Page 2 of Wings of Valor
“Fine. And Castiel? Has anyone heard from him?” Zeke asks.
I shake my head. “No response so far.”
With a low voice, Raph asks, “Do we think he spilled the beans on what she is?”
We all exchange a look. I don’t want to believe it or even consider it a possibility, but we may not have a choice. As if sensing our thoughts, my slate vibrates with a message from the man himself.
Castiel: Shit. I’ll be there shortly.
Theo: We’re actually heading back to campus. Meet at the cave in ten minutes.
Castiel: See you then.
Tucking my slate away, I place a kiss on Hayliel’s head and stand. “He’s meeting us at the cave. We can discuss who we think blabbed once we get there. For now, we need to leave. It’s not safe here.”
It takes more than a little convincing to get Hayliel to leave her parents’ home. Not that I blame her. If the roles were reversed, I probably wouldn’t want to leave either. It’s Zeke who finally gets her on board. Like a man on a mission, he strides back inside the house and comes out a few minutes later with an apron and a shirt—physical things from her parents that she can bring back to campus.
He might be an asshole, but he’s a caring one when it comes to Hayliel.
Zeke gives the possessions to her, along with a gentle word about safety and plans. His words must break the mental dam she’s built inside, because water suddenly pours from her eyes, and her listless body is wracked with sobs. Gently—far more than I’ve ever seen him be—he wipes away her tears and helps her stand. Her breaths come in sharp bursts that look painful, but she still holds her head up high. My strong firefly. Dina helps her get her wing jacket on, and as one, we take off.
How do we want to handle this?Raphael asks via the private mental connection with Zeke and me.
Carefully. She doesn’t need the added stress,I say. For her sake, I hope it wasn’t Castiel who betrayed us. That’s a blow I’m not sure she’d ever recover from.
Zeke’s reply pops into my mind just before we land, and it sends shivers down my spine.
One way or another, I’m going to get answers.
2
Restraint doesn’t come easily to me.
The urge to act and find out who turned on us claws at me. If Castiel betrayed us—betrayedher—he won’t like what’s coming. Anyone who brings her pain will pay for it with their own. Mark my words.
I press my hands against my closed eyes, willing the memories of my own mother’s torment to fade—but it’s as if they’re branded there. Images flash behind my eyelids: the day I found out Mom had been taken; the agonizing hours and days that followed as we tried to get her back; and finally, the moment I learned I’d never be in her presence again.
I don’t want that for my hummingbird. She’s too bright. Too good. So if I have to threaten and maim to get answers, I won’t hesitate. Not for her.
Back on campus, Theo stops me at the entrance while the others head into the cave. “Get out of my way,” I growl, needing to be inside, to stand near her and protect her. If Castiel is in there with her, Theo’s putting her in danger by keeping me out here.
“She needs us,” he says. “All of us. So whatever anger and pain you’re feeling right now, use it. But don’t let it overtake you.”
His words hit me like a slap to the face. “And what the fuck would you know of pain and loss, hmm? Move, Theo, before I make you.”
“You aren’t the only one who’s lost a parent, asshole. I don’t want her to experience that pain either, but she’s fragile right now, and if you can’t calm the hell down, then you can stay the fuck out here. Get your shit together before you come inside; she doesn’t needthis.” He motions to my jittery state.
A little of my fury subsides as I watch him, catching sight of the pain he’s buried. I sigh. “I’m doing it again, aren’t I?”
Some of his frustration melts away, and he nods. “It’s a good sign that you can see it this time. We’ve all got shit, man. It’s the one thing we all have in common—aside from our love for that woman inside.”
Fuck. How is it that Theo’s always saving me from myself? “I’m sorry. Give me a minute, and I’ll be in.” Before Theo reaches the threshold, I call out, “And thank you.”
Turning, he tosses me a soft, sad smile. “For what it’s worth, I wish we could have helped get your mom back.”
He walks away, leaving me standing there wishing for the same thing. I give myself a few minutes to put my thoughts in order, trying not to let the memories of losing Mom take over. Just because she didn’t make it doesn’t mean Hayliel’s parents will share the same fate. She’s determined as hell, stronger than most—and unlike me, she has a loyal group of friends willing to do whatever it takes to bring her parents home alive.
When I finally walk into the cave, the silence is deafening.
