Page 20 of Wings of Torment
“So yeah … it’s been a weird fucking day. I’ve either been fawned over like you just saw — though the autograph wasdefinitely a first — or hated on like before. I’m half tempted to switch my major just to avoid dealing with Professor Uriel again. And Professor Sofiel basically told one of Seraphina’s minions she should be more like me, so I’m sure that won’t come back to haunt me later.”
Silence falls over us, the only sound coming from Theo’s slate vibrating on the table.
“It’ll blow over, Hayles,” Dina reassures her.
Theo nudges her. “Exactly. I’m sure everyone is just looking for something else to focus on instead of what we all went through. This will be old news in no time.”
“And in the meantime, you have us. As a distraction, a getaway, or your executioner. We got you, sunshine.” On the off chance she’d been referring to me as the guy she’s in a relationship with, I might as well play the part. It’s not like cheering her up is something I wouldn’t have done anyway.
The smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes, but I’m determined to provoke a real one from her. I don’t get the chance to pull out all my charm though, because Theo sucks in a breath.
We all turn to him, his eyes shifting frantically as he reads something on his slate.
Hayliel is the first to speak. “What is it?”
Theo looks up, his eyes dark pools of some emotion I can’t name. Fear? Worry? “Apparently, SCU wasn’t the only place attacked by demons. The article doesn’t say where, but the timing matches up to when we were fighting for our lives. Why would they target two places at once?”
“Anyone else have a sense that there’s more here than just a coincidence?” I ask, not liking where this is going.
Dina nods. “Is there anything for us to go by to find out where the attack happened?”
“Nothing.”
Hayliel’s eyebrows pull together as she chews on her bottom lip. “Shit, well at least we have another avenue to explore, right? If we can find the location, maybe we’ll be able to connect the dots. I think we should find Ezekiel. Maybe with his ties to the Guild, he’s privy to something that we aren’t.”
I want to protest, tell her we’re capable without him and don’t need that asshole for anything, but I let my frustration for him go on a long exhale. Maybe she’s right. Maybe he’ll be able to shed some light on that attack and bring us one step closer to figuring out what the fuck is going on.
So I suck up my pride, reach out to clasp my hand around hers and nod. “We’ll track him down this afternoon.”
8
We couldn’t find Zeke anywhere.
He wasn’t in his dorm room or the Fallen house. He wasn’t in the main hall cafeteria or even with Professor Malik in the weaponry training building. All signs point toward him being off campus, so instead of wasting anymore time searching for him, I decide to leave it for now. I’m supposed to meet Raphael and Theo in front of Power house to continue our research, anyway.
Dina had to duck out, needing to check in with her dad and study for next week’s midterms. Something we should probably do as well, but after the weird vibes from everyone today, I’d rather focus my attention on discovering more about myself.
I still haven’t flown anywhere on campus, not wanting to take my wings out any more than necessary, and they’re starting to itch. Angels are supposed to let their wings free, not keep themlocked up. It drives them mad. I’ll have to carve out some time soon to let them out somewhere without prying eyes. Maybe Raph can help me.
It would be a whole hell of a lot faster if I’d just deal with the stares and whispers instead of trekking my way across campus, so I’m surprised when I reach the path leading to Power house and don’t see any sign of my friends.
A figure drops to the ground in front of me, causing a shriek to rise in my throat that I choke down when I realize who it is.
“We’ve been looking for you.”
“I was off campus, but I’ve been searching for you, too,” Zeke says, looking around. “It’s rare I find you alone these days. It’s either my lucky day or your worst one, if those Pure boys have come to their senses.”
My heart squeezes, but I don’t let him see the pain his words cause. “Damn. For a second there, I thought you’d finally had a personality transplant. We have things to discuss, but if you’re going to act like a self-righteous dick, then we’ll figure it out on our own.”
“I’m sorry. I’m trying, really. But—”
As he speaks, the flap of wings from somewhere nearby announces the arrival of the two Pure boys in question. “Trying what?” Raphael asks, face weary.
Ezekiel scowls, taking a step away from me. “Nothing. I have news.” He turns to me. “Can we go somewhere private to discuss?”
I nod, not bothering to acknowledge the fact that he wants to talk to me alone. Not today, Satan. “We were all heading to the Power house library, anyway. Let’s discuss it there.”
The four of us walk in awkward silence. Whatever these guys have against each other, I hope they figure it out soon. This masculine standoff shit is far too uncomfortable for my liking.But even I’ve learned how hard Zeke can be to get along with.Except he wasn’t always like that with me.
