Page 70 of Wings of Strife
She shrieks as creamy white noodles slide off her head, half of it getting caught in her hair. “You bitch!”
“Oops.” I giggle and dart away from them, my back toward Power house. I don’t want to fight these assholes, not on school property and certainly not after I’ve been warned oh so many times of my imminent expulsion should I get caught ‘at the center’. Running away feels like the coward’s move, but it’s better than falling into a trap and getting kicked out.
“Come on, demon spawn. Why don’t you show us your little tricks, hmm?” big forehead taunts.
Seriously. Who taught these assholes to trash talk?
I take another step back, noticing at least two of them holding what looks like a needle in their grip. They want to drug me? But why?
“You want to see some tricks?” Gagiel says, coming up to stand at my side.
“What are you doing?” I whisper. Sidriel, Tabbris, and Yofie stand with us now, too.
“You’re our friend, Hayliel. We would never leave you,” Gagiel replies, making my heart squeeze.
The usually quiet Sidriel raises her voice until it booms loud and strong around us. “Hayliel is a guardian of angels. A protector for all. Drop your hunt for her removal from this school or you’ll find out just whatnerdscan do when given the chance.”
Then, as if her words were a signal, Yofie and Tabbris lock their hands together and create a powerful storm between us and the six Fallen. Rain and lightning crash down on the ground separating our two groups, while a powerful wind blows against them, not allowing them passage forward.
My mouth falls open. Holy fucking shit.
I don’t realize I’ve said the words out loud until Gagiel says, “Aren’t they amazing?”
Our little moment is ruined when an angel drops from the sky just outside the storm. Principal Cael. Oooh shit. Behind him I find Raphael, Theo, and Zeke. All four of them look pissed as hell.
Tabbris and Yofie let out a yelp and allow their storm to dissipate. No, no, no. I can’t let them get in trouble for me.
“Principal Cael, it’s not their fault,” I begin immediately.
“Silence. You six,” he says, pointing to the disheveled looking Fallen students. “In my office. Now!”
“But Principal, she—” thin eyebrows is cut off.
“I don’t want to hear another peep from the lot of you. Go, before I do something you’ll regret.”
They rush off, and Principal Cael turns to us, his face stern and unreadable.
“Please let me explain,” I try again, stepping to stand in front of my friends.
“There’s no need, Miss Hayliel. These three gentlemen already alerted me to the issue, and I watched it all unfold. I appreciate that you all stayed on the defensive. It will make my job much easier. Perhaps it’s best if you all go back to your dorms for the night. Take this weekend to let the dust settle and by next week, this should all be blown over. Understood?”
We all nod our agreement. When he leaves, I turn back to my friends. “Thank you for sticking up for me, even though I told you not to. And that show of power with weather manipulation? Holy hell!”
“She’s right,” Zeke says. “Makes me think maybe the guild should start utilizing it more.”
“Is everyone alright?” Theo asks, his eyes straying to the group before coming back to land on me.
“Yup! Though that’s about enough excitement for me, I think,” Gagiel says with a laugh. “Maybe we’ll do what the principal suggests and retire for the night. Dinner next week?”
“I’d love that.”
To my complete and utter shock, all three guys follow me back to my dorm room. Theo and Zeke take off before coming inside. Both of them promising to be back soon.
“I’ll be right back, sunshine,” Raphael says, placing a quick kiss to my lips.
“Aww, you too? What is going on?”
“You won’t get a single thing out of me.” He mimes zipping his lip. “Shower. Get into some comfortable clothes. I’ll be back before you know it.”
