Page 15 of Wings of Valor (Silver City University #4)

S omething slithers through my veins.

It mixes with my blood, much too fast for me to stop it, causing my limbs to fail me, making my mouth unable to form words and my eyelids so damn fucking heavy.

I need to tell them about Atlas. About him being not only the mole but Mira’s dad, too. If I can’t look into it, then someone else has to.

My mind is foggy, but I put all of my energy and focus into my connections.

Atlas is the mole. Do you hear me? Lieutenant Atlas is a traitor to the guild. And he’s also Mira’s father. Don’t trust her. I don’t know if she’s working with him or not.

In front of me, no one’s expression changes. Or at least, I don’t think they do. Everything is a bit blurry. Whatever that asshole injected me with beckons me to close my eyes, to rest, to sleep and forget about the rest of the world.

But my world is standing with Raphael and Theo.

My world is trying to save the city on her own.

And my world is watching me fail her. Again.

That’s all I seem to fucking do. So I push and push and push, willing myself to keep my eyes open, even just for a second. Willing myself to ignore the sweet whispers of slumber and lay my eyes on her one last time.

If they take me, that’s fine. I only need to know that she’s safe.

“Hayliel.” Her name escapes my lips on a silent breath. I wanted her to hear me. She needs to hear me. To get out of here and be safe.

They can have me, but not her. Never her.

And then, just as the last vestiges of my strength leave me, the area seems to blink out of existence. Or maybe it’s me that does.

I slump against Atlas and smile.

My girl is safe—at least for now.

And that’s all that matters.