An Angel's Crusade (An Angel's Wings Sequel)

Chapter Five: Grieving

Iris

The White Angel soldier with the green eyes escorts us to two more big tents. Asher is waiting outside one of them and when he sees me he starts walking quickly towards us.

I almost burst into tears as he takes me into his strong arms.

"What happened? Is she cleared?"

I look back at Kinsley and meet her gray eyes. "Yeah, they cleared her." I turn back to him. "What about Charlie?"

Asher nods. "Got off with jokes and charm. I think they were more worried about Kinsley. Charlie was just to make it look like they weren't."

I look down at our feet. Asher places his hand under my chin and lifts my eyes to meet his. "Hey." I watch his concerned eyes search mine. "Talk to me."

"What are we going to do?" I move my head back down, his hand falling limply to his side. "Where are we going to go? They're going to hunt us wherever we are, and now the White Angels‒"

"We can't trust them," Asher interrupts.

"I know."

"Anyone who is going to go through the trouble of saving random strangers will always have an agenda."

"They've been looking for me," I whisper.

"Another reason not to trust them." I still don't look at him. "Hey." I glance up. "We got away from them once, we can do it again."

I narrow my eyes. "Leo died." A lump forms in my throat. "I don't think we got away."

Asher goes silent for a few moments. "We'll be okay, Iris."

I want to believe him, but I can't. Not after Leo, not after everything.

"Ash," a voice startles me and I spin 180 degrees. Gabriel stands there, a solemn look in his eyes. "We need to talk."

I step away from Asher and grab his hand, using it for emotional support.

"It's about Payton."

I perk up, squeezing Asher's hand harder. "What about her? Is she okay?" I haven't talked to Payton since Leo. Guilt fills my stomach. I should have checked on her, made sure she was okay.

Gabriel's bright blue eyes flick to me. There are shadows under those blue seas. Like all of us, he looks tired. "She's worried about her mom."

My heart drops. In all the chaos of the battle, I'd forgotten about Nancy Slayter.

"I've been able to talk her out of going to her house, but I think we might just have to."

I look up at Asher to read his expression, but he betrays nothing.

"Have you talked to Alex?" he asks.

Gabriel's eyes fill with anger. "He's been with the Dark Angel." He practically spits out the words. "I'm not going near her. If I do, I'll probably end up killing her."

I clench my jaw. Kinsley has proven herself and yet nobody seems to want to see that. Even Asher tenses at the mention of her.

Asher nods. "Kinsley is on our side now."

Gabriel frowns. "The main word of that sentence is now. She's a Dark Angel, Ash."

"So is my brother," Asher says in a testily voice.

Gabriel tenses. "He's different."

I take this moment to step in. "This isn't about Kinsley or Charlie. It's about Payton." I turn to Gabriel. "Asher will talk to Alex, and I'll talk to her."