10. Ezekiel

10

M y mind won’t shut off on the flight back to campus.

How the hell am I going to explain what happened with Mira to everyone? It’s not as if I had a choice, not if I wanted the pouch and amulets. But will they understand? Will Hayliel?

Just thinking her name has my lungs constricting as images of her on the ground, the handle of a blade protruding from her shoulder, fills my vision. No. I won’t think of that. I can’t.

Things between me and her have been good lately. I won’t say that I owe it all to Theo, because fat fucking chance of me ever admitting that, but I can’t deny that his words made an impact. I also can’t deny that changing my attitude has made a big difference in my relationship, not only with Hayliel but with her Pure boyfriends too. Maybe we’re all meant to be friends after all.

Assuming they forgive me for getting tangled up with some outsider.

I land outside the weaponry building, tucking my wings away and waving to Malik, who just exited the front door.

“Are you planning to join your friends?” he asks with a grin.

Shit. I guess he found out I’m not the only one using the room. He must have heard them in there, sparring. “I am. I hope it’s alright that I’m sharing my training room with them. We wanted some place private to meet and enhance our form. We’re taking it seriously, I assure you.”

“Oh, I definitely understand the need for a private space.” He chuckles. “Just be careful. Group activities like that often lead to uncomfortable situations and I’d hate to see you in the middle of one.”

What the hell is he talking about? “Uh, sure. Yeah, I will. Thanks, man.”

“Have fun!” he calls over his shoulder before taking off into the sky.

Well, that was weird.

Brushing it off, I enter the silent building. I’m grateful there are no other students training now. There’s enough on my plate to worry about without adding useless small talk to the mix.

The light in the private room is on, which doesn’t surprise me. I knew they’d be training tonight. It’s why I hightailed it here to give them my shitty news. The old me probably would have avoided the entire conversation until the last second, but I’m trying to do better. Be better.

Except when I step through the door, I halt in my tracks. Heavy breathing and soft moans fill the space, the sound nothing at all like what I expected to hear during combat training. This is far too sultry for a workout.

Part of me wants to turn around and leave, and even though my mind screams at me to do just that, my feet have other plans. When I make it to the end of the short hallway, I see them.

A naked Hayliel riding Theo with Raphael on his knees behind her. Pain erupts in my chest as I watch them, hear them. Fuck, even smell their pleasure.

As if sensing me, Hayliel glances my way in the mirror and I swear my shocked gaze meets her half-lidded one in the reflection.

She doesn’t look surprised to see me or even embarrassed. She doesn’t care about you, remember?

Seeing them like this after everything … it fucking hurts . The sting in my chest builds and builds, spreading out until the ache is damn near unbearable.

That they would do this here, knowing I could walk in and catch them, is almost as painful as actually fucking catching them.

Hayliel looks away then, her gaze dropping to Theo, not caring at all that I’ve caught them or that I’m standing here having my bloody, beating heart obliterated.

I try to ignore the voice in my head, but it’s too loud. Too insistent. She wants them, not you. You’ve always known this .

Turning on my heels, I storm out of the room clutching onto the slivers of the broken organ that barely manages to beat beneath my ribs and don’t look back.