The Above || Completed

42 Captured

I didn't turn around. I couldn't bear to. What kind of look awaited me in his eyes? Guilt? Malice? Pity? I didn't want to know. Perhaps I couldn't bear to look at him but I had plenty to say.

"How could you be idiotic enough to come back here?" I demanded softly.
I heard his footsteps coming closer as they echoed off the walls.
"I knew you'd be here," Aeron said, his voice echoing too.
"That isn't an excuse to show up here as though you're welcome," I spat.
"I know I'm not." He paused. "I needed to explain."
"Explain what, Aeron?" I snarled. "You chose her. If I wanted an explanation, I would've asked for one."
Deep inside, a part of me wanted an explanation. A part of me hoped it wasn't as it seemed. But I shook that away, knowing that if I let myself hope, I'd only do so in vain. I knew that listening to what he had to say would probably only hurt more. And I didn't have time to get hurt anymore.

"Aeron." I sighed. "I don't want to waste anymore time on this."
"Maddison," he argued, and I felt a pang at how strange that name sounded coming from his lips now. "Stop running from this. If you do, it's going to hit twice as hard when you have to face it," he continued.
Finally, I turned to face him. The look in his eyes made my heart leap and break. A look of love. But I scowled. It wasn't real. He was putting it there.
"It doesn't have to hit if I never face it," I said. "Just leave me alone. I can handle this on my own."

In a single hot burst, I released my wings, not caring for the sensors or the council, and flew out the window. Away from Aeron.

^^^

I had to land far enough from headquarters in order to keep suspicions at bay. At least I'd accomplished one thing tonight. I had the flute. Now there was the question of when and where to use it. I thought I'd probably have to use it during or after the Renewal in order to catch the council off guard. They only postponed the Renewal so that they could shift their focus to finding the angel. Once their focus shifted away, I could act. However, there was the problem with the place. Perhaps I could exhaust some resources back at headquarters to find out where the council could be keeping Angels. I would have to go as close as possible to where they were being held.

As I came back around to the main gate, I sighed. It was all easier said than done and now I had to do it all myself. But what mattered was that I wouldn't be alone after I'd summoned them, and they wouldn't be alone either. The guards let me in and I strolled through the courtyard, ignoring the insistent presence of the baobab. So much to remember in one place, when all I wanted to do was forget it all. Anything to do with Aeron could wait until after the Renewal, when I found my dad and the angel. I was determined to stay focused.

Walking down the corridor to the dorms, I collided with a petite frame. Blinking, I recognised the girl as Grace with her blue eyes wide with worry behind her glasses.
"Sorry about that, Grace. I should probably watch where I'm going." I steadied her by the shoulders. "Are you all right?"
"Where have you been?" she blurted, beginning to stride down the passage toward the dorm.
"I decided to investigate on my own tonight. I would still be out there, too, if it hadn't been for Aeron," I explained as we neared our destination. "Are you sure you're all right, Grace? Has something happened?"
"The council," she said, bowing her head and keeping her voice hushed.
I felt myself brace for impact. "What have they done?"
"They've found the angel, Maddison. They've deployed troops to capture him already," she said slowly.

My chest constricted and my throat went dry.
They got to him first.
I gritted my teeth. Anger flared within me and I felt heat tinge my palms. I clenched my fists to quell my rage. Grace led me into the dorm, her expression very grim. Zachariah sat up on his bed, inclining his head as we walked in. His black hair was disheveled and his azure eyes were attentive and brooding.
"How could this happen?" I spoke softly but forcefully, punching the air in front of me in frustration. "Do you have any idea where the angel could be located? I might still have a chan-"

Erica raced through the door, breathless.
"It's Aeron. They've captured Aeron."

^^^

!!Author's Note!!

Plot twist!!

In celebration of finally reaching 2K reads and above, I decided to add an interesting twist. Thank you all so much for your support. Every time I see a notification, I treasure it so much. I love my readers❤️

Comment what you thought about the chapter and what you think might happen next!!

In other news, I've just published the sequel to Love and Heartbreak, called Fear and Bravery. Go check it out if you've managed to read the first book and if not, make sure you read that first! Thanks a lot guys.

Keep reading.📖