Page 8 of Daughters of Chaos

Phoenix

Abright ray of sunshine hits my face as I start to wake up. I turn my head away, hearing someone grumble next to me. My gaze focuses on Raven when my eyes pop open, and I remember everything that happened yesterday.

It almost doesn't seem real. I can't believe I actually came here to find our father. It's so unlike me to do something so bold, but I had to meet him. I couldn't sleep another night not knowing who he was.

My sister turns over next to me, falling back asleep. I doubt she slept well last night, worrying about everything that happened. She's always been like that, protecting me when things looked dangerous. She always said it was her duty as the older twin to look after me—one of the things I always admired about her.

I ease my way out of bed, making sure not to disturb Raven as I head toward the bathroom. After shutting the door behind me, I nearly trip over myself. A man is sitting on a folding chair outside the door, not just any man—Raptor in all his tattooed glory.

I clutch my chest as I steady myself. Raptor looks up at me, and I swear I see a hint of a smile on his flawless face. "Morning," he tells me in a husky voice.

"Hiii," I reply airily, showing him how dreamy I think he is. My eyes widen as I realize what I did. Then, to add fuel to the fire, I throw him a fast and awkward wave. I could have fallen over with embarrassment.Why do I do these things?

I resist the urge to turn back and spend the rest of the morning locked in the bedroom. Instead, I push forward, hiding my face behind a curtain of hair. My cheeks are blazing; I can feel it, and I don't want Raptor to notice he has this effect on me.

I gesture toward the bathroom, hoping to distract him from my social awkwardness. "I was just going to . . . "

He quirks a smile. "Be my guest."

When he settles into his seat, crossing his arms over his chest, I scurry off. My heart is pounding as I shut the door behind me, hoping I didn't make a complete fool of myself. I don't know what it is about this guy that turns me into a complete dork. He's just so . . .

Hot. Sexy. Mysterious.

And when he smiled at me—oh my, Lord—I almost melted. Guys like that never look my way twice. I'm too soft, too sweet for them. Raven is more their type with her multitude of piercings, tattoos, and her give-no-fucks attitude. Raptor and guys like him usually go for girls like her. Or they go after girls like the bimbos that waltzed in last night as if they owned the place—girls who go after what they want, not the bumbling idiot who makes conversations awkward.

I shake my head and hurry about my business. I stop at the mirror, trying to make myself look presentable, before I open the door again. Raptor is still sitting in the chair, looking like a modern-day Greek god as he cracks his knuckles. Jeez, how does he makethatlook sexy? It's not fair.

Before he notices me staring, I compose myself and walk his way. I plant a smile on my face, hoping to redeem myself from earlier.I will not make myself look like a complete moron in front of him. I won't, I won't, I won't.

He sits up straighter in the chair when he notices me approaching. The look on his face is different from before, almost as if he's nervous. It's adorable and almost makes me feel a little better about acting like an unsocialized oaf earlier.

I open my mouth to greet him when it happens—the blonde from last night comes trotting up the stairs, her eyes laser-focused on Raptor. There's no question why she's up here. She wants him, and the smirk on her face tells me she won't stop until she gets him. Again.

I feel my stomach and face drop as she approaches. Raptor looks at me, puzzled, until she demands his attention with her shrill voice. "Hey, baby," she coos. "I thought I'd find you up here."

I watch in horror as she slides onto his lap, drawing his attention away from me. His face contorts in disgust as he tries to shift her off him. She doesn't budge, looking content to plaster herself there for the rest of her life. It's like a train wreck; I can't turn away. I'm frozen in place as I watch, unsure what I should do.

Do I say something to him? To her?

She's practically mauling him, but I'm not a fan of confrontation. I'm lost here, trying to figure out my next move. That's when she sees me.

Her gaze narrows into slits as she looks my way. "Oh,Phoebe, was it? Sorry, didn't see you there," she says icily before burying her face in Raptor's neck.

"It's Phoenix, actually," I reply, watching as Raptor finally breaks free of her grasp, pushing her away. Her too-high heels snag on the carpet, making her flop ungracefully to the ground.

She lets out a huff at him before glaring at me. "What, I'm no good for you now that you have a new plaything to screw?" she screams at him. "She doesn't even look like she knows what to do with a man, let alone his—"

Before she can finish her vile accusation, a sharp voice cuts her off. "Dick," the voice says. "You were going to say dick, right? I mean, you'd know allll about dicks, huh? Since you've ridden a thousand of them by now."

I turn to see Raven leaning against the bedroom door, staring daggers at the blonde. The girl gapes at Raven, still squirming on the ground from when Raptor shoved her away. She looks baffled by my sister's audacity as I stifle my amusement.

"Before you start talking shit about my sister, you better be damn sure your panties are clean, sweetheart. Because, as sweet assheis,Iam a thousand times more sour. And I'm not afraid to put little mouthy bitches like you in their place." Raven punctuates her warning with a cruel smile. One I've seen grown men shy away from.

Apparently, the woman on the ground is a glutton for punishment, or she's too stupid to know when to cut her losses. She stands up and points a poorly manicured finger at Raven. "Fuck you! You stupid whore!"

Oh, shit.

In less than a second, Raven bounds to where the mouthy blonde is standing, making the woman stumble backward. I know what's coming. I've seen it before when someone crosses my sister. Raven primes to unleash another unholy roundof venom on her adversary, and all I can do is watch in astonishment.

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