Wings (A Black City Novel) Read Online Free PDF Page A

pregnant with Polly.
    “Why did you stay with Mom when you found out Polly wasn’t yours?” I say.
    Father glances at Elijah. He pretends to read the book, politely ignoring us.
    “I didn’t,” Father says. “When I discovered the truth, I left her.”
    I sit upright, surprised. “I had no idea.” Although Mother deserved it, I can’t help but feel sorry for her. “Why did you come back?”
    “Your mother was truly sorry for what she did,” Father says. “And I had to accept some responsibility for what happened. My work took me away from her for months at a time. It didn’t help that we’d been trying for a family, but it just wasn’t happening.” His thin mouth sets in a grim line. “It caused a lot of strain between us, and I wasn’t there for Siobhan when she needed me,” he continues. “So she found comfort in another man.”
    “Purian Rose,” I mutter.
Gross.
    “Was it wrong of her? Yes. But is she totally to blame? No,” Father continues. “We saw this as our second chance to be a family, Talie. It wasn’t easy, but over time I forgave her. And I’m so glad I did, because we had Polly and then two years later we were blessed with you.” He kisses my forehead. “I love your mother. I have no regrets.”
    I peer down at my engagement ring, thinking about Ash. We’ve overcome plenty of trials, so I can sort of understand how my father managed to forgive her.
    “Dad, I was wondering—”
    “We’re not discussing this again, Talie,” he says, cutting me off.
    “You didn’t even know what I was going to say,” I reply.
    “You were going to ask me to send out a search party for Ash,” he says.
    “If you’d just let me speak to the Commander—”
    “He’s been very explicit with his orders,” Father says, using the curt voice he usually saves for his lieutenants. “He feels we’ve done enough. We can’t spare any more resources on this, Natalie. We have our own priorities.”
    “And he should be one of them.” I stand up and yank the IV line out of my hand. “Ash is a vital part in the war against Purian Rose. He’s
Phoenix,
for heaven’s sake! Doesn’t that mean anything to you people?”
    Father leaps to his feet. “Where do you think you’re going?”
    “To Viridis,” I say. “Maybe Beta Squad missed something. Someone there might know where Ash and the others went.” I turn to Elijah. “Are you coming?”
    He nods, getting up.
    “Sit down!” Father commands.
    Elijah immediately sits.
    “You don’t have to listen to him,” I say to Elijah, then to my father: “You have no right to keep him prisoner here. We’re going.”
    “And how precisely are you getting to Viridis, hmm?” Father says.
    “Stow away on a train, steal a truck, whatever it takes,” I say. It’s a risky journey through enemy territory, which is why I’ve been reluctant to try it, given my already ill health, but my father’s left me with no other option.
    He blocks our path. “You’re not leaving this compound.”
    “You can’t order me about. I’m not one of your lieutenants,” I say.
    “No, I’m your father,” he snaps. “I understand you think you love that boy—”
    “I don’t just love him, I’m
connected
to him.” I press a hand to my chest. “When you took me away, you wounded Ash in a way you will
never
understand. He’s hurting, Dad. I can feel it.”
    “Natalie . . . ,” Father says, his voice softening.
    “Ash deserves better than this,” I continue. “He sacrificed himself for me. He took the blame for a murder that
I
did, and he was literally crucified for it! And this is how you repay him?” My blood boils, furious with my father and the Commander. I’m tired of trying to persuade them to find Ash; it’s obviously not going to happen and every day he’s out there, he’s in danger. If I want this done, I have to do it myself. “I’m going to find him, and nothing you can say will stop me.”
    I push past my father, and Elijah