Page 4 of Wings of Torment
“I will.” Jumping off the desk, I walk to where Zeke, Theo, and Dina wait for Raphael to finish with the nurse. It sounds like his ribs took the same beating as my hand because he’s given similar instructions for care.
Before we depart, one of the healers calls out to us. “If you see anyone in need of healing, please send them here.”
“It might be good to take a walk around campus with a stretcher. We saw a few injured students near the fountain who wouldn’t make the distance on their own,” Raphael tells her.
“And over near Knowledge house as well,” Theo adds.
“On it. Good job today, students. Come see us if you need anything.”
We head back to Principal Cael’s office, walking past the still-empty receptionist desk and toward the rather angry voice coming from his office.
“I do not care how busy they seem. They are our protectors, for what little that’s worth today. If we cannot rely on them when we need it most, then I don’t see why I’d continue to help train their future recruits. Now go inside and find someone with authority, and don’t call me before you do.”
I share a shocked look with the others. Is he talking about the Guild? He must be fucking furious to consider rescinding his offer of support, but he has a point. They’re our only line of defense against, well, anything. And if they aren’t available to protect us, how can we feel safe?
We wait a few minutes before knocking, not wanting him to think we were eavesdropping, but before we can all enter, he asks to speak with me alone. I can almost feel the unease coiling off my friends behind me, but I assure them it’s fine and stand in front of his desk as the others leave, shutting the door on their way out.
“We find ourselves here again, Miss Hayliel. Though I do wish it was under different circumstances. I’m not sure if you caught my conversation earlier, but I assure you, the Guild will answer for their failure today. And, if what I’ve heard is correct, we have you to thank for our victory today. Is that true?”
My throat feels dry, but I attempt to swallow, anyway. Instead of answering, I avoid the question. “The school has a great deal of fine students, Principal Cael. Our triumph today wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
He smiles, face softening. “Yes, yes. That we do. So would it also be true that you’ve had a rather sudden and spectacular transformation? Gold wings, if what they’re saying is to be believed.”
The attack has barely ended, yet already rumors are flying. Why am I surprised? “I … Yes. It appears so.”
“May I see them?”
I hesitate, not really wanting to expose myself again to this man, but not entirely sure I have a choice. With his eyes on me, I take a deep breath and release my wings. Just like on my first day of class, fear flows through me as I wait for him to get angry and expel me. He might not have done so before, but what if hedoes now? With new wings and a supposed new ability that I don’t even understand, where am I supposed to go?
But, like before, he doesn’t look angry. The principal’s eyes widen as he looks at me, and I can’t help but glance over my shoulder. My wings are slightly larger than before, with beautiful golden feathers of different shades that seem to shimmer even beneath the unnatural light.
“My, my,” Principal Cael says. “Do you mind?”
His hand hovers over the edge of my wings, waiting for me to give my approval. I nod, recalling the last time he did so and how quick and unobtrusive it was.
He runs a fingertip along one feather, then another. “Fascinating.” He steps back. “Thank you, Miss Hayliel. You can put them away now and bring the others in.”
I open the door to let my friends in while the principal gets comfortable behind his desk. Raphael shoots me a questioning gaze, but I only shake my head in response.All good,I reassure him through our mental bond.
“So, Miss Hayliel. Do you feel any different?”
Do I? The more I try to focus, the more I realize how tired I am. But that could be from the change in my wings just as much as surviving the attack. “I’m not sure … Maybe? It’s been a long day, so it’s hard to say for sure.”
“Of course. My apologies. Please let me know if you notice something over the next few days. Your transformation is quite astonishing and rather unheard of. I suggest you speak to Professor Uriel about this.” He must see the look on my face because he quickly adds, “I understand your hesitation, but despite your unfortunate history, he’s still the Wingology professor. I believe I saw him in his classroom earlier. You should head there now.”
“We will. Thank you, Principal Cael.”
Before we can leave, he says, “Please accept my deepest gratitude, and from the school as well, for your roles in today’s event. Rest assured, I’ll be doing everything in my power to ensure the school is better protected in the future.”
We’re silent as we walk down the hall and up the stairs toward Professor Uriel’s classroom on the second floor. I wish we didn’t have to go see him. Fate has a sick fucking sense of humor to send me to him for information. The professor who not only humiliated me on my first day of class but who has also mentally tortured me ever since, like he had a bone to pick. It’s not my fault I was born this way, and it sure as hell wasn’t like Itriedto offend him. I can only imagine what his reaction will be when he finds out I’m even stranger.
We find the door to his classroom closed, but from the small window built into it we can see inside. He looks annoyed, almost angry, as he stacks the books that had fallen off the shelf. At my knock, he turns, and when he catches sight of my face through the window, he scowls.Just great.
When he opens the door and notices that I’m not alone, his demeanor shifts. Asshole.
“Students, come in.” He pulls the door wide, focusing on everyone except for me. “I’m surprised to find you lurking in the halls after the day we’ve had. Those horrible, aggressive beasts have caused quite a mess, haven’t they?”
“Uh, yes. Of course. The school will have a lot of repairs to make, I’m afraid,” I offer awkwardly. It looks like Theo wants to say more, but Raphael puts a hand on his arm to stop him. “Principal Cael sent me here to talk to you. Do you have a minute?”
