Angel Blackwood

by Sophie Summers

“You’re hurting me!” My happiness quickly fades when I hear her cries. With a growl, I quickly rush out of the kitchen and towards the porch. I see two of my father’s guards on either side of Phoenix. The small girl can barely keep her feet on the floor as the men on either side of her grip her harshly.

  “Let her go!” I yell, rushing down the stairs. The wolves stop and pause, not letting go of their hold on her.

  “We found her lurking in our woods. We’re taking the witch to the Alpha. Move, little one,” the dark haired man says, looking down at me.

  “Don’t talk to me like that. Let. Her. Go!” I grind out, glaring at the man. I watch as his hold loosens a little; I can tell he’s fighting his wolf for control.

  “Listen to her, Adam.” I hear my father’s voice from behind me, the tall man and his friend quickly drop their hands. Phoenix rubs her arms and then wipes her fiery hair away from her face, smiling at me. She runs up to me and hugs me tight. I let out a small cry when she squeezes my ribs.

  “Shoot! Are you okay?” She takes a step back looking me over. “Did I hurt you? Your father called Noelle and told her what happened. I had to come and see you, make sure you were okay.” Her chin starts shaking and her eyes turn watery.

  Jesus. We’ve got another crier. Alex is going to love her.

  I throw an arm over her shoulder and lead her towards the house. “I’m doing better Phee. I’m so happy you came to visit me. Let me introduce you to my father.” I’ve tried to change the mood and it seems to do the trick because her chin stops wobbling and she lets out a little giggle.

  We walk up the porch steps and stop right in front of my father. Johnny is very intimidating, but if Phoenix is scared, it doesn’t show. My father stern expression doesn’t deter her one bit. She smiles and extends her hand.

  “Nice to meet you, sir. I’m Phoenix,” she says happily, not one bit scared of the wolf in front of her. I guess it’s the one thing that makes me so fond of her. She doesn’t discriminate at all. There’s so much animosity between wolves and witches around here, but not with Phoenix. Phee doesn’t care if you’re wolf, witch or alien. I hope she keeps that sweetness. I hope she never allows anyone to take that part of her away.

  I watch the corners of my father’s lips twitch a little as he tries to keep up the big bad wolf act.

  “Just Phoenix?” He asks.

  “Just Phoenix,” she continues, still giving him a big smile. My father soon gives her a small smile back, gently reaching out and shaking her hand.

  “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Phoenix. Don’t let my guards behaviour stop you from visiting our Angel as often as you please.” Johnny nods his head to his guards. They remain standing a couple of feet away, looking as uptight as ever as they watch their Alpha shake a little witches hand.

  “I didn’t plan to, sir. No wolf in the world could have stopped me from checking in on Angel,” she says seriously. My father surprises me by chuckling as he walks past me nodding his head.

  “I thought as much.” He walks away and I guess I’ve got his blessing, he’s allowing Phoenix to teach me.

  Phoenix grabs my hand and looks at the cuts. “I brought some healing balm with me. Let’s get these bandaged up.” She pulls me into the house, completely taking charge as if she lives here. We pass a couple wolves, they can clearly smell the witch in her because some let out small growls and glares as she passes; she pays them no attention.

  I lead her up to my bedroom. “Oh my…. Your bedroom is amazing!” She squeals as she takes in my bedroom.

  “Baby? You okay?” Talon says, rushing into my bedroom. His eyes find Phoenix’s and he says,

  “Who are you?” He looks down at me, frowning and tilting his head in Phoenix’s direction. “Who is she?”

  I run my hand over his jaw and smile. I can’t stop myself from touching him or breathing in his scent.

  “She’s my friend, Talon. I mentioned her last night. She’s trying to teach me how to control my magic.” He leans into my touch, but before he has chance to say anything, Phoenix speaks up.

  “Erm… I’m her best friend actually. Who are you?” I can’t help the laugh that leaves my lips as I watch her standing there with her hand on her hip.

  Talon smirks. “Best friend? I thought I was your best friend,” he jokes, giving me a dramatic sad face. He looks up to Phoenix, nodding his head. “I’m Talon. Her man.”

