Angel Blackwood(72)

I automatically push against his chest. “No, I don’t need your pity. I told you this because I’m done with your childish behaviour, both of you. You’re trying to get back at me with harsh words and childish games and you’ve managed to get your revenge a hundred times over. Congratu-fucking-lations, you win! You can’t believe that after what you’ve both said and all the shit you’ve put me through, I’m just gonna roll over and accept an “I’m sorry”? Well sorry, that isn’t gonna work for me.” I look at the clock on the wall behind me.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got somewhere to be.” I leave them standing there open mouthed and wide eyed.

I head straight into the woods and straight for the camp. I’m a few minutes late and it’s already dark outside so I run as fast as I can.





****





I find Phoenix sitting on top of the wall near the tree I usually use to climb over.

“You’re late,” she says.

“I know, I’m sorry. I ran into the twins. That’s a story for another day though.” I look around the area. “So where are we gonna do this then?”

She jumps off the wall, landing gracefully on her feet. “Not here. I got the perfect place nearby. Follow me.”





Phoenix doesn’t speak the entire way to our training spot. She just walks along whilst humming an unfamiliar song. Luckily the place is only a few minutes away because I’m not sure how much longer I can take her silence. It’s unlike her to be quiet, she’s usually talking my ears off. My mind is taken up with thoughts of what just happened with the twins and how I lost my cool telling them everything. Okay, maybe not everything, but a lot more than I ever thought I would. The looks on their faces as I left them standing there was enough to tell me that they believed me this time.





She takes me deeper into the forest, vines and creepers take over most of the trees. There’s just enough walking space for the two of us, and I have to bend down to walk under a fallen tree trunk. Looking up, I find myself staring at a small clearing. Trees and a wooded area surround us, but we are concealed amongst the bushes. The moon is bright enough for us to see each other in the darkness, especially as there are no overhanging trees above us.

I watch Phoenix pull out a blanket from her back pack, throwing it on the floor, followed by a little lantern which she lights. She sits down Indian-style on the blanket and gestures for me to have a seat. I follow her lead, sitting just as she does.

“First things first… Don’t ever be late.” She cocks an eyebrow at me and I know she’s in game mode. No fucking around and no joking coming from her end.

“If you want to learn from me then you need to be ready at the time you say you will be ready. I want to help you, Angel, but it’s already hard sneaking behind Fabian’s back. The longer I wait, the less time I have to teach you, and by the looks of things you need to learn how to control your magic and fast. I only have so much time “at the library” before Fabian starts tripping, realising I’m not really at the library. He’s very nosy when it comes to me, I’m already jeopardising my friendship with him as it is by doing this behind his back. We need to stick to our times otherwise we’re going to get caught out.” I give the girl brownie points, she takes this magic shit seriously.

I lift my hands up in surrender. “I understand, Phoenix, seriously I do. I promise never to be late again; within reason. I want to do this and I need all the help you can give me.” I give her a small smile and sure enough a grin forms on her lips and she’s her usual chipper self.

“Okay, fair enough.” She nods, before reaching into her backpack. “Let’s start small.” She pulls out a knife and my eyes widen as the silver shines in the night.

“Whoa, what you gonna do with that?” I move backwards on the blanket.

“I’ve already seen the power you have when you’re like really angry. Now I need to see those healing powers.” Before I have a chance to stop her, she slices the knife down the palm of her hand.

“What the fuck, Phoenix!” I grab the knife out of her hand and throw it. It lands a few feet away with a thud. She curls her injured hand into a fist and blood runs down her hands.

“Darn! I really didn’t expect it to hurt that bad,” she hisses.

“Ohmigod, I can’t believe you just did that!” I move forward onto the blanket and place my hand over hers.

“You do realize that once I heal you, the pain I feel is gonna be way worse?” I raise an eyebrow, moving my hand away from her hand. She eyes my hand cautiously then gives me a confused look, clearly not understanding.