Page 119 of Dark Angel

“Why Charles? Why would you do that? And drinking alcohol. That’s not what someone who is to become a leader does. He constrains himself. Thinks about his well-being.”

Charles scoffs lightly. “Father. I don’t know if I can anymore.”

“You don’t mean that. You’re just still intoxicated.”

“No,” Charles shakes his head. He might still be fighting the last remnants of alcohol, but he knows what’s going on. He’s aware of what he’s about to say to him. “Father, I can’t take a wife.”

Robert exhales loudly, “This again. Look, I know your mother and I aren’t the picture of love, but that doesn’t…”

“No, father that’s not what I mean.”

Robert looks wearily at him. “Then what is it?”

Charles takes in a breath. This is the second person he’s going to tell in the past day. The second person he’s telling in his whole life. “I can’t take a wife… because I like men.”

He swears if a needle dropped, he would be able to hear it fall in the snow outside it’s that silent. He’s not even sure his father is still breathing. Robert’s gaze remains on his. Unwavering. Unbelieving.

“I-I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you sooner. I thought-”

“-You’d be a disappointment.” Robert finishes off for him. He inhales sharply, his teeth biting his lip for a moment before shaking his head. “Then you’re right. You are a disappointment.” And he leavesthe room with Charles staring at the wall for minutes where his body stood, looking at him as though he’s insane. Maybe he is insane? Nobody else seems to be like him. Maybe he just needs to pretend for the remainder of his life to be like everyone else. That’s what he’s done so far, and it’s worked. But he’s not happy. He will never be happy pretending…

*?*?*

Percy knocks on the door of the Edevane manor. It was a slow walk from the Ascendancy, and most of the way, Clarence and Percy discussed the blade, and his parents and Colton. They didn’t pass many others out on the street. The air has become bitterly cold and driven everyone inside.

The door opens and a worried Lily is standing in her dressing gown, which is wrapped tightly around her. “Oh, I thought you were Daisy.”

“What.” Clarence rushes out breathlessly.

Her fingers fiddle in her dark hair. Her eyes are a similar garnet shade to Daisy’s. Eyes that Clarence misses looking into. “Daisy. She didn’t come home last night. Thomas was actually on his way to your manor, Clarence. He thought perhaps she stayed the night as she does sometimes.” Her face hopeful.

Percy and Clarence flick each other another look.

“Charles was attacked last night.” Clarence tells her quickly.

Lily’s face creases, “Oh dear. Is he all right?”

“He will be, yes.” Percy pauses, collecting his thoughts for a moment. “He says it was Daisy who attacked him, Lily.”

Clarence has never seen such an innocent face fall that quickly. Blood draining from her cheeks, leaving them colourless. “Daisy.”

Percy nods.

“My Daisy?”

“Yes Lily. That’s why we are here, to see if it’s true. And if she isn’t here…”

“No! She wouldn’t hurt anyone. You know her, she’s not like that,” Lily says defensively. “She’s not like that!” Her teeth grit together.

“Lily, just calm down.”

“Came down!” She yells at him. “No, I won’t calm down. If my daughter is out there doing this, then it’s not her! It can’t be her!”

Clarence steps closer with his hands out, “No, Lily. It’s not her, or at least not she’s not in her right mind.”

“Are you calling my daughter delirious?”

“No. Lily, she’s being possessed.”

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