Page 16 of Dark Angel

She walks over, kneeling beside him in her nightgown. Auburn hair messily braided down one shoulder and held together with a white ribbon.

“I didn’t wake you, did I?” He asks, turning his attention back onto the fire which is starting to flicker with life.

She shakes her head, “No. I was already awake reading. What time did you come home? I didn’t hear you slip in.”

“After midnight. And you were already asleep.”

Her smile grows as embers dance in the reflection of her pupils. “How was guarding?”

Clarence shrugs. “I was down near the docks. The only thing I saw was an Elemental trying to summon more wine into his bottle,” he snorts a laugh. “Sadly, his magic didn’t work on that. And how was your evening out? I take it you didn’t stay home.”

“I’m allowed to spend time with my friends, Clarence.”

He pulls her closer, her head resting in the crook of his neck. “I know. I just worry. You know that.”

“Yes, I know. You’re insufferable sometimes.”

He laughs lowly, “Hardly. I could be more overbearing.”

“Highly doubt that.”

“Where did you go?” he asks.

“The Sage.” His head pulls away to look at her, his brows tight with concern. “Matthew, Lewis and Daisy were there. Don’t stress, I wasn’t asking for employment, if that’s what you were thinking.”

He expires slowly, “I just don’t want you working there. A tavern is not a place a young lady should be working.”

“Where would you suggest, then?” her eyes failing to meet his.

“I suggest that you don’t think about that stuff.”

“Clarence, I don’t want to force it all onto you.”

She tugs herself out of his grip. “I need to. I’m older and the man of this house now. It’s my duty, not yours. You’re too young still.”

Kora grumbles, rubbing a hand over her face. “I’m not as weak as you think I am, Clarence.”

“I never said you were weak.”

“You act like it. Keeping things from me and acting like I can’t protect myself. I protected myself just fine last night when that Infernal-” she cuts herself off, eyes darting to his narrowing ones.

“An Infernal,” he breathes out icily, “An Infernal attacked you last night, and you weren’t going to tell me!” he’s on his feet now, staring down at her.

Kora gets up, glaring back at his tensed face, “Honestly, no. I wasn’t going to tell you. Nobody was hurt, and Matthew and I killed it. I can protect myself and my friends. I am not a weak child.”

Clarence groans, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands while taking in the information. His arms fall to his side as he nods calmly. “I know you’re not weak, Kora. I won’t keep anything from you, if you promise to never keep something as dangerous as that from me again.”

“All right. I promise.” Her voice is soft. Clarence crouches again, tossing another log onto the fire. Kora rubs her arms before suggesting to him. “Shall I make us some coffee, then?”

“Please,” her brother drawls sleepily. “I feel as though I’m still half asleep.”

She snorts, patting him on the back before disappearing towards the kitchen. Clarence sits back on his heels. His mind is still too fuzzy from overworking and worrying about looking after Kora, earning enough to keep their estate and belongings, as well as training to become an instructor with the Ascendancy. It’s all becoming too much for him to bear.

Their mother was one of the best combat instructors the London Ascendancy has ever produced. Even from the young ripe age of six, Clarence always wanted to be like her. That passion multiplied after their deaths, wanting nothing more than to continue her legacy.

A knock on the front door draws his attention away from the flames. Brows scrunched, Clarence stands to answer it as Kora racesdown the hallway in front of him. Yanking the door open to their uncle, Will, standing in the doorway empty handed.

“Kora!” Will’s deep voice beckons.

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