Page 37 of Wings of Valor
“A Seraphim? After all these years?”
“She lies to us!”
Archangel Shubael bangs on the arm of his chair, and the room falls into hushed silence.Damn. That’s a nice trick.
“She speaks the truth,” he says, gaze traveling around the room. “Remiel has seen it in his visions. Please, let her continue.”
He turns to me, and I give him a cautious nod of thanks. Even though I’m desperate to learn more about these visions Remiel has had of me, I know now isn’t the time. Besides, Shubael’s interruption gave me an idea.
I take a deep breath and release my wings. Golden feathers shimmer in the light streaming through the window, erasing any lingering doubt of their authenticity. I count to thirty in my head, giving the council time to take it all in.
To my surprise, they all remain silent, but whether it’s from shock or the fear of pissing off Shubael and the other Archangel’s is something I’ll never know.
Using it to my advantage, I pick up where Castiel stopped and explain the events of yesterday. Of how I tried to give myself over to Auriel in exchange for my parents. How I tried to do it all alone, thinking that he would keep to his word. And how I realized—very quickly—just how naïve I had been. When I tell them about my friends showing up and how Zeke was captured, I struggle to keep my composure.
My voice cracks when I say his name. This shouldn’t have been how his father found out. I should have spoken to him earlier, warned him of what we’d be discussing. Fuck. How could I have done this to him?
Even though Raphael and Theo say Zeke knew the risks, I’m still to blame for his capture. Zeke’s father will see it too, and then what? On instinct, my eyes find Kirach’s, and all I want to do is go to him. Tell him how fucking sorry I am. Other than a new tightness around his eyes, his expression hasn’t changed.
I wrap up my story quickly, needing to step back and out of the spotlight before I break down in front of everyone. No one speaks for a full minute before everyone erupts with thoughts at the same time.
“So, what is our plan to avoid this cleansing?”
“And how was this missed by Remiel? Did his visions not catch this?”
“Or did he know this whole time and say nothing?”
“How can we trust the guild now that Fallen angels have become tainted?”
Their questions are valid—most of them are the same ones I want answers to. Trust has been broken, and rebuilding it won’t be easy. Not in a mess like this. Anyone could betray us.
Mikhael stands slowly but doesn’t say a word. He doesn’t have to. The moment everyone sees his tall frame lift from the throne-like chair and his four wings flex out wide behind him, the room quiets. As soon as it does, he tucks them at his back.
“As you know, over the last few decades we’ve been preparing for several things. Demons have been our main focus, but we’ve not lost sight of the Fallen involvement. What we did not anticipate, however, was Auriel’s participation in such treachery. And let me assure you, the three of us feel his betrayal like a stab to the heart.”
Mikhael sits and Remiel stands to take over. “We believe Hayliel’s Seraphim status has sped up their timeline. They know once she learns to control her powers—once she truly recognizes what she can do—they won’t stand a chance. It’s why Auriel tried to sway her to join him. Why he took hostages who mean a great deal to her. He’s afraid.”
“So where do we go from here?” Theo asks. “And how can we help?”
I want nothing more than to hug him and show him just how much it means to me that he’s taking our conversation to heart. How canwehelp. He isn’t trying to keep me locked away in a tower while others put themselves at risk. Fat fucking chance I’d agree to that, and they’re finally accepting it.
Each of us has to make our own choices. It’s the only way it’ll mean anything.
Shubael stands next, and I wonder if they have a schedule of who speaks or if they’re that in tune with one another. “Now that we know who’s involved, we’ll take another look at our info in case we missed a key detail. We’re looking for locations. Sources. Any clues that might reveal where Auriel is set up or where hisnext target is. We’ll also consider making a city-wide broadcast, warning angels of Auriel’s schemes. The last thing we want is to cause panic, so keep this to yourselves until you hear otherwise.”
“And what of my son? And Hayliel’s parents? Or the guild?” Kirach asks, his voice raw with pain despite his best efforts to hide it.
“We’ll notify the guild immediately so they can revoke the lieutenant’s access and keep an eye out for suspicious activity. As for the hostages, until we find a location, we’re unable to do anything. But rest assured, we will work as swiftly as possible,” Remiel promises.
His answer is unacceptable, and I open my mouth to protest but Mikhael speaks first.
“Hayliel, Castiel, Raphael, Mira, and Theo, I think it best if you stay at the sanctuary. And Hayliel, we’ll need you to master your powers and imbue as many blades as possible.”
“But I can help find Zeke and my parents. I—”
“No.”
I sit back in my chair as if he slapped me.
