Angel Academy

Chapter Twenty-One

I followed behind my parents, wincing at the ache in my body. My head was pounding and my chest throbbed with pain.

"Luci come on!" My father called again.

I nodded numbly but pain coursed through my body when I tried to make my wings beat faster.

But then my mother was in front of me, worry scrawled across her face. "Luca stop!" She shouted to my father.

Her hand brushed over my face as she peered over me. "What's the matter Luci? Are you tired?" She asked.

I shook my head. "My head and my chest hurt," I muttered. It feels like someone bashed in my temple and crushed my rib cage. Just the effort of talking sends a stabbing sensation through my chest.

"Maybe we should stop for the night," she said to my father.

"Alright, I think Logan lives nearby," he sighed.

"Would he help?"

"He'll do whatever I ask."

My mother nodded. "Okay, come on Luci. Just take a deep breath and push through it, you're going to be fine."

***

I peeled my eyes open with a low groan. I squinted against the light shining through the window.

I slid out of the small bed, wincing as my bare feet hit the cold wooden floor. My eyes dropped down to the new pair of clothes covering my body. My lips curled into a frown.

The door creaked open to reveal my mother. "Oh good, you're already awake. Come on, we'll eat and then we must be leaving," she said.

I followed her out into the unfamiliar hall where I spotted my father sitting at the kitchen counter. "Are you feeling better?" He asked.

"My chest still hurts but not nearly as much."

"Good. Eat quickly, we need to get going as soon as possible," he told me, nodding to the plate in front of me.

I ate the strange-looking food with a grimace but didn't complain.

I nearly jumped out of my chair when the front door slammed open. My chest tightened at the sight of the strange man. The first thing I noticed about him was his eyes. They were completely black. No pupil. No iris. No white. It was like looking into a dark hole.

My father gently nudged me and I averted my gaze. He was tall, taller than even my father, with broad shoulders and muscles that could no doubt kill a man with a single blow.

He nodded at my mother who was looking at him expectantly. She turned to me. "Are you done Luci?" 

I nodded.

"Good. We need to get going. Thank you Logan for giving us shelter for the night," she said to the man.

I jumped down from the stool and moved to stand beside my mother.

"Of course. Let me know if there is ever anything else I can do. And Luci?" He paused, kneeling in front of me. "You are always welcome to come to me for help." He ruffled my hair and smiled, revealing his extremely long and sharp canines.

My eyes widened for a moment but he was glancing back up at my parents. I watched as his face grew hard and he exchanged a nod with my father.

I pulled my backpack on and followed my parents out the door. As we stepped out into the darkness I realized the light was from the full moon shining overhead.