Page 19 of Wings of Strife
“Actually … there was something else I wanted to discuss with you. I’ve been having these hot flashes lately. They’re becoming more frequent, and I’m getting a little worried.”
“Hmm, I could see how that would be concerning. Have you noticed any other symptoms or side effects other than the heat?”
Have I? I let myself consider everything I’ve felt since surviving that deadly blade, but nothing stands out. “I don’t think so. So much has happened that honestly, it’s too hard to tell.”
“That’s completely understandable. And the bond? Are you still having issues?”
I look away, not wanting him to see my weakness. Not that it really matters, given what I’m about to tell him. “I haven’t really tried again since your office. I’m not ready to face that it might be gone forever.”
“Ah, but are you also not ready to face that it might not be?” When I finally look up at him, all I find is understanding. “Refusing to try doesn’t just mean avoiding bad outcomes, Miss Hayliel. It also means missing out on the good ones.”
He’s right. Not testing the bond again because I fear what will happen is only making things worse. How will I know it’s truly gone if I don’t try? It’s not like me to give up so easily, not with how my parents raised me, but things have felt so damn out of my control for so long that I didn’t see the point.
Now, I think it might be worth giving it another try.
“Thank you. For everything, Professor.”
“You’d have realized it, eventually. I only gave you a nudge.”
I say goodbye and leave with an extra skip in my step. Today might not be the day I test out my mental connections, but I willeventually. And even though I’m still worried, there’s hope too, and an acceptance that at least I’ll know for sure.
Pulling out my slate, I check the time. I’m supposed to meet Raphael and Theo at the weaponry training building. It’s a little earlier than planned, but I doubt they’ll mind.
As I head down the hall from Castiel’s classroom, I pass by Professor Uriel’s room. The door is open, and I can’t halt my feet as they bring me closer. Tilting my head forward, I peek inside.
I’m shocked to find the bloody and bruised guy from earlier sitting with the professor. What’s he doing with Uriel?
Someone slams into me from behind, shoving me to the side where my head bounces painfully against the wall.
“Get out of the way, you waste of fucking space.”
Stars dance behind my eyes, blurring my vision so I can’t see who just ran into me, but I don’t miss the telltale red lining of their uniform.
This is getting out of fucking hand.
I don’t know how long I stand there, leaning against the wall. No one comes to check on me. Not the bruised Fallen and certainly not Professor Uriel. At least that’s a blessing.
Anger and hurt simmer inside me, mixing into an explosive concoction.
My conviction to stay the fuck away from Uriel solidifies into something almost tangible. If he can’t choose which side to be on—either the helpful teacher or the uncaring one—then I’d rather not have a counselor, anyway. And if the Fallen want to continue assaulting me, then I’ll sure as shit be ready for the next one. No longer will I just roll over and take it.
I keep my head down as I take purposeful steps toward the weaponry building. This anger and pain that’s growing inside of me needs an outlet before it consumes me.
The door to Zeke’s private training room is closed when I arrive, but I enter the four-digit code he gave us and it unlockseasily. Without a sound, I open the door and step inside to the short hallway at the entrance of the room.
Raphael and Theo’s erratic breathing immediately meets my ears, doing all sorts of things to my insides. Without seeing them, my mind makes up all kinds of scenarios as to why they might make such noises.
I don’t want them to know I’m here yet, hoping for a single moment of privacy to just take them in. Closing the door softly, I tiptoe to the end of the hall and peer around the corner. What I find takes my breath away.
They attack each other with ferocity. Sweat glistens on their naked torsos, their muscles bunching tight as they give the fight everything they have. The sight has me caught in a choke hold, unable to look away, not that I even want to. My heart races as my mind conjures up visions of several ways I could get them sweaty like that. How would their grunts differ if they were from pleasure instead?
“Are you enjoying the show, sunshine?” Raphael asks, jolting me from my illicit daydream.
Our eyes lock in the wall of mirrors on the opposite side of the room from where I stand, but it doesn’t last. Theo takes advantage of Raphael’s distraction and tackles him to the soft mat.
He doesn’t keep him down long, but I almost wish he would. The sight of Raphael pinned beneath Theo does things to me. Strange things.Tinglingthings.
“I could watch this all day,” I tell them, meaning every word.
