Fallen: Nephilims' Savior, #2

Fallen

P.C. Benson, Lina Bengston

Copyright © 2001 by PC Benson, Lina Bengston

Editing by Claire Allmendinger

Cover art by Prism Designs

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Contents

Content Warning

1.Lost

2.After Effects

3.Reality

4.Confusion

5.Trigger

6.Transition

7.Darkness

8.Lost

9.Changes

10.Reveal

11.Darnkess

12.Atonement

13.Choice

14.Attack

15. Next in series

Content Warning

This series contains dark themes, explicit language, violence and sex scenes disturbing materials that readers might find not to their liking.

Trigger Warning

This series contains graphic violence, mentions of rape, graphic sexual scenes, dubious sexual scenes, language, drugs, and alcohol.

Chapter one

Lost

Alec

I welcomed the salty air to permeate my lungs while staring at the vast blue ocean as I watched the waves hit the rocks in a rhythmic motion.

The cold seeped into my skin from gripping the glass railing of the balcony. Serenity surrounded me, but it failed to tamper with my tumultuous mood.

Admittedly, I had been quite challenging to live with ever since Gabrielle—my reason for being—disappeared with the Dark One.

Ti had told me to take a moment to myself, probably hoping I’d garner peace from my surroundings, so with sagged shoulders, I hid on the topmost floor of the three-story home, as far away from people I could manage.

Of all places the Brotherhood had chosen, why Venice? It was too damn crowded.

But all I could think of was the events of a few weeks ago with the Dark One—Lilly.

How was Lilly the Dark One? I was still in disbelief at the turn of events. How in the bloody hell did we miss something this big?

Although I’d stayed close to Gabrielle, I longed to touch her and hold her in my arms. I could feel her anguish and hopelessness through our bond, which were enough to overwhelm me. Often, I had to restrain myself from showing up on their doorstep. Being forced away from her and not comforting her, as I felt her distress was beyond cruel.

This must be payback for the blissful moments we shared.

The memory of her touch brought a smile to my face, as I remembered her soft skin against my lips and the light she radiated on the darkest corner of my being.

Now she was with the Fallen to save Lilly from the darkness, which caused my chest to constrict and threatened to consume me, so I bowed my head, squeezed my eyes shut, and braced my weight on my elbows. The energy begged to be released as it surged inside of me. With a clenched jaw, I carefully took deep, slow breaths in and out to tame the turbulent energy.

I jumped from the touch on my shoulder.

I’m sorry to startle you, Alec, Celeste said from behind me.

I must be really out of it to allow someone to sneak up on me.

I glanced behind my shoulder and saw Celeste’s face, which made my eyes light up. I reached for her arm and crushed her in a tight embrace. I took a deep breath and felt some of the energy simmer. She’d come just at the right time, but I wondered what she was doing here.

What’s happened? Why are you here? Did something happen? I brushed my hair in irritation at its annoying length because it kept falling over my eye, but I had no time for such things as a haircut.

Celeste raised both hands, looking taken aback. Slow down. Nothing’s happened. I came out here because we could feel you. You were projecting some serious energy.

Guilt crept up my face, so I turned away.

Celeste placed her hand on my arm, a gesture to look at her, causing me to glance sideways and meet her bright green eyes.

Are you okay?

With a dry laugh, I said, Do you think I’m okay?

Yeah, stupid question. Will it help if I say that you’re both on the right path?

I shook her off and resumed my stance on the rail. Celeste, please don’t get me started on the prophecy. Just don’t.

But, you did it, she persisted.

At what cost? Did you know about Lilly being the Dark One? What about the other… or the original Dark One? Are there fucking two of them now?

I didn’t mean to blame her, but I hadn’t been the best company for the past few days. It was only because of blood and loyalty that Vik and Ti had put up with my shitty attitude.

No, I didn’t know about Lilly. That was definitely a surprise. My gift doesn’t allow me to see everything. However, I’m here because of something…

Celeste, please stop. I pushed off the rail and walked inside, not wanting to hear anymore.

Ti and Vik stopped talking and glanced at me with apprehension when I walked into the kitchen.

Without glancing in their direction, I plopped myself on the couch, turned the TV on loudly, and flipped through the channels as I kept my eyes glued to the TV, not really seeing anything. I wanted to drown out the noise, most especially Celeste and her premonitions.

As far as I was concerned, I had done my part—I’d let Gabrielle go. Now, I had to learn to breathe without her. The only thing that kept me going was that I could still sense her. If that disappeared, I wouldn’t know what I’d do.

Celeste stood in front of the TV with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. She stared hard until I gave in.

