Page 33 of Dark Angel

Kora feels Daisy’s stare once again, and she smiles softly, “Thank you.” Kora repeats as if every other word has escaped her vocabulary.

Jordan smirks. “You’re welcome.” Kora blushes as Jordan looks to Alice, who is on his other side. “How are you, Alice? And how is your training coming along?”

Alice lets out the smallest, shyest giggle Kora has ever heard. She’s so much smaller than Jordan, but she looks up at him, almost in awe. “I am still learning how to block properly. Matthew and Kora are teaching me.”

They dive into a conversation, and Kora listens momentarily before she feels a hand touching her gently. Spinning, Matthew is beside her, his brows creased as he watches Jordan and Alice speaking. “I’m glad she’s talking with him.” He admits so quietly only Kora can hear him. “I’m worried about her.”

Kora’s heart sinks a little as she sees the concern interspersing throughout Matthew’s features. Her hand reaches out, wrapping itself around his in a comforting way. “I know you are Matthew, but she will be fine.”

His jaw feathers at her reassurance. “She’s not eating enough anymore.”

Kora knows that since their mother died, Matthew’s been watching over his little sister. Their father doesn’t seem very present, but Matthew talks about Lawrence. Kora’s also the only person Matthew is able to confide in when it comes to Alice, who is his biggest concern in life.

“I made sure to bring her some food.” Kora offers and Matthew nods slowly.

He rubs at his jaw, all amusement and happiness removed from his face. “Kora, if I lose her…”

“You won’t, I promise. I’ll help you as well. I’ll make sure she eats enough, and that her training doesn’t suffer. It’ll be fine, Matthew.”

Her hand laces with his as they sit slightly away from the others. It’s never in a romantic way with Matthew, but in a best friend’s sort of way. As if holding onto her keeps Matthew focused and grounded. They’ve always had this unspoken bond between them that Matthew will always cherish.

Kora goes to say something else when she catches sight of Charles rushing towards them.

Matthew groans softly, “He said he’d come.”

Charles reaches them a few seconds later, huffing for air. “There’s been-an attack.” He puffs out.

Kora’s glower drops as jumps to her feet, “Who? When?”

“Last night. The Night Guard found-Clara on her way home-from the soiree. She was killed-and carved.”

12

Daylight Dreams

A few days have passed since the Night Guard discovered Clara's body and informed everyone about the unusual carvings.

Clarence, Kora and Daisy made the effort of visiting Ida and Henry in their home. Kora packed a woven basket full of breads, jams, spreads, chocolates and various types of meat for them.

Everyone seems to have kept to themselves for the few days afterwards.

Clarence has been constantly training in the attic to keep his mind off of everything going on.

Lewis and Percy have been elbows deep in books researching in his Apothecary store about the carvings on Clara-which haven’t led to any new discoveries.

Matthew and Jordan seem to be inseparable, most of their time spent with Matthew showing Jordan around the different parts of London. They took an omnibus across the bridge and Matthew showed Jordan his favourite places to eat, and they walked around the most visited landmarks and parks. Valarie and Alice would occasionally join them as well.

Finally, days later, Daisy convinced Kora to train with her at the Ascendancy-well, they were meant to be training, but Daisy has spent almost half an hour trying to pick a weapon of choice, which is driving Kora mad.

“Just pick one Daisy. Any weapon will suffice.” She reminds her friend.

Kora sits on one of the wooden crates, twirling her blade with her wrist as she waits.

Daisy picks up a knife, feeling the edge with her finger and grins, “All right, all right, I have one. Are you happy now?”

“You have no idea,” Kora blanches, standing from the crate and meeting her in the centre of the room, “are you ready?”

Her hazel eyes glint at Daisy’s brown ones, which are slightly widened with fear. She has never beaten Kora, and today won’t be any different.

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