Angel Blackwood(67)

“I had a hunch,” she shrugs, with a small smile on her face as she sips her own ice tea. I quickly put on my shoes, not wanting to track dirt into her house with my now dirty feet. Once I’m done, she guides me along to sit by the kitchen counter.

“You’re eyes are still glowing.” She pats my cheek with a frown on her face.

“They are?” I frown. “I can’t even feel it. I usually feel it.”

“Well it’s a good thing you haven’t tried to kill me yet, because usually when those eyes are shining it means you’re about to do some damage.” She refills my glass just as I hear the sound of voices heading our way.

“I am done tutoring your little sleaze ball hang-around! You should hear the things she says to me when you’re not looking, Fabian. She’s hideous!”

I smile to myself and my mood is immediately calmer and at ease when I hear Phoenix’s whining.

“Phee, just a few more days I swear. After I get it in, you won’t have to put up with her.” Fabian’s remark has Noelle instantly turning around and frowning at her son with disapproval.

“Get what in?” Noelle asks with a raised eyebrow.

My loud outburst of laughter has Fabian’s humiliated face now looking at me. His red cheeks instantly disappear and disgust takes over.

“What’s she doing here again?” He says to his mother, taking the bottle of ice tea from her hand and pouring himself a glass. Phoenix waves at me with a big smile on her face.

Fabian sits on the chair opposite to me and glares. “Don’t you have a home? Or should I say doghouse?” He smirks .

Rolling my eyes at him I say, “I think your mother asked you a question, Fabian.” I rub my fingers across my jaw dramatically. “You were talking about getting something in?” I smile at him knowing my back is to Noelle.

His glare deepens and I spot movement at the corner of his lip. It’s the closest thing to a smile I’ve got from Fabian since we met, so I’ll take it.

“Angel, Noelle doesn’t need to know the details of her son’s man-whorish ways.” Phoenix’s sweet voice filters through the awkwardness in the room as she skips past me and takes a sip from Fabian’s glass.

“Do we need to have another talk, my boy?” Noelle says seriously, as she stands with her hands on her hips.

Fabian breaks the tension as he starts laughing, followed quickly by me and Phoenix. Noelle walks out of the kitchen shaking her head in amusement. I think she knows she won’t be getting an answer from Fabian anytime soon.

“So what are you doing here? Couldn’t stay away from me?” Fabian asks, once our laughter has died down.

“I came to visit your mother actually. I uh… was also kinda using your magic-scare-away-wolf charm that is surrounding this place.” Phoenix frowns. I know she’s probably gonna want to hear all about it later, she knows everything that has gone down between the twins and I. Fabian doesn’t know that Phoenix and I have been hanging out, she doesn’t want him to know and I can understand why. The dude hates wolves, he doesn’t care that I’m only a half-blood.

“A wolf using our magic that warns away other wolves? Who would have thought?” Fabian says sarcastically.

“Anyways, I’m out. Got shit to do and people to see.” He pulls Phoenix in for a hug and kisses her forehead.

“Don’t stay up to long, Phee. We leave early in the morning,” he says, glaring at me.

In other words, he’s telling her he doesn’t want her to be alone with me. She gives me a sad smile then leaves the kitchen.

“How about I walk you out?” he says over enthusiastically.

“That’s okay, Fabe. Angel and I have to talk,” Noelle says, entering the kitchen again.

“You have a good night now, Fabe.” I smile at him sweetly and just because I can’t help myself I say, “Don’t forget, wrap it before you tap it.” Then I wink. I swear I can hear him growling.

“You and I will be having a talk in the morning young man,” Noelle says with raised eyebrows and a serious tone. Fabian leaves the house with a glare that promises revenge.

“That boy is just like his father,” Noelle mumbles as she sits down on the sofa alongside me. I can’t help but feel the sadness radiating from her after that one sentence. I need to change the subject, I’ve had enough sadness for one day.

“Phoenix you can come out now,” she calls out, her sadness fully disguised by the little smile that forms on her lips when Phoenix comes skipping into the room.

“Is he gone?” She quickly peeps out of the window, closes the curtains, then quickly shuts the front door.