Page 7 of Wings of Valor
“A little warning would have been nice,” he grumbles, which only makes Castiel chuckle.
Theo motions to the trays full of food. “Grab something to eat, and we’ll get started.” He takes Hayliel’s arm, leads her directly to the biggest pile, and helps her put a plate together. She looks exhausted—her eyes rimmed red like she spent all night crying instead of sleeping.
Mira brought a carton of freshly brewed coffee, so I get to pouring one for my girl. Today is going to suck, but the least I can do is help keep her caffeinated.
While we eat, we spill every detail of the past few months to Azrael—even repeating the small bits he already knows—and end with what we discovered last night. The poor guy looks green by the time we finish. I can’t imagine this is easy for him. He works for the company that’s supposed to protect angels—the very company made up entirely of the type of angels who are now being targeted.
Azrael’s shocked gaze roams over Hayliel. “A Seraphim. But how? We thought God extinguished them all before he fell.”
“It was a shock to us all. Hopefully you understand why we’ve been so secretive,” Zeke says.
Hayliel sets her plate down. “Is there anything you can do to help me find my parents? I know there’s so much more going on here, but I can’t just leave them. And since these assholes don’t want me giving myself over, I have to find another way.”
I try not to take her words to heart. She must understand why we don’t want her putting herself in danger like that. Not without exhausting every other option first, and even then … I couldn’t bear the thought of losing her to that wicked Archangel.
Azrael’s entire demeanor shifts, allowing the powerful guild lieutenant rise to the surface. “You said there’s a crime scene? Zeke, have you examined it?”
Zeke nods. “Last night, though I didn’t do as thorough a job as I could have, given the situation. The attack we faced before Auriel’s arrival may have also compromised the scene.”
“Take me.” Azrael turns to Hayliel. “I’m not saying I’ll find anything, but I’ll do my best. Is there anything I should know about the two victims?”
I catch Hayliel wince at his words, but it’s Zeke who answers him first.
“They’re two of the nicest angels I’ve ever met. Positive and accepting.”
Hayliel gives a sad smile at his words. “Eternal optimists. Over the past little while, I’ve been working with them on building and strengthening their telepathy. I reached out all night without luck, so I’m not sure if the distance is too great or if something else is keeping the mental lines closed.”
A visible shudder runs through her, and it has my heart squeezing.
An odd look flashes across the lieutenant’s face before he says, “If I know anything about Auriel, it’s that he keeps his word. If he gave you seven days and promised to keep them alive, he won’t harm them. As for the distance, the guild might have something that could help. A totem that strengthens connections and allows for a greater range of communication.”
Hayliel nods. “Oh, that sounds perfect. Thank you.”
“We only have a limited supply at the guild, so it may not pan out, but if I can, I’ll give it to Zeke. Now, we should head to the crime scene as soon as possible. Who’s coming?”
5
Iroll over in bed, stretching out the kinks of sleep.
The delicious scent of pastry drifts through the air, making my eyes pop open as I recall Mom promised to let me try one of her new recipes today. I dress quickly, hoping to catch my parents being cute in the kitchen—like when Mom hums while Dad watches her bake, just before it turns into a flour fight.
Their love is so pure, it’s no wonder that’s the kind I want for myself.
Once I make it to the top of the stairs, I breathe in and nearly drool. “Mom, that smells delicious!” I call out—but when I enter the kitchen, I realize something is very, very wrong.
Mom and Dad are bloody and tied up, each held by demons with angel blades pressed to their throats.
“No.”
From the back door, Archangel Auriel steps through with a smile on his face. “You’re taking too long, my little seraph. Perhaps you require a bit of encouragement, hmm?” He turns to the demon holding Mom and nods. Before I can even react, the demon slits her throat, and I scream.
I jolt upright in bed and rush to the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet before emptying the contents of my stomach—dry heaving when there’s nothing left.
Resting my forehead against my arm, I hover over the rim. A nightmare. That’s all. It’s not real.
Three sharp taps come from the front door, followed by the sound of someone turning the knob, trying to get in. My heart races, pounding like a drum behind my ribs. Auriel wouldn’t come here, would he? Even if he did, I can’t see him knocking. That asshole would just blip into my room without permission before doing something as civilized as knocking.
No. I can’t go there. It’s probably just Dina, checking on me after I convinced her to take the night off to wallow in solitude.