  Just like that, Phoenix’s face turns angry. “I know a really bad spell I can use on you. I ought to use it! You have treated her so awfully. You should be making it up to her every hour of every day!”

  Talon’s smile disappears and he looks down at the ground shamefully as he says softly, “If I could make it up to her every second of every day, I would.” He brushes his thumb across my cheek, “I’m trying my best to be the man you deserve. I love you.”

  “I love you too. Don’t mind her, she knows all about the bad things you’ve done. I have yet to tell her about how awesome you are.” I link to him so that Phoenix can’t hear.

  A smile forms on his face as he links back, “Either way, I like her.” He then disappears out of the room.

  I close the door behind him and turn to find a frowning Phoenix.

  “I like him,” she says.

  I have to hold my ribs as I start laughing at her expression. I can tell she doesn’t want to say the words, but Phoenix tells it like it is; even if she doesn’t like it.

  Her face softens and she nods. “Okay then. So I approve,” she shrugs. “It doesn’t hurt that he’s freaking gorgeous too. Anyways…” She swats her hand through the air. “Let’s get those hands of yours fixed up.”

  ****

  After putting the balm on my hands and wrapping them, we sit on my bed and I tell her all about the twins. The before, the after, I leave no detail out. If she’s going to be around more often, I can’t have her plotting revenge on my mates whenever I’m not looking. I let out a deep breath when I’m done. She has watery eyes, but not one tear falls as she fans her face blinking away the tears.

  “Wow! You’ve been through some heavy stuff, Angel,” she says, looking a little pale.

  “Yeah, shit’s been hectic, but I am where I am and I’ve met some truly awesome people along the way.” I wink at her as a knock sounds on my door and Alex peeks her head in.

  “Heard you had a visitor, honey. Can I come in?” Alex and I still have some issues to get through, but right now I couldn’t be mean to her, not when she’s looking so anxious.

  “Of course, Mom.” I smile, patting the bed beside me. She gives me a huge grin and shuts the door behind her. Sitting next to me, she leans against the headboard and wraps an arm around my shoulders.

  “Nice to meet you, Mrs Blackwood,” Phoenix says in her usual friendly manner.

  “It’s very nice to meet you too, sweetie. Angel tells me that you’re going to teach her how to control her magic?”

  “Sure am. Angel is going to be a brilliant wolf/witch.” Phoenix’s grin widens and my mother starts laughing.

  Once she’s recovered, her tone turns serious. “Thank you so much for helping her, Phoenix. If you ever need anything, you come find me and I promise to help you any way I can my dear.”

  Phoenix nods her head smiling. “It’s no worry at all, I enjoy having a friend. Aside from spending time with Noelle… I don’t really have any other girls to talk to.” She looks sheepishly down at the bedding beneath her hands.

  “How is Noelle?” My mom asks.

  “She’s okay. She was very worried about Angel though. She said she is even willing to help track down that wolf who hurt you; she knows a couple spells. If you’re allowed, you should stop by and show her that you’re okay. She’d love that,” Phoenix says, now looking at me.

  I sit quietly, knowing my parents won’t allow me to visit her.

  “You want to go see Noelle, Angel?” Alex looks down at me and I nod my head.

  “I’d like to see her too. Let’s go then, it’s alread
y dark out.” Alex jumps off the bed and heads for the door.

  “Wait, what about Dad? Is he okay with this?” I ask as I pull a sweatshirt over my top.

  “He won’t be a problem. C’mon lets go.” She smiles as she leaves the room.

  “Wow! You’re mom is gorgeous,” Phoenix says softly, still looking at the door.

  I smile at that; Alex is truly stunning.

  “Come on. Let’s go before we run into any of the boys.” I pull at her hand dragging her behind me.

  ****

  Alex decides to take us in her car. We’re not even on the dust road yet and she is already battling to go further.

  “I completely forgot about the spell to keep the wolves away. Shit, Mom are you okay?” I pull off my seat belt and lean over to see if she’s okay just as Alex pulls onto the dust road that leads towards the witches camp.

  Alex covers her ears with her hands as she scrunches up her face. “I don’t think I can go further,” she forces out.

