Page 22 of Semi-Fallen

He truly did love it here. The gentle sounds of the Pacific lapping at the shore, the scent of plumeria and night-blooming jasmine in the air, the way the warm breeze sifted through Lane’s hair, the light of the full moon overhead caressing her delicate features…

Lucien swallowed hard. This was all getting more complicated than he thought possible. And he was ready to burn his existence to the ground because…why?

But even as he asked himself the question, he knew the answer.

He wanted her.

And for a man who’d never wanted anything, what he was starting to feel for her, this obsession, was overwhelming.

Lucien let go of her hand as soon as he was sure she was on solid footing. If he kept touching her, he knew he’d eventually get to a point where he couldn’t not touch her, and how could he possibly protect her from what was to come if he was utterly distracted by how right it felt to touch her?

Lane flexed her hand—the one he’d been holding, making him think she might not be immune to his touch, either—and glanced out at the water before capturing his gaze with her own once again. Why are we back here?

“I needed for us to be somewhere quiet and isolated for what comes next.”

She looked nervous. She should look nervous.

But right before his eyes, he saw her shake off her nerves, hold her head high, and make her decision. She’d do what needed to be done and she wouldn’t waste a moment’s time complaining, bargaining, or begging. She was a warrior.

It only made him want her more.

What’s next? she signed.

His throat was suddenly too dry to speak, so he signed back, I must activate the protection spell.

Her hand flew to the bandaged tattoo on her chest. How do you activate it?

He held her gaze for a moment, knowing he was only delaying the inevitable. Heaven help him, he didn’t want to do this. If they had any other choice…

He swallowed hard. “I have to infuse it with my grace. It’s almost like…” he trailed off, mentally searching for an analogy that would make sense to her, “…hooking jumper cables to a dead battery.”

Her brows rose. And I’m guessing by the look on your face it won’t be pleasant.

Certainly not. Not for either of them. “It will be very painful.”

She glanced around again. I get it. We’re here so that when I scream, I won’t kill anyone.

The thought of her screaming in pain—of him causing her pain—twisted his gut into knots. “That’s right. If there were any other way…”

But there wasn’t. And he’d wracked his brain trying to find something, anything, that might activate a protection spell that would hide her from his kind without hurting her. Hell, if he could rip out his own heart (or someone else’s…he wasn’t picky) to save her a moment’s pain, he would.

She let out a deep sigh and nodded. OK, but what about you?

“What about me?”

Do you have ear protection? In case I scream?

Her concern for his welfare was yet another dagger in his heart. “You don’t have to worry about me. Human and humanoid ears weren’t built to withstand an angel’s true voice. As Nephilim, your voice is only slightly less powerful than an angel’s. I can modulate my tone so that it doesn’t harm anyone, and I can teach you the same. But for now, our isolation will keep the humans safe. And your voice can’t hurt me.”

She looked skeptical. You’re sure?

That she worried about him filled his heart with joy and broke it all at the same time. “I’m sure, sweetling.”

Her chin came up and her posture went ramrod straight as she took a step toward him. The top of her head barely came up to his collar bone, but in that moment, she was every inch a soldier to be feared by all who would oppose her. Then let’s do this, she signed.

So brave. He needed to follow her lead and get this done. Every second he delayed, they were a second closer to another angel discovering them. He was certain any of his brethren would smite this lovely soul without a second thought.

And the idea of this world (or any other) without Lane was quickly becoming something Lucien couldn’t bear to consider.

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