Page 108 of Dark Angel

“I’m so sorry.” She whispers to him. “I had no idea he was this bad.”

Alice is there in an instant. Her skinny arms wrapping around his waist as she holds her sobbing brother. They stay locked like this for a while before Matthew has the control to move away. Red tints his eyes as he wipes his cheeks and nose clean.

“Matthew.” Alice says in her shy voice, unsure of what happened in there.

His hand cups her brunette hair as he sobs some more, tears freely flowing from his lashes. “We won’t be living here anymore.” He gets out through breaths.

“You can stay with us,” Kora offers immediately. “We have two rooms. Clarence won’t mind, I’m sure of it.”

Matthew shakes his head. “No. The Ascendancy has residence. We will go there.”

“Matthew, I don’t want you two to stay there alone. Please.”

His tearful face picks up a tiny amount as he thanks her.

“What about father?” Alice’s voice is so small.

Matthew shakes his head at her. “We can’t stay here with him. I don’t trust him with you.”

His sister’s little fingers reach up, touching the red mark on his cheek. Matthew recoils away. “I’m fine, Alice. As long as he didn’t hurt you.”

She shakes her head at him. “We don’t have any of our things.”

“You can have some of my clothes, Alice.” Valarie speaks up.

“And I have some things I can give to you,” Jordan offers.

Matthew nods his shaggy brown hair as he wipes under his eyes once more. “We should go. Leave him here. We don’t need to deal with him anymore.”

37

Darkening Haze

Clarence rubs at his temples before he knocks on the door of the Edevane manor. He’s stood in this position numerous times before, but never felt this upset. His palms are clammy. His leg shakes with tension as he waits for an answer. He just needs Daisy’s consolation right now.

There’s no movement inside.

Knocking again, he waits until Daisy opens it slowly, smiling at him gently. Her face sends a jolt of tranquillity through his blood. “Levi’s dead.” His voice is hoarse.

He cried to himself on the walk over, and he’s hoping his eyes aren’t still watery.

Daisy’s face flattens, but not as much as he expected. “Oh,” she expires. “How?”

“A sacrifice. He was carved like the others.”

“Oh.” She repeats softly.

Clarence’s gaze narrows on hers as she stands awkwardly in the doorway. “Oh?” He echoes angrily. “Levi was my friend, and all you have to say isoh.”

“Sorry. I think I’m just in shock from hearing the news.” Her face creasing some more.

Clarence blinks at her. “The White Women told us it’s part of the Sacrificial Seven. Something to do with the Dark Angels coming topower and balancing the world. I suspect Colton is a part of this, and I think he’s planning something destructive.”

“Why would you blame Colton?” her body stiffening suddenly.

“Because he’s demonic. He wants to complete this ritual to become the next Dark Angel and ruin Earth.” Clarence’s voice becoming sterner by the second. “The Blade of Uriel seems to be something else he’s after as well.”

“How do you know about the blade?” Daisy bristles.

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