18. Hayliel

18

W e make it back on campus around mid-morning and I haven’t been able to shake the aura of bliss. The trip to the island was incredible. More than worth the insanely early wake up call.

Dina left a message on my slate an hour ago, asking—or rather, telling me—that we are far overdue for a girls’ day, and she’s coming to collect. I don’t have a single complaint about that. Besides, I want to fill her in on everything that happened this morning.

Hayliel : I’m jumping in the shower. Meet in the hall between our rooms in thirty minutes? Dina : Perfect. I’m thinking … relaxing on the beach with some food. I’ll grab everything and see you then!

The grin I’ve had plastered to my face since arriving on the island stays firmly planted while I shower. Having Theo, Raphael, and Zeke get along for an entire morning feels like something to celebrate. Add to that the favor they each now owe me and I’m shivering with the wicked ideas running through my head. I shouldn’t let my thoughts wander there, but fuck if I can stop it.

I get dressed in a one piece bathing suit, covering it up with a pair of white shorts and loose T-shirt. I didn’t bother washing my hair, knowing I’d want to clean the sand and salt from it later, so I throw it up in a messy bun on the top of my head just as someone knocks on my door.

“I hope you’re hungry!” Dina says when I let her in and, as if on cue, my stomach rumbles.

We both laugh. “I’m starving. I’m just throwing my things in a bag and then I’ll be ready to go. We definitely needed this girl time.”

“It’s been a total sausage fest lately. Today will be perfect. And I, uh, kind of invited Mira. I hope you don’t mind.”

I look up from stuffing a towel in my bag, and Dina’s looking almost nervous. “Of course not. She seems cool as hell and honestly, it’ll be nice to get to know her a bit more.”

“Oh, thank the Archangels. I was worried you’d be upset that I invited her.”

“Really? Why?” I toss my slate in the bag, along with a portable speaker and my sunglasses, before throwing the strap over my shoulder.

Dina shrugs. “I don’t know. Seems like she was around Zeke a lot, so I wasn’t sure how you felt about that, given the vibes between you two.”

I laugh. “Nah, I don’t think it’s like that with them. Besides, she made it perfectly clear when we first met that she wasn’t looking to compete for their attention.”

“ Their attention, huh? Why am I not surprised?” She wiggles her eyebrows at me. “You can’t mask the sexual tension with anything, Hayles.”

“Oh, shut up.” I shove her playfully. “Let’s get going.”

As we walk to the beach, Dina spills the news that apparently Mira is bringing something for me today, and I can’t stop thinking about what it might be. It’s not like we’ve talked a whole lot. The only thing I can think of is that story she mentioned her grandmother reading to her. I definitely wouldn’t mind reading that.

We make it to the beach unseen, which is no easy feat on a campus this size, but I’m taking it as a win. Today is all about relaxing with trusted friends. I don’t need Seraphina, Cadriel, or any other pieces of shit ruining my high.

Clouds fill the sky, making the day seem darker than it really is, but I don’t mind. Hopefully, it’ll deter other students from heading to the beach. More sand for us.

Birds chirp, flying high in the sky, and I immediately feel the tension which built in my shoulders as we walked through campus fade away. The moment we step off the grass, I kick off my shoes, and despite the lack of sunlight, the sand is warm between my toes.

I share a look with Dina and that’s all it takes for us to drop our belongings, tear off our extra layers, and rush into the water hand in hand. It’s a little cold, but I savor the bite against my heated flesh. I thought the hot flashes would go away now that I know what I am, but they’ve kept steady. Perhaps it’s just something I’ll have to deal with forever.

It doesn’t take long for the cool water to turn frigid and both of us to decide we need to warm up again, so we head back to our towels. I’m eager to find out what scrumptious snacks Dina packed for us.

Mira’s waiting when we get back to our things. She lies on her back on a towel, her head propped up by her bag, sunglasses perched on her nose and looking utterly chill. She’s clearly aware of the vibes we’re going for today.

There are a few more angels along the expanse of beach, but luckily none of them stray too close to us, leaving us in our own little semi-secluded spot.

“Mira! You made it,” Dina says, her teeth chattering a little as she grabs the thick towel she brought. Mine isn’t nearly as fluffy and cozy, but with whatever heat races through my veins now means it won’t take me long to overheat again.

“I did! But there was a crowd of angels headed this way while I flew over, so if we want to relax, we may want to move this party elsewhere.”

“Shit,” I say, considering our options. “They just can’t let us have one damn beach day, can they?”

Mira looks around and then her face lights up. “Grab your things, quickly. Follow me.”

She leads us to the boathouse, but I don’t waste any time telling her it’s always fucking locked.

“I’m not one to let a locked door keep me out,” she says with a wink, then she crouches and pulls out a little kit from her bag. It looks similar to the one Theo had when we followed the lead from Roderick. Where the hell is everyone getting these lockpicking kits from, and when can I learn?

She breaks in easily and we walk inside, quickly shutting the door behind us. I expect to find it musty and desperately in need of fresh air, but instead it’s bright and clean. The windows high on the walls let in tons of light, making it seem like we’re miles away from campus. Nothing will ruin our day in here.