I rolled my eyes and sat up. I’m barely keeping it together as it is, so please spare me from any more premonitions, all right? Until I get Gabrielle back, I’m all tapped out, I drawled, aware that I was acting like an ass, but my constant state of tension had put me in a foul mood. I had to stay in control. If I lost control, I could blast this whole place to pieces, and innocent people would get hurt.

With narrowed eyes, Celeste stood taller and placed her hands on her hips, which shouldn’t have looked intimidating with her short stature and petite frame, but she could make even the toughest man walk to heel. Alec St. Clair, if you just take a moment and actually listen, she said sternly, I came here because I had a premonition. She paused and cocked a brow, daring me to interrupt.

I didn’t dare. When she wanted something, she had a way of forcing the issue. I sat still and braced myself for more fucking blows.

She continued. This had nothing to do with you or Gabrielle. Her frown deepened, and with a deep sigh, she sat on the couch next to me.

I let out the breath I was holding, along with some of the tension I had bottled up.

Wait, what do you mean? asked Ti from behind me.

With furrowed brows, Celeste looked up, her gaze settling at all three of us, one at a time, then out over the clear ocean; my mother had designed the house so we could see the ocean from any angle in the house. Celeste took a moment, and when she spoke, her voice hitched. I think… it might be… the premonition might be connected to me.

I stared at her in confusion, then turned to Vik, who lounged next to me and then to Ti, who stood behind him—who had their brows furrowed.

Huh? asked Vik.

What I meant was, I had a premonition about Gabby, but it wasn’t clear, she said in frustration.

I opened my mouth, but Ti beat me to it.

You aren’t making sense. You said it had nothing to do with them, but you had a premonition about Gabby?

Precisely. I gestured with my hand.

Let me finish and stop interrupting, she snapped.

With a frown, I glanced at Ti and Vik for backup. They both looked at Celeste like she wasn’t quite right in the head.

It’s all very confusing, she said with a frown.

You think? Vik said under his breath. Ti hit his shoulder, which earned a glare from Celeste. He grinned and pulled Ti onto his lap.

I had been scouting and watching all probabilities tied to Gabby ever since you both left the compound. I saw Gabby leave and knew that you had fulfilled the prophecy. The future lines had opened up, and everything was right on track, but today she had a block in my sight.

She glared at me when I sat up abruptly, about to interrupt her again.

She’s fine. I’m sure you can tell since you can feel her? she said, her tone heavy with sarcasm.

Well, yeah, but what does it mean she has a block?

It means that there is someone with her that’s connected with me. The only block to my sight is my future, something I’m not allowed to see. So if I can’t see, then I’m probably involved. She whispered the last part as she fidgeted with the bangles on her wrist.

Everyone watched her distress in silence.

She continued in a soft voice without looking up. I wonder if it had anything to do with Adam?

Ti sucked in a breath, which made Celeste finally look up, showing her watery green eyes as she held back her tears.

Chapter two

After Effects

Gabby

It had been two days, but Lilly still hadn’t woken up. Daemon scanned her, and so had I, but we found nothing wrong; she just needed time to recover after my blast and her transition into the Dark One.

My heart ached as I studied Lilly’s face.

I leaned forward as my hand hovered over her face in hesitation because every time our skin touched, the dark void latched itself onto me and left me with hollow despair. It took a couple of days of living with the Fallen and two Dark Ones for my natural defense to kick in and learn to shield against them.

Initially, the pain got too unbearable, so I crawled in bed in a fetal position waiting for death, but instincts protected me against their parasitical cold aura. However, I discovered it didn’t help against skin contact with Lilly.

I huffed out a loud breath, curled my fingers into a fist, and brushed her blond hair off her face, careful not to touch her skin.

I observed her for a few more seconds, then got up in a huff.

Nothing had changed. She was out cold so I tucked my arms around my body and continued to scrutinize her.

I had spent the first forty-eight hours by her bedside with worry. Now, I felt more reassured that she would be fine, so my thoughts wandered to Daemon. If Lilly was the Dark One, then what did that make him?

The prophecy had stated that when God sent the savior to maintain balance, the dark side had demanded a fighting chance in the war to come so they were allowed one—not two Dark Ones.

Lilly felt like an endless pit of evil, while Daemon’s aura was cold and less evil. But what did that mean?

With one last glance at Lilly, I left the room in search of Daemon.

The Fallen had converted an old brick building at the boardwalk of Venice Beach, right in the middle of everything, and turned it into a three-story home. It was not something I would have imagined they would live in. Still, it suited them—an ideal bachelor pad with an urban class and an airy, open loft design with high ceilings, exposed pipes, and large, arched windows that took up the entire wall overlooking the ocean.

I walked past the brothers’ bedrooms into the main room, but the leather couches were empty and eerily quiet. The kitchen, with stainless steel appliances, was spotless.

I continued to the wrap-around balcony, which had exits to the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms, but no Daemon or the brothers. Were they downstairs?

