Page 5 of Wings of Valor
Raph, Zeke, and Theo look like they want to argue, so I do what any sane and reasonable girl would. I kiss them. One by one, I press my lips to theirs, keeping it light instead of deepening it like I would at any other moment. The spark that usually ignites at their touch is still there—but it’s dull, hidden beneath my pain.
“I’ll think of some excuse to give my parents for why we left,” Raphael says, squeezing me a little tighter.
I groan. “Shit. I didn’t even think of that.”
He chuckles. “It’ll be alright. And besides, who the hell cares what they think?”
Zeke clears his throat. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten about our need to discuss looping Azrael in on the plan.”
I turn to him, sure that I’ve missed something. If I’d realized this had been discussed earlier, I’d have agreed from the start. His lieutenant brain can surely help find my parents. “Let’s get him to the cave tomorrow and have him pass through the rune. As long as he’s not a threat, he can know everything.”
Theo shares a look with Raphael. “Are you sure, firefly?”
“If you’re hoping to avoid a trade to save my parents, then we’re going to need all the help we can get.”
I don’t remember walking to Fallen house or entering Dina’s room. It’s like I blacked out, and now somehow I’m sitting on her bed. Mindlessly, I drink the water she gave me, staring at the wall and feeling more empty than I have in a really long time.
Dina sits beside me, nudging my leg with hers. “You said their telepathy skills were improving. Have you tried reaching out to them yet?”
Slowly, like the movement alone costs more energy than I have, I turn to look at my best friend. “I … no. I didn’t even think to use our mental connection.”
Fuck. I’m an idiot for not doing this the moment we arrived at their house.
Mom? Dad?
Only silence greets me. Panic wells inside, but I push it down. I’d feel it if they were dead, wouldn’t I? They could just be too far away. Maybe if I’d thought of doing this earlier, we could’ve found them already.
Stupid, stupid Hayliel.
Dina must sense that my attempt failed, because she says, “We’ll try again in the morning. Here”—she hands me a little white pill—“to help you sleep. We’ll face this with a fresh mind tomorrow, and to do that, you need to rest. Alright?”
I nod, playing along as I swallow it and move through the motions of getting ready for bed. My things are only across the hall, but I don’t have it in me to go over there. I’ll break down if I see photos of a happier time.
No.
I’ll sleep. Rest.
Just like everyone wants.
And tomorrow, I’ll make a plan.
I try to reach my parents every few minutes, but they don’t answer, and I sink further into a dark pit in my mind.
Dina doesn’t press me for conversation until we crawl into bed, and she curls up to snuggle against my back. “I love you, bestie. We’ll bring them home.”
All I can do is give a soft hum of agreement, but I know Dina gets it. She’s known me long enough, knows that my parents are the glue that’s kept me together all these years. Through the bullying, the shame, the years of being an outcast. I doubt Dina wants me to put myself in harm’s way, but I know she understands why I’m so willing to trade myself to save them.
And I know that she’ll accept my decision, even if it’s one she doesn’t approve of.
I hold tight to Mom’s apron and Dad’s shirt—finding comfort in the smell of home. Once more, I mentally call out to my parents, hoping I’ll get a response. All I’m greeted with is silence—and the soft sound of Dina’s sleeping form behind me as she lightly snores.
A lone tear rolls down my cheek as whatever medication she gave me kicks in, and I finally drift off to sleep.
4
Morning comes far too soon, and yet it feels like too much time has passed. I want to know how Hayliel is doing, but I don’t dare risk waking her. After yesterday, I can’t imagine she had an easy time falling asleep.
Sitting up in bed, I check my slate. There are a few unread notifications—one from the rune weaver, letting me know she received the deposit I sent her, which unfortunately used up most of my emergency funds. I don’t dare ask my parents to refill it. I’ll have to figure something else out to pay off the rest—along with a not-so-subtle reminder to send over the details ASAP.
