Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

T wo of my father’s guards, Yimel and Rimel, are guarding his quarters as I storm up the corridor. I don’t bother knocking, bursting through the doors instead, and they don’t stop me. After all, I am the King’s daughter. My father is sitting at his desk, and he places the paper he’s holding down. Footsteps sound behind me, and I turn to see Amaros follow me inside.

“Ah, Zarla. I am glad to see you are back.” My father gestures for me to sit in the chair opposite his desk.

His quarters are the largest in the castle, of course, and he spends a lot of time in here behind his desk, doing gods know what. His bedroom is in another room through double doors to the left, and this is more of an office and private living space for him. Oakwood lines the walls and floors, giving off a dimly lit den-like feel.

“Why did you have me brought back here?” I demand.

He’s silent, and only the crackle of the fire burning in the corner fills the room. His chair rakes across the floor as he pushes it back and walks around the desk, and then leans against it before me. “Because I heard there was trouble on Earth, and I didn’t want you in the crossfires of the watchers.”

I ball my fists and take in a deep breath. “I am perfectly capable of looking after myself. That’s what they trained me for. Now my human, Kyle, is down there alone, unprotected.”

“Actually,” Amaros chimes in, “Finlay is protecting him, along with two other guards.”

I glare at him before returning my gaze to my father. “He is my responsibility, not his. Unless there is a serious reason I cannot guardian him, I should be down there, not my second.”

My father scratches his chin and looks at Amaros. “What was the situation, Amaros?”

Amaros takes a few steps toward us. “When I arrived, there were three dead watchers. Zarla believes they were there for her human, Kyle, which is impossible. Watchers do not care for humans. They are there to ensure both guardians and seconds uphold angel law.”

I bite my lip to refrain myself from arguing with him, and my father holds a hand up.

“I am well aware of the purpose of the watchers. Thank you, Amaros.” He returns his attention to me. “It sounds like you were in danger, and if it hadn’t been for Finlay, things may not have turned out very well. You are unfit to protect yourself, and for that reason, I require you to remain in the Kingdom until I see fit.”

My mouth drops open. “That’s not fair, Father! I can protect myself, and I was never in any danger.”

He inches forward and points a finger at me. “Zarla, you could’ve been killed. Watchers are powerful angels. You are no match for their ferocity. We must get to the bottom of their unprovoked attack.”

I press my fingers into my temples and take another deep breath, unsure if what I’m about to do is the wisest decision. “I killed them,” I admit.

My father’s brows furrow, and Amaros steps forward, his features twisted with confusion.

“Finlay told me he killed the watchers,” Amaros states.

I roll my eyes. “Yes, I know, but he didn’t. I did. So, as you can see, I can take care of myself. Now, can I please get back to doing what I was trained to do?”

Amaros runs his hand through his thick, dark hair. “Hold on a moment. Why would Finlay lie about such a thing?”

I bite my lip and adjust my robes. “Because I asked him to,” I say, and move away from them both to get some space. “I harnessed my powers and was able to kill them.”

Amaros balls his fists. “I don’t understand. You harnessed your powers and killed them? On your own?”

I let out a long breath, along with any remaining hesitation. “Yes. I killed them. I harnessed my powers, two of them. However, I only needed to use one to kill them.”

My father sucks in a sharp breath and slowly approaches me. “Two powers? It’s not possible.”

I throw my hands up into the air. “Gods above, it is, because it happened. Now, as I have proven to be more than capable of looking after myself, am I free to go?”

My father places his hands on my forearms and stares into my eyes. “Zarla, this is extraordinary. I have not seen this before, not in my lifetime. What two powers have you harnessed? Can you explain them to me?”

I bite the inside of my cheek, suddenly feeling nervous about exposing myself like this. I trust him, and I trust Amaros, but something doesn’t feel right.

“The power to heal, and a power which I’m unsure how else to explain, other than to say it was like a blast of energy out of my hands, and it killed the watchers. Only two of them. The first one I killed during the fight without my power.”

Before I can catch the movement, my father snatches a blade from his holster and slices it across his arm. “Show me,” he instructs.

