Year 1 by Tamara Hart Heiner

Author:Tamara Hart Heiner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: academy, magic, paranormal romance, books for teens, angels and demons, fantasy
Publisher: Tamark Books
Published: 2021-02-18T16:14:51+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“Barachiel is not in,” Master Selaphiel said, greeting us at Barachiel’s office. “Can I help with something?”

I saw Maalik’s hesitation as he glanced at me again, wearing his jacket now since my own clothes had been burned to ash. I fingered the silken fabric inside, the rougher exterior of the woven cloth, and wondered how I could feel this so easily but not touch Maalik.

Because I was a demon. I thought the judgment against me harsh and unfair, and I resented it.

“We had an issue during our study time. I feel like I should speak with Eldermaster Barachiel.”

Maalik met Selaphiel’s eyes. I expected her to take offense or try to coax the information out of him, but she merely nodded. “I will summon him. Come inside. He will come when he is done teaching.”

We stepped inside and sat in chairs just within the office. I waited for Master Selaphiel to pick up a book similar to mine so she could call Barachiel, but instead she made a motion in the air as if writing with her finger. “Can I get either of you two something to drink while you wait?”

I shook my head, but Maalik said, “Water would be nice.”

While Selaphiel stepped away, Maalik leaned toward me and whispered, “It’s polite for humans to offer a drink while you’re waiting for something, and it’s customary to accept, even if you only ask for water.”

“But I’m not thirsty,” I said, furrowing my brow. “And I’m not human.”

“None of us are,” Maalik replied. “It’s a comfort thing. It makes us feel a little bit more human. And we liked being human.”

I nodded, understanding. “And if I want to appear human also, I should try to act this way.”

“Well.” Maalik lifted one shoulder. Behind him, his wings shifted as if they wanted to unfold before they remembered the cramped space of the chair. “I was thinking more so you could experience a little of what it’s like to be human. Since you never—never mind.”

Maalik shifted away from me, and awkwardness fell between us. I didn’t know how to broach it, so I remained silent.

Selaphiel returned with a glass of water for Maalik, then she sat at Barachiel’s desk. She kept her eyes down, her fingers occasionally moving across a flat surface I couldn’t see. After only a few moments, Barachiel shimmered into the room.

Maalik stood at once. “Master Barachiel, thank you for coming.”

I stood also, though I was still trying to get over his abrupt appearance.

“I’ll give you some privacy,” Selaphiel said, and she left the office.

“Did you fly here?” I asked, unable to keep the questions at bay.

“Of course.” Barachiel smiled at me like a doting grandfather, as if all my questions were reasonable.

“But we didn’t see you. And your wings aren’t out.”

“My wings are always out. You just can’t always see them. The same goes for my personage. I can render myself intangible by shifting to a different plane when I wish. It makes it easier to maneuver through solid objects.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.