Page 48 of Wings of Valor (Silver City University #4)

I wake a few days later with Raphael and Theo still sleeping beside me. The spot where Zeke slept is empty, the sheets cold, but that doesn’t surprise me.

He’s done this every morning since the battle—getting up early to take in the sunrise.

I suspect it has something to do with his lost wing, because he still refuses to talk about it with anyone.

Other than reassuring me that it isn’t my fault, he changes the subject every time it’s brought up.

Even when the Archangels offered to procure him a prosthetic wing, all he did was take the information provided and thank them.

Somehow I’m more concerned than he is, but I guess all we can do is give him time to process in his own way and support him as best we can with whatever he decides.

It’s been a strange few days. My emotions run haywire more often than I’d care to admit, and I suspect today will be no different. The Archangels set up a broadcast this morning to discuss recent events and what it means for the future. Not only that, but they’ve requested our presence.

I glance at the time on my slate. Shit. We overslept.

“Time to get up,” I whisper to Raph and Theo, jumping out of bed before they can trap me between them.

“The war is over. Can’t we sleep in?” Raph mumbles.

“If you want to look frumpy on every slate in the city, be my guest.”

This has him sitting up in a panic. Yep. Knew that would do the trick.

We get dressed quickly, putting on our freshly cleaned rune-stitched clothing at the request of the Archangels, then we make our way to the designated recording spot, which happens to be the balcony where Raphael and I fucked. How fitting.

The Archangels are just wrapping up their speech about Auriel and the atrocious things he’s done when we arrive, and I spot Zeke talking with his father, who’s standing next to Azrael and Briathos, each wearing their guild uniforms.

“Hi,” I say, approaching the group.

“Cutting it close,” Zeke whispers as he presses a kiss against the hair above my ear.

The guild members are called to approach the podium.

Everyone except for Zeke heads to stand with the Archangels and receive a certificate of honor.

While we watch, Raduriel comes up to stand next to his brother.

Their relationship is rocky, at best, but it’s come a long way.

Raphael still isn’t sure what to make of the shift, but he’s trying, and that’s enough for now.

Malik, Isadora, and Phiel are brought on next to receive a similar certificate.

Castiel receives an honorable mention for his bravery and unwavering support of our city.

I’m shocked to my core when Mikhael states they will create a new statue to honor him and his sacrifice.

My heart sinks when I learn it’ll be on the grounds of Silver City University, a place I’m no longer welcome.

I don’t know what my future holds. Without SCU, what will I do?

Maybe they’ll let me help Mom and Dad or even stay at the sanctuary.

I know there are positions to fill here.

Even if Darok wasn’t a suspected traitor, he hasn’t showed up for duty.

Whatever he did for the council, I’m sure I could handle it far better than that idiot could.

The Archangels call us up next. My stomach somersaults as we walk up to stand in front of the railing.

Cameras trail us and I feel a trickle of sweat run down my back.

Ugh. I hate this. Having angels watch me is something I’ve grown to dislike over the years, and that hasn’t changed just because we’ve saved the city.

They can’t possibly get us all in the same shot. Not with Raphael, Theo, Zeke, Mira, and me standing beside the Archangels.

“It is with honor and appreciation that we offer these fine angels a medal of valor. Without them, Auriel and his traitorous followers would be well on their way to eradicating the good Fallen citizens of our great city,” Mikhael says, then proceeds to hand deliver a medallion and pin to each of us.

He moves slowly so the cameras catch every second of the interactions.

When he gets to me, he announces, loud and proud to the entire fucking city, that I’m a Seraphim, the first in several generations, and a liberator for the whole city.

My face feels flame-hot, and I really hope this broadcast isn’t recorded. I never want to watch it.

We step out of frame as the Archangel’s call my parents and Dina up to talk about the new equality department. Mom and Dad will run it, while Dina acts as the official project manager. I’m so happy for them and for what this will mean for all of Silver City’s Fallen community members.

Part of me is still skeptical, but a greater part is just happy to see us moving in the right direction with angels I trust at the helm. My parents will kick ass, and I know Dina will, too.