I flinch back. “Father, what are you doing?” I hurry forward, and without thinking, I place my hands over his cut. White light surges from my hands and into my father, healing him.

After a moment, I step back, and he inspects the cut, which is now nothing more than dried blood. “Spectacular,” he whispers.

I risk a glance at Amaros, who is staring intently at me.

“This is quite something,” my father says, studying his arm. “We must keep this quiet. Is that understood?” He eyes Amaros and me, and Amaros nods.

I frown at them both. “Um, no, it is not understood. Not at all. Why do I have two powers, and why is it such a secret?”

My father walks behind his desk and sinks down into his chair. “Because it is unheard of, Zarla. And the last thing we want is our enemy to catch wind of it.” He pauses, which seems like a planned tactic to get me to see the gravity of the situation. “Have you told anyone else?”

I gulp, hoping they won’t notice. Finlay is the only other angel who knows, but based on the intensity behind my father’s words, I decide to keep that to myself. “No, no one else knows,” I lie.

As I head back to my quarters, anxiety gnaws away at me. Being away from Kyle is hard, but I can sense he’s okay. I decide to check in with Finlay, anyway.

Everything all right down there? I ask.

Yes. Are you okay? When will you be back?

The door to my quarters is unlocked, and I don’t question it as I step inside. I’m contemplating ignoring my father’s instructions and heading back to Earth now, when I spot a small box with an envelope sitting on my bed. I scan the room, but I’m alone. Someone must’ve come in here while I was gone.

Zarla?

Sorry. I can’t. Father has forbidden me to return. I will get back when I can.

I cautiously move to my bed and study the little box. It’s white with gold speckles and fits in the palm of my hand. The envelope is gold, and I pick it up and turn it over, and then remove a small piece of paper. It reads, Your mother’s murder was a lie…

My stomach twists into a knot, and I drop the note and take a step back. Who would send me such a thing? Everyone knew an angel from our enemy’s Kingdom murdered my mother when I was young. I chew my nail as I contemplate whether to open the box. It could be dangerous, or it could be something incredibly important.

Without further thought, I snatch the box up and yank off the lid. Inside is a golden locket, and although I’m sure I’ve never seen it before, there is something familiar about it. I take it out, dropping the box to the bed, and open it. My breath catches. There’s a picture inside of a gorgeous female with blonde waves holding a little girl with a head of blonde curls. My mother and I.

Tears well as I swallow the lump in my throat, and I take a seat on the edge of my bed before my legs give out. In the picture, my mother is wearing the locket. This locket. Tears spill down onto my robes as I stare at my mother. I have never seen this picture before. Gods, I miss her.

I remember the note, and snatch it up from the bed to read it once more.

Your mother’s murder was a lie…

What the hell does it mean?

A knock at the door startles me, and I grab the box and locket and tuck them under my pillows before answering the door.

“Hey, stranger.” Demetros smiles.

I practically jump into his arms. “Demetros!”

He laughs. “Are you all right? You rushed out of the ceremony so fast I didn’t get to say goodbye. Where’d you go?”

I step back. Oh no, I totally forgot about the way I rushed out of the ceremony. “I went to Earth.”

He raises his brows and rubs the back of his neck. “Oh, wow, how was it?”

Demetros hasn’t been to Earth yet, and there’s probably some sort of ceremony to bid farewell to the angels before they fly down there. With a small pang of regret, I realise I’ve probably ruined it.

“It was…different. It was amazing to see Kyle, but then watchers attacked us. Lucky Finlay was there, and we stopped them.”

He opens his mouth in shock and steps forward. “Gods, you’ve only been gone a few hours, and you’re already getting into trouble.”

I shut the door behind him and move over to my bed, and then take a seat on the edge. “I’m fine,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I want to go back, but my father said it’s not safe yet. They want to find out why the watchers attacked.”

“That’s fair. Who’s watching Kyle?” he asks.

I sigh. “Finlay. But he’s actually surprised me. He hasn’t been such a total dick.”

Demetros laughs, slipping his hands into his pockets. “Well, that’s a silver lining, then.”

