Page 16 of Wings of Strife
Clouds fill the sky as we fly out, sticking toward the mountains. The air is thick with moisture, a sure sign of rain to come. Azrael hasn’t given me any information about where this supposed hideout is, but I don’t like that we’re heading toward the university. We sure as hell don’t need a horde keeping so close to school.
To take my mind off the constant worrying I seem to do now, I ask a question that I don’t expect an answer to. “Any leads on that dead angel from the Fallen district? Last I heard, you were examining some of his belongings.”
Azrael looks like he’d rather be having any other conversation, and when he sighs, I swear I can hear his displeasure. “This case is sensitive. I know that isn’t what you want to hear and that you feel I’ve kept you in the dark, but I promise it’s for good reason. All I can say is that I’m following a lead based on the items I found. It’s safer for you, and for the information I’m attempting to dig up, if no one knows.”
Blood pumps harder through my veins as my anger rises. “But you can trust me. Hell, you wouldn’t even have this information if it weren’t for me. Can’t you—”
He shakes his head. “I’m sorry, Ezekiel. I can’t. Not yet. The moment it’s safe, you’ll be the first to know. I promise.”
I fly a little faster, though it’s futile because I have no fucking idea where we’re going, but I just need a moment alone to process this rage. With my eyes closed, I picture Hayliel’s warm smile, and the anger subsides, though only slightly. What would she do if she were in my shoes? I don’t even have to think about it before I know. She’d be annoyed, but she’d find a silver lining somewhere and focus all of her energy on that.
I’ve always trusted Azrael. So if he says he’s following a lead and that it’s a sensitive case, that should be enough. It must be or else I’ll go mad. Besides, if part of the reason he’s keeping information from me is for my own safety, can I really be upset? My father would do the same thing, and I wouldn’t think twice about it.
That’s got to be it. He’s keeping his cards close to his chest, not just about that dead angel but also, I’m guessing, about the attack on us near the Fallen district. His overprotective nature is annoying, to say the least, yet I can’t fault him for that.
It might be silly for him to worry about me when I can take care of myself, but it’s certainly not spiteful.
When I’ve calmed down, I slow my pace and join Azrael in flight once more. He says nothing about my little outburst, and the tension between us fades.
Moments later, he stops, hovering in the sky as he points to an outcropping of rock below us. “There. Do you sense anything?”
The place is oddly familiar, though I’m not sure why. I close my eyes and focus on my other senses. A soft breeze rustles my feathers. Thunder booms from somewhere in the distance. Azrael’s metal-tipped wings tinkle gently. But otherwise we’re alone.
I open my eyes and scan the rock again. “If there ever was a horde here, they’re gone now.”
He nods. “Precisely my thoughts as well. Let’s get closer, but keep your guard up.”
The moment my feet touch the rocky mountainside, I see them. Four statues, or at least what used to be four statues. Now they’re shattered.
“Demons did this?” I ask, incredulously. We stand on the offering grounds, a place where angels come to deliver their goods for the Archangels’ Feast. The place Hayliel recently visited with her parents. Was it like this when she came? No.Surely she’d have mentioned it if it were. Others would have as well. That must mean this is new.
Azrael crouches beside what was once Remiel’s statue. “That is my assumption, yes.”
“This is too close to the Archangels,” I say, more to myself than him. “Demons grow more and more reckless, but why? What is it that gives them such confidence?”
“My guess? Based on recent events, it’s most likely our proven inability to stop them.” He turns his attention to the ruined statues and the ground around them, and I try to put my questions to the back of my mind so I can join in with his investigation.
Back at the guild, I struggle to write up a report on our findings.
While we didn’t find any active demons, it was clear they’d been there. Angels don’t bleed black, and the few drops of black blood we found near the statues were proof enough. Part of me wishes we would have run into them, if only to enact my revenge. I want to see them pay for what they did to Hayliel. But even I know my emotions would only have clouded my judgment.
As I note the location in my report, I wonder if they’ll notify the Archangels of just how close demons are venturing into Silver City. Do they already know how aggressive they’ve become? Do they even care?
I sigh. Running a hand down my face, I do my best to push aside the questions and doubt. My window for grabbing those amulets is almost gone. The sooner I finish this damn report, the sooner I can snatch them and get out of here.
Ten minutes later, I’ve documented every detail and sent the report directly to Azrael’s slate for approval. I make busy tidyingup my already spotless desk, wasting another eight minutes in case he has any comments or suggested changes. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t bother waiting around for him to approve it, but the extra precaution will help ease my mind. I don’t need anything getting in my way.
I’m about to give up when his reply comes in, thanking me for the detail and telling me to enjoy the rest of my day.
If he suspects anything from me, he certainly doesn’t show it.
The weapon and accessories locker is empty when I arrive. Luck must really be on my side today.
On silent feet, I head directly for the cabinet with the protection amulets. There they sit, lined up neatly just like they were before, but instead of grabbing them right away, I close my eyes and listen.
Someone is walking around, but they’re far away, and I can barely make out a voice, but it’s not close enough for me to worry. I should be in the clear.
The handle of the cabinet is cold, and it soothes my hot and sweaty palms. This needs to go down without a hitch. I don’t know what will happen to me if I’m caught, but my internship here is too valuable for me and my friends.
