Seraphim Academy 1: Wicked Wings

by Elizabeth Briggs

  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?”

  Perching beside her on the sofa, I decide to take any friend I can get at this point. “I didn’t. This has all been a total shock. What’s an Emergence?”

  “That’s what we call it when angels get their wings. For most of us, it’s a joyous occasion.”

  I snort. “Mine was anything but.”

  “So I’ve heard.”

  My eyebrows dart up. “You know about it?”

  She lets out a short laugh. “The angel community is small and tight-knit. Everyone knows about it. We’ve all seen the video of you falling into that pool. Even an outcast like me.”

  I swallow. “Great. No wonder everyone has been staring at me.”

  “Don’t worry. We’ll stick together and give the middle finger to anyone who gives us shit. Hey, what classes do you have?”

  I like this girl already. I pull my schedule from my back pocket, and she looks it over quickly.

  “Awesome, we have Combat Training and Flight together.” She frowns as she stares at something on the page. “So you don’t know what your Choir is?”

  “Nope. I’m clueless about everything. What about you?”

  “I’m a Malakim, or a healer, like my mother.”

  “Have you done much healing yet?”

  “Not really. I tried practicing on some plants and a sick dog, but I don’t really know what I’m doing yet. Before this I went to nursing school, so I have some idea how to help sick or injured people, but using magic is totally different from practicing medicine.” She gives me a thoughtful look. “I don’t get a Malakim vibe from you. You feel more like an Ofanim or something.”

  Crossing my legs, I settle in. Araceli is easy to talk to. “Maybe. I really have no idea. About anything. I’ve been pretty lost ever since I got the invitation to this school.” I feel bad for lying to Araceli since she seems so genuine and open, and as a First Year student she isn’t on my list of people to investigate, but I have to keep my ruse up as long as I’m here.

  She gives me a wide grin. “Well, it’s a good thing you got stuck with me as your roommate. I can help you figure this all out, and I know a bit what it’s like to be an outcast in the angel community.”

  “That would be great, thanks.”

  She helps me bring up the rest of my things, and then we each head into our own bedrooms to finish unpacking and get settled in before orientation tomorrow morning. Except when I close my bedroom door, I notice something on the bed that wasn’t there before. A square box wrapped in brown paper and gold ribbon.

  I open it up carefully, in case this is some kind of trick, but I’m even more confused when I pull out a white, hooded robe and a plain white mask that completely covers the entire face except for the eyes. Underneath it is a card printed on thick paper with letters embossed in gold script. There’s an image of a golden throne taking up most of the page, and below it is a date, a time, and coordinates. Along the bottom are the words: “Attend at your own risk. Secrecy is mandatory. Loyalty is paramount.”

  I nearly run out and ask Araceli if she got one also, but then I run my finger along those bottom words again. What if she didn’t get an invitation? I could already be breaking the rules by even telling her about the invite. But what exactly have I been invited to attend?

  Chapter Seven

  Olivia

  Once we’re settled in, Araceli and I head over to the cafeteria for dinner. Like the dorms, the cafeteria has floor-to-ceiling windows that let in a lot of light during the day. White tables and chairs are set up across the wide space, and along the sides are buffet stations with all sorts of different foods, ranging from tacos to lasagna to roast beef.

  At first, all I can do is gaze around the room and take it all in. It’s hard to believe all of this food is free. My birth parents made sure none of my foster homes were too terrible, so I was never worried about food—but money was another story. Neither of my parents could have any ties to me, because according to them it was too dangerous to have anything connecting the three of us. That meant no support from them either. Everything I had—my car, my apartment, my education—I had to work for myself. Meanwhile, Jonah got everything he could ever want, grew up in a damn mansion, and was adored by everyone around him for being the son of two Archangels. Not that I’m jealous or anything. I love Jonah. But still.

  The angels here take it all for granted as they walk around the buffet and get whatever they want, just like they do everything else at this school. None of them know what it’s like to grow up with practically nothing.

  I grab some fish tacos plus a salad, and then make my way to the table where Araceli is already sitting. Someone bumps into me hard an
d my tray hits the ground, spilling my food everywhere and making a loud enough noise that everyone in the cafeteria turns to look.

  “Oops,” Tanwen says with a smile that is anything but sorry. “Might want to watch where you’re going next time, clumsy human.”

