Page 49 of Wings of Valor
Briathos steps into my line of sight. “The information we have, it’s dangerous, Raphael. Your brother and I only wanted to offer our help, so you and your friends don’t have to face it alone.”
“Or take over,” I mutter, earning a sharp glance from Hayliel and Theo.
Shit, shit, shit. I’m mucking this all up.
“No,” Rad says. “We’ll stay behind if that’s what you want. But we’re here for you if you need us.”
I hear his words, but I don’t believe them. When has my brother ever sat on the sidelines? Never. How else would he get all the clout and praise from our parents? Ignoring his last statement, I say, “Well? Care to share with the class? Tell us what you know.”
“Please,” Hayliel and Theo tack on as one, making me feel like an even bigger asshole.
“It’s not good,” Briathos begins, but Rad cuts him off.
“Wait. Why are you guys hanging out in a room filed with sunblades?”
Seriously? That’s what he’s worried about? “Not important, Rad.”
“Right, okay. As Briathos says, it’s not good. It turns out that one of the Archangels, Auriel, is a traitor. There’s been a lot of discussion recently about what the best course of action is to take him and the demons he’s working with down.”
Briathos nods. “It’s being kept very tight-lipped. I don’t think they know who to trust at the moment, so not even the guild is fully aware. I guess someone there was aware of Auriel’s plan and even helped him a few times.”
So far, they aren’t giving us anything we don’t already know. A tingle of satisfaction works its way through me. For once, I know more than the legend that is my brother—take that Mom and Dad.
Still, I ask, “If it’s so tight-lipped, how do you know all this?”
“We called in a few favors.” When I don’t reply, Rad goes on. “They’re finalizing a plan to trap Auriel and put an end to this mess once and for all. Apparently, the Archangels have the means to end him, should it come to that. Which is wild, because if you ask me, there’s no other way out of this if he truly is responsible for what they’re saying. Now this last piece is only a rumor, but apparently Remiel said the possibility of reform is there. Slim, but there. They’re hoping to avoid the death route.”
Hayliel rolls her eyes, fists clenched. “So their focus is on Auriel. What a fucking joke.”
Shit. The information hadn’t clicked in my mind. I was too focused on the fact that I’d one-upped my brother, and I wasn’t really listening to what he and Briathos were saying. But this isbullshit! The lives of Zeke and Hayliel’s parents aren’t a game. They were supposed to be helping us get them back.
Theo takes Hayliel’s fisted hand in his, gently prying until he can entwine his fingers with hers.
“Clearly we’re missing something. Why are you all so pissed? Hell, why are you even here at the sanctuary?” Raduriel asks, staring straight at me.
“You know, I’m asking myself the same question. Why are we even fucking here?” These walls suddenly feel like a cage, keeping us trapped until we can be useful. Is that what they’re doing? Using Hayliel to make weapons. Using Hayliel to take down Auriel. All while not doing a damn thing for the angels we love.
Hayliel’s soft voice floats into my head.I think we should tell them what’s really going on.
I don’t trust them, I push back. In truth, I just don’t trust Raduriel not to fuck it up and make everything about him.
He’s here, Raph, Theo says through our mental connection.He and Briathos are here, offering support, and Rad even agreed he’d stay out of it if that’s what you wanted.
Your brother is making an effort, just like he did when we met with him at your parents’ house. I think we should do the same. And we’re running out of options,Hayliel says, giving me a pleading look that dissolves my reluctance.
Okay.
I glance between my brother and his friend, then say, “We’re pissed because there are angels who mean a lot to us that have fallen behind enemy lines. The Archangels and their council were supposed to be planning how to get them back safely instead of focusing all of their attention on fucking Auriel.”
“Zeke…” Briathos says. “At the guild, they’ve given four different stories about why he hasn’t been around. He’s been taken, hasn’t he?”
“Yes,” Hayliel whispers. “My parents, too.”
“Well, since we can’t rely on the Archangels or their council for help, it looks like we’re going to have to do this ourselves,” I say, fully prepared to go against the rulers of Silver City. Their priority might be Auriel, but ours lies with the family that was taken from us. Auriel can rot for all I care.
Rad runs a hand through his hair and turns to me, exasperated. “If you were in trouble, why didn’t you come to me? I’m on your side here, Raph. I always have been.”
The laugh that bubbles up from my throat is loud and unstoppable. “That’s rich, coming from the brother whose shadow I’ve been sitting in for years. Your sole focus is on making Mom and Dad happy, and you stopped caring about me a long time ago.”
