Page 11 of Wings of Death

The need to get to Kyle is growing, almost like an unbearable pull, and I can barely breathe being so far from him.

I land before the gates, keeping my wings in place, ready to fly once I figure this out. The gates are golden and enormous, towering over me. I study the markings on them, but the symbols appear ancient. The language of the gods, I realise. Suddenly, they move and form into a language I can read. How is that possible?

For passage through the gates of Silanthia, place your hands on the gates, and in your mind’s eye, visualise your destination.

The markings on my arms glow, and I reach out to the gates, visualising Kyle down on Earth. The gates open before my eyes. There’s nothing but thick, thunderous clouds below. Idon’t know what’s down there, as I cannot see through them, but I know deep within this is the way. I leap through the gates, closing my eyes, and free fall through the clouds, down to what I hope is Earth.

CHAPTER FOUR

Fear grips me as I fall through the clouds, and cool air whips past my cheeks. The city lights below look so different from the city in my Kingdom. This one appears dark and gloomy, lacking colour and plant life. The buildings are enormous, towering over one another, and I am heading right for them.

Something inside finally clicks, and I spread my wings out and glide down to the rooftop of a tall building. Instinct tells me Kyle is inside. My wings slip into my back, and I close my eyes as I extend the veil, my invisible cover, into place.

The veil is our protection from humans. With it, they cannot see us. It is angel law that it must be in place at all times while on Earth.

I walk to the edge of the building and gaze out across the city. It’s nighttime, and the lights are magical. Flickering colours dance around, and unfamiliar city sounds fill the air—cars beeping, dogs barking, voices of the people.

And then I see them. Guardian angels flying about the city, following their humans. It appears crowded, but not to the human eye. They cannot see us.

I close my eyes and take in a deep breath, which shocks me somewhat. The stale air fills my nose, and I cringe at the smell. There’s nothing fresh about it, and I can’t help but feel for the humans forced to breathe it day in and day out.

My chest tightens as a familiar pain returns. Kyle. I need to find Kyle.

I hurry toward the rooftop door, surprised when I pass right through it. I suppose it would scare humans to see doors opening and closing of their own accord. My footsteps make no sound at all as I hurry down the concrete steps and focus on my bond with Kyle.

Where are you?

A bolt of electricity shoots through me, and I feel him. I know exactly where he is.

I head down three more flights of stairs, my robes dragging across the floor behind me, and pass through several walls. Humans in white coats walk about the halls. People lay dying in beds, their loved ones and guardians at their sides. I pass into a room and immediately see Kyle, along with his temporary guardian. Humans are given a temporary guardian until their chosen guardian turns eighteen and can take over the role.

Kyle’s sitting in an armchair pushed up against a small bed in the centre of the room, his guardian at his side. He stiffens and looks right at me, and I have to check the veil is still in place. It is.

Gods above, he’s beautiful. He reminds me of the god carved into the stone atop our castle. Kyle blinks, his long dark lashes shielding his steel blue eyes, and he runs a hand through his dishevelled dark-brown hair that, despite being untidy, somehow looks perfect. He rubs his hands over his eyes and focuses his attention back on the older woman lying in the bed.

It’s then I notice I cannot sense a heartbeat. She has passed, that much I am certain of. Kyle leans forward and takes the frailwoman’s hand in his and presses it to his lips. Tears stain his cheeks as he stares at her.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispers, his voice coarse.

My heart aches at his words. He’s broken. Whoever this woman was, she was everything to him.

“You must be Zarla,” Kyle’s guardian states. “He has been through quite the ordeal, losing his caregiver.” Her gaze shifts to him for a moment before settling back on me. “She has been caring for him since he was thirteen. He is hurting.”

I nod, squeezing my robes over my chest. “I know, I can feel it.” Without thinking, I move forward to comfort him when there’s a knock on the door, and an elderly woman pokes her head in, halting me in my tracks.

“Kyle, sorry to bother you, love. I just wanted to see if you needed anything?” She adjusts her glasses as she waits for his response.

He wipes his eyes before turning to face her. “I’m good. Thanks, Kay.”

She gives him a gentle smile. “Okay, dear. I’m out here if you need me.”

I like this woman.

Once she’s gone, Kyle pushes his chair back and paces the room before leaning against the far wall. “Fuck!”

I jump at his outburst and hurry to his side. He may not know I’m here, but I am, and he needs me.

His guardian narrows her eyes at me. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

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