***

- LEUVIAH – The Angel of Gratitude and Memory.

***

All gathered around the table, we follow Liam's finger as it traces a winding path on the map. He stops at an isolated point, lost in the middle of a dense forest.

— Here, he declares confidently.

Elise frowns.

— There's nothing there... Are you sure it's the right area?

— I'm certain.

I examine the map: no village, no road, just trees stretching as far as the eye can see.

— The journey looks long, Ambre remarks.

— What are we going to find there? Hadrien asks, intrigued.

— An abandoned library.

— A library? In the middle of nowhere?

I wasn't the only one who found this strange. Looking around, I see the same doubt reflected on everyone's faces... except Elise's. She stares at the map, absorbed in her thoughts.

— How long will it take to walk there? I ask.

Liam smiles.

— Walk? he repeats, amused. Fly, he corrects.

My stomach tightens. Hayden immediately understands my reaction. I can't afford to reveal my wings.

— You've all gone through your passage ceremony, haven't you? Liam asks, scanning the girls.

They nod.

— So, no need to force you to spread your wings.

I'm about to speak, but Hayden beats me to it.

— I believe... Marie hasn't discovered her wings yet.

I meet his gaze and thank him with a discreet nod.

— Oh, no problem then, Liam says decisively. We'll trigger her transformation on-site...

My heart skips a beat. Hayden and I exchange a panicked glance. How can we avoid this?

— What if we formed a ground team? Hadrien suddenly suggests.

He looks at me first, then at his brother before continuing:

— If Hailey is injured and unable to use her wings, we should cover the ground as well as the air.

Did he figure it out?

— That's actually a good idea, Liam agrees. Alright, Marie will stay on the ground. No need to make her bleed to force a transformation.

— That works for me, I accept immediately.

Hayden speaks up right away.

— I'll go with her. If she encounters demons, she'll need a combat angel to protect her.

Liam nods, then scans the group.

— Another fighter would be useful on the ground...

— I'm not made for combat, but I'm a healer, Ambre clarifies. I discovered my gift when I erased a scar on my stomach just by touching it.

— I'm an architect, Elise adds.

— An architect? Liam repeats, surprised. That's rare... and incredibly useful. Your gift will keep us from getting lost, no matter where we go. Every landscape, every road, and even temperature variations automatically imprint in you. In other words, an architect is a living map.

It's impressive, almost fascinating... but also terrifying. If Elise truly masters such a gift, she can guide us just as easily as she can lead us astray.

Hadrien crosses his arms.

— One thing to remember: I'm a featherless. I haven't had a single feather since the demon invasion. I'll go with them.

He gives us another insistent look. Hayden, me... as if he's trying to confirm something.

— Very well, Liam finally decides. The groups are set: you three on the ground, while...

He points at Elise and Ambre.

— ... you'll come with me.

— I think an architect would be more useful on the ground, Elise intervenes.

Liam considers for a moment.

— Then instead of splitting up, we'll all walk together. I'll fly above to scout the path and spot any dangers. On foot, I'd say it'll take at least a day, maybe more if we're slowed down.

Several heads nod in agreement.

— Alright. Elise, take the map with you, you'll guide us on the ground.

— Got it, she says, folding the map.

— When do we leave? I ask.

— Tomorrow at dawn.

— No, right now! Hadrien blurts out. Hailey can't wait!

— He's right, Hayden agrees.

Liam takes a few seconds to think, then nods.

— Alright. Ambre and Elise, prepare medical supplies. Hayden and Hadrien, gather weapons. Marie and I will handle the provisions.

Everyone gets moving at once.

As Hayden is about to be the last to step out of the library, he turns back and approaches Liam dangerously.

— Protect her, and don't mess up with her, he warns, pressing a finger to Liam's chest.

Liam raises an eyebrow, amused.

— Don't worry. I know she's your girlfriend.

Hayden's cheeks flush instantly, and I feel my own heat up.

— We're not... he starts, glancing at me uncertainly.

— We're not together, I state, embarrassed.

— Oh really? Yet you're both blushing...

— I am not blushing! Hayden retorts before turning on his heel.

I watch him walk away.

— Don't worry, I'll keep your relationship a secret, Liam murmurs with a smirk.

