Page 35 of Wings of Valor
“What’s going on?”
“It’s time. The council is ready to see you now.”
Remiel tucks his book beneath his arm and gestures. “Please, follow me.”
“I, uh, need to change. I doubt anyone will take me seriously in a robe,” I tell him, face flaming.
A frown pulls at Remiel’s lips as he takes in my outfit. “I can only offer you five minutes.”
Fuck. That’s not nearly enough time.
“Try the thing,” Mira says, pulling my attention.
“What thing?” I ask at the same time as Raphael and Theo.
“You know. Thething. What we practiced.”
It hits me then. She wants me to teleport. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea. Far better than standing in front of a fucking council in nothing but a robe.
Besides, if it works, this will not only be the furthest I’ve ever teleported but also the most direct I’ve ever been.
Closing my eyes, I picture the room I left this morning. The comfortable bed and the stunning bathroom. A tingly sensation rolls over me, and when I open my eyes, a grin spreads across my face.
Holy shit. I did it!
I glance at yesterday’s dirty clothes lying on the floor and contemplate whether or not I want to put them on. Are those stinky things really better than what I’m wearing? But Raphael and Theo weren’t wearing the same clothes as yesterday. At least, I don’t think they were.
I race to the closet and find a few outfits hanging up. None are quite in my size, but the cargo pants and long-sleeve shirt will do. Once I’m dressed, I let my lids fall shut and think about the garden and its bubbling fountain.
Mira’s squeal of excitement is enough to tell me I didn’t wind up in someone else's bathroom.
“You are one badass bitch,” she says, patting my back, and then walks ahead with Castiel, who’s looking over his shoulder at me with wonder in his eyes.
I guess I am pretty badass, huh?
“Feel like explaining what the fuck that was?” Raphael asks when it’s just the three of us. If he’s annoyed that I kept yet another thing from him, he doesn’t show it. Neither does Theo.
“Oh, that? I guess I can teleport now, though that was definitely a first for me. The most I’ve done is moved within the same room and grabbed things before they hit the ground.” The two of them look at me as if I’m a god.
“You astound me,” Theo says before dropping a kiss to my temple.
Raphael takes my hand, leading me toward the others. “Do you have any more secret abilities up your sleeve?”
I shrug. “I don’t think so. Well, actually …” I whisper and feel them both look in my direction. “I can touch my nose with my tongue.”
When I stick it out to show them, they both laugh and a little of the tension eases.
“How did you both sleep?” I ask.
“Meh.” Theo shrugs. “We were worried when we woke up and you were gone.”
He doesn’t say it, but I can tell he’s haunted by my sneaking out to meet Auriel. What kind of angel am I that I didn’t even consider how they might react to waking up and finding me missing again?
“I’m so sorry,” I say, slipping my free hand into his. “I just needed a moment alone, and you both looked too cute to wake up. But I’ve learned my lesson about keeping things from you guys. I won’t run away like that again, promise.”
“And we’ll allow you to make your own choices, even if we don’t agree with them. Though I do plan on being very vocal with my disagreements. Respectfully, of course.” Raphael squeezes my hand, and I know that, despite the pain we’ve all caused one another, we’re in a better place because of it.
We’re going to be alright.