The living room had a bar and a secondary lounge area to a front deck overlooking the boardwalk. The more formal receiving room was downstairs.

No, they wouldn’t be down there. I heard them in the afternoons, out on the front deck, acting like frat boys, hollering at the ladies as they drank beer.

I walked up the stairs and exited the top floor with low couches and found Daemon. The deck had a fire pit in the middle as the center point, with tables dotted around, and a Jacuzzi tub facing the ocean. The tiki torches that lined the perimeter were not lit.

I took the seat next to Daemon, who sat facing the ocean. He glanced sideways and asked, How is she?

I shrugged. Same. No change.

There was a pregnant pause between us as I watched the crowds through the glass walls—bikers, skateboarders, and rollerbladers breezed through the lane before the beach. I could hear music blasting from the restaurants and chatter from peddlers on the sidewalk, along with laughter, jeers, and other sounds traveling up from the boardwalk.

Since Daemon was quiet, I continued to watch people from different races and ages—some dressed casually, some chic punk or hobo, some wore costumes—walk the beach.

I could see why this place appealed to the Fallen.

I turned to Daemon and studied his profile. He looked lost in thought. So, based on everyone’s reaction. I’m guessing that Lilly was a surprise?

He chuckled darkly.

If you didn’t know that she was the Dark One, then what did you want with her to begin with? I persisted.

This time, he turned and faced me. His thick lashes shadowed deep chocolate-brown eyes, while his dark brown wavy hair, was kept short and trimmed, and a five o’clock shadow growing on his jaw.

This was the first time I’d got a good look at him, as he’d always worn a hood and sunglasses during our encounters. Today he wore a cream button-down shirt, which was only buttoned in the middle that exposed his hairy chest. If I didn’t know any better, he looked like he was only in his mid-twenties.

He had his brow raised but didn’t speak.

Fine, I guess he wasn’t giving me any answers.

I sank in my seat and gave up trying to get answers today. I gazed back out at the beach and watched a couple of seagulls run off with someone’s lunch before other birds joined and made a big mess of the sandwich.

Not for the first time, my thoughts wandered to Alec. I’d tried sensing him several times, but nothing. I was certain our connection couldn’t just be one way so I must need more practice with my powers.

It was peaceful up here, so I stayed for a little while. I didn’t mind being around Daemon. It was pleasant just sitting with someone, especially when they didn’t need to fill the quietness with words.

There had always been something about him—a mystery I needed to figure out.

The energy below shifted as the crowds on the beach thinned out and merged onto the boardwalk. The sun got farther away, so it must have been way after lunch.

I got up and looked down at Daemon. He was like a freaking statue. He hadn’t moved from his spot, still deep in thought and continuing to ignore me. I leaned on the glass and said, You know—you and I are the same. We don’t fit anywhere.

He looked up at me sharply.

I’m not really a Nephilim, and you’re not really a Fallen. I wasn’t sure before because I assumed it was because you’re the Dark One. Your aura feels different from the brothers who have the same aura. Yes, they have slight differences and varying powers, but the essence is the same. Lilly… I paused. Let’s not go there. However, yours is difficult to describe. I met his piercing stare, then continued with caution. What I’m trying to say is, if you need help trying to figure out your energy. I’m your gal. I patted his shoulder and walked away.

Hey, Gabby? he called after me.

I turned with my eyebrows raised.

What’s in it for you?

I smiled and walked back closer, then bent low until we were at eye level. As you know, I’m only here to save Lilly. Unfortunately, I didn’t get far with learning to harness my energy, so I need help with that.

He raised a brow with a skeptical look on his face. How can you help me if you don’t even know how to use your energy?

I straightened up and crossed my arms. Because, whether you like to admit it, I have the strongest aura here. So, if you teach me, I could use that to help Lilly and you. Besides, who else would help you? The brothers? I sneered before turning and walking away. Think about it, I said over my shoulder.

When I got back to the room, there were no changes with Lilly. She was in a protective energy bubble courtesy of Daemon, so I didn’t need to worry about essential bodily functions, sustenance, or keeping her clean. She was basically in stasis.

My restless energy rebelled from being contained, refusing to sit idly by.

I needed my stuff and was tired of wearing Lilly’s tiny clothes so, I peered at Lilly one last time, closed my eyes, and dematerialized.

It worked!

Standing in my room, I beamed at myself. The last time I tried dematerializing was with Deamon, and it was only a few blocks from my house. The Brotherhood had rented an apartment a few minutes away as they stalked Lilly. However, we dematerialized in other places before we reached Venice. I had assumed they were trying to lose the Nephilim trail, which didn’t matter, as I was certain Alec would not follow to fulfill the prophecy.

A longing ache for Alec surged in my chest as I gazed at my bed, but