Page 48 of The King has Fallen

I felt his body slump, and I squeezed my eyes closed, praying he’d believe me.

“Don’t tell her how big I am. It scares girls,” he whispered back.

I did weep then, for this poor boy and his life and his heart. And for me, and my sister and the world that could be so cruel.

And because… fuck.

Sometimes life just sucked.

We stayed that way a long time, but eventually Gall wiped his eyes and straightened his head, almost smacking me in the nose because he hadn’t realized I was still leaning on his skull.

“Thank you for being kind to me,” he said, then pushed to his feet. “I know I’m not supposed to let you touch me. But you’re nice and I was…”

“It’s okay, Gall. I won’t tell anyone.”

He looked at me gratefully. Then cleared his throat and took his father’s spear and leaned it against his shoulder. “I’m supposed to be your guard until Jann comes back, so I’m going to do that now.”

I blinked, then nodded, biting my lip when he started walking back and forth—marching—in front of my cage, his eyes fixed on the middle distance.

I sighed and settled myself at the back of the cage, praying Jannus would return soon and distract Gall from his determination to be a good guard.

And I hoped he’d bring lunch. It was a little early, but a girl could hope.

I must have dozed off, lulled by the steady beat of Gall’s feet on the dirt, but when I snapped awake it was with every instinct alive and alarmed.

I gasped and leaped to my feet—startling Gall who jerked aside and immediately whipped the spear down and towards me.

I was impressed. It seemed hedidknow how to handle a weapon. I supposed it made sense that it was something Melek could train him in consistently.

Then I realized that Jann wasn’t there, and Gall was still marching.

“Gall,” I breathed. “How long have I been asleep?”

He shrugged, uncomfortable. “All afternoon,” he mumbled.

I blinked. “Has Jann returned and left again while I’ve been asleep?”

Gall shook his head, his forehead pinched to lines of worry. My heart sank and nerves twisted my guts. But there wasn’t time to discuss it as I scanned the tent looking for whatever had made my senses prickle.

My first thought was that another Shade was making an appearance and adrenaline jolted through my veins, but a moment’s consideration revealed that I didn’t feel the shadows as I had the night before.

Whatever was near wasn’t a supernatural threat, but a physical one.

“What’s wrong?” Gall asked, looking around, following my gaze.

“I don’t know, but you should keep your hands on that weapon, Gall,” I said quietly, still scanning.

Then a shadow passed over the tent flap before it moved. I prayed it would be Jann. But my heart sank to my toes when more shadows joined the one. Then the flap pulled aside to reveal a young but very tall Nephilim, his face clean shaven and handsome, but with sly eyes.

When he saw that the tent was empty except for Gall and me, he ducked back out, then a moment laterfouryoung Nephilim entered the tent, eyes bright with cruel delight.

“Hey, Gall… whatcha doing?” the leader of them asked casually.

Every instinct screamed.

Gall frowned but he relaxed his stance, letting the butt of the spear drop to the dirt as all four of them walked towards him, their eyes bright with mischief.

No.No no no nononono.

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