Page 65 of Wings of Strife
“On my life,” I promise him, reaching for the book with careful movements. It’s bound in a soft, supple leather, slightly worn down with age. On the cover, sits an indented sun, painted a brilliant gold that almost seems to shine on its own. It’s stunning.
Carefully, I flip open the cover. The next image is a simple drawing of a woman standing in front of a fiery orb, a subtle glow seeming to emanate from her. Or maybe it’s from the sun behind her. Either way, she’s ethereal.
With every page I flip, the more engrossed I become. Something about it seems familiar, though I can’t directly name what. All I know is that I’m eternally grateful for it. I read through information on all types of angels. Our strengths, weaknesses, and powers from generations before.
The item in front of me is rare indeed, and it shocks me to my core that Castiel’s friend not only had this in his possession, but allowed him to borrow it. If he’s caught with it, I fear what may become of him.
No. I won’t think about that. I can’t, or else I’ll waste what precious time I have with it. Because as interested as I am in reading this tome front to back, I know my time with it islimited, so I flip straight to the section on Seraphim and begin to read.
The Seraphim are the highest ranking angels, and their existence is quite rare. These divine beings are known for their ability to dispel and destroy the shadows of darkness by harnessing the powerful fires of the sun. Using this method, Seraphim have the power to smite their enemies.
The more I read, the more it all seems like a fairytale instead of real life. Is this what I did to those demons near the well? Did Ismitethem? I skim a little, utterly fascinated, until I find what I’m looking for.
Through extensive research, we discovered that Seraphim sometimes struggle to wield the sun’s fire. The vessel must be solid and true in order to receive such power. Without it, the fire will become unpredictable and, in the worst cases, fatal.
Fatal. Nothing but God could kill me, or you know, my own damn ineptitude. Great.
I read it again, getting stuck on the part about a vessel. Am I the vessel, or does this text refer to something else, something we’re missing in order to make it work? I glance at Castiel, wanting to know what he thinks.
“Have you read this?” I ask, even though I know the answer.
“I have. Ask your questions, Miss Hayliel. I fear we will soon be out of time.”
“This mentions that the vessel must be solid and true. What does that even mean?”
He scratches his chin, looking over the passage I just read. “I believe it refers to the Seraphim itself, as they are the vessel for the sun’s fire. May I speak frankly?”
I laugh. “I think we’re well past the point of you not being able to do so. You never need to ask.”
He nods, the smallest smile curving his lips. “You are an angel who’s been through a lot in your short years. I think it’s helped you become exactly what you needed to be.”
Exactly what I needed to be? I almost snort at the thought but hold back, letting him continue.
“You could have turned bitter and jaded, but instead you’re kind. Accepting. Strong. You didn’t let that treatment break you like it has so many others in your position. For that reason alone, I already believe you to be the solid and true vessel this book says you need to be. The only one who needs convincing of that isyou.”
I can only stare as the weight of his words settles around me like a warm blanket.
Is he right?
Am I the obstacle I need to overcome to wrangle this power?
It hits me then just how much I’ve grown in the few short months I’ve attended Silver City University. Just because I’m scared now doesn’t mean that progress should stop. In fact, it’s even more reason to pull my big girl panties up and find a way to accept myself, just as my friends have already done.
Maybe then I’ll be able to not only help fight this upcoming war, but end it without anyone I love getting harmed in the process.
29
I’m being summoned.
My stomach twists as I fly the distance from school to guild headquarters and ponder what it is I’m getting called in for. Try as I might, there’s too much unsaid between Azrael and me that it’s impossible to pinpoint.
He’s waiting for me when my feet hit the ground. Azrael stands off to the side, near the front entrance. This can’t be good.
He spots me quickly and approaches, his expression unusually blank. “Zeke. Thank you for getting here so fast. Please come with me.” Like a rocket, he shoots up into the sky, not bothering to wait for me. The move is so out of character, it takes me a moment to gather my thoughts and follow.
Azrael is acting strange, and now he’s taking me to some undisclosed location. This can’t be good. It’s only when I see thefamiliar street that I realize where he’s taking me. His house in the Fallen district. A little of my worry falls away. Before all of this, I never would have considered that this man, the lieutenant I’ve grown fond of and learned so much from, would be up to anything shady. But if the last few months have taught me anything, it’s that I let my emotions cloud my judgment.
As much as I don’t want to believe anything negative about Azrael, with the way he’s acting, I can’t be too careful. Something is either horribly wrong or I just found the mole.