“Something like that.” I smile.

“I came by to see if you wanted to come to a party I’m having. It’s a graduation party, sort of. Everyone’s supposed to be heading down to Earth tomorrow. Well, most of us.” He winks.

I purse my lips. “Very funny. I don’t know if I’m feeling up for it. It’s been a bit of a rough day.”

He takes a seat next to me on my bed. “I totally get it, and I’ll understand if you don’t feel like coming. But please think about it. It’ll be one of our last opportunities to hang out together before we’re all gone.”

I tuck my hair behind my ear. “I will. Think about it, that is.”

He gently rubs my back and gets to his feet. “Okay, well, I hope to see you later.”

After he leaves my quarters, I fall back onto my bed. A party is the last thing I feel like doing. But he is probably right. It’s also the last time we might get to hang out. It feels wrong somehow to think about partying while Kyle is down on Earth and I am here. I should be with him. Strangely enough, though, I trust Finlay to look out for him. He surprised me down there. He really is a good second.

I jump off the bed. It might just do me some good to have a bit of fun. Kyle is in good hands, and through my bond with him and Finlay, I will know if anything changes.

After a much-needed shower, I stand before my mirror and take a good look at myself. I found a dress where I could still strap my daggers to my thighs and have easy access if I need to use them. The long, black fabric touches my ankles, and the split up the side to my thigh gives me access to my weapons, if the need arises.

I leave my hair loose, my thick waves hanging down my back, and fasten the clasp of my mother’s locket around my neck. It feels good wearing it, like I’m closer to her somehow. Similar to the feeling that her daggers give me. Warmth. I glance in the mirror and am sure I can see the locket glowing, but when I look down, it isn’t. Strange.

When I head out into the corridor to make my way outside, there’s no one around, and the darkness allows for a beautiful night sky. The stars flicker like a thousand fireflies tonight, and I can’t help but wonder if my mother is up there, watching over me. I release my wings and lift up into the sky, flying the short distance to Demetros’s manor.

Loud music fills the air as I descend, and dozens of angels hang around outside in groups on the lawn in front of the main entrance. I don’t see Lacinda or Demetros, so I head inside. The music gets louder as I wind my way through the corridors towards the main ballroom, where I spot Lacinda dancing with some other angels.

“Zarla!” she calls out, and rushes over to me. She wraps her arms around my neck, her fiery curls bouncing around her face, and I can immediately tell she’s had a few drinks already.

“Hey.” I laugh.

She takes my hands and tries to lead me to the dance floor, but I resist.

“Hang on. I need a drink first,” I explain and drop her hands, and then I head for the bar.

“Hurry up!” she calls out after me.

Demetros always goes all out for his parties. His parents are both on The Throne, so they are considered one of the high-class angel families in the Kingdom. We have been friends since we were little, and I always loved having him live so close.

I spot him near the bar, and his lips curl into a smile when he sees me approaching.

“You made it,” he calls out through the music.

I raise my brows. “I did. Can I please have a bubbly?” I ask the keeper, and she nods, pouring me one.

“This is new,” he says, reaching for my locket, but as soon as he touches it, he snatches his hand back. “Ouch!”

I frown. “What?”

He shakes his hand. “I don’t know. It felt like it shocked me or something.”

Strange. I gaze out to the dance floor, and Lacinda’s watching Demetros. When I turn back to him, he’s focused on her, too. He quickly looks away. Okay, something is definitely going on between the two of them. I spot Astelle heading my way, so I pocket that conversation for another time.

“Oh, here we go,” Demetros says in a hushed voice as she approaches.

Her eyes scan over me, as if disapproving of my outfit. “Zarla,” she says, her tone cold.

I take a much-needed sip of my drink. “Astelle.”

She orders herself a bubbly too.

“So, you’re officially a guardian now,” she states.

Demetros presses his lips together and sneaks away. The traitor.

I focus on Astelle. “I am. As are you.”

The keeper slides a bubbly across the bar to her, and she picks it up with her well-manicured hand and takes a sip.

“So I heard you’ve already been to Earth? Always trying to be the one on top, aren’t you?”

