Fallen Academy: Year Two (Fallen Academy #2)(52)

My wings burst out at the same time as Noah’s, a strangled cry leaving my throat as it ripped open my shoulder wound.

We were going to have to fly everyone out of the city. I’d flown Shea around before in a practice run; I’d gone ten feet up and then dropped her. It was really hard, yet I thought I might be able to do it again. But there was Luke and Chloe too, and we were about to get mauled.

Suddenly, a bright blue light flared in the sky and everyone stopped, covering their eyes.

A loud thump sounded nearby, and I looked up to see Archangel Michael standing on the roof of our SUV, glowing and looking gloriously fit for battle.

“Lincoln said you might need an escort,” he boomed, his voice carrying across the parking lot. “Anyone who gets in the way of these five leaving, is going to spend some time in Hell,” Michael barked, his sword shooting out a blue ball of fire that had everyone scattering and screaming.

“Holy shit,” Chloe breathed.

“I love him,” Shea exclaimed.

‘You should smell him. He smells so good,’ Sera chimed in.

“Get in the car!” Noah ordered.

The mob had parted like the Red Sea as Michael stood atop our SUV, sword raised.

My boyfriend called Archangel Michael to bail me out so he could stay and protect my mom.

Oh my God, I am so marrying him one day.

Once we were all in, Noah threw the car in Reverse and peeled out of the parking lot. I leaned out the window and looked up.

“Michael is flying above our car!” I told my friends.

“He is the patron saint of safe travel,” Luke chimed in, trying to get a view from where he sat, smooshed between Chloe and Shea.

I opened the center console, where I’d stashed my cell phone, and dialed Lincoln.

“I saw everything on TV. I’m so glad you’re okay,” he said in a rush as soon as he answered.

“How’s my mom?” I tried not to panic, but my shaky voice betrayed me.

“I’m fine, honey.” My mom’s voice was laced with fear, I could hear it. Something had scared the shit out of her however long ago, and she was still scared.

“We’re only a few blocks away,” I told them. “Michael is escorting us,” I added, so they wouldn’t worry.

“All right, we’ll meet you outside. Is there anything else you want to take from here?” Lincoln’s voice was full of concern, and it only hit me then that we were permanently leaving my home and all its possessions. I had all the pictures of my dad that I wanted, plus clothes and bedding. None of the other stuff mattered. After what happened in the parking lot, I didn’t think we should linger.

“No. Let’s just get my mom out of here,” I told him.

Noah pulled up to the curb of my old apartment building, and I glanced over to see he was looking quite ill. Sweaty and pale.

“You okay?” I asked.

He just nodded, mouth turned down in a grimace.

Wasting no time, I jumped out of the car, but when my eyes fell on Bernie’s tent, my heart stopped.

Bernie.

I heard the door open behind me and Shea stumbled out.

“Oh God. Who’s going to take care of Bernie?” she whispered.

Since we’d moved to Demon City, we’d always taken care of Bernie and Max. Always. I couldn’t remember a night when my mom, Shea, my brother, or I didn’t bring down a cup of hot soup, a bagel, or something for him. He was one of those misunderstood homeless people. No drug problem, no criminal record, just a blind guy who was human, and couldn’t hold a job.

“We are.” My voice was firm.

He wasn’t a demon slave. The only reason he lived there was because it was the only thing he knew. We were taking him with us.

I approached the tent and could see his shoes were off, feet sticking out.

“Is that you, Brielle?” Before I got too close, his sweet voice rang through the space. He peeked his head out, and Maximus barked in excitement.

“Yeah, Bernie, it’s me. Long time no see.” Bending down, I patted Max’s head and poked my head inside the tent. He had a little setup in there that would take quite a while to break down.

“You okay? You smell of blood.” Bernie frowned.

I swore the guy had the nose of a bloodhound.

“Got in a little fight, but I’m all right. Hey, Bernie? My mom’s moving to Angel City, and I’d like you and Max to come with us there. I can’t explain much right now, but we don’t have time to pack all your stuff.”

His mouth popped open in surprise. “They don’t like my kind on the fancy part of town.”

My kind. Homeless. Anger flared within me at his words. The high-and-mighty fallen were always looking down on these sorts of “unsightly” things. What kind of angel blessed were you, if you couldn’t reach out to those in need?

Lincoln and my mom burst from the back door then. The moment Lincoln saw me stooped down, talking to Bernie, a dawning came over his face. He knew what I was doing.

“I’ve still got my trailer. It’s all his if he wants it,” Lincoln offered.

Tears leaked from my eyes. When did I become such a crier?

“You hear that, Bernie? A silver Airstream just for you and Max, what do you say?” I started to grab his backpack, when he reached out and grasped my wrist lightly.