Page 61 of Wings of Strife
Zeke narrows his eyes at Raph, but I butt in before things take a turn. “I think what he means it that Hayliel would like to spend a few nights with you each week. Is that something you’re comfortable with?”
“She said that?” he asks Raphael.
“More or less, yes.”
He’s silent for a beat, then says, “If it’s what she wants, and neither of you have issues with it, then I’d like that very much.”
“It’s clear to us—both of us—“ I shoot a look at Raph, “that Hayliel has feelings for you. We know what went down between the two of you over the weekend—”
His head whips toward me with guilt written all over his face. “Look, I’m sorry. It’s not like I planned for it to happen, it just did.”
This poor guy. Who would have thought the prickly Fallen angel would be so damn dense?
“Archangels, will you just shut up? We’re trying to include you,” Raphael says with a huff, causing Zeke to promptly close his mouth.
More gently, I add, “We just want to see her happy, and you’re part of making that happen.”
He swallows, a slight blush lining his cheeks. I never would have imagined seeing this grumpy ass dude blush, but I guess stranger things have happened.
At seeing Zeke soften, Raphael’s annoyance fades. “Then it’s settled. She’ll bounce between our rooms at night. I considered setting a schedule, but I think it might be better if we keep things sporadic and unpredictable in case anyone is watching us closely.”
“That’s a good idea,” Zeke says before I can.
“I agree. We can’t be too careful,” I add, then bite the bullet and bring up the other item that won’t seem to leave my mind. “Did either of you have nightmares last night?”
They both look at me like my face has been replaced with an ass. It’s not like it wasthatweird of a question.
Zeke grimaces, but eventually nods. Raphael does too, and my stomach sinks.
“And were they about a woman being chased by a dark figure? I thought it was just my past, the usual images that haunt me while I’m sleeping, but now I’m not so sure.”
Raphael’s face pales. “All I heard was an angel screaming, begging for help, but I was surrounded by darkness and couldn’t find her.”
“I…” Zeke starts, then stops. He takes a breath before he says, “I thought it was my mom, but the location didn’t make any sense. It wasn’t at home or the barn. It was here.”
“Maybe it’s nothing …” I say, unsure of my thoughts.
Raphael laughs. “When angels say that, it usuallyissomething. What is it, Theo?”
Swallowing hard, I blow out a hard breath and share my thoughts. “It’s just … sometimes it feels like my connection with her is stronger than anything I’ve experienced before. I assume it’s the same with you guys, but the fact that all three of us had strange dreams on the night where she was almost captured by some weirdo in a mask makes me think it’s not just in my head.”
Zeke, who I expect to scoff and tell me I’m an idiot, actually looks like he’s considering it. “I’ve never heard of an angelic connection being so strong that dreams were shared, but that doesn’t mean it’s never happened. Hell, Hayliel’s entire being is proof that we don’t know shit about fuck.”
“Add it to the list of things for us to dig into,” Raphael mutters, though I know he’s thinking the same thing I am.
Our connection with Hayliel seems to strengthen on the daily, and if it were up to us, we’d make it as deep as fucking possible.
27
Ihaven’t seen the masked man again since that night in the library. At least, not in real life.
Sometimes I catch a glimpse of something black from the corner of my eye, but when I turn to look, there’s nothing there. It’s probably just my imagination playing tricks on me, but I can’t shake the fear that he’s out there somewhere. Watching. Waiting to pounce.
I spent the night wrapped in Theo’s arms, and the nightmares that usually plague me never surfaced. It was my first full night’s sleep in so long that today it feels like I can conquer anything. It’s wild to me how much getting the right amount of sleep can change things for the better.
While it’s nice having someone with me at all times, I feel bad. My friends are showing up late to their own classes andleaving early to ensure that I’m never alone. They’re harming themselves to protect me, and I hate it.
I don’t want to be that friend anymore.