— There's nothing to keep, I insist, but he's already walking away.

— Are you coming? he calls when he sees me hesitating.

No man has ever made me feel this way before. I shake my head to clear my thoughts and follow him.

***

As we enter the cafeteria, we see a few angels still having breakfast. I wonder where they get all their food. I haven't seen any chickens here, and Hayden told me the only living beings besides us are demons.

But as I ask myself this question, I immediately find the answer. Just like in my room, where we discovered clothes, there must be stored provisions in the refrigerators. This world truly is a reflection of mine.

We arrive behind the kitchens. A massive warehouse stretches before us, filled with refrigerators and freezers lining the walls. In the center, giant shelves overflow with cans, bags of rice, pasta, biscuits, and many other foods. At the very back of the warehouse, crates of fresh vegetables are neatly arranged, just like at the market where I used to go with Mom on Thursday mornings.

The thought squeezes my heart. All my childhood memories are false.

— Grab some bags. They're at the bottom of the shelves over there, he says, pointing. Take five, one for each of us.

— Alright.

I head to the shelves and crouch down. There's only one type of bag: hiking backpacks. I grab five, large enough and in different colors so everyone can recognize theirs. It's the first time I've seen colorful clothes or accessories in this world. I choose a pale pink one. This one will be mine.

The bags are heavy, so I decide to sling one over my back, carry one on each shoulder, and hold the last two in my hands.

— Here they are.

— Only take food that doesn't need cooking, he instructs, sorting through the cans.

I understand immediately. With demons lurking, we certainly won't have time to set up a barbecue.

I set the bags on the ground and start gathering food.

I had spotted some fruit near the vegetable bins and headed in that direction.

Bananas. My mother always told me they gave strength, especially after physical exertion.

I realize I'm thinking about her again. How could a supposedly evil creature have been so kind and raised me with so much love?

I shake my head and pull myself together.

Now isn't the time to cry, I tell myself.

Next, I head toward the cookies and grab two packs of the all-butter ones—my favorite.

I place everything near the backpacks and pick up a six-pack of one-and-a-half-liter water bottles stacked right next to them, setting them down in the center as well.

I look at what I've gathered and wonder if it's enough. I've never been on a hike or even a school trip. My mother never allowed it. So I have no idea what to bring.

I sigh.

I'm so tired of this, I whisper, grabbing my head between my hands before crouching down.

Silent but painful tears escape my eyes, and I can't stop them. How am I supposed to live without any sense of direction? Who am I, really?

The sound of footsteps startles me. Quickly, I wipe my cheeks and put on a fake smile as Liam approaches.

He doesn't notice my damp cheeks or my red-rimmed eyes struggling to hold back tears. Without a word, he crouches beside me and sets down what he was carrying, not even glancing at my face.

He places several canned foods—meals that only need reheating, like beef ravioli and pre-made salads, probably macédoine. He brought quite a lot, enough to last three days.

That's when I realize my mistake. I hadn't thought things through. I hadn't accounted for the return trip... and I'd forgotten about Hailey.

— That's all you brought? he asks, narrowing his eyes.

— I... I was going to bring more, but I ran out of room in my hands, I lie.

I quickly turn away and head back to the fruit bins. That's when I hear his voice behind me:

— Are you okay? he asks after a pause.

I freeze.

— Yes, I'm fine, I lie again.

He studies me, as if reading my thoughts.

— I can tell that's not true...

He's seen right through me. My fake smile slowly fades until it disappears completely.

— It's nothing, I admit quietly. Don't tell Hayden or the others.

— I don't keep secrets from him.

— I don't want him to know.

— Why?

I search for an excuse.

— I'm just sad that Hailey is missing.

He watches me closely.

— What you don't know is that I'm an expert at detecting lies.

My heart tightens.

— It's the truth when I say I'm sad for Hailey.

— I'm not saying that's a lie... but I think you're hiding something else.

If Hayden trusts him and he's this loyal, maybe I should tell him the truth...

— I'm just overwhelmed by everything, I finally admit.

It's not a lie. I just don't elaborate.

Liam studies me for a moment, then lets it go, returning to sorting supplies before packing them into the backpacks.

