Page 2 of Dark Angel

“You might have some luck other there,” Kora says after a moment of thought. “Ricky has just had a new shipment come in this morning.”

She points over to the other side of the docks, where Ricky stands in his buttoned-up shirt and dusty grey trousers. A brown cord cap sits askew on his ginger hair as he eagerly glances around, waiting for customers. He’s always helped out Lewis with his ingredients and seems incredibly fond of Kora whenever she comes looking for top ups for her own ointments and salves.

“I guess I shall speak with Ricky then,” Matthew says with the ghost of a grin. “Will you be attending the Sage this evening?”

The Sage is their favourite tavern to visit after dark. It’s enchanted so that only those who are Marked can enter, which is why Matthew and Lewis adore going there so much.

“I’ll be there.” Kora affirms him. “That is, if Clarence allows me to leave the manor tonight.”

Matthew’s emerald eyes, dazzling and vibrant, roll slowly and magnificently, proving his irritation to her, “Your brother can’t have such a tight leash on you forever, Kora. You need to learn to stand up for yourself once in a while.”

“He is my guardian. He has the right to do as he wishes, and I have to respect that.”

Matthew shakes his tawny frazzled hair in retaliation, “You can’t let him control you forever.”

“It will not be forever,” Kora’s tone sharpening as she snaps at him, “I am planning on wedding one day, you know.”

“I know that. But, until then, you should learn to stand up for yourself. You can’t live in your brother’s shadow forever. It’s too bland and dreary.”

Her jaw sets as she narrows in on Matthew. “He’s not dreary. He is just looking out for me, protecting me, as any older brother does.”

Matthew’s lips purse and he exhales deeply before nodding in agreement. “You’re right. But I am just looking out for you, as your friend.”

“I know, Matthew.” Kora’s hazel eyes flicker away to the man returning to the stand with a brown paper wrapped box in his hands. A small white note is attached on top, which she’s surprised wasn’t ruined during transport by the weather. “I think he found my parcel.”

The man stops behind his stall again and places the box on the bench between them. “Ma’am.” Is all he says before moving onto the next willing customer standing beside them.

Kora clutches the box under one arm. “Well, I should be going. Clarence is expecting me at home, and I don’t want to keep him waiting.”

“All right,” Matthew gives her a short nod and strained smile, “tonight then. Don’t be late and bring Daisy with you.” He turns to walk over to Ricky’s stall when he stops to say over his shoulder in a lower tone. “And remember what I’ve told you, Kora.”

2

A New Beginning

“Jordan, have you got everything? The carriage is about to leave!” Tobias Carter calls out from the bottom of the grand staircase up to his son. His voice resonances through the hollow rooms of the manor.

Jordan looks around his empty quarters, sighing a little to himself. This place has been his family’s home for the last fourteen years. The memories of his family cling to him as his eyes roam over the bare timber floor. Glancing around to where his bed used to sit pushed up into the corner, now void. The towering wall of bookshelves once filled to the brim with novels is now empty, collecting nothing but dust. Artworks that were hung now leave a faint outline on the wallpaper, showing where they used to sit.

Peering out of the large arch window below to where the carriage sits, Jordan watches his mother and sister climb inside as his father waits for Jordan to join them.

Taking in the scenery one last time with the majestic Oxford University standing out in the distance, its sandstone Gothic spires piercing through greying clouds and disappearing from view. Wisps of bronzes and golds blanket the landscape and colour the trees beyond their estate as autumn settles in the air. The terracotta roofs of homes blending into the rust-coloured season.

Jordan is ready to leave this place behind. The last time he was in London, he was barely five years old. He doesn’t remember much of it.

The oil painting that his parents hung in the dining room is the one place Jordan remembers seeing.Mayfair. A street lined with brick townhouses and gilded carriages. He always stares at the painting whenever he’s in there eating, adoring the architecture and bustle of the city.

“Jordan!” Tobias shouts again, this time louder and sharper, from the floor below. His voice echoes throughout the empty house.

“Coming!” Jordan yells back to his father, grabbing a hold of his last bag. Descending the grand staircase for the last time, he looks around the bare drawing room. Once filled with laughter and warmth, it’s now silent and cold, as if they never lived here.

Brisk autumn scents hit Jordan’s nose as he steps outside the entryway. Perishing leaves, muddy soil and cinnamon. He wonders what London will smell like, whether it will also have the distinct scent of seasons, or if it will always smell of a smoky, crammed, damp city.

He tosses his leather strapped bag into the back of the coach before climbing into the airy carriage where his little sister, Valarie, sits eagerly with a book in her hand.The Game of Love and Chanceby Pierre de Marivaux has always been her favourite play to read. Tobias has repaired that book so many times, Jordan wonders how Valarie is still able to read it.

Sliding onto the cream upholstered bench seat beside her, Tobias sits down opposite Jordan, slamming the door shut and the driver uses that as his signal to leave.

Pulling away from the manor, Jordan takes one last look before the manor disappears behind the line of tall birch trees bordering the gravel street. Burnt leaves hanging off the branches and floating down to the ground effortlessly like flakes of dust.

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