Covenant Read Online Free Page A

thoughts—
    â€œYour recklessness,” Sophia said shortly. “Whether it was you trying to kill yourself all those years ago, or whether it’s you on a new, self-professed mission to stop someone else from doing the same, you never think things through, do you?” She rubbed her eyes in a gesture that was still elegant. “Do you remember what I said to you when you woke up after your first brush with death? After you used the Glaive to its utmost power to destroy Lucifel’s shadow, despite Tileaf’s warning? ‘And now you know the consequences.’ I could say the same here. Now you know the consequences for trying to be a savior.”
    The mention of Tileaf’s name ricocheted through Angela like a bullet. She chose to ignore the guilt for now. “I would do it again.”
    â€œReally?” Sophia whispered.
    â€œYes. I would try to save Janna again, even if I didn’t have a chance. I don’t regret a single thing about it.” Angela shifted up and let out a little yelp of pain. “Okay, maybe some things. How old is this mattress? It feels like a board.”
    Sophia stared like a scolding mother at Angela for a while. But the usual soft smile cracked her porcelain features soon, and she helped Angela sit up in the bed, rearranging some pillows against her back. When Angela was comfortable again, Sophia clasped her hand gently. “You are the Archon, Angela. But overcompensating for that destiny won’t help you. I know it bothers you that people say the Archon is evil, but—”
    â€œI don’t regret trying to save Janna, and I would do it again. End of discussion.”
    Sophia sat back, biting her lip. “You’re misunderstanding me.”
    â€œI couldn’t just let her die, Sophia.”
    â€œI know.”
    Sophia let the silence grow, staring out at the snow.
    â€œBecause I understand,” Angela said, “what it feels like to chase after dreams. To forget this world for something else. And I know what it is to regret that decision.” Angela glanced at her failed paintings of Israfel, suddenly aching to throw them into the fireplace like she had all the others that preceded them. She had been chasing after the angel of her dreams since childhood, had almost thrown away her life for him, had actually found him, and had been bitterly disappointed. Maybe that—as well as the cold fact that she could no longer dream about him—explained why every painting since the day he’d saved her from the edge of death had been a mess. “You’re right—look at where it’s gotten me. My arms and legs are a canvas of scars and burns. And he’s out there in the glory of the universe, flying and singing without a care.”
    â€œI wouldn’t quite say that,” Sophia said grimly. Then she laughed. “But it’s like you to make the Creator Supernal sound like nothing more than a spoiled songbird.”
    Angela allowed herself to smile. Despite what had happened, it was always difficult for her to be too pensive around Sophia.
    But . . .
    â€œSophia, what happened to Janna? Is she alive?”
    Sophia stood from her seat. “Yes. She is. Though unlike you she’s in the sick ward across campus. Honestly, it’s a miracle that you both survived. In fact, the entire event seems like it will be the talk of the Academy for weeks. Everyone has a theory about how and why you two didn’t die. Some people are whispering about your face-off with Stephanie Walsh last year, despite the warnings from the priests otherwise. They think that you are—in fact—a witch. Or worse . . .”
    Angela didn’t know what to say to that. She kept quiet for a moment, taking another drink of water. “So why didn’t we die, then?”
    Sophia turned around, her face lost in shadow. Her words sounded guarded. “I have my own theory about who saved you