Page 98 of Dark Angel

“Come on, then.”

Clarence gets her out of the bed and Daisy dresses into a change of clothes her mother had left for her earlier this afternoon. It’s a basic cream coloured blouse and navy skirt.

She follows Clarence out of the Ascendancy. Dusk coats the streets as they step out, and wintry air stings at her flesh. Feeling his hand take hers, Clarence guides her away from the familiar building towards the city.

“Did you go to the docks just to have my amulet made?” she looks to him for his answer.

Clarence strides close to her, his gaze focused ahead. “I did,” sucking in a low breath, “Kora went for a different reason.”

Two lines appear between Daisy’s brows. “What was that reason? She didn’t tell me anything.”

Clarence drops his voice slightly. “She went to speak with an Augur and found out that she’s a descendant of Uriel, hence why she has heightened abilities.”

“That’s why she’s always been so different to us. So much more advanced.”

Clarence nods to her. “She also found out about her twin brother, Colton. Our parents told me Colton died at three weeks of age, but I don’t think that’s true anymore.”

Daisy’s mouth drops open. “A twin.” Her head shaking in disbelief. “How come I didn’t know about any of this?”

“I never told Kora. Will said not to, so we kept it a secret.”

Her shoulders sink. “You kept that from her. Clarence, she should have known.”

“I know. I know, I should have told her. But I just want to keep her safe. And now all she is thinking about is Colton and Uriel. It’s consuming her in the way I always thought it would if she found out.”

She glances at him sideways. “I know you want to protect her, but she’s strong and capable.”

He looks across at her, meeting her gaze. “She is.”

“So, why did she go to see an Augur after all this time?”

“Jordan wounded her during training.” Mutters Clarence.

Daisy’s eyes widen in response. “He managed toinjureher. He must be just as skilled. Either that or Kora was distracted somehow.”

“Distracted? I don’t think anything is strong enough to distract Kora when she is training. I’ve seen her look of determination when I’m training with her. It’s strong enough to wound someone on its own.”

Daisy scoffs. “Everyone is distracted by something, especially a handsome-looking boy.” And she winks at him.

Clarence smirks, chuckling lightly. “I have never thought about Kora falling for anyone. In my eyes, she will always be my little sister.”

“She’s still that, but she’s not a child anymore. Us ladies have our eyes set on men majority of the time. That’s just our feminine nature.”

“I need to stop thinking she’s still a little girl, then.” Clarence murmurs beside her.

Nodding at him, Daisy agrees, “I think you should. She seems very capable of handling herself now.”

The rest of their walk is filled with light chatter and Clarence pointing out mundane things like the architecture of certain buildings or the best sweets to buy from the confectionery store.

Daisy tries her best to seem as intrigued as Clarence is, but her mind keeps wandering back to Kora. How could she not have told her what was happening? Hiding how she has hidden abilities and specialblood from her for all these years. It’s the fact that Jordan knew before her is what stings Daisy’s heart the most.

*?*?*

“Another gin?” Matthew asks Kora as they sit around the wobbly wooden table. The Sage is buzzing this evening. Crowded with all sorts of Marked kinds, voices shout over the musical instruments playing from the corner of the room, glasses clink together while more drinks are being poured. The sticky smell of alcohol fills the air. It’s chaotic in the best kind of way.

She nods to Matthew as he stands and swipes her empty glass. Lewis asked for them all to meet here this evening, so she, Alice, Matthew and Jordan left the Ascendancy together after training. Kora knows she’ll need to contact Uriel soon, but the thought makes her nerves hum with anxiety. What if she finds out something she doesn’t want to know? It’s the unknown that is making her gut roil uneasily.

Jordan sips on a glass of brew while speaking with Levi and Melody.

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