their date,” the girl barks. “I want to grab something to eat beforehand.”

  The leader levels her with a glare. “We probably should go. I don’t want the d— err, wolves getting away.”

  “You can speak freely about demons to Tori. She’s a hunter too.”

  My head snaps to Zeke’s, and I laser him with my best what the fuck face. He shrugs, which only makes my spine straighten more. Thankfully, we’re alone on the patio, save for the human hunters.

  “She’s a hunter?” the tall redheaded beauty spits out, crossing her arms over her chest. “I doubt that.”

  “Maeve, knock it off,” the blond guy chastises. “Your jealousy is showing.”

  “I’m not jealous,” she lies. “You’re drooling enough for the both of us.”

  Zeke smothers a laugh behind his closed fist, and I glower in his direction.

  “My bet’s on Maeve throwing down before the night’s over,” the third guy, who looks an awful lot like Maeve, chimes in. “This one’s lethal when she’s pissed.” He gestures toward the girl.

  “I might murder you in your sleep,” she threatens, and the rest of their group hoots in laughter.

  While the blond and possibly brother-and-sister combo argue about who’d come out on top, I squirm under their leader’s intense gaze. I don’t know what he’s looking for, but he’s sizing me up, and based on his narrowed eyes and downturned lips, he finds me lacking.

  Good. Let him underestimate me.

  “Let’s join them.” The words are out of my mouth before I can even consider what I’m suggesting. Zeke’s eyebrows both shoot up in surprise.

  “Are you sure? You don’t have to do this, Tori.”

  I stand, straightening my shoulders. “I’ll fight with you, but if any of you do anything stupid, it’ll be the last time you hunt in New Orleans.”

  Maeve harrumphs. “You going to take that sass, Danny? We are the hunters around here.”

  Danny—the blond—hushes her.

  The leader steps forward, extending his hand. “I’m Blaine. Zeke’s vouching for you and I trust his judgment. He’ll vouch for us too. We don’t take risks.”

  There’s nothing but sincerity in his words. I’ve never been for hunting alongside mortals, but I’ll make an exception this once.

  I shake his hand. “Tori. You help take down these demons and you can call me Tori.”

  Thirty minutes later, we’re walking up to an abandoned house in the north end. The windows are boarded up and the paint is peeling
away from the wood. It’s hard to know how long this house has been vacant, but by the looks of the entire block, this area has been shut down for years. Not a soul is in sight, which is great news considering a horde of demons lie in wait behind those walls.

  “Ready for this, blondie?” Danny jests, and I smirk.

  He has no idea just how ready I am. I’m powered up and ready to kick ass.

  “Do you plan to use Solis?” Zeke whispers into my ear, and I shake my head.

  I’m going to try not to. Solis isn’t your typical sword, and it would be hard to hide its power from the group. I have enough pent-up anger and frustration to tear this entire building down. Hopefully, I won’t need him tonight.

  “Let’s do this,” I say, motioning for the humans to enter first. Even though the area seems deserted, I don’t want to take chances. I place a glamour around the house, shielding us from any passersby. There will be no human casualties tonight.

  As soon as I step through the threshold of the dilapidated structure, I feel the evil. It pulses through the room, vibrating the walls and shaking the unsteady floorboards under my shoes. The peeling wallpaper gives way, and that’s when I see the blood trickling down the walls and pooling onto the floor.

  How many people have been dragged into this place, never again to see the light of day? How many unknowing victims came of their own free will, simply following the lure of sin and sex and false promises whispered in their ear? A literal house of horrors is where these demons have lured us. It has no effect on angelic beings, but the humans aren’t protected.

  I rush through the foyer and down a dark hallway, following the scent of demonic muck. Rounding a tight corner, I nearly trip over the redheads, who are at the back of their pack. With their ears pressed against the wall, they attempt to make out what lies on the other side. How many are we up against?

  It doesn’t matter, and the longer we stand here, the more likely we’ll give ourselves away. Having the element of surprise on our side gives the humans a better chance of making it out of here alive.