Page 9 of Wings of Strife
Someone knocks on the outer door, and when I open it, a frazzled-looking Dina holding a tray of food and a few bags stands on the other side.
“Sorry I’m late. My dad called. Then a cafeteria worker accosted me for not being in class. The bitch almost denied me food altogether.”
“It was your charm that led her to change her mind, wasn’t it?” I tease, taking the two bags from her hand and stealing a French toast stick.
She cracks a half-hearted grin and places the entire tray on the coffee table. “Where’s Zeke?”
“Upstairs. He offered to bring us a change of clothes once he’s done, and I promised not to eat all the food.” Her eyes widen slightly but she stays silent, so I continue. “Thank you for this. Theo, food’s here.”
He looks like he’s going to refuse, but he’s my best friend, and I know him better than anyone. “Why don’t you make up a plate for yourself and one for Hayliel, too? She’ll probably be starving by the time she’s out.”
Sure enough, that gets him moving. I leave them to it, grabbing a few grapes before finally heading out the balcony door to call Raduriel.
The line rings repeatedly, but I don’t give up. I wait so long, I’ve finished the grapes by the time the call cuts off with no response. Shit. Why did I think things would be any different? Surely Mr. Important doesn’t have time for his brother. Not that he could know what we’d gone through today, but I thought …
Fuck it. I could sit here and tell myself I won’t try again later, but that’s only a lie.
I will do whatever it takes to protect my sunshine.
No matter the personal cost.
5
Yesterday felt like both a dream and a nightmare, and today isn’t shaping up to be much better. I don’t even remember going to afternoon classes, though I know I did. We all did.
To make things worse, I slept like absolute shit last night, tossing and turning, unable to get the image of that scarred demon from my mind. Now I’m stuck with another day of pure exhaustion, overheating, and if that wasn’t enough, add on ever-present hunger. Sure, it could just be that my body literally fought off the fabled soul stone at the base of that blade and now it desperately needed to replenish fuel, but what if it’s something else?
With my luck, the possibilities are endless. Too endless for my liking.
I stop by Professor Castiel’s office, hoping he can reassure me. Instead of him, I find a note pinned to his door saying he’ll be out for the day.
Out? Has he left to talk to his friends already, or did something else happen? He said we could trust him, and it’s not like he’s ever given me a reason not to, but I can’t let go of my paranoia. It’s not just about him betraying us, either. What if him asking questions or taking time away from his job gets him in trouble?
I’m a fucking mess.
My slate is out before I even think about it. I send off a message to the group chat, fear riding me hard as I head to the cafeteria for a quick snack before my next class. The hot breakfast items are gone, but I don’t really want something substantial before Wingology. That class already makes me anxious. It’s better not to have something heavy sitting in my gut.
I find a pre-made package of nuts and cheese, then swipe my meal card at the cash register before leaving.
Someone shoulder checks me on the way out, making me drop half my nuts and a few chunks of cheese.
You have got to be fucking kidding me.
I bend to clean up the spilled mess, turning to see who the fuck ran into me like that, but only catch the side of their face. Based on the red trim of her uniform, she’s from Fallen house. Asshole. She doesn’t apologize or even acknowledge the blow, just continues going like nothing happened.
I’m half tempted to call her on her shit, but honestly, I’m too tired to deal with conflict. There’s enough of it going around in my head. I don’t need to add any more.
Well, either she’s a bitch, or her day’s far worse than mine, and neither of those are things I can change.
My slate pings with a message.
Theo: I wouldn’t worry too much, firefly. Realistically, it makes sense that he’d want to talk to his friends in person. The questions we have aren’t really things we should write in a letter or send in an email. It’s good that he’s doing this himself, more secure.
Raphael: Plus, that guy is OLD. And he couldn’t have survived that long without being practical.
Their words settle the fears in my core. They're right. It’s a good sign that he’s gone in person. And as long as he comes back—no. I won’t go there.
I finish the rest of my snack as I head to the arena for Wingology class. I’ve been avoiding Professor Uriel’s insistence on another counselor meeting, though I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be allowed to put him off. Hopefully, he doesn’t take his annoyance out on me in today’s class. I laugh, because that would be a miracle. Whenhasn’the taken something out on me here?
