Page 24 of Wings of Strife
I land outside the weaponry building, tucking my wings away and waving to Malik, who just exited the front door.
“Are you planning to join your friends?” he asks with a grin.
Shit. I guess he found out I’m not the only one using the room. He must have heard them in there, sparring. “I am. I hope it’s alright that I’m sharing my training room with them. We wanted some place private to meet and enhance our form. We’re taking it seriously, I assure you.”
“Oh, I definitely understand the need for a private space.” He chuckles. “Just be careful. Group activities like that often lead to uncomfortable situations and I’d hate to see you in the middle of one.”
What the hell is he talking about? “Uh, sure. Yeah, I will. Thanks, man.”
“Have fun!” he calls over his shoulder before taking off into the sky.
Well, that was weird.
Brushing it off, I enter the silent building. I’m grateful there are no other students training now. There’s enough on my plate to worry about without adding useless small talk to the mix.
The light in the private room is on, which doesn’t surprise me. I knew they’d be training tonight. It’s why I hightailed it here to give them my shitty news. The old me probably would have avoided the entire conversation until the last second, but I’m trying to do better. Be better.
Except when I step through the door, I halt in my tracks. Heavy breathing and soft moans fill the space, the sound nothing at all like what I expected to hear during combat training. This is far too sultry for a workout.
Part of me wants to turn around and leave, and even though my mind screams at me to do just that, my feet have other plans. When I make it to the end of the short hallway, I see them.
A naked Hayliel riding Theo with Raphael on his knees behind her. Pain erupts in my chest as I watch them, hear them. Fuck, even smell their pleasure.
As if sensing me, Hayliel glances my way in the mirror and I swear my shocked gaze meets her half-lidded one in the reflection.
She doesn’t look surprised to see me or even embarrassed.She doesn’t care about you, remember?
Seeing them like this after everything … it fuckinghurts. The sting in my chest builds and builds, spreading out until the ache is damn near unbearable.
That they would do this here, knowing I could walk in and catch them, is almost as painful as actually fucking catching them.
Hayliel looks away then, her gaze dropping to Theo, not caring at all that I’ve caught them or that I’m standing here having my bloody, beating heart obliterated.
I try to ignore the voice in my head, but it’s too loud. Too insistent.She wants them, not you. You’ve always known this.
Turning on my heels, I storm out of the room clutching onto the slivers of the broken organ that barely manages to beat beneath my ribs and don’t look back.
11
Isit next to Theo in history class, with Castiel sitting in his usual spot at his desk.
It’s nice to have him back, for more than just my fear for his safety. Selfishly, I’m happy to have him as an ally, someone I know won’t put up with any bullshit from the other students. That, mixed with having Theo next to me and an interest in the subject matter, makes this one of my favorite classes.
Castiel checks the clock on the wall, then presses a button on his slate and stands. Mine pings immediately, and I open up the attachment he’d sent to everyone. A packet that contains information about our final assignment, along with example articles for reference.
“The end of term will be here before you know it. I never liked big weighted exams when I was a student and that hasn’tchanged, so I’m giving you all an assignment instead. During class, we’ll go through several articles highlighting extraordinary angels. Ones who have made a significant change for our society. Today, we’re focusing on a piece written about the Archangels. Take a few moments to read through and then we’ll discuss.”
I open the attachment and immediately start reading, curious to learn more. The Archangels are kind of legends for us. They’re the saviors of our entire city, if the stories are true.
The article is old, dated a month or two after they overthrew God and saved angel kind from a fate worse than death. It starts off a little cheesy, setting all four Archangels on a pedestal. Still, I’m intrigued. Reading on a little further, the author dives into Mikhael, the unofficial ruler of the Archangels and possibly the strongest of them.
Archangel Mikhael leads with a kind heart and strong will. He had been the closest adviser to God, something our other three leaders never held against him. In fact, he rarely ever made a decision without consulting the others first, signifying a true partnership among the four of them. Even now, as we move into a time of peace and prosperity, Mikhael is the face of our rulers. With him, he offers us strength and warrior energy, instilling confidence and courage into every one of his subjects. For this article, I tried to learn the truth of his abilities, hoping to find out if there is any merit to the rumors of his healing aura, but he would not comment on such a thing.
The article holds me completely captivated, and as much as I try to reflect on what I’ve just read, I can’t stop from moving onto the next paragraph. This one is about Auriel, the Archangel I’m most familiar with, as he’s who my family has made every single feast offering to since I was little.
Archangel Auriel uses his powers to ignite faith into the hearts of all angel kind. With his flame-topped staff, he draws out the wicked thoughts and evil acts from our minds, leaving only joy and serenity. It is said that our new-found peace is greatly in thanks to him, for even sitting so high above us in the Archangels’ Sanctuary, his power can reach all of Silver City.
It’s no wonder my parents have always favored him. They were the living, breathing embodiment of optimism, seldom letting any dark thoughts enter their mind. Perhaps it’s their faith in him that allows them to be so positive. Hopefully, he doesn’t take it as a slight that we switched it up this year. But after what Raphael, Theo, and I did in Remiel’s prayer tent, I had to gift him something. A little zing of excitement courses through me as I realize he’s the next focus.
