They’re not going to let me stay. Where will I go? Soon the whole world will know what I am, and there won’t be anywhere I can hide.
Uriel gives her a withering look. “I’m in charge of Seraphim Academy, and how I run it is my decision, not yours, or any of the other Archangels. As far as I’m concerned, Olivia can stay.”
I let out a relieved breath, until Jophiel shakes her head.
“Azrael will never allow it,” she says. “The girl must leave.”
Shit. Azrael leads the Archangels now. If he says I’m out, not even Uriel can stop him.
Footsteps in the hall make Uriel pause. The door flies open, and of all people, my father charges in, looking like he’s going into battle. I’ve never seen his face so determined or his eyes so angry. Holy shit.
“Gabriel!” Jophiel says, dropping her arms. “What are you doing here?”
Gabriel’s presence and power fills the room. He was second in command to Michael for thousands of years, and he would be leading the Archangel Council now if he hadn’t turned down the job. I can’t believe he’s here.
“What is the meaning of this?” he demands. He puts a hand on my shoulder and squeezes, letting me know he’s with me. “Why is my daughter being questioned like a common criminal?”
“You’re her father?” Jophiel asks, so shocked she takes a step back and puts a hand to her chest.
I look up at Father, still in disbelief myself, but he just stares down the other two Archangels.
“Yes, I am.”
“I’m sorry, Gabriel,” Jophiel says. “We had no idea.” Uriel coughs, and Jophiel glances at him. “You knew that also?”
“I had my suspicions,” Uriel says.
Damn, is there anything Uriel doesn’t know?
“Who is her mother?” Jophiel asks.
“That is not pertinent to this discussion, except that she is a succubus,” Gabriel says, and his tone leaves no room for argument. He’s protecting Mother too now. I’ve never loved my father more than at this very moment.
“Relations with a demon are forbidden, even for Archangels,” Jophiel says, with a hint of a threat in her voice.
“I’ll face the consequences for that crime myself, but my daughter is innocent. If she wishes to continue her schooling at Seraphim Academy, she will stay.”
“But—” Jophiel starts.
“There is nothing in the guidelines that say demons are not allowed to attend,” Uriel adds. “Only that all angels must attend. That includes half-angels.”
Gabriel still has his hand on my shoulder as he speaks. “We have been hard at work trying to create more harmony between the angels, demons, and fae. Having a half-demon, half-angel student here could go a long way to ease tensions with the demons.”
Jophiel snorts. “I think we all know the truce with the demons isn’t going to last. Especially after the recent demon attacks.”
“I know no such thing,” Gabriel says. “And whether or not the demon truce will last is not the question here. My daughter has a right to continue attending Seraphim Academy, and that’s the end of it.”
“Azrael will have many words for you about this,” Jophiel says, but the fight in her voice is gone. She knows she’s lost.
“I’ll deal with Azrael later.” Gabriel squeezes my shoulder. “Let’s go, Olivia.”
I jump to my feet, my head spinning, and say a quick thanks to Uriel and Kassiel, ignoring Jophiel completely, before I follow my father out the door.
Gabriel doesn’t stop until we’re outside the house, and then I throw my arms around him. He hesitates for a second, and then he gives me a firm hug in return. When was the last time we hugged? Or that he showed any affection for me? I can’t even remember.
“Thank you,” I tell him.
“It’s what I should have done years ago,” Gabriel says. “You’re my daughter, and I should never have tried to hide you away. I love you, and I’m proud of you, and I’m sorry.”
My eyes water. I’ve wanted to hear those words for so long, and now I think my heart might explode. Somehow this horrible day has also turned into one of the best days. How is that even possible?
He notices other students watching us and clears his throat. In fact, there’s quite a huge crowd gathered outside Uriel’s house, waiting for more gossip. I spot Marcus among them, and turn my back on him quickly.
“Let’s get out of here.” Gabriel takes my hand. Outside the house, his massive silver wings extend and he lifts into the air, letting go of my hand in the process. I spread my much smaller black wings and follow as he flies off-campus and toward Angel Peak.
I have no idea where he’s taking me, but I’m pleasantly surprised when we land on top of a hill, on the front porch of a white cottage with black trim. It’s super quaint, with a picket fence, square windows, and a cute red door. “Whose house is this?”
“Mine. Most of the Archangels have a house in Angel Peak.” He opens the front door. “Let me give you the grand tour.”
Inside, I notice how clean and bright everything is. The living room is huge, with a big fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows showing off an amazing view of the forest stretching out below us. There’s a very modern-looking kitchen with granite countertops and shiny new appliances that we walk past, and then Father leads me down a hallway into the rest of the house. He stops in front of a closed door. “This is where Jonah stays when he’s not in school.”
His voice is sad, and he doesn’t open the door, but continues on to the other two doors. “This is my room. And this room is yours. If you want it, that is.”
He opens the third door, and I glance inside a bright room with a soft yellow bedspread and white furniture. It’s cute, but looks like a guest room that no one’s ever used before.
“I can stay here?” I ask.
