Page 10 of Dark Angel

The three of them chuckle as Lewis tries to hide his blushing cheeks with his hands. “I have not drunkhalf the bar!” Lewisexclaims, which makes Matthew howl with laughter. “I’m nervous, which is normal when you feel things for someone. Somethingnoneof you seem to have felt yet.”

Containing themselves, Daisy shakes her head before agreeing with him. “We know Lewis. I am sure it will all be fine. Unless you don’t stop drinking now. I am just going to take this away from you to be safe.” Pulling his empty pint towards her.

Lewis lets out a small wince of sadness as he watches his drink being dragged out of his grasp.

“Now that that has been discussed.” Matthew changes the conversation, turning to the girls. “Kora. Might we have a word?” he looks at her straight in the eyes.

Kora’s eyebrows crease gently before giving a small nod. “I suppose. I could use a drink myself. Come with me to the bar.” She says, standing and waiting for him to follow suit.

Daisy leans over and rubs Lewis on the back gently as his eyes start to flutter open and shut. The alcohol taking over his senses.

Following her towards the barmaid, Matthew waits for Kora to order her drink before asking her without hesitation. “Did you speak with Charles for me?”

Letting out a breath, she nods slowly. “Yes, and it was very uncomfortable. He says Robert will not allow you to attend any Ascendancy meetings until you are of age. It’s technically the law, and he can’t break it to let you attend.”

“Of age!” Matthew echoes loud enough for the man beside them to jump in startlement. Running a hand through his dark hair, he lets out a groan of annoyance. “How come Charles has been allowed to attend since he was ten years old, and I am not allowed until I am twenty?”

“Most likely because his father is the leader of the Ascendancy.” Kora’s tone is blunt as she shrugs and Violet hands her a glass of gin mixed with something bubbly.

“Charles…” Matthew drifts off in thought for a moment, “always living the fortunate life. Just because his father is the leader doesn’t mean he should have special privileges over the rest of us.”

Kora takes a small sip of her sweet gin. “I know, but he is in line to take over when Robert retires. I guess his father wants to train him up before he becomes the new leader so he can see how everything is run.”

“Charles as the leader.” Matthew shakes his head at her in an annoyed way. “I always hoped Robert would choose someone else.”

Giving a small giggle, Kora tilts her head in a sympathetic way. “I don’t think any of us really want Charles as our leader, but I suppose it’s the law. The leader’s family is first entitled before everyone else is.”

“Still, I should be allowed to attend the meetings at least,” Matthew pauses, staring at the barrel of beer left sitting behind the bar. “It’s not like my father even goes to any of them.”

Kora places her glass on the timber bench top and touches Matthew gently on the arm. “I know, Matthew, and I am truly sorry for that. At least we have my brother, who gives us all the information we need.” She tries cheering him up a little.

“Yes, my point exactly. Clarence attended every meeting when he wasn’t of age, so why am I not allowed?”

Kora’s forehead wrinkles as she looks at her friend. The feeling of a knife twisting inside her chest appears again. Matthew, who has always been there for her, even when she was told by her uncle that her parents were no longer living.

She looks at him, feeling her eyes stinging with wetness as Matthew realises what he had just blurted out. Grabbing her wrist, he pulls her into his arms tightly. His mouth kissing the crown of her hair-not romantically, but in more of a sibling way. “Kora, I am so sorry. I just forgot for a moment.” His voice is urgent with guilt.

She nods against his shoulder. “I know, Matthew.”

“I will never say anything like that again.” He pulls back and lets out a long breath. His green eyes flicker from Lewis’ back to Kora. “Come on, it seems our friend needs to go home and sleep off all that liquor.”

Kora turns back to see Lewis slumped over the table, his head resting in his folded arms and glasses knocked askew on his face. Daisy just sits beside him, her hand holding his in a comforting way.

“I think we should get him home.” Matthew announces as they approach the table.

Daisy reaches to touch Lewis’ forehead and fixes his glasses. “Is this allreallyjust over Valarie?”

Matthew’s mouth curls into a smile. “Indeed. This is why I will never let myself fall for anyone. It just seems to make you anxious and irrational.”

Kora wanders over, slipping her own coat on and then Lewis’.

“You can’t help being in love with someone, Matthew.” Daisy whispers, and Matthew gives her a sideways smirk.

“Like you and Clarence are.” He murmurs, wriggling his eyebrows in an amused way.

Daisy’s face snaps to his beside her with wide eyes before she pinches Matthew’s arm, who yelps out in pain.

“Are you two all right?” Kora’s soft voice breaks them apart.

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