Page 69 of Wings of Torment
Dina’s mouth drops open as she stares at Zeke, and I’m just as surprised. They think a student was involved? But why? If they were trying to cancel midterms, an attack seems a bit overkill, but I can’t think of any other reason why they might do something like that.
“Why don’t I just go? I’m exempt from checking in with the principal and if things go sideways, I’m the only one of us really trained. That way, no one else has to risk anything. Whatever I find, I’ll report back. Besides, for all we know Roderick could have emptied the place as soon as he woke up.”
“I think the fuck not,” Raphael growls at the same time as I say, “Not a chance.”
Hayliel watches Zeke before shaking her head too. “We all go or none of us go.”
“Well, what about this?” Dina says, chewing on her lip. “A compromise. I’ll stay back and cover for you. Maybe create adiversion, so no one is watching when you leave. With the way my dad’s been acting, I think it’s best I hang back on this one, anyway.”
“Are you sure?” Hayliel asks, looking sad.
“I’m sure. And that way, if anyone ever suspects you went off campus, I can be your alibi. We were just studying in the Fallen library. It’s not like anyone else ever goes there. But I need your word that you’ll be careful and not do anything foolish.”
“I will,” Hayliel tells her.
Dina moves her gaze from me to Raphael before settling on Zeke as she says, “And I need your word that you’ll protect her at all costs.”
“We will,” we all say in unison, which might just be the first time we’ve ever all agreed wholeheartedly on something.
25
The night air tastes sweet, despite the sour note to our plans. Maybe it’s just the fact that I’m flying free with my friends, my heart racing with excitement instead of the fear or worry I should have. I owe it all to the fantastic jacket they gave me, which hides my wing color from anyone who might be watching.
Among the clouds, it feels like nothing can touch us.
“You look good up here, sunshine,” Raphael calls over the wind, making my stomach flutter.
Zeke had threatened to fuck me in the sky all those months ago, but the asshole never made good on his threat. Something tells me that Raphael and Theo would be more than happy to oblige.Yeah, but you want the house leader too, the little voice in my head quips. Just like always, I ignore it.
“You look good beside me,” I tell him, meaning every word.
“There it is,” Theo and Zeke whisper at the same time, pointing toward a charming old house. Beside it sits a large, red barn, which must be the one Theo said wasn’t noted anywhere. There are no lights on or signs of movement from what we can tell, but we make our descent slowly, anyway.
We land near a large oak tree and wait. None of us trust the angel who directed us to this building, but it’s not like he gave us a time to show up, and we’re on his schedule. It’s been long enough that hopefully he’s forgotten all about Zeke and the information shared with him. Who am I kidding, the likelihood that Roderick gets amnesia and forgets that Zeke stole his weapon, threatened his life, and forced him to spill his secrets is slim to fucking none.
Cicadas sing their mating call around us, but otherwise things are quiet.
Raphael waves everyone to him and holds out his hands. Theo and I each take one and hold our free hand out to Zeke, who doesn’t really look like he cares for whatever Raphael has planned, but still he grabs on.
Just wanted to make sure we all had a strong enough bond to speak telepathically, in case things go sideways and we need to communicate.
I grin at him, my handsome unofficial boyfriend with such bright ideas. Zeke looks pleased too, much to my surprise. Or, at least as pleased as he can look right now. Whenever I catch him glancing toward that old house, something dark settles over his face.
Let’s move a little closer, Zeke says through our bond before turning and heading toward the house. The rest of us follow along, being careful not to make too much noise in case there really are others here.
We make our way around the back of the house toward the front door, keeping an eye out for any window we can peek through, but most of them are boarded up. Strange.
By the time we make it to the front door, I’m starting to wonder if maybe this was all a ruse. I turn to say as much when I notice Theo and Zeke huddled together.
Zeke’s expression is haunted, and Theo is talking to him softly.
“Just breathe. Feel the earth beneath your feet and listen to the sound of my voice. You’re safe.”
I want to ask what’s going on, see if I can help, but the moment doesn’t feel right. So instead, I just watch on until Zeke snaps at Theo.
“I don’t need your fucking assistance,” he says, the words coming out on heavy breaths that tug on my heart.
Theo keeps quiet, holding his hands up in surrender and stepping away. I don’t miss the look he shoots a rather angry-looking Raphael either. Is Zeke having a panic attack?