  “Wait! Here, Alex. I’ve got something to help… jeepers this bag is fill of rubbish. Here… take this.” She hands me this little vial with purple liquid in.

  I look at it, then back at her. “What is it?”

  “It’s a sort of potion. It will allow her to enter the camp without the spell affecting her. I’m not sure how long it will last though. I’ve been experimenting with the potion and its ingredients for some time, but if all my calculations are correct, it should at least last for a couple hours.”

  My mother snatches it from my hand and downs the liquid.

  “Mom! What the hell?” I gape. She leans her head back against the head rest and closes her eyes, eventually her frown disappearing.

  “You said Phoenix was a brilliant witch. I’m sure she knows what she’s doing. I have no reason to worry, right Phoenix?” My mother says, keeping her eyes closed and head rested.

  I look back to see why Phoenix hasn’t said anything. I find her staring at my mother wide eyed.

  “Right, Phoenix?” I repeat.

  “Uh… yeah.” She shakes her head. “I mean, I haven’t had a wolf to test it on yet, but… by the looks of it, it’s working.” Then a big smile forms on her lips.

  “It’s working! I figured it out!” She claps her hands and starts giggling.

  “Hold up. What are you talking about?” I reach out and grab her hand to make her stop jumping up and down.

  “The potion. Only the elders know how to make it. The less people that know about it, the better. No offense, but witches don’t want it to get into the wrong hands. The spell to keep wolves away is the strongest and only affective spell we have against wolves. Knowing the spell works at keeping wolves out of our camp allows us to sleep at night without worrying about our safety.” All of a sudden she goes quiet. She looks out of the windows and then back to me and Alex; all I see is fear.

  Quietly she says, “You can’t tell anyone about this. If the wrong wolves find out that I’m the one who knows how to get wolves into the camp, they’ll use it against me.” She covers her face with her hands and starts shaking her head as she mutters, “I’m so silly. Why did I have to know.”

  Alex, fully composed now, reaches into the back seat and places her hands on Phoenix’s shoulders.

  “No one will know and no one will ever harm you. You have my word, Phoenix.”

  Phoenix looks up and nods, giving my mother a small smile.

  Alex climbs back into her seat and starts the car.

  “Phoenix, how long have kept that vial in your bag? why are you walking around with it?” I ask.

  “Oh… uh well… I’ve been working on a potion since before I even met you. I just… I didn’t know if your friend Nixon would need to come with you to the camp again. I just kept it with me as a precautionary measure. You never know when someone might need it,” she says. Her voice is weak and I bet if I looked back I’d find her blushing. My wolf can sense her nervousness. I look up to see Alex smiling, she can sense it too.

  Phoenix has a crush on Nixon. Moreover, with the way Nixon always asks questions about her, I think the feeling may just be mutual.

  Chapter 23

  We enter the camp the way I usually do, over the wall by the big tree. I keep a close eye on Alex, worried about the potion wearing off.

  “This way.” We follow Phoenix as she quietly sneaks between two cottages and toward Noelle’s back door.

  Noelle is sitting at the kitchen counter with a glass of wine and magazine. When she hears us coming through the door, she quickly stands up. Her confused eyes find Alex’s, then she finds mine and she rushes over to me, pulling me in for a hug. I stumble a bit on my feet, not really anticipating the embrace.

  “Thank God you’re okay, sweetie.” She moves and looks my body over, her hands finding my bandaged ones.

  “Come, sit down here and let me have a look at what Phoenix did.” She gestures for me to sit on the stool by the counter and I do. I look behind to see Alex standing stiffly by the back door, a desolate look on her face as she sees the way Noelle is mothering me.

  Noelle turns to look at Alex.

  “Alex, have a seat. I’ll pour you a glass of wine. Looks like you need one.” Noelle gives a small laugh and moves toward the cabinet. Alex’s stance immediately relaxes and a small smile spreads across her face as she makes her way towards where I sit. “I think I need more than one,” she laughs.

  “How you feeling, hun?” Alex says, running her hand through the back of my hair.

  “I’m okay. Much better than yesterday,” I say truthfully. I look to see where Phoenix has disappeared to and see her heading toward her bedroom.

