Every angel kept their wings tucked into their spines. I kept mine open and hanging. Tucking them in was too painful. The Spirit Harvester had done severe damage, and Kaelthos refused to let me get treated. He floated by the doors of the wingtower like an overlord, watching us all.
I didn’t even realize what I was doing until I was moving. I got up, flew over to where the Fallenspawn were soaking up theblood from the floors, and with fresh towels, I began soaking up the blood of the dead Fallenspawn. Every angel in the room froze. Quazar’s eyes widened.
“What in the Hèls are you doing?” he whispered.
“What does it look like, Quazar? You tell me since I know you’re not blind.”
I kissed my teeth, vexed at the stupid question, and went back to soaking up the blood of the Fallenspawn. I wiped until my stack of towels were gone. I summoned a new stack and kept at it. I was growing increasingly tired. My muscles were sore, and all I wanted to do was sleep.
But I caused this. So I would make it right.
The room was so quiet you could hear feathers falling.
Fallenspawn or no. Hatred or no. They were angels, and they’d just died. In their deaths, they deserved to be honored. That’s what Papi taught me. All who died needed to be honored and their spirits preserved. It was the Infinite who had the right to make a final call once an angel had gone, no matter who they were or what they had done while they still lived.
I was raised to hate all Fallen and Fallenspawn. But even Papi taught me, all angelic life, once it came to an end, had to be cared for as we allowed the Infinite to do what He willed with their spirits as they crossed from our realm into the realm of the Ellelights.
I wiped up as much blood as I could, then rose to my feet alongside everyone else. I began walking away, then I spun back, stopping in front of Dakairi.
“Did you hurt her?”
His eyes flashed. He was silent a long moment.
“No, Anathelle. I didn’t.”
That made all this even worse. All of this bloodshed was for nothing. My hearts clenched at the truth of what I’d done.
“I’m…” I frowned, ashamed of myself. Both Seventh Choir and the Talons watched me with curious gazes, but my eyes were on Dakairi. “I’m sorry. I…was…Iamwrong. And I acted senselessly. It cost you your friends. A debt I will never be able to repay.”
I looked up into his shining blue eyes. His jawline was taut. I could tell he was grinding his teeth.
“I’m not asking for your forgiveness, Dakairi. You never have to give to me what you fundamentally believe I don’t deserve. But I am giving you my repentance. I was angry with you, with Quazar, but your friends didn’t deserve to die for it.”
I turned away before he could say anything. Ivyana and Quazar both trailed me, their emerald eyes glittering with an expression I couldn’t understand.
Farasee Kaelthos summoned three large baskets made of woven clouds. I dropped the towels in them and wiped my hands on my filthy gown. I looked at the bodies, laid out haphazardly where they’d fallen. Three of the Disciples were very large males. How was I supposed to lift them?
Sighing, I spread my wings. The Disciples of Seventh Choir hissed when they saw my damaged wings.
“Safah, what happened?”
I lifted my eyes. Could I tell them where I’d been sent for my trial? What I’d seen? What I’d survived? I shot a look at Quazar. His face gave away nothing.
“Don’t. They’re not ready for that truth yet, Starling.”
He spoke to me down the bond, his dark shadows brushing against my mind.
“Don’t call me that.”
I couldn’t for the life of me understand why I was taking his advice. I didn’t like him one bit. I didn’t trust him. And I still blamed him for Manmi’s death. But I listened anyway.Something in my gut said I should keep quiet. Especially with Kaelthos listening to every word.
“I…fell. On…rocks. The big ones? Anyway. Got my wings shredded in the process. It hurts alot,but I’ll be fine. Once I can see Raephim Zara,” I hissed, cutting a glance at Kaelthos. Fire flashed in his eyes, literally blazing as if they’d shoot out of his sockets and burn me to a crisp.
“Let me help you,” Omarion said, flying over to help me start lifting bodies with my wings.
“I said,” Kaelthos cut in, barking. “Anathelle and the dog will bring the bodies themselves to the wingyard.”
“His name is Quazar.”
