Fractured Angel (The Fall Book 2)
Page 31
"I don't know. I can't see much more. Her head is clouded. I only saw bits and pieces that aren't making sense, but I definitely saw a tranq dart and a figure holding a gun." Zayn's posture is rigid, and his jaw clenches. I notice Spencer is watching the woman just as intently as the others, just as intently as me. What the hell is going on?
With furrowed eyebrows, I look at the guys. There's a tingle in my chest that reminds me of the tugging sensation I've felt since waking up. The feeling isn't as strong as it was, but it's there, right under the skin above my heart. It's less of a tugging pull, but more of a comfortable warmth that's settled under my ribcage. My eyes widen as realisation barrels into me like an oncoming train. I move my gaze go to the woman, and my mouth parts in shock. I turn to the others, but they're all still watching the unconscious stranger intently.
I scramble to my feet awkwardly, coating my mud caved legs with dry dirt and bits of grass. Spencer looks up questioningly but doesn't say anything. Zayn turns to face me, calm and curious, and Ezra gives me one of his infamous eyebrow raises. I don't answer their unspoken question. Instead, I walk away, stopping when I've moved ten feet away from the woman. I turn and face the others. I stay still and focus on the feeling in my chest. Sure enough, the soothing warmth turns into the very same tugging sensation as before. My eyes widen before my eyebrows pinch together.
"What is it, Nix?" Zayn asks, slowly rising from the ground to watch me. I appreciate that he doesn't try to pull answers from my head like he could. Not that it would bother me, but because I can't really make sense of what's going on right now.
Instead of answering him, I tell them all, "Move away from the girl and tell me what you feel."
They do as I ask, moving away the same amount of distance I have. I wait patiently, eyeing them studiously. Sure enough, when they stop and stand still for a moment, their eyes widen, and their gazes flicker to one another before landing on me.
"Yeah, I'm feeling it too. It's the same thing that had me rushing out of the house to go for a hike." My eyes dart back to the woman who lies motionless in the grass.
Ezra clears his throat and looks away before telling us, "I felt it too. That's why I insisted on joining you."
Hearing his confirmation settles something inside me. Zayn looks at Spencer, who nods slowly, and says, "We did, too."
"What does it mean, though? Was the pull leading us to her the entire time?" Ezra asks, folding his arms over his chest as his gaze runs over the woman.
"It seems that way. But I don't know a single Natural that can create a pull like that," Spencer responds, rubbing his hand through his hair. Come to think of it, I don't remember any other supernatural being able to create a tether like this woman seems to have. Other than-
"fae can." Zayn's voice is confident as he moves towards the woman, leaving the rest of us stunned and staring at him as though he's lost his mind. Kneeling next to her, he tilts her head carefully side to side. He lifts her arm gently, looking it over and placing it down gently when he's done. It looks like he's searching for something.
I clear my throat and shake my head, treading closer with slow movements. "Z, buddy. fae don't exist anymore. Haven't for five years now. No one has seen a single fae since they all disappeared years ago, and if-"
"fae are the only beings that can create tethers, the only Naturals that are able to create a pull to other beings. And normally, a tether is only created for a mating bond. A fae will create a tether to find her bonded and draw them to her."
He lets his words hang in the air while Ezra, Spencer, and myself all stare at him like absolute idiots. A mating bond? A fae? Does he even know what he's saying? The last fae that was ever seen was five years ago after going missing, and not one had made an appearance since. No one knows what the hell happened to the fae, but one day they just... vanished. It's as though they hadn't ever existed to begin with. Not a single trace was left behind, just the disappearance of an entire species of Naturals. Now, not only does Zayn think we've stumbled upon one, but he thinks she’s created a tether to us. That's crazy. Not to mention it would be a bonding tether, and fae only take fae mates. It doesn't make sense.
"It doesn't make sense, Nix. You're right. But-" Zayn cuts himself off when he brushes the woman's hair aside. His breath leaves him in a whoosh of air, and he sinks back onto the heels of his feet, still holding the woman's hair away from her head. He brushes the locks of black hair from his face before nodding towards her. "She's a fae. Look."
I shuffle closer, and I hear the others do the same. Leaning down, I look to where Zayn points to her ear. It’s as pale as the rest of her body, but the top is pointed instead of rounded. Zayn bends her ear forward slightly, uncovering the spot just behind it. There's a light brown mark that looks like a birthmark right at the edge of her hair, tucked behind her slim, pointed ear. The mark looks like a rune. A fae rune. Fuck a duck in a pond full of feathers. This just got interesting.
"Well, shit." Eloquent, I know. Unfortunately, it's the only thing I can think to say when we discover what could very well be the last existing fae. One that very well might have created a tether to all four of us. A mating bond tether.
Things are sure going to be interesting when she wakes up.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First, a huge thank you to my writing buddies and amazing ladies who’ve sprinted with me and pushed me to reach my goals every week it took to write this book. Without you guys, I’d still be sitting on the couch like a lazy troll just waiting for someone to write the book for me. Your support means everything.
Second, to my tribe. Thank you for supporting me. Thank you so very much for being there every step of the way, through happy times when I exceed my goals, and through the crap times when I don’t have a single thought that’s worth putting down on paper. Having you here by my side through the highest highs and lowest lows means more than I will ever be able to explain.
I love you so much.
Third, to my sister who has hyped me up and boosted my confidence any time I’ve felt like my words are simply not good enough. Thank you, my little Twinkle, for being my voice of reason, talking me off countless ledges, and making my life easier while I try to concentrate on the
wild stories swimming in my mind waiting to have their time to shine.
Thank you for being the best cheerleader I could need.
And last, but not certainly not least, the biggest thanks I have to give is to you, my dear readers.
Thank you for waiting on Luna’s story. Thank you for your patience and support. I can’t put
into words how much you all mean to me and how very grateful I am that you’ve
all stuck around while I try to navigate this crazy world of writing.
You’re all amazing.
Thank you.
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ABOUT J.J. DEAN
***
JJ resides in her very own land of fantasy created by many a daydream,
reality often nothing more than an ancient myth.
When she isn't lost inside her own head,
she's buying one-way tickets to procrastination station,
where she stays watching Disney movies, reading amazing books by incredible authors,
eating all the food she can get her hands on, and falling down the rabbit hole that is Pinterest, seeking inspiration for her next book.
&nbs
p; She occasionally adults when the need calls for it,
where she looks after her babies, both with and without fur.