Page 8 of Dark Angel

Lewis doesn’t normally suggest drinking, which is why Matthew doesn’t mind coming to the Sage with him. He’s never forced into drinking alcohol; something he can’t stomach at all. But the fact that his friend is looking as though someone stole his dog tonight, Matthew brushes off the shivering feeling running down his bones and pats Lewis on the back.

“Are you well?”

Lewis gives his head a small shake, and before Matthew can question him further, Lewis says, “Come on, I’m freezing my bits off out here.”

Lewis pushes the heavy oak door open and feels the rush of warmth flooding over his chilled body. The feeling of the tiny hairs covering his fair skin relaxing is relieving. A smile creeps onto his face as they find an empty table near the bar.

“What will you be having?” Matthew asks, pulling some coins out of his pocket.

Lewis shoves Matthew’s hand back inside. “You just sit. I’ll get it tonight.” And he strolls off to the bar where a Shifter is cleaning glasses behind it.

Matthew does as he suggests and takes a seat on one of the timber chairs that squeaks as he settles himself into it. This bar is their favourite to come to-the Sage. All sorts of Marked creatures crowd this place at night.

Hidden in one of the dark alleys of Soho, not too far from everyone’s homes, which makes it their usual meeting spot. Inside feels like home to all of them. There’s the rustic timber bar in one corner with shelves of glass bottles displaying various kinds and colours of liquor. In another corner, an empty stage awaits musicians, and an assortment of mismatching tables and chairs, as well asboisterous supernatural creatures occupies the rest of the tightly packed space.

Matthew peers around the dimly lit room, looking to see if there are any other familiar faces visiting tonight.

Theodore and Florence-wolf Shifters-sit on bar stools drinking together. Theodore’s leaning on the bar top and Florence is laughing at him casually, her orange eyes glowing like fiery embers. Florence’s deeper skin shade reminds Matthew of milk-less coffee, her dark hair frizzy and wild.

Theodore is their current pack leader. A few years older than Matthew, his face is sharp, with bright glowing eyes like stardust and shaggy brown hair. Their visible canines are razor-sharp whenever they grin or laugh.

Irene, who’s a young Spellcaster, sits at a table close by, speaking with a man Matthew knows of but has never personally spoken to. Julius Gray, a powerful Elemental who does work all around London for the Ascendancy.

Most families know his name but have never had the chance to meet him. His intense green eyes, the colour of limes, are harsh against his silver hair. Winkle lines decorate his face, showing his maturity. Elementals are immortal, living for thousands of years and ageing so slow it’s barely recognisable.

Irene’s purple eyes land on Matthew’s for a second. They’re the unusual colour of lilac, just like the petals themselves. She’s always fancied Matthew, but he’s never shown much interest in return. It’s not because she’s a Spellcaster and he’s a Seraphim. It’s more the fact that Matthew never wants to be tied down into a marriage. He always ensures the girl is fully aware of his intentions before they share a bed together for the evening. He’s also not opposed to sharing with the occasional man, even though that’s incredibly scandalous.

Lewis returns to Matthew with two drinks in his hands. Placing one down in front of Matthew as they both take in the atmosphere ofthe bar. Lewis takes a swig of his drink, the familiar bitter taste of brew hitting his lips, tingling his taste buds in delight.

Matthew’s mind settles when he realises Lewis handed him a glass of sugary lemonade instead of something that will make him sick after one sip.

“Is there a reason you want to drink tonight, Lewis?” Matthew questions him as Lewis gulps down half of his pint in one go, “Something tells me that you’re not at ease.” He adds sarcastically.

Lewis swallows his mouthful before answering his friend in a nervous tone, “Valarie and Jordan just arrived from Oxford.”

Matthew sits back in his chair, giving Lewis an encouraging nod. “I’m aware of that, Lewis. It’s all you’ve managed to talk about this whole week.” He leans forward onto the wobbly table between them, looking his friend right in the eye. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“Valarie is in London.” Lewis repeats loudly, his voice desperate and nervous.

Matthew crosses his arms in front of his chest and gives a long sigh. “Yes, I heard you the first time. Why is that so bad? You two seemed to get along well when we were there. Daisy even thought something was going on between the two of you.”

Lewis peers at him with a look of utter horror. “Daisy said that to you?”

Matthew presses his lips together to keep himself from smiling, or worse, laughing.

“Maybe we got along a littletoowell. I don’t know how to act around her now. In Oxford, we spent every day together.” He rubs at his arms anxiously as Matthew waits for him to continue. “Ikindof grew a fondness for her, and I don’t know if she feels the same way as I do.”

“Ah.” Is all Matthew says, taking another sip of his lemonade.

Lewis exhales, finishing off the rest of his drink and placing the empty pint on the wooden table, which causes Matthew’s brows to rise with surprise. He hadn’t expected him to down the glass so quickly.

Lewis regularly drinks but never like this. He watches his friend stare at the empty glass before him, his normally brilliant golden eyes a dull brown, like the joy has been sucked out of them. Like a star twinkling out of energy. Matthew hadn’t noticed the tiredness under Lewis’ eyes before they sat down. His black hair is ruffled and untidy, which is completely opposite to how it normally looks.

“Lewis, you’re thinking too much about this,” his gaze not lifting from the empty glass sitting between them. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. It’s nothing to stress about.”

“But what if it’s not?” Lewis mutters as one barmaid strolls towards them, taking his empty glass off the table and replacing it with a new one filled to the brim.

Lewis downs this glass as well while Matthew just watches him with pure enjoyment, his bright green eyes dazzling in amusement. He’s never witnessed this side of Lewis. He’s normally calm, collected, and intelligent. But this? This is something else.

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