  I turn my head when I hear the sound of glasses being placed on the counter. I take a sip of the soda Noelle pours me then start removing the bandages on my hands.

  “Here, let me help you.” Noelle starts rolling the bandage neatly. Once the bandages are gone and with only the sticky balm Phoenix rubbed on remaining, both Alex and I are left staring in disbelief.

  “It’s almost healed,” Alex says.

  Noelle smiles as she unwraps the other hand, “Phoenix is quite magnificent, she’s particularly magnificent with her healing balms and potions. That is how you managed to bypass the spell we cast for wolves Alex; Phee had to have helped you.”

  Neither Alex or I say anything. Noelle continues to wipe away the residue of the sticky balm until my hands are clean and only little scratches are left.

  “Thanks, Noelle,” I say, rubbing my hands together.

  “My pleasure, Angel. I promise we will find the monster that did this to you. I will help you in anyway I can.” She smiles as she hugs me once more.

  I can feel unremitting tension in the kitchen, so I decide to go in search of Phoenix; clearly Noelle and Alex have a lot to discuss.

  I head towards her bedroom, passing Fabian’s on the way, it’s empty… Obviously. He would have definitely made his presence known if he was around.

  “Phee, what are you doing?” I walk into her room and can’t help but smile. It’s colourful with little fairy lights taking up her entire ceiling and the wall behind her bed covered with little colourful butterflies. It’s totally surreal with a real comforting feel.

  “Just writing a note in my diary,” she says quietly. I take a seat on her bed and look up at the lights that cover her ceiling.

  “I love your room,” I mutter, looking over the butterflies.

  I hear her shuffling and then the sound of her chair scraping against the floor. “Thanks, Noelle helped me with everything when I moved in here,” she says happily, seemingly back to her normal self.

  “Where’s Fabian?” I ask.

  She shrugs, not looking so cheerful anymore. “He’s probably out with his friends,” she sighs.

  I can’t help but notice the stiffness in her shoulders as she forces the shrug.

  We sit quietly for a moment and the silence it pretty awkward; especially because Phoenix is always rambling on about so
mething or other. “So… are you gonna tell me what’s bothering you?”

  She immediately drops down on the bed next to me and covers her face. “When Nixon called and told me about what happened to you, I was so scared and worried about you. Fabian was there when I got the call and he went all cave man like he usually does when another man is involved; it’s even worse that the man is a wolf. Anyways, I told Nixon I was coming to him, but Fabian ripped my phone out of my hand and told Nixon that I wasn’t. I was so mad at Fabian, he thinks he owns me like I’m some little girl that needs protecting…” She runs her hands through her hair as she lays on the bed staring at the ceiling. She lets out a deep breath then continues, “I was shouting at him. I’ve never been so harsh to anybody in my life. I said such horrible things, Angel… I was so mean to him.”

  “I’m sure he knew that your anger was because you were worried about me. He’s probably already over it, Phee,” I say softly.

  She sits up abruptly. “No, that’s not what I’m concerned about. He… he kissed me, Angel. I was yelling at him and he just grabbed me and kissed me.” The girl stares at me wide eyed.

  I can’t help the laugh that leaves my lips. Phoenix flops back down on the bed groaning as she covers her face.

  I laugh harder, “Maybe it was just to shut you up… coz’ when you get going girl… you don’t realize how hard it is to get you to stop.”

  She stands up, starts pacing and then looks toward her door before stepping closer and whispering, “But he used his tongue.”

  I laugh so hard, I feel the tears running down my face. I hold my ribs and make sure not to pee myself as I try to find my breath again. I haven’t laughed like that for such a long time. I think the last time I laughed this hard was when I was with Ronny and I had just pushed Chelsea’s face into one of the lockers in the girls gym room at School. I’m just about to thank Phee for making me laugh again when I hear Fabian’s loud voice.

  “What’s with all the cackling. I could hear you from over the fuckin’ wall,” he says, leaning against the door frame. I look at Phee, she’s trying desperately to avoid his eyes as she starts looking through a book that’s sat on her table; I can sense her uncomfortable she feels in his presence.