Page 96 of Wings of Valor
“Not at all. I see Castiel was right about you in all things. You are gracious, indeed. Now, we only have a few more things to discuss. The first being Seraphina Beckett. Because of her lightning attack on a fellow student and the destruction of the Fallen house library, she is no longer a student here.”
That was Seraphina? All this time I thought it was Auriel—the cloaked figure acting in a fit of rage after being unable to find me. But it was her.
“You seem surprised,” Cael says, watching my reactions unfold.
“I am. Isn’t Seraphina’s family quite important?”
“They are, yes. But we’re entering a new era in which spoiled children need to be held accountable.”
I try and fail to hide a smile. “Well, alright then.”
“Lastly, I’ll need you to remove the banned rune from the cave near Somersault Falls. Cadriel Hammerman was found there only recently after having been trapped and paralyzed for days. While I understand your need for protections, given the circumstances of the last few months, I don’t think you’ll be needing that anymore.”
It takes every ounce of self-control I have not to burst out laughing. Damn, I would have loved to have seen Cadriel all trussed up in vines. Would it be inappropriate to ask if Cael snapped a photo? “We’ll get that cleared up right away.”
“Perfect. In that case, we’re all settled. I hope you’ll consider my offer and continue on as a student.” Cael stands, extending a hand for me to shake. “Silver City University will be among the first schools to assist the Archangels in developing real change for our citizens. That’s a promise.”
I take it and offer him a smile. “I’d love that. If there’s anything I can do to help with Castiel’s statue, please let me know. He was the best of us.”
Exiting Cael’s office, I smile at the receptionist and take my leave, but before I make it out the back doors, a familiar stack of papers catches my attention. News articles. Harold the Herald just doesn’t quit. I reach for the shortest pile but think better of it. There’s nothing in there for me but trouble.
And with everything we’ve sacrificed lately, I don’t need any more of that.
I walk past the fountain and through the tree-lined path to Fallen house without anyone stopping me. It’s almost strange to move around campus without the fear that someone is waiting for me behind the next bend. Strange, but in a good way.
As I approach the front door, my steps slow. Taped to it is another article, this one with today’s date on it. Without thinking, I reach for it, pluck it from the door, and read the headline.Gilded in Gold: The Gift We Didn’t Know We Needed by Harold the Herald. Something about it feels oddly familiar, and even though I know I should put it down, I keep reading.
So far this year I’ve written several articles about an angel named Hayliel Gracelin. If you’ll recall, she’s a first-year student whose attendance at Silver City University created quite the stir. With gray wings turned gold, the rumor mill hasn’tstopped churning with ideas to explain the wild phenomenon that was her transformation. After the events of late, I’m here to clear a few things up.
Hayliel Gracelin is a godsend. You read that right. A godsend. And I, for one, would like to issue a formal apology to the angel who saved our city. She and her friends faced certain death, and instead of looking at the world through a different lens, I took the easy way out. I let the rumors and accusations fill my page without even once doing what a good journalist does: investigate, fact-check, and use trusted sources. As ashamed as I am, take this as my debut article. As of now, I will do better, and I have Hayliel to thank for that.
The first angel I sought was someone I interviewed in the past. Gagiel Nisbet. He reiterated what he said in his last interview, stating that things have only gotten better with her around. So much better that his friends Sidriel, Tabbris, and Yofie began attending classes in person again after meeting her. “She stood up for us, supported us, and it’s why she’s earned my lifelong gratitude. For the first time, I’m excited about the future and hope to be the kind of angel who deserves her friendship.”
Gagiel isn’t the only one to step forward and offer support to Hayliel. Professors from our elite school have reached out in support of her, stating, “If more angels had her compassion and understanding, our city would be a much better place.”
I hope someday to speak with Hayliel myself, but until then, I’ll do my best to make this column something I can be proud of.
Along the bottom is an arrow. When I flip the page over, I cover my mouth in shock. There are several handwritten notes from friends and other students. I only recognize half the signatures, most of which are my friends or boyfriends. Who are the others?
I read words likeextraordinary. Unique. Remarkable. Selfless. Generous.Tears slip from my eyes and onto the page.
The door opens, and I look up to find a group of angels waiting for me just inside. Zeke, Theo, Raph, Dina, and even Mira are here. I spot Gagiel holding hands with Sidriel—that’s new!—and Tabbris and Yofie nearby, too. Marina is near the back, along with other Pure and Fallen students I recognize but can’t remember their names. They hold a banner that reads, “Welcome Back, Hayliel!”
As I look around the room, my heart expands until I’m bursting with joy.
I glance up and send a shot of gratitude to Castiel for helping make this moment a possibility. He may not be here physically, but I feel his calm presence all the same.
Raphael pulls me inside, then raises my hand in the air to the sound of everyone cheering.
My smile has never been so wide.
40
Several months later
Istare into the mirror and don’t recognize the woman looking back at me.
Logically, I know it’s my reflection. I’m the only one here, so it can’t be anyone else, but it doesn’t look like me. My long hair is pulled back into an elegant bun while a few soft tendrils frame my face. Mira helped me with it while Dina did my makeup. I asked them both for subtle, natural beauty and they more than delivered.