Despite there being an open area with water access next to a garage style door, it’s empty. There are no boats or jet skis primed and ready to go, which is a little surprising. Why keep the door always locked if there’s nothing of insane value inside? Sure, a few kayaks hang on the wall and what I think is a canoe held by slots on the ceiling, but that’s it.

Tucked in the corner is a couch and a few plush chairs that look cozy as hell. Damn. We probably could have made this work for our secret meeting place instead of the cave. Not that I don’t like what we’ve created, but this would have taken half the work out of it. I suppose someone must use this space for it to be so clean. I wonder who it is.

My stomach growls loudly, which has both girls looking at me.

I shift my weight from side to side, staring down at my feet. “What? I’m hungry. The guys pulled me out of bed before the sun was up and other than coffee, I haven’t eaten anything.”

Dina and Mira share a look before they jump into action, motioning me to sit down while they pull out food. Dina’s expression tells me I’m not getting away with such little information.

She only lets me eat a few bites before she gives up on waiting. “Alright, alright. Talk and eat, woman.”

I swallow the piece of cheese I was chewing on and take a sip of the water Dina packed for us. “All three of them showed up in my room at four in the morning and scared the absolute crap out of me. Then we flew to some random island so I could work on my flight skills to prepare for the big Wingology final. It was incredible.”

Dina stares at me, mouth hung open. “Zeke was there too? With Raphael and Theo?”

“Yup.”

Mira, looking confused, asks, “Why is that so shocking?”

Dina tucks her legs under her on the couch, looking like she’s settling in to offer all the juicy details. “Our girl and Zeke hooked up at the start-of-term party and then he went all possessive, fragile ego on her when she started hanging out with Theo and Raph. Sounds like he’s working through his past issues though, and do you smell that?” She leans toward me, sniffing. I follow along, breathing in through my nose, but all I smell is beach.

“I smell a four-way in your future.”

I roll my eyes, unable to hold in my giggle at falling for her shit.

Mira laughs too. “So you all haven’t fucked yet? From the vibes between you and the guys, I thought for sure you would have.”

My cheeks grow hotter than ever, so I stuff a cracker in my mouth to keep from responding. I should have answered her though, because this leaves Dina open to giving her own colorful version. “She hasn’t screwed all four of them at once yet, but it’s only a matter of time.”

I cough, damn near choking on the dry as fuck cracker that’s currently stuck in my esophagus. “ Anyway ,” I say, throwing them each a look. “We ended the morning with a race. Winner gets a favor from each of them and guess who won.”

From the smug look on my face, it’s not hard to guess that it’s me, and this has Dina squealing with delight. “Well? Do you know what favors you’re going to ask for yet?”

I bite my lip and look away, not wanting to give away all the dirty thoughts racing through my mind. Not because I think either of them would care, but because they already fucking know. Apparently, I’m an open fucking book.

Mira smirks, sending me a wink. “Ah, so it’s those kinds of favors.”

“See, I told you it’s only a matter of time.” Dina lifts her water bottle in the air. “Cheers, to being the Archangels’ favorite and getting all that delicious dick.”

I don’t lift my water bottle right away, but eventually give in. Fuck it. I’ll cheers to that.

We eat in silence, welcoming the female comradeship surrounding us. I wasn’t sure how things would feel with Mira, but having her here and spending this time with just us girls is exactly what I needed.

“All four-ways aside,” I say, throwing a fake disgruntled look at Dina. “This morning was a revelation to me. In class, I’ve been completely unable to increase my speed regardless of what I do, but this morning I was fast. I felt quicker than the wind. Maybe it’s because I didn’t have the other students or Professor Uriel breathing down my neck, but if that’s true, I’m fucked for the test.”

“That unhappy, pompous angel is still a professor?”

“You had him too?” I ask, not really shocked as she isn’t too much older than us, but it’s interesting to hear her reaction.

“He was my least favorite professor. Always had his head so far up his own ass.”

“Well, that hasn’t changed. He’s conceited and has it out for me. It’s a fabulous combo,” I say dryly.

“Don’t let him get to you. Apparently, he lost out on some important position back in the day and hasn’t gotten past it. He’s a childish fuck who shouldn’t even be teaching, but he’s harmless.”

I want to disagree, but that bastard doesn’t deserve any more of our thoughts today. “Who else did you have as professors when you went here?”

Mira lists a few names, and Dina perks up at the mention of one particular angel.

“Was Malik hot as sin when you attended? The things I’d let that angel do to me.” She looks off wistfully, like she’s just dreaming up all the scrumptious things she’d let him do.

I laugh and Mira says, “That man was every student’s sexual fantasy. Nice to see that hasn’t changed.”

“I thought you started something with that group from the anything-but-clothes party. What happened to that?”

She sighs. “They were great, but just something to pass the time and keep my mind away from the forbidden professor that haunts my dreams.”

“You’ll graduate soon, babe,” I tell her. “Then he’ll be fair game to unleash all of your seductress tactics.”

Mira nods. “We sometimes attend the same gatherings. I’m more than happy to start planting the seeds of his Dina obsession if you want?”

