Page 24 of Blade's Angel

I should have guessed he'd do that after seeing her talent. Wreck comes running over and stops by Shadow.

“You bellowed.” He says to Shadow, making me laugh.

“Look what Sera did for Cam.” He says and points to the paper in Cam's hand.

Wreck looks over, and his eyes grow wide when he takes in what she's done. Yeah, Wreck is an artist in his own right, and if anyone is going to appreciate and fully understand her talent, it's him.

“Fuck, Cam, can I have a closer look, please?” He's practically begging him.

Cam just nods and holds the paper out to him. Wreck grabs it carefully before plopping down in an empty seat. He hasn't taken his eyes off the page; he's taking in every little detail and assessing it all. Once he's finished, he looks up at Sera.

“Girl, you are one of the most talented artists I've ever met. Fuck, I wish I could draw portraits like this. I've never seen anything like it.” The awe in his voice is something none of us have ever heard from him before.

I look at Sera, and her cheeks have gone pink from embarrassment.

“Thank you. That's actually the first time I've ever let anyone see my art. So it's very much appreciated that you'd say something like that.”

“If you ever want to turn your skills toward becoming a tattoo artist, let me know; I'd take you on as my apprentice without a second thought. With this level of skill on paper, if you transferred it to skin, you'd become one of the best portrait tattooists in the country.”

He's being totally honest in his opinion right now, he'd never lie to her about something like this. When it comes to anything to do with tattooing, he's always totally serious and honest.

“Are you being serious right now?”

“100% I'd never lie about something like this. If you could do that on someone's skin, you'd have a never-ending supply of customers.”

“I'd love to do it; tattooing has always interested me, but I never thought it was something I could do, not with the way my life was back home.”

Wreck stands up and engulfs her in a hug before pulling back. “Come sit with me when you have a minute, and we'll talk more. I'll be over at the bar when you're ready, but trust me, I'd fucking love to teach you.”

He then walks off with a massive, cocky grin on his face, and I get why he's just found his unicorn. He's always wanted to find someone super talented he could train. That's why he's never taken an apprentice before; he was waiting to find the perfect one.

Sera sits down in the seat Wreck just vacated and looks at us all with wide eyes. “Did that really just happen?” She whispers.

"Yep, and I don't think you realize how big that really was. He's never taken an apprentice before, sis; he said he never would unless he found his talented unicorn. You're what he's been waiting for. You couldn't find a better teacher either; he'll never say it, but he's one of the best tattoo artists in the country. He's got a crazy amount of awards for his past work and in competitions.” Shadow tells her seriously. He knows what he's talking about; Wreck is his best friend after all, and if anyone is going to know the truth, it's him.

“Wow. I think I'm in shock. I never expected that sort of reaction to my sketch; I just wanted to do something nice for Cam.”

“Take a minute and let it sink in, and then go talk to him. You won't regret it.” I tell her with a smile.

She just nods her head and sits there, lost in thought. The rest of us leave her alone to process what just happened. I'm happy for her. I knew she was special, and it looks like I was right.

Chapter Seventeen

Sera

I'm not quite sure how long I sat at the table lost in my own thoughts after Wreck’s left. I know it's been quite a while, but I think it's finally started to sink in what really happened—did in fact happen. So I'm now walking towards the bar to talk to Wreck. There's an empty seat next to him, so I plop down and spin to face the room like he is.

“Has it sunk in yet?” He asks me without looking at me. He's watching across the room where Shadow is talking to Blade and some other guys I don't know.

"Yeah, I think it may have. Thank you for the opportunity; they told me you've never taken an apprentice before and why. I'm honored you asked me, Wreck. I won't let you down.”

“I know that; I could tell by the effort you put into what you drew for Cam. You have amazing untapped potential, and I cannot wait to train you with a tattoo gun. I've been sitting here imagining some of the things you'll be able to do, and I'm excited.”

“When do I start then?”

“Monday morning at ten. We'll get all the paperwork and shit done and then introduce you to everyone in the shop. You won't start tattooing people for a while though; you'll be working on fake skin.” He warns me.

“I know that." I cut off when something catches my eye in the doorway across the room. Jasmine has just walked in with one of the members, but that’s not what’s drawn my attention. No, that would be the person standing next to her. My fucking mother.

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