Page 133 of Stealing Embers

And there it is.

“We need to get some real answers, and I’ve hit the end of my resources.”

A cafeteria door slams shut, startling me. We’re alone. Even Steel has gone.

I stare at the exit. The familiar desire to flee rides me hard. I have a choice to make. I can follow through with my plan to leave Seraph Academy, or I can stick it out.

I suck my top lip into my mouth, my teeth press into the soft flesh.

I want to know the truth, but the Council is scary. I can’t forget my friends’ reactions the first time Sable mentioned contacting them. I thought Greyson and Sterling were going to put me into their own version of witness protection. But Sable just dangled a juicy carrot in front of me.

Answers. An explanation for what I am, where I came from, who my parents were and why they abandoned me. The chance to fully discover my potential. The Council may be the key, and I could lose the chance to unravel my own mystery if I leave. This hidden world of the Nephilim I so recently discovered would also be out of reach. The logical side of my brain thinks about resources and centralized knowledge, but another part of me snags on the people here. If I leave, I’ll be leaving them, too.

Sable waits patiently while I process my options. Her clasped hands and the tension on her face tell me she’s anxious for my response, but she’s always been good about knowing when I need a few moments to myself. Sucking in a gulp of air, I release it slowly.

“This is pretty far out of my comfort zone, but I think the Council will help us get some answers.” Goodness knows I don’t have any.

Sable nods her agreement. “Your wings, the orb—they’re pieces of the puzzle. Once we collect enough pieces, the full picture will start to make sense.”

I guess. But if I’m one of those crazy five-thousand-piece jigsaw puzzles, it’s going to take a lot of clues to reveal the full story.

Sable tips her head toward the exit. “Go get cleaned up and then get some rest. I won’t report anything to the Council until tomorrow. We’ll sit down and talk it all through before I reach out to them. I want you to know what’s going on. I don’t want you to be in the dark about anything. I realize trust is hard to build and I’m not interested in taking yours lightly.”

Sable’s efforts to make this easier on me warm my heart and set me at ease, if only fractionally. Time and time again she’s proved that she has my best interests in mind, and it’s time I returned the favor. But my confidence in her doesn’t extend to this enigmatic Council. I’m not going to let my guard down, but for today, my brain—and body—has had enough.

“A shower sounds like heaven.” It truly does. And I can’t wait. I smile just thinking about that warm water sluicing over my skin. I can almost feel it.

My smile turns wooden as I remember something. Sable actually doesn’t know about all my shiny new powers. I suppress a groan and force the confession out of my mouth. “Wait, there’s something else you should know. I can shoot fire balls out of my hands that are strong enough to turn boulders into dust. I mean, I did it once, so I’m assuming I’ll be able to do it again . . . maybe.” A grimace follows the confession.

Sable’s eyes widen until I can see white around her irises. I swear she doesn’t blink for twenty-three whole seconds. “Come again?”

We’re going to be here a bit longer.

Chapter Forty

After another thirty minutes of back-and-forth with Sable, she finally lets me go. I rub my eyes as I trudge down the hallway. Both of them are full of grit.

Maybe I should put off cleaning myself until after I’ve had a nap?

My hand accidentally comes into contact with the crunchy hair at my forehead when I scratch an itch on my face.

So much yuck. I will not be skipping that shower.

Heaving a frustrated sigh, I catch the rays of the dying day filtering in through the west-facing windows. The orange light is tinted with gold and the dust in the air makes the beams shimmer, reminding me of my gilded wings.

I’m lost in thought about glowing orbs and metal-tipped wings and magic fireballs when movement outside catches my eye. Grinding to a halt, I stare down at a figure bent over a black and chrome motorcycle. He’s securing a bag to the side.

I haven’t spoken to Steel alone since before the battle with the Forsaken, but instinct tells me he’s not preparing for a joyride.

* * *

“Did you at least say goodbye to your siblings?”

Steel doesn’t turn, but he stops messing with the leather saddlebag at the side of his motorcycle. The breath he sucks in is big enough to move his shoulders up on the inhalation, and back down when he exhales.

After a stretched moment, he rotates to face me. Leaning against his bike, he shoves his hands in his pockets.

“Just going on a little trip. No need to sound an alarm for that.”