Dina claps her hands, looking grateful. “Would you? Yes, please! I don’t know what it is about him, but I just can’t shake my fixation. Maybe screwing him will get him out of my system.” She winks at me and I laugh.

“Oh! Speaking of fixation, I brought this for you.” Mira digs into her bag and extracts a folded cloth pouch. When she lifts back the flaps, there are several tiny vials of light blue liquid hooked beneath individual elastics.

“Weird transition, but okay.” I eye the little bottles, carefully taking the one she removes from the strap. “What is it?”

“This is an elixir I made that should dampen or mask your power signature from demons.”

I stare at her, dumbfounded. “You made this? For me?” Very few angels have made me anything, and something like this requires thought and consideration. I’m honored that she’d offer it to me after our fairly recent introduction. The skeptical part of my brain screams ulterior motive, but I’m trying to shut that bitch down ever since the rune showed us she was trustworthy.

“It was nothing. I make all kinds of shit in my spare time, and before I started hanging out with you, I was beginning to go crazy with how much time I had. Besides,” Mira rubs the back of her neck, “I haven’t exactly tested that it works.”

“Dude, this is the coolest thing,” Dina says, looking at the small glass bottles.

A million questions race through my head. I want to ask her why she has so much free time. What is it that keeps her from working or doing something she loves? She graduated from the top university in the city so it’s not like she wouldn’t have any prospects. But instead of bombarding her with personal questions she may not feel like answering, I only nod and focus on the pretty blue vials. “So, how does it work? With how many are there, I’m guessing it wears off?” I want to remove the cork and sniff it, but I damp the urge down.

“Exactly. One dose should last approximately twelve hours, give or take. I tried to make it as tasty as possible but with some of the ingredients …” she winces, “let’s just say it’s an acquired taste, but in my experience, the stuff that usually works tastes like shit.”

“Even if it tastes like dirt, if this actually works, it’ll be such a relief. How did you know they tracked my power?” I hadn’t told anyone what the scarred demon asshole had said to me during the attack, so how could she have known?

“I didn’t. At least, not for you specifically, but being the daughter of a guild lieutenant gives me certain perks. Access to books and information that others might not have. That’s how I knew demons could sense power, and then, after learning that you were chock-full of it, I figured something like that might come in handy. I’d kill to join the guild, but since I’m Pure, they won’t take me. So I settle for the next best thing; keeping my eyes and ears open, and snooping around as much as possible.”

“I’m sorry,” I say, passing the vial back to her so she can tuck it safely away. “The guild would be lucky to have someone like you. Thank you for this.”

“Of course. It won’t make your power completely invisible, but it’ll help you blend in better with the rest of us low level plebeians.” She winks.

I stash the leather satchel away in my bag, being careful to position it around something soft so the vials don’t break. As grateful as I am to her giving me this wonderful gift, I also hate to think about the day when I’ll have to use these.

And given what’s been going on between angels and demons, that day will come.

We spend a few more hours talking, swimming, and eating. It turns out Mira has made loads of different potions over the years. Some to enhance an angel’s natural abilities and gifts, or even one that could make you invisible. Not all of them worked, but from the way her eyes light up whenever she talks about it, I can tell she enjoys playing potion master. Today has shown me that Mira is cool as hell, and I’m really glad she’s part of our group.

Dina, being my hilarious best friend, asks Mira about making a love potion, hinting at using it on Professor Malik once she graduates, but there’s no way she’d need one of those. Any guy or girl would be lucky to have her without the need of a potion.

By the time the food is gone and we’re all feeling blissfully happy, we pack up our little slice of heaven and put everything back the way we found it. Even though I saw the guys this morning, I miss them. It feels like it’s been more than just a few hours, so I’m excited to meet up with them in the cave for research in a little bit. I giggle, wondering if Castiel can tell what’s going on between the four of us or if he chooses to remain in the dark.

Hopefully, it’s the latter.

Opening the boathouse door, I step out into the ocean breeze, breathing in the scent of brine and sand. I close my eyes and tilt my head up to the sun. Even though it’s lower on the horizon, the power of its heat hits me all the same. It’s perfect.

The door closes behind me and Mira comes to stand beside me with a smile on her face. “Don’t worry, I locked it from the inside so no one will ever know we broke in.”

“I want to be you when I grow up,” Dina adds, which causes Mira to snort.

We head away from the beach, with Dina on my left and Mira on my right. Something about our little trio feels predestined, like we were all meant to meet and become friends.

Mira doesn’t let Dina off the hook for her earlier comment. “You know I’m not that much older than you, right? Don’t need to give me a complex.” She fakes a pout, pointing her best wounded animal look—which is actually believable as fuck—in Dina’s direction.

It falls from her face in an instant, and I follow her line of sight, my stomach dropping when I see what caught her eye.

A group of six students, all Fallen from what I can tell, stand between us and the rest of campus. No one says a word as we assess one another. The odds aren’t in our favor, and even though I’m happy not to be alone, I fear for my friends.

Mira and Dina might have chosen to be my friends, but they didn’t sign up for whatever the fuck this is.

Dina sighs. “These assholes just had to ruin our chill day, didn’t they?”