Page 15 of Wings of Strife
“Yes, Mom,” I tell her with a giggle.
I haven’t quite figured out how I’m going to handle everything that life seems to throw my way, but with friends like this at my side, it feels like I can make it through anything.
7
Iwalk through the lobby of the Guild as if I’m not half an hour early and planning to snoop and steal. My pace is unhurried, normal.
Irene nods at me from the front desk. I return the gesture, just like I do on every shift. Nothing out of the ordinary.
I promised Hayliel I’d check the logs to see if anything’s come up about Castiel. I'm not expecting to find anything, but if checking will bring her comfort, then I’ll do it. Hell, there isn’t much Iwouldn’tdo for her. Something one of those assholes talking shit in the cafeteria learned the hard way. If things continue the way they're going, I’ll be kicking a few more asses before the week is over.
It’s a terrifying revelation, feeling so strongly about someone, knowing you’d rock the entire world if it meant their happiness.I’ve tried my best to deny it, those feelings, but after witnessing Hayliel damn near die right before my eyes, things have changed.
I’ve changed.
Before I can make it to my locker to drop off my bag, Azrael calls my name. “Zeke. Come with me, please.”
Thoughts race through my mind, but I don’t let them get out of control. This could be any number of things. He hasn’t said a word to me about the attack or Hayliel’s miraculous survival, so maybe he’s finally speaking up about it. Or this could be him finally shedding some light into that dead body I sent him to collect.
There are a million things heshouldwant to discuss. And about damn time, too.
I follow along without question, keeping my mask firmly planted. Or it is, until I realize where he’s taking us. The weapon and accessories locker.Does he know what I’m planning?
My expression doesn’t shift when we enter the room, and I’m about to ask him what’s going on when he breaks the silence.
“It’s good that you’re here early. Otherwise, I was going to have to leave without you.”
“Leave? Where?” Is he following a lead from the dead body andfinallykeeping me in the fucking loop?
He unhooks a multipurpose weapon from the rack and tosses it to me. “If luck is on our side, we may have found a demon hideout. Our goal is only to scope it out and call for reinforcements if needed.”
Disappointment sits heavy in my gut. It’s not that my blood doesn’t sing for the opportunity to watch those asshole creatures suffer after what they did to Hayliel, but I had hoped it was something else.
Why are we going on a scouting mission, though? The more I think about it, the more this entire thing just seems strange.
“Isn’t that a bit beneath you, Lieutenant?”
He glances at me over his shoulder, a deep laugh rumbling up from his chest before he turns back to the cabinet. “I am in charge of the interns, am I not? This will be a good experience for you.”
Something in the cabinet beside him catches my attention. Row after row of protection charms sit behind the glass doors. If Azrael wasn’t here, I’d grab what I need and add them to my pack, but it would seem I won’t be that lucky today.
A door closing startles me from my thoughts, and I watch as Azrael tucks a sunblade into the sheath at his side. It’s not the first time I’ve seen one, not by a long shot, but that doesn’t lessen the impact. The steel is perfectly sharpened, with sunfire glowing from the etched markings down the center.
If he’s bringing one with us today, he must suspect we’ll need it. Which seems odd for a scouting mission.
Before we leave, he grabs one more item. A pouch like the one Theo and I are sure must be a tool we can use on the demons.
“What’s with those, anyway?” I ask as he tucks it into one of the many pockets of his uniform. “I’ve seen other lieutenants with them, but don’t know what it’s for.”
His face hardens, something I rarely see from him. “And for good reason. We limit the use of these to rare circumstances andonlywhere necessary.”
“But why?”
“Just trust me, Zeke. And leave them for the lieutenants.”
Confusion wraps around me like smoke. Did I hit a nerve? Azrael rarely avoids answering my questions. Even when he keeps me in the dark, it’s usually followed by some reason or another, so what’s causing this shift, and why is he keeping this from me?He’s been keeping quite a few things close to his chest lately.
I let it drop, even though it pains me to do so. But it’s not like I’m giving up. If Azrael won’t give me any information on what’s inside those little sacks, then there’s even more reason for us to find out for ourselves. We’ll just have to be extra careful.