  “You bumped into me!” I reply, but she’s already moved on, and her Valkyrie friends just snicker as they follow behind her. As I stare at their backs I wonder if they dyed their hair to match, or if they’re all basically clones of each other.

  I let out a huff and begin cleaning up the mess. One of the cafeteria workers comes to take over, and I apologize profusely for making their job harder before going to get another tray of food. I know what it’s like to have to clean up after someone else.

  By the time I get back, Araceli has almost finished her food. “I see you’ve already met the Valkyries,” she says, as I sit down.

  I throw a dirty look at the group of women, who have taken over a large corner table. “Lucky me.”

  Grace walks up to our table holding a tray and gives us a smile. Beside her is a curly-haired guy wearing a purple polo shirt and those hipster jeans that are just a tiny bit too short. “Can we sit with you?”

  “Sure.” I scoot over a little so they can both join us at the table. I’m happy to see them. Grace knows my brother, so hopefully the guy does too.

  Araceli looks surprised by our new guests, but smiles. “The more the merrier.”

  “This is Cyrus,” Grace says, gesturing to her friend. “He’s a Second Year like me, and an Ofanim.”

  “Nice to meet you,” I say.

  “Good to see you again,” Araceli says.

  “How do you all know each other?” I asked.

  Araceli leans back and pushes her empty plate away. “We all grew up in the same community in Arizona, near Yuma. Lots of sun there. How do you know Grace?”

  “She was kind enough to save me from the Princes this afternoon, and she showed me around campus.”

  Araceli’s dark eyebrows shoot up. “What do you mean, she saved you?”

  “Shh, there they are now,” Cyrus says, and we each turn to look.

  All three men walk into the cafeteria like they own the place, and people practically leap out of their way as they move toward the buffet. The big, muscular blond guy is at the front, charging forward like he’s on a life or death mission to get food. I don’t think he does anything by half. The tall, black-haired one is just behind him, shooting daggers with his cold eyes at anyone who dares look at them. The third guy, with the olive skin and sexy mouth, walks more casually and flashes a smile to the crowd, like he’s trying to reassure everyone they’re not really so bad.

  As I watch, the leader spots me and his eyes narrow. He stares at me with open hostility, and the two other men follow his gaze. Great, now everyone in the cafeteria is staring at me too, probably wondering why I’ve caught the interest of the Princes. At first I’m annoyed, until the lust and desire gives me a little boost. Even angels can’t resist the allure of a succubus—including the Princes.

  It’s an eternity before the three men turn away to get their food, but the damage is done. I can already hear the hushed whispers going around the room, no doubt talking about me. If anyone in the school didn’t know about me before, they most certainly do now.

  “What was that about?” Cyrus asks.

  “The three of them surrounded me when I arrived and told me I don’t belong here,” I say.

  “Wow, I had no idea they hated half-humans so much,” Araceli says. “They’re even worse than I heard.”

  “I never thought they did either,” Grace says with a sigh. “But people change.”

  Cyrus leans forward and says in a loud whisper, “She should know, she used to date one of them.”

  “Really?” I ask. “Which one?”

  Cyrus waves a hand. “Not one of those three. There was a fourth Prince last year.”

  Grace’s head drops and the sadness in her eyes returns. “His name is Jonah. He disappeared at the end of last term.”

  I’m thrilled the conversation has already come around to my brother. “Really? What happened to him?” I ask, as though this is the first time I’m hearing about Jonah, like it doesn’t rip my heart out every time I think of him missing.

  “No one knows,” Cyrus says. “He vanished without a trace, and no one has been able to find him. Some people think he ran off, and others think demons took him.”

  “Do you think the Princes had anything to do with his disappearance?” I ask.

  “No, they were like brothers,” Grace says, as she picks at her food without really eating it. “But they changed after Jonah disappeared. They’re harder now. Meaner.”

  We quiet down as the Princes finish getting their food, cast me one last hostile look, and then walk out of the cafeteria with it. The room seems to collectively relax as soon as they’re gone.

  “Well, one thing hasn’t changed—they still never eat with us commoners,” Cyrus says.

  “What else can you tell me about them?” I ask.

