Wicked Wings

10

I give an awkward wave before stepping back from the door. So much for getting through this year without much notice. It’s clear that everyone knows who I am, and they have a lot of feelings about it already. I don’t really care what these people think, especially since everything they know about me is a lie, but I need to find information on Jonah, and it would be a lot easier if people would talk to me like a normal person.

I hop in the elevator and head up to the third floor. As the door opens, I step out and nearly bump into someone getting on. It’s the sneering Valkyrie from before, who Grace said was named Tanwen. Her blue eyes narrow when she sees my face. “Get out of my way, human trash.”

My eyebrows dart up. “What did you call me?”

“You heard me.” She crosses her arms and looks at me like she’s daring me to fight her. The elevator door shuts before I can come up with a smart reply. What a b***h. I’m more angry than offended, especially since if Valkyrie girl knew I was actually a succubus, she’d probably piss herself.

I shake it off. I don’t have time for petty s**t, I have a mission to accomplish, and to do that, I need to get my base of operations set up.

There’s another small lounge area here in front of the elevator, and on the other side is room 302. My key unlocks it, and I step inside a small living room with a mini-kitchen and a bathroom. Two doors on either side lead to the bedrooms, and I’m relieved to see I won’t be sharing a bedroom with someone else. I’ll still have a roommate, but we each have a little privacy—a really good thing when you need to feed on s*x to survive. Not that I expect to be doing much feeding here. That would be far too dangerous. But hey, you never know.

There are two women chatting in one of the bedrooms, so I head for the empty one before they see me. I dump my bag on the double bed and look around the small space. It’s got a desk, a closet, and a window overlooking the lake. It’s not much, but it’s not bad either. Everything looks clean and well-maintained, although it’s sparse enough for us to add our own touches. Reminds me a lot of some of the places where I lived while in foster care, and it feels just as lonely. Yes, I really did grow up in foster care, since neither one of my parents could raise me safely, and loneliness was my best friend—until Jonah.

There’s also access to a balcony, which extends the length of the dorm suite, with two chairs and a table. It’s big enough an angel could extend their wings and take off. That could come in handy.

I head back out to get the rest of my stuff, but I’m stopped by the two women. They look like they could be sisters, with the same soulful brown eyes, except one has a purple streak in her brown hair. The other stands with the confidence and grace of someone who has lived for hundreds of years, even though she looks no older than thirty.

“Oh honey, this must be your roommate,” the older angel says.

“Hey, I’m Araceli,” the purple-streak girl says, offering me her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Liv,” I say, as I shake it. “Short for Olivia.”

“I’m her mother, Muriel.” She gives me a big smile, then looks back at her daughter. “Do you need anything else? Should I stay and make you some dinner? Do you need help organizing your closet?”

“No, Mom,” Araceli says with a groan. “I’m fine. Really. You can go now.”

“Are you sure? Liv, do you need any help getting settled?” Muriel asks.

“I’m good, thanks.”

Araceli’s tone grows exasperated. “Mom. Please.”

“All right, I’m going. Although I think your bathroom could be organized a little better...”

“Mom!” Araceli practically stomps her foot.

“Sorry, sorry.” Muriel leans over and gives Araceli a kiss on her forehead. “I just can’t believe my baby is already grown up and attending Seraphim Academy. I’m so proud.”

Araceli rolls her eyes, but she hugs her mother. “Thanks for your help, Mom.”

“Of course, honey. You call me if you need anything at all and I’ll be right over. Liv, it was a pleasure to meet you.” She gives me a warm smile before moving to the door. She hesitates again like she doesn’t want to leave, but finally she gives a little wave and shuts the door behind her.

Araceli lets out a huge sigh and collapses on the couch as soon as her mother is gone. “Finally. I thought she would never leave!”

I glance at the door wistfully. “I thought it was cute. She obviously loves you a lot. You’re lucky.”

The words slip out, and I regret them immediately, but it’s hard not to be jealous when Father is currently pretending I don’t exist, and I haven’t heard from Mother in three years.

She takes a closer look at me. “You’re the half-human girl. I guess they stuck both the outcasts together in one suite. Strength in numbers or something.”

“You’re an outcast too?” Maybe I’ll have one friend. Not that it’ll help me since she’s brand new, too.

“Yep.” She pushes her purple streak aside and shows me one of her ears, which are slightly pointed at the top. “I have fae blood from my father’s side, so I’m seen as a pariah among angels, even though I grew up among them and don’t know my fae side at all. I’m sure you’ve noticed they’re not the most welcoming group to anyone who is different.”

“No kidding. I’ve already been told to go home by multiple people today.”

She props her lime green combat boots up on the arm of the couch. “Just ignore them. Some people think angels should remain pure, or whatever.” She rolls her eyes. “Did you really not know you were part angel until your Emergence?”