“We can’t reveal everything to you yet, but Cam and Mari wanted to share two important initiatives we’ll be focusing on in the coming months,” Remiel says, extending his arm to my parents.

Mom beams at the camera, looking like she might burst with joy. “The first might be the easiest of our challenges, which is to open up the guild to new members. Angels of all types will now be able to apply, not just Fallen.”

“I already know several members of our community who will find this information quite exciting,” Mikhael adds.

Dad clears his throat, looking totally, adorably uncomfortable but plowing through anyway.

“The second will take a bit more work, but is no less worthwhile. Areas and districts will no longer be separated by angel types, and all jobs will be reassessed to ensure proper earnings are received. We look forward to providing you with more updates soon.”

They exit the balcony and the Archangels wrap up the broadcast by announcing a new holiday to commemorate those who fell during the battle. As soon as the broadcast is over, slates buzz all around me.

Raphael receives a video call from his mother. He answers it, and she immediately starts with the shitty little remarks. Raduriel chimes in, sticking up for his brother in a way that has pride shooting through me. Fucking finally.

Dina’s dad calls, but she steps away before I can hear how it goes.

Hopefully, he’s proud of her. He should be.

She’d gotten a little banged up after somehow getting trapped in a crumbled building in the Fallen district with Professor Malik.

I still haven’t gotten the full scoop on what transpired there, but I trust she’ll open up to me in time.

Theo’s grandparents call him, shouting about the fact that he let Lorna ramble on about Seraphim without telling her she was standing in front of one the whole time.

I laugh before silently excusing myself to search for my parents.

I want to tell them how epic their interview was and how excited I am to watch them change the fucking world.

They’re surrounded by journalists, all vying for more information, so I hang back and watch on from the shadows.

Until my slate vibrates.

Principal Cael’s name flashes across the screen, making my stomach drop. I immediately move to tuck it back into my bag, but then he calls a second time.

Shit. Maybe it’s important.

With my heart racing, I swipe to answer. “Hello?”

“Thank you for answering, Miss Hayliel,” he begins. “I’m sorry I didn’t contact you sooner, but Castiel swore me to secrecy until this matter was done.”

Castiel swore him to secrecy? On what? All I can get out is a mild, “Oh?”

“Please come to my office tomorrow. It’s better if we talk face-to-face.”

I drag my feet on campus, flip-flopping between wanting to avoid the principal’s office and wanting to get out of the open.

My friends—who also returned to campus this morning—offered to walk me in, but I said no.

They’ve been with me through everything.

The good and the bad. This is something I need to do myself, and, surprisingly, I feel strong enough to handle it on my own.

The path to the main hall makes me think of my first day when Castiel met me at the gate. He was so nice to me, even from the beginning. But what was it he swore Principal Cael to secrecy on?

When I enter the outer office, the angel behind the counter isn’t the same one working when I was last here.

This woman lights up, gushing about meeting a Seraphim in person and how she’d seen me on her slate the day before.

I don’t know how to react, so I say nothing, face growing redder with every moment that passes.

She must sense my unease because she immediately covers her mouth, eyes growing wide. “I’m so sorry. That isn’t at all why you’re here.” She doesn’t give me the chance to respond before saying, “Principal Cael will see you now.”

I enter the office like I have several times before. It looks much the same. Tidy, with the principal giving off an air of curiosity. I wonder if he’s going to ask me to take out my wings again so he can study them. To my surprise, he doesn’t.

“Please, sit.”

Awkwardly, I slump into the seat across from his desk and fold my hands in my lap.

Principal Cael shuffles through some papers, and then finally sets them down on his desk. “First, thank you for coming today. I don’t imagine it was easy to step onto a campus that has been the location of such discomfort for you.”

“I appreciate you letting me return, even if only to have a discussion. You mentioned Castiel, and I—” I have to pause and swallow past the growing lump in my throat.

“Castiel was a great man,” Cael says, giving me a break from trying to get my shit together. “Not only was he a fine professor here at the university, but he sensed things about angels that others didn’t. Like you, for example. Castiel was a staunch supporter of yours from the very beginning.”