Page 3 of Wings of Valor (Silver City University #4)

A round me, the group argues about what our next step should be, but I don’t bother joining the conversation. Instead, I just hold on to Theo’s hand to reassure him that what happened isn’t his fault.

The discussion grows louder, but I tune them out. It’s late, and we’re all worn out. Hell, it’s our constant fucking state at this point. Yet despite the weariness, my damn brain just won’t shut off.

Behind my eyes, the events of the night play on repeat. The sight of their blood on the walls will haunt me forever. And fuck, I can’t even muster excitement about finally summoning enough sunfire to blast a demon to smithereens.

Maybe if I’d visited my parents earlier, I could have stopped this whole thing from happening in the first place. Now I need to decide.

My friends act like there’s a choice. But with my parents in the grasp of that psychotic Archangel, there’s only one thing to do. I have to give him what he wants.

Then there’s Uriel. With every second that passes, my anger and rage edge closer to snapping. If he wants to pick on me and make my life on campus a living hell, that’s fine. I’ll make do. But to put my friends and family at risk like that? He deserves to pay.

“No!” all three of my guys snap at the same time.

“She’s not giving herself over to that piece of shit,” Zeke says, glaring at Mira.

The newest member of our group raises her hand in submission.

“I get that I’m new here, but I care for Hayliel as much as anyone in this cave.

It’s not that I want her to do it, but we’re discussing how to get her parents back alive, and it feels like we should at least put all the options on the table. ”

“It might be the only option we have—unless we can find out where my parents are and rescue them before the deadline. But seven days isn’t a lot of time to sort that out.” Six sets of eyes turn on me, all with varying degrees of emotion.

There’s pain and worry from my guys, fear from Dina, a shrewd air of calculation from Castiel, and Mira almost looks proud.

“Listen to me, sunshine,” Raphael says as he cups my face in his hands. “None of us want to see anything happen to you or your parents. We’re going to do everything in our power to get them back, but sacrificing yourself is not an option.”

“Besides, I don’t exactly trust Auriel will stay true to his word and let them leave, even if you agree to his terms. We have no proof that he’s trustworthy,” Zeke says. The death glare he throws at Mira makes me think he wants to throttle her.

Little does he know, I’ve already come to the same conclusion on my own: trading myself is the best option for them—the safest one.

“I have to do something. And you can’t tell me you wouldn’t have given everything to trade places with your mom.”

Zeke steps back like I slapped him.

Shit.

Every ounce of emotion drains from his face, and when he finally speaks, his voice is detached and cold. “I nearly did until Dad stopped me. Turns out they’d already killed her and just wanted more bloodshed.”

I watch as Theo reaches out to squeeze his arm—something that would’ve seemed odd to me at any other moment but this one. Deep down, I know I should do the same. Offer him comfort and an apology for what I’d just said, but that would mean acknowledging the fact that maybe they’re—

No. I can’t think about that. I can’t consider the possibility that they’re dead already.

I.

Just.

Can’t.

Ever the professor, Castiel says, “Look. It’s been a rough day for everyone, and we’re not going to get anywhere while emotions are high and we’re all exhausted. Let’s take the night to sleep, and we can regroup in the morning. Does that sound good?”

Sleep? After what I just witnessed? Not possible. But I don’t want to argue anymore, so I go along with Castiel’s idea.

On his way out of the cave, Castiel stops and offers me a reassuring smile. “We will consider every option to save your parents, Miss Hayliel.”

I truly hope he means that. Mentally, I add his name to the list of potential allies I have to help convince the others that giving myself over is the way to go.

Mira is the next to leave, and just like Castiel, she stops by to speak with me. “Remember where you got your strength from. I’ve never met your parents, but if they’re half as brave and bright as you are, they’ll be fine.”

Her words make my eyes sting with tears, but I hold them back. There will be time for that later—when I’m alone.

“Where would you like to sleep tonight, sunshine?” Raphael asks, his eyes roaming over my face.

Fuck. I forgot about our arrangement. All I want is to be alone with my thoughts, but I can’t see them agreeing to that after what we’ve all just been through. So instead, I pick the next best thing.

“I’d like to stay with Dina tonight, if you’re here until tomorrow?”

“Dad thinks I’m staying with my Pure friend, Mira, so I’m all yours until the morning,” Dina says, then turns to the guys. “I’ll keep her safe. I promise.”

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.