“Yes. This is your house now too. I actually got the room ready for you a long time ago in the hopes you’d come live with us, but I was too scared of what would happen if anyone found out about you.” He shakes his head. “I was a coward. I should have known that keeping you close would be safer for you. You’re the daughter of an Archangel, and should be treated like one.”
I don’t know what to say. On one hand, I’m finally getting everything I’ve ever wanted. On the other hand, I’m kind of pissed it took him this long to accept me as his daughter, to be honest. I spent my entire life feeling like a dirty secret, and it’s hard to suddenly let that go. But at least he’s trying.
He presses a key into my hand. “This is yours. I need to go find Azrael before Jophiel puts her own spin on this. I might not be around too much in the future, as my duties for the Archangel Council require me to travel a lot. But I do hope you’ll stay here over the break, and perhaps we can spend some more time together too.”
“Thanks, Father.” I stare at the room that’s now mine. I have a home. With my father and my brother. Once I find my brother, anyway.
I turn back to Gabriel to tell him what I’ve learned about my brother, but he’s already teleported away. Damn Archangels. And seriously, why couldn’t I get that power?
I’m tempted to throw myself on that sunny little bed and never get up again, but all my things are back at school. Which means I need to go back and face everyone, even though they all know what I am now.
I head outside and spread my black wings under the sunlight. I’m not hiding what I am anymore—and everyone will just have to deal with it.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Olivia
As soon as I fly into my room, Araceli runs in, her face streaked with tears. “How could you do this to me?”
“I’m so sorry,” I say, emotion making my throat tight. I’m the worst friend in the world, and I deserve whatever she gives me.
More tears spill onto her cheeks. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
My heart cracks at the pain in her face. “I wanted to tell you, I really did. But I was scared, I guess.”
“Of all people, I would have und
erstood!” She angrily wipes tears off her face. “But you told the Princes and not me. Why, Liv? Why?”
“I’m sorry.” I don’t know what else to say. Everything else feels like an excuse, but I need to try to explain. “The Princes found out, otherwise I wouldn’t have told them either. But you’re right, I should have told you. I made a huge mistake, and I understand if you don’t want to be friends anymore.”
“You lied to me all year long!” She plants her hands on her hips, and she’s so upset she’s shaking. “And then after demons killed Darel, why didn’t you tell me then?”
“I should have, but I worried you’d hate me.” I swallow hard. I deserve this, but man, it hurts.
Araceli lets out a long sigh. “I could never hate you, Liv. I just wish you trusted me.”
“I do!” I sink onto my bed, exhausted after everything that’s happened today. “I wanted to tell you so much, but I was scared to trust anyone at first. I’ve spent my entire life in hiding, worried about what would happen if anyone found out what I am, and I only came here to find my brother, Jonah. Then I wanted to tell you, I really did, but too much time had passed, and I knew if I told you it would feel like a betrayal.”
Recognition dawns across her face. “Wait. You’re Jonah’s sister?”
I nod. “We have the same father, but different mothers. Mine’s a succubus, obviously.”
Her jaw drops. “That means you’re the only true daughter of an Archangel. Wow. Why didn’t you tell people who your dad is?”
“He wouldn’t let me. My parents were too scared about what would happen if anyone found out about me, so they basically disowned me. I really did grow up in foster care. Almost everything I told you about me is true, other than the succubus bit.”
“That’s bullshit. You can’t help being born to them.”
I look down at the key clutched in my hand. “I know. Although that’s all changed now. Gabriel came to defend my right to be here, and claimed me as his daughter.”
“Good.” She sits beside me on the bed. “I’m still upset, but I understand a little better. And I’m sorry about Jonah.”
“Thanks. I’m convinced the Order of the Golden Throne has something to do with it.” I hesitate, but there’s more I’ve been hiding from her, and it’s time she knows the truth about everything. “Jonah was a member, so I joined them too so I could try to find him. I’m sorry I lied about that too, but I wanted you to stay away from them. In fact, I’m pretty sure they killed Darel.”
“What?” she practically yells.
“They wanted you in the Order bad, I think because of your fae blood. They thought if they killed Darel and made it look like a demon attack, they could convince you to join them. Luckily you saw through their bullshit and stayed away.”
She wraps her arms around herself and trembles, staring off into space as she absorbs my words. “I might have joined, if you hadn’t convinced me not to. How do you know they killed him?”
“I don’t know for sure, but I followed them after one of the trials and heard them discussing their plans. I stayed hidden using my Ishim powers, and this necklace.” I touch the aquamarines. “My succubus mother gave it to me. It’s a fae relic that allows me to lie and hide what I am.”
“So you do know how to use angel magic after all.” She turns to me with wide eyes. “What else have you lied about?”
I hold up my hands in surrender. “That’s it. You know everything now. And I’ve always tried to be as truthful as possible with you about who I am, otherwise. I’m no different than I was before you knew I was part demon, I swear.”
“What’s going to happen to you now?”
“Uriel says it’s okay for me to stay here, so I guess I’m coming back next year. I’d like to be your roommate again, if you’ll let me.”
“Of course you can be my roommate,” she says. “We’re still best friends, and next year I’m going to help you find Jonah and take down the Order after what they did to Darel. I just…need some space to come to terms with all this, okay?”