I choke on my bubbly. That was rich coming from her. “I was doing my job. My human needed me.”

I catch her eyeing someone from across the room and follow her gaze to Amaros. What’s he doing here? Checking up on me, maybe. When I turn back to her, she’s already moving through the crowds toward him. I watch him closely, and he gives her a genuine smile as she approaches him. He appears pleased to see her. But when she leans in close to whisper in his ear, he pulls away, leaving her alone.

I shake the interaction off and join Lacinda on the dance floor. Comfortable dancing now that I’ve had at least one drink. She wraps an arm around me, kissing me on the cheek.

“I’m so happy you came. Demetros said you weren’t going to.” She pouts.

I shake my head. “I never said that. What I said was that I would think about it. What’s the deal with you two, anyway?”

Her brows draw together as her cheeks flush, and she drops her arm. “Nothing. What do you mean?”

I decide to leave it. Clearly, she’s not ready to tell me what’s going on. “Never mind,” I say instead.

Her gaze falls to my locket, and I stop her before she tries to touch it, remembering what happened to Demetros.

“It was my mother’s,” I say. “Someone left it on my bed with a note.”

Her mouth drops open. “Seriously? What’d it say?”

“Your mother’s murder was a lie.”

Her eyes widen. “What the hell does that mean?”

I shrug. “I’m not sure, but I’m going to find out.”

“What’s a lie?”

I jump at the voice in my ear and spin around to face Amaros. I stumble, but he grabs my arm to steady me.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” he says as his ice-grey eyes scan my face.

I blink, surprised at how close he is. And then I spot Astelle through the crowds across the room, her eyes focused on the two of us, and she looks pissed.

“Is something going on there?” I ask, gesturing to Astelle.

He lets my arm go. “No, of course not,” he replies, somewhat fidgety.

Despite his words, it’s pretty obvious that Astelle feels differently, judging by the way she’s looking at him. She likes him.

“So, what’s a lie?” he asks again.

I bite the inside of my cheek, unsure whether to tell him, but the way he’s looking at me leaves me feeling that I can trust him with this. I take his hand and lead him to the side of the room, where it’s quieter. His gaze drops to my mother’s locket.

“This was my mother’s,” I say, touching the locket. “Someone left it for me with a note in my quarters.”

Amaros’s expression changes in a flash, his eyes growing dark. “Someone was in your quarters?”

I’m surprised by his reaction. “Yes, I guess so.”

“What did the note say?”

I turn the locket in my fingers. “It said, ‘Your mother’s murder was a lie.’”

His brows knit together, and he rubs the side of his face. “That’s strange. Everyone knows an angel from Zarquon murdered your mother.”

I think that over for a moment. I have never really allowed myself to think about it because it hurts too much. But I’m starting to wonder about the details. How did they know an angel from Zarquon killed her? Had they caught the angel? I didn’t think so.

“How do we know that?” I ask, treading lightly.

He shuffles on his feet and leans against the stone wall, folding his arms across his chest. “How do we know what? That she was murdered?”

“No. I mean, how do we know it was an angel from Zarquon? Were there witnesses? Did the angel get caught? I haven’t ever really heard all the details.”

He reaches out and touches my arm. “Zarla, don’t let some unknown assailant trick you into thinking something different. We all know the truth, and yes, it’s a difficult thing to hear, but she was murdered. Let’s not scratch old wounds, okay? I don’t want to see you suffer unnecessarily through that pain.”

I can’t help but feel that he’s hiding something. But why? What would there be to hide?

“Can we drop it?” he asks.

I twirl the locket in my fingers while I contemplate his words. How can I drop it? Someone sent this to me for a reason. I need to know why, whether he understands that or not. I decide to lie, which is something I hate doing.

I smile. “Yeah, okay, I’ll drop it.”

He pulls me in for a hug, which feels a little awkward. I don’t think he’s ever hugged me before.

He steps back. “It’ll be all right. I will alert the other guards, and we will ensure no one can get near your quarters again, okay? It’s just someone playing a sick prank on you.”

Before I can say anything else, the alarm bells sound, signalling an attack.