  Cyrus grins, and I can tell he loves to gossip. “The blond one is Callan, and he’s the son of Archangel Jophiel and Archangel Michael. He’s an Erelim and basically the leader of the Princes, just like Michael was the leader of the Archangels, and he doesn’t let anyone forget it.”

  My eyebrows shoot up. “Was the leader?”

  “Michael was killed two years ago by Lucifer. It nearly ended the truce between angels and demons, but no one could prove it was actually Lucifer who did it. He had an alibi, but we all know it was him.”

  “Of course.” It sounds like something I should agree with. I have no idea if Lucifer killed Michael or not, but it’s not really relevant to my search for Jonah, so I move on. “What about the others?”

  Cyrus leans forward, clearly enjoying this. “The one with black hair is Bastian, and he’s an Ofanim and a cold, unfeeling jerk. He’s Headmaster Uriel’s son, which is why the Princes get so many perks.”

  “What kind of perks?”

  “For one thing, they get the entire bell tower to themselves, which they use as some kind of private lounge. They’re always up there, and no one else is allowed inside unless invited by them. But you’ve been there, right Grace?”

  “I have.” She’s focused on her food, obviously having a hard time with this conversation. She’s either a very good actor or she really is upset over my brother’s disappearance.

  “I’ve seen them up there,” I say. “They watch over the school like they own it or something.”

  “They pretty much do,” Cyrus continues. “The third one is Marcus, and he’s one of Archangel Raphael’s many sons. He’s a Malakim and he was Jonah’s roommate last year. I heard he doesn’t have a roommate this year, because Headmaster Uriel is hoping Jonah will come back to school any day now. They even left all of his stuff in there.”

  Grace shakes her head. “He won’t come back, because he didn’t run away. He would never do something like that, not without telling anyone where he was going, or taking anything with him.” Her voice chokes up a little and she grabs a napkin and dabs at her eyes. “I’m sorry, I just really miss him, and I’m so worried about him.”

  Me too. I shove a bite of taco in my mouth to keep from talking.

  “Someone will find him,” Araceli says. “All the Archangels are looking for him. He’ll be back soon.”

  Grace sniffs. “I hope so.”

  He will be, at least if I have anything to say about it. And now I know exactly where to start looking: Marcus’s dorm.

  Chapter Eight

  Marcus

  Callan is pacing again. He’s been doing it a lot ever since Jonah vanished. Back and forth along the edge of the bell tower, his footsteps so predictable on the stone I could write a song to the beat.

  “We need a plan,” he says.

  I stretch my legs out on the couch and fold my arms behind my head. “A plan for what?”

  “To get rid
of that woman in Jonah’s photo.”

  “Her name is Olivia Monroe,” Bastien says in his matter-of-fact voice. “I did a little research on her after our encounter. Unfortunately there’s not much in her files.”

  Callan finally stops pacing. “What did you learn?”

  “She grew up around Southern California in various foster homes. Her mother died when she was six due to a drug overdose, and her father is unknown, although no doubt an angel. Until recently, she was working in a hotel bar near LAX.”

  “Choir?” Callan asks.

  “Unknown.”

  “What’s her connection with Jonah?”

  “Also unknown.”

  “He never mentioned her to me,” I say, with a trace of bitterness. I’m still annoyed Jonah gave Callan the photo instead of me. I was his roommate and his best friend, but apparently he trusted Callan more.

  Callan pulls out the photo again and smooths his thumb over it. “He gave me this only hours before he left. It was obviously important to him, and we made a promise to him.”

  “We need to learn everything we can about her,” Bastien says. “Find out how she’s connected to Jonah. Maybe she’ll know why he hasn’t returned.”

  “We need to get her as far away from this school as possible,” Callan growls.

  “How?” I ask. “She didn’t seem very intimidated by us.”

  “Not yet, perhaps. We’ll have to take more drastic measures.”

  “Like what?”

  “We’ll start by making her life miserable. If that doesn’t convince her to leave, we’ll take it up another notch.”

  The whole thing feels off. I shake my head. “I’m not comfortable with this. And I’m not sure Jonah would approve either.”

  I think back on that moment at the end of last term.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” Bastien asked.

  “Yes, and we all know it has to be me,” Jonah said. He wore his baseball uniform, and would be playing against the fae in the championship game in only an hour. And after that…I couldn’t even think about that. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine, seriously. But I need to ask you guys for a favor before I go.”