I’ve held myself together all day, but Araceli saying we’re still best friends is what finally makes me fall apart. Tears fall from my eyes, and I’m so grateful to know someone with such a good soul. I truly don’t deserve her, and I’ll do everything I can to be the friend she needs from now on. I nod quickly through my tears. “I understand.”
She wraps her arms around me, and together we cry and rock and hold each other. Then she wipes her face, says goodbye, and leaves the room. As I pull myself together, she gathers her bags and flies off to meet her family. The dorm room feels much darker and emptier after she’s gone, but at least I know we’re still friends.
There’s another knock on my door, and I wonder if it’s Kassiel again, but when I open it I see Grace instead.
“Oh, Olivia. How are you?” she asks in a sympathetic voice.
“I’m doing okay,” I say, as I let her in.
She gives me a quick hug, and then steps back. “I can’t believe Callan did that to you, but at least your father’s accepted you now.”
“You…don’t seem surprised.”
“About Gabriel?” She shakes her head. “No, I knew all along. Jonah told me about you. I didn’t know about the succubus part though. That was a surprise, but I don’t care. You’re still Jonah’s sister, and that’s all that matters to me.”
“Thank you, Grace.” It’s a relief to have another person on my side. I lead her to the sofa, and we sit next to each other, so close our knees bump. “I came here to find him, but I haven’t been too successful. I know he was in the Order though—and I’m guessing you are too.”
“Yes, I’m the one who nominated you.” She gives me a serene smile. “And you’re the one who got attacked by the demon at the last trial.”
“How did you know?”
“It was me who led you out of the cave, and I had a feeling it was you. Besides, I knew you’d make me proud. You’re Gabriel’s daughter, after all.” She grabs my hands and squeezes them tight. “I’m so glad this is all out in the open now. Next year we can attend Order meetings together, and we can work on rescuing Jonah, plus we’ll have Ishim classes. It’ll be great.”
“You know where Jonah is?”
“Yes, but I only found out recently. He was sent to Faerie to find the Staff of Eternity, but he never returned, and we haven’t received any messages from him. I’ve been so worried about him, and the Order had this plan to send someone back to Faerie, but it didn’t work.” She sighs and looks down at her hands with sadness in her eyes. “But maybe with your help, we’ll be able to bring him back.”
“We will. I’ll make sure of it.”
She nods and stands up. “I need to get going. Did I tell you Nariel is my uncle on my mother’s side? Well, we’re all going to Orlando for the holidays, and we’re heading out tonight. My little brother is going to lose his mind. He’s never been to Disney World before.”
I laugh at how mundane it all is. Angels like amusement parks too, I guess. “That sounds like fun.”
“Do you want to come with us?” she asks.
“No, I’ll be okay, but thank you.”
She gives me a quick hug and then stands. “Oh, before I go, there’s one last thing you should know. The Princes are also in the Order. They know what happened to Jonah too. In fact, they’ve known from the very beginning. But I guess you already know you can’t trust them.”
“Yes, I’ve learned that lesson well today.” My anger returns, and my hands clench at my sides.
Grace takes off, and once again I’m alone in my dorm. Soon the entire campus will be empty. It’s time to pack my things and leave Seraphim Academy behind for the next few months.
But first, I need to confront the Princes.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Marcus
I fly toward the bell tower, so mad at Callan I can barely see straight, and totally shocked by what I just saw outside Uriel’s house. I need to speak to the oth
er Princes, immediately. They had better fucking be there.
When I arrive, Bastien is arguing with Callan, although they both go quiet once they see me. I land and walk straight to Callan, then pull my arm back and punch him in his face as hard as I can. It’s like hitting steel, but I don’t give a shit. “How could you?”
“I had to!” Callan says, as his head whips back around after my punch. “You wouldn’t listen to me, none of you.”
“We told Liv we wouldn’t expose her, and then you did it anyway. Without even telling us.” I turn my angry gaze onto Bastien. “Or did you know?”
Bastien looks away, and I see a rare flash of emotion cross his face. Guilt? Regret? I can’t tell. He’s so hard to read, even though I’ve known him my whole life. “I helped him get the recording of their kiss, but I didn’t know what he would do with it.”
“You knew it wouldn’t be anything good!” I yell. I’m actually shaking with rage now. I care about Liv so much, and I can’t believe they would do this to her. Don’t they care about her at all? “What is going to happen to her now? She’s going to be kicked out for sure, but what if the Archangel Council decides she should be killed or locked up or something?”
“They won’t do that,” Callan says. “All they’ll do is make sure she doesn’t come back next year.”
“How the fuck do you know?” I’m still yelling and I don’t plan to stop anytime soon. “And what about the demons? When she gets kicked out, who will protect her then? They’re already searching for her!”
“I was planning to hide her somewhere safe.” Callan’s jaw clenches. “I know this is extreme, but we had to keep our promise to Jonah. He knew she wasn’t safe here, and now we can protect her in other ways.”
“You idiot,” I say. “Olivia is Jonah’s sister.”
The announcement hits him in the face even harder than I did. “No fucking way.”
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