Page 39 of Wings of Valor
“We’ll get them back,” Mira promises, and the others pile on in agreement.
I want to believe them. No, Ihaveto. It’s all I think about as I do my best to finish the food on my plate, despite no longer finding myself hungry. I bet my parents and Zeke are hungry right now.
When everyone has finished eating, Castiel’s slate buzzes for the third time. As he reads it, his face falls. “It’s Principal Cael.It would appear my presence is required on campus. Raphael, can you take over for me with Theo until I’m back? Hopefully, I won’t be long.”
“Of course. No problem.”
I watch Castiel go, wondering if Cael is calling about what Dina mentioned. Some emergency meeting.
Fucking hell. The hits just keep coming.
Mira leaves, probably off to the guild, and my legs start to twitch. I can’t just sit here. Raphael and Theo can look over maps, but I need to get some of this fucking energy out of me before I explode. Besides, when Zeke and I imbued at his house, all I needed was big emotions. And boy, do I have a lot of those right now.
In my search for the garden this morning, I stumbled across a room filled with swords and daggers, arrow tips and curved blades, and even a few wicked-looking maces. That’s where I head now, my strides steady and determined. I’ll imbue as many as I can now and show the Archangels I won’t be tucked aside.
The room is blissfully empty when I arrive. I grab a few swords off the rack, set them in a neat line on the table in the center of the room, and try to act like I know what I’m doing. One by one, I imbue them, keeping my focus sharp and fierce on the task at hand.
Before I know it, I’ve imbued six swords. They shine brighter than the small dagger I imbued with Zeke, and even brighter than the twin daggers I imbued for myself before meeting Auriel.
Not bad, Hayles. Not bad at all.
The well of power at the center of my being feels less full, less like it might devour me whole. Still, I think I can drain it more. We need enough for an army, which means I might have to be a little more deliberate with how much sunfire I’m pushing into each of these.
I’m pulling out another blade when the door opens and Kirach steps inside. All the air rushes out of me, and I freeze, unsure of how this will play out. Does he hate me? Blame me for Zeke’s kidnapping? Gods. Last time he saw me, I was half naked in his workshop with his son. If he knew the trouble I’d get his only child in, would he have been so nice that day?
He doesn’t say anything at first, only looks at the six weapons glowing on the table. There’s no smile on his face, not even a glimmer of lightness. Not that I blame him. He already lost his wife, and now he’s facing the same thing with his son.
“I’m sorry,” I blurt, unable to stay silent a moment longer.
“What are you apologizing for, exactly?”
I swallow, taken aback by his question. “The only reason they’re holding Zeke hostage right now is me. And after everything your family has already been through, I’m—”
“I don’t accept,” Kirach says, sounding detached and making my hopes plummet.
“Oh. Um … alright. I understand.” Without another word, I turn and put the fresh blade back on the rack, holding back tears until I can get the fuck out of here, but Kirach’s words stop me.
“I don’t accept, because you have nothing to apologize for.”
I turn on him, unable to keep the bewilderment from my voice. “But he was only there because of me!”
“That might be true, but it doesn’t negate the fact that you aren’t responsible for the actions of others. Zeke made a choice, one I know he probably doesn’t regret. Not if it means you’re safe. I suspect he made that choice for someone he loves, and that’s not something anyone agonizes over.”
I can only stare, unsure of what to say.
How can he already know Zeke loves me, when even I didn’t fully understand until recently?
He offers me a tight smile. “My wife made a similar choice once. It isn’t easy, being the one sacrifices are made for.”
My world tilts on its axis. Is that what really happened to Zeke’s mom? Does he know? I want to ask him these questions, but Kirach keeps talking.
His jaw is set, determination blazing in his eyes. “But know this. Wewillget my son back, and whoever took him will pay the price. I haven’t been the best father, not since my wife died, but I’m so proud of the man he’s become.”
“I think Zeke would really like to hear that,” I tell him, my eyes stinging.
“Then we best make sure we get him back, hey?”
I offer him a smile and nod. Something tells me he’d be down to assist with our secret mission.
