Page 112 of Dark Angel

“Colton?” Matthew’s expression changing.

“You think he’s still alive as well?” Kora stands from her seat.

Her brother nods. “It would make sense. But Kora, she mentioned your blade. I think the Ascendancy want it to kill Colton. They don’t think you’re capable enough of holding onto it.”

“What? Of course I am!” She says defensively.

“I know. I am just relaying what they said.”

“They can’t have it!”

“They’re going to ask you for it, whether you want to hand it over or not.”

“Not!” She shouts angrily.

His hands fall on her shoulders. “All right, just calm down.”

“We at least need it for tomorrow. You’re coming with me to speak with Uriel, right?”

“Hold up, Uriel?” Matthew stares at them like they’re delirious.

“We are going to call to him for more information. He might know something we don’t.”

Matthew rubs at his forehead, trying to keep up with the two of them. “Right.”

“I will try to come. If not, take someone with you, so you’re not alone.”

“Of course.”

“There’s going be a memorial next week for Levi. We should all go to that for him and Melody.”

“How is Melody dealing with the news?”

Clarence shakes his head. “Not well. Tobias and I stopped by her house this afternoon. She broke down understandably.”

Kora’s heart sinks. “We’ll be there for her.”

Her brother nods, running a hand down his face before mentioning, “I’ll be guarding again tonight.”

“Are you sure you have the energy for it? Clarence, you’re going through a lot right now.”

“They need more people, so I offered.” He blows out a low breath before reassuring her, “I’ll be all right, Kora. It’s only from nine until one. I’ll return home right after that. And now, with Matthew and Alice here with you, I won’t be constantly worrying about you being home without me while I’m guarding.”

She nods in understanding. “All right. As long as it’s not too much for you with Levi and Colton and-”

“I’ll be fine, Kora.” Clarence nears her, holding her delicate face in his warm hands. “I just can’t believe Levi is gone.” He hushes out.

She wraps her arms around him, pulling her brother closer in an effort to comfort him. “I’m so sorry, Clarence.”

Clarence sniffs before disconnecting from Kora and smiling down at her. “On a happier note, though, it’s finally snowing outside.”

“Snowing!” Kora gushes, rushing up to the draping green curtains and pushing them apart. White fluffy snow drifts down lazily, covering the ground in at least a foot of icy flakes. “I adore snowfall.” Kora says quietly, her face perking up slightly.

Matthew hovers behind her, also peering out the window. She can feel his smile with her back to him. There’s something about the first snow that everyone loves.

*?*?*

Daisy sits in front of the fireplace of her quarters. Aureate flames flickering wildly, and orange embers bursting with life are the only noises sounding the space. Her gaze fixated on the sparks popping abruptly like monotonous fireworks. Her eyelids don’t even shutter with each crack. Every emotion she felt before seems to have drained from her soul now. Her heart feels empty and shrivelled like a walnut.

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