Page 17 of Wings of Death

Sorry. I can’t. Father has forbidden me to return. I will get back when I can.

I cautiously move to my bed and study the little box. It’s white with gold speckles and fits in the palm of my hand. The envelope is gold, and I pick it up and turn it over, and then remove a small piece of paper. It reads,Your mother’s murder was a lie…

My stomach twists into a knot, and I drop the note and take a step back. Who would send me such a thing? Everyone knew an angel from our enemy’s Kingdom murdered my mother when I was young. I chew my nail as I contemplate whether to open the box. It could be dangerous, or it could be something incredibly important.

Without further thought, I snatch the box up and yank off the lid. Inside is a golden locket, and although I’m sure I’ve never seen it before, there is something familiar about it. I take it out, dropping the box to the bed, and open it. My breath catches. There’s a picture inside of a gorgeous female with blonde waves holding a little girl with a head of blonde curls. My mother and I.

Tears well as I swallow the lump in my throat, and I take a seat on the edge of my bed before my legs give out. In the picture, my mother is wearing the locket. This locket. Tears spill down onto my robes as I stare at my mother. I have never seen this picture before. Gods, I miss her.

I remember the note, and snatch it up from the bed to read it once more.

Your mother’s murder was a lie…

What the hell does it mean?

A knock at the door startles me, and I grab the box and locket and tuck them under my pillows before answering the door.

“Hey, stranger.” Demetros smiles.

I practically jump into his arms. “Demetros!”

He laughs. “Are you all right? You rushed out of the ceremony so fast I didn’t get to say goodbye. Where’d you go?”

I step back. Oh no, I totally forgot about the way I rushed out of the ceremony. “I went to Earth.”

He raises his brows and rubs the back of his neck. “Oh, wow, how was it?”

Demetros hasn’t been to Earth yet, and there’s probably some sort of ceremony to bid farewell to the angels before they fly down there. With a small pang of regret, I realise I’ve probably ruined it.

“It was…different. It was amazing to see Kyle, but then watchers attacked us. Lucky Finlay was there, and we stopped them.”

He opens his mouth in shock and steps forward. “Gods, you’ve only been gone a few hours, and you’re already getting into trouble.”

I shut the door behind him and move over to my bed, and then take a seat on the edge. “I’m fine,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I want to go back, but my father said it’s not safe yet. They want to find out why the watchers attacked.”

“That’s fair. Who’s watching Kyle?” he asks.

I sigh. “Finlay. But he’s actually surprised me. He hasn’t been such a total dick.”

Demetros laughs, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Well, that’s a silver lining, then.”

“Something like that.” I smile.

“I came by to see if you wanted to come to a party I’m having. It’s a graduation party, sort of. Everyone’s supposed to be heading down to Earth tomorrow. Well, most of us.” He winks.

I purse my lips. “Very funny. I don’t know if I’m feeling up for it. It’s been a bit of a rough day.”

He takes a seat next to me on my bed. “I totally get it, and I’ll understand if you don’t feel like coming. But please think about it. It’ll be one of our last opportunities to hang out together before we’re all gone.”

I tuck my hair behind my ear. “I will. Think about it, that is.”

He gently rubs my back and gets to his feet. “Okay, well, I hope to see you later.”

After he leaves my quarters, I fall back onto my bed. A party is the last thing I feel like doing. But he is probably right. It’s also the last time we might get to hang out. It feels wrong somehow to think about partying while Kyle is down on Earth and I am here. I should be with him. Strangely enough, though, I trust Finlay to look out for him. He surprised me down there. He really is a good second.

I jump off the bed. It might just do me some good to have a bit of fun. Kyle is in good hands, and through my bond with him and Finlay, I will know if anything changes.

After a much-needed shower, I stand before my mirror and take a good look at myself. I found a dress where I could still strap my daggers to my thighs and have easy access if I need to use them. The long, black fabric touches my ankles, and the split up the side to my thigh gives me access to my weapons, if the need arises.

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