I freeze, heart jumping to my throat.
The man on the ground coughs, choking on his own blood. “We possess a lot of powers, but invisibility isn’t one of them.”
Turning slowly, I take in his words, mouth falling open. “Why didn’t you tell them I was there?”
He smiles, teeth red with blood. “You’re just”—his breathing stutters—“a kid.”
There’s a commotion in the building and my eyes flash toward it, certain someone will open those doors any second.
“Go. Before they find you. I’ll take your secret with me.”
Part of me wishes I could do something for him. And maybe I could get the Guild out here, but there’s no saving him, not with a wound from an angel blade. “Thank you. I … I’m sorry I can’t help you.”
With one last glance toward him and the door beyond, I turn and bolt.
It feels like it takes forever to get home. Everywhere I look, I see shadows. I see scarred wings and the glint of a knife. So when I finally catch sight of my parents’ house, I almost squeal. It looks the same as it did when I left. Red door. Lights on. But it’s me that’s changed. What I saw tonight sits in my gut, heavy and coiling. How is it that I’ve stumbled upon something so momentous within such a short period of time? My firstvisit to the Fallen district and already I have more unanswered questions, more to worry about, and somehow I felt loss. For a stranger. A criminal.
What a mess.
I open the front door quietly, doing my best to get in unseen and avoid my parents. They read me too easily, and right now I’m not sure I can muster the energy to pretend I’m alright.
The house is quiet except for the soft music playing. It calms me, at least, as much as it can, but just like everything else, it doesn’t last. Everything from the last hour rushes back, churning inside me with the need to get out.
Is that man still alive, or has he succumbed to his injuries? Maybe I should have reached out to someone earlier. Could I have saved him if I had?
Once I’m safely tucked away in my room, I send Zeke a text.
Hayliel: How can I send in a tip to the Guild?
16
How the hell did I survive living with my parents all these years?
I’ve barely been home for a few hours and I’m already fed up. When I told Hayliel I’d continue our research here, I wasn’t joking about it being a gift. If I have to listen to Mom tell me how I should be more like Raduriel, even one more time, I’ll projectile vomit.
Will I even make it through the full week here?
My only saving grace is Hayliel. If I can find something to bring back with me, seeing her face as it lights up will soothe everything I might have to deal with here. It’ll all be worth it if it helps us find answers.
The family library is pretty large, considering the fact no one ever comes in here. Why collect all this literature if they aren’t going to read it? Why decorate the space with beautiful pieces offurniture if they won’t sit in them to read? I suppose it’s possible they come in here now that their kids are out of the house, but I’d only seen them in here once as a kid, and that was only to show off their collection. The large mahogany staircase in the center of the circular room that spirals up to the second floor brings a bitter smile to my face. When I was young, I remember wishing my parents would let me slide down the railing. They didn’t, of course. And by the time I had the chance to try it when they were out of town, the spark of excitement never came.
Shelves of books line the walls and a few decorative pieces of furniture near the entrance. Among the books, my parents also have statues and other artifacts they’ve collected over the years. Growing up, this area was off limits to us. They didn’t want us to ruin any of their collection, and it was only a few years ago that they let us in without direct supervision. That’s when they built Raduriel and me our own work space. I shake my head, setting my anger loose. That’s the past. But this, what I’m trying to find for Hayliel, is the present. She’s my future, and I won’t let my family hangups impede that.
I peruse the first floor, picking up a few books that sound promising before heading up the stairs to the second floor. There are more shelves up here, more books to look through, and I find another volume or two.
The private study room I spent half my school years in is open, empty except for the desk that holds so many memories — my parents’ unwillingness to help me, Raduriel’s enjoyment of the power he held over me as the favorite. Theo came here a few times, but he couldn’t stand my brother either. Not when he witnessed how much of an ass he was when I asked for help. He started tutoring me then, sharing the tidbits of information he read about or explaining the process in a new light to help me tackle a problem. He saved me.
Raduriel’s door is ajar, which seems odd. I consider leaving it alone and dropping my books down on the desk in front of me, but my limbs have a mind of their own. Despite knowing Raduriel is with my parents, I close the distance on silent feet and push open the door.
His room is lived in. Cozy. It’s not just an empty desk in a barren room. His has life. There’s art on the walls, a recliner in the corner, and a rug on the floor. He even has a few scribbled notes and an old book left on his desk. Was it always like this?
Instead of leaving, I set the books down, walk around to the chair behind the desk, and sit. If I close my eyes, I can hear his mocking tone and boastful laughter. The way he ridiculed me and always found a way to look better in the eyes of our parents while making me look worse.
But that was then. Now I’m far away, in a school of my own without him, and enough walls built up inside that they can’t hurt me anymore. Or so I tell myself.
I shove away the memories and focus on the stack of books in front of me.Finding something for Hayliel will make this all worth it.
Each one looks too new to be read, but that doesn’t surprise me. Most of the books in this place are more for decoration and clout than anything else.
