Page 19 of Angel of Ruin

The wind whips tears from my eyes as I fall. I've failed. Failed my family, failed myself, failed every human who dared to dream of wings. In my last moments, all I feel is regret and a desperate, futile wish for more time.

I brace for impact, squeezing my eyes shut. This is it. The end of everything I've worked for.

Suddenly, strong arms wrap around me. My fall stops abruptly, the wind no longer whipping past me. I'm pressed against something warm and solid. For a moment, I think I must be dead. This can't be real.

I open my eyes, blinking in disbelief. Sariel's face is inches from mine, his golden eyes wide. I've never seen him look like this before - there's an emotion there I can't quite place. Shock? Concern? Whatever it is, it's a far cry from his usual cold disdain.

"S-Sariel?" I stammer, my voice barely a whisper.

He doesn't respond. His wings beat powerfully, keeping us aloft. I'm acutely aware of how tightly he's holding me, one arm under my knees, the other supporting my back. My hands are pressed against his chest, and I can feel his heart racing beneath my palms.

We hover there for what feels like an eternity, suspended between sky and earth. I can't tear my gaze away from his face. There's a vulnerability there I've never seen before, a crack in his usually impenetrable armor.

I become aware of the crowd below, their shocked murmurs reaching us even at this height. Sariel seems to notice too. His expression hardens, that fleeting vulnerability disappearing as quickly as it appeared.

Without a word, he begins to descend. I cling to him, still shaken from my near-death experience. As we near the ground, I can see the other xaphan instructors watching us with a mix of confusion and disapproval.

Sariel's feet touch the ground, and he sets me down gently. My legs wobble, threatening to give out, but I force myself to stand. The adrenaline still courses through my veins, making my heart race and my hands shake.

I open my mouth, ready to thank him for saving my life, but he cuts me off before I can utter a word.

"What the fuck was that?" Sariel snaps, his golden eyes flashing with anger. "That was the most idiotic move I've ever seen. Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

His words sting, but I can't help noticing the slight tremor in his voice. Is he... shaken?

"I-I'm sorry," I stammer, still trying to catch my breath. "I don't know what happened. I just-"

"You just what?" he interrupts, stepping closer. "Lost control? Forgot everything you've been taught? Do you think this is a game, Lyra?"

The use of my name startles me. He never calls me by name unless he was telling me to do something from the others. For some reason, it bothers me that he's not using the nickname I don't even like.

"No, I don't think it's a game," I say, my own anger rising to meet his. "I'm trying my best here. You have no idea-"

"No idea?" Sariel scoffs. "I have no idea how hard this is? No, because I'm not a poor, weak human like you."

We're toe to toe now, glaring at each other. I can feel the heat radiating off his body, smell the crisp, clean scent that always seems to surround him. It's intoxicating and infuriating all at once.

"That's not what I meant," I say through gritted teeth. "I meant you have no idea how much this means to me. How much I've sacrificed to be here. What I'm willing to do for this. "

Something flickers in Sariel's eyes - doubt? Regret? But it's gone before I can be sure.

"It doesn't matter what it means to you," he says, his voice low and intense. "If you can't control yourself up there, you'll die. Is that what you want?"

10

SARIEL

Iglare at Lyra, her blue eyes blazing with fury. The little nexari thinks she can talk back to me? Fucking humans.

"That is not what I want!" she snarls, her chest heaving.

I notice movement out of the corner of my eye. The other xaphan overseers are inching closer, hungry looks on their faces. They're itching to teach this insolent human a lesson. A possessive anger flares in my chest. No one gets to put her in her place but me.

I grab Lyra's arm, my fingers wrapping around her slender wrist. She tries to jerk away, but I hold firm.

"Raxis!" I bark, not taking my eyes off Lyra. "Deal with my group for me. I'll handle this one."

Raxis hesitates, his silver eyes darting between me and Lyra. I can see the disappointment on his face. Too fucking bad.

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