I get back to work, gathering another ten bananas. I don't feel like counting anymore. I also grab a few packs of cookies and head back to Liam. This warehouse is so big that my back-and-forth trips feel like a walk... A rather cold one, thanks to all the refrigerators.

— Here, I say, handing him what I brought.

— Great. You got the sweet stuff, and I got the savory. We make a good team, without even planning it. Don't you think? he says with a smile.

— Yeah, that's true, I reply, returning his smile.

He's trying to lift my spirits. Hayden is lucky to have a friend like him. Even if they don't know the word, they must feel it deep down.

— Have you known Hayden for a long time?

He keeps packing the water bottles. I realize there aren't enough for several days. I grab another six-pack from right beside us.

— Yeah, for a few years. He saved my life.

— How? I ask, curious.

— I had entered a house looking for food. That's when I heard growling. When I went to see what all the noise was about, I saw him... Hayden was fighting a demon. He was hitting it with a bedside lamp—probably the only weapon he had on hand.

He finishes packing the bottles.

— When he finally killed the monster by smashing its skull, he immediately turned his eyes to me. But he wasn't looking at me... he was staring at something behind me.

A shiver runs through me.

— Oh no... I breathe.

— He put a finger to his lips, signaling me to stay silent. That's when I smelled something foul. I realized what he was looking at behind me... I was frozen. I couldn't move or even breathe.

— What happened next? I ask, hanging on to his every word, handing him the last missing water bottle.

— He threw what he was holding at the monster, then ran toward me. The demon was distracted by the sound of the lamp crashing. Hayden had just enough time to grab my hand and pull me forward before we started running outside. He slammed the door shut behind us, hoping to buy us time while the creature looked for another way out.

Liam chuckles.

— What's funny? I ask, intrigued.

— That's when I met Hailey for the first time.

I smile at the mention of her name and listen attentively.

— He took me back to his hideout, where his little sister and brother were. It was a barricaded house, well protected. The windows were boarded up, and outside, stacked tables formed an improvised wall. He had even draped sheets over them to cover any gaps where a demon might slip through. Back then, I was only eighteen.

— How did you end up here?

Liam hesitates before continuing.

— Almost two years later, Hayden started having restless nights. One night, it was like an invisible force was pulling him to this place. Without hesitation, he told us to pack immediately, and we followed him here.

A spark flashes in my mind.

Could he have experienced the same symptoms as me?

I press for more details.

— Did he have night sweats? Pain when waking up? I ask, heart pounding.

He looks at me, stunned.

— How do you know that?

Liam straightens abruptly, and I see something unsettling in his gaze. Suspicion. Sudden wariness.

— Are you... the same as them? he asks.

I frown.

— Them? Who are you talking about?

— No one knows about this except his brother, his sister... and me. I doubt any of them told you.

He steps toward me, and a strange pressure crashes down on me. His aura is suffocating.

— I... I stammer.

— Speak. Now! he demands in a hard voice.

His tone is absolute. He has shifted from understanding to silent menace.

— I know because... I've experienced it too.

He stops abruptly, and the pressure eases slightly. I can breathe again.

— You're telling the truth. I see it in your eyes.

His face softens, and he apologizes for his reaction. But something still troubles me. He said, "the same as them"... Was he talking about the malevolent creatures? The ones who were part of my life and whom Olivia fears so much?

— Who do you mean by "the same as them"?

He avoids my gaze, grabs a backpack, and slings it over his shoulder.

— Liam, answer me.

— I can't tell you more. Forget what I said.

Forget? How can he ask me that?

Furious, I snatch the backpack from his hands. It falls heavily to the ground, supplies clattering inside.

— Give it back. I'll carry it, he says, reaching for it.

— No. First, tell me who you mean. Are you talking about the black angels... the ones who aren't really angels?

Liam eyes me again, this time with suspicion.

— You seem to know a lot... and I find that suspicious.

— You can trust me, I assure him.

He studies me for a moment, as if searching my soul.

— They look like angels, but there's something dark about them. No book mentions them. I think they were cursed... but that's just a theory.

A curse?

Could that mean my family can be saved?

— How do we break this curse? I ask, determined.

Liam takes a deep breath, then says:

— We need to find a book... A lost book.

My heart skips a beat.

The book.

I've seen it. In that cave. In one of my visions.