Black Wing (Book #1)

Chapter 10

Phoenix rolled his hands at this sudden yet firm decision.

'Finally...' he murmured, before retreating behind his coloured door and leaving the rest of us in an awkward and lingering silence.

'I'll go and get ready then...Amery, it was nice to meet you. I hope our next conversation won't be as brief.' Kris joked, and I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped my lips, somewhat relieved that someone had taken it upon themselves to make light of the serious situation. He nodded his head and then proceeded to shuffle in the direction of his room.

Levi coughed and then glanced at his silver watch, taking in the time and pausing for a moment to think.

'We need to leave by 6pm latest if we have any hope of getting in without suspicion. I reckon Zane and his boys will be there by about seven...maybe even eight.' He frowned in thought while Scar and Dan waited to hear what he had to say.

'Only Scar, Phoenix, Kris and I will go...Dan, you should probably stay here with...' He glanced up, his soft brown eyes resting on me for only a moment.

'You should probably stay here with Amery.' He finished and before I could help myself, I spoke out impulsively.

'I want to go.' Who knows what compelled me to say this; maybe the fact that I was tired and a little bit delirious but either way, curiosity got the better of me.

Levi shook his head at my request.

'Sorry but that can't happen. As much as you are a part of us now, you just got here. It wouldn't be fair to drag you into all this straight away.' I scoffed.

'I volunteered to come here, of my own free will. I didn't have to, but I did.' I argued and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Scar smile.

'I decided to come after being told who you guys are and what you do.'

'It's one thing thinking that you understand and another actually understanding.' Levi stated, and I bit my lip.

'What better way to make me understand that actually going with you guys.' Again, he shook his head decisively whilst taking a step towards the office. Dan gave me a reassuring smile and I smiled weakly back, giving up on trying to accompany them. Suddenly, Scar broke her silence on the situation.

'Levi, just let her come with. I think she has a valid point.' My head snapped towards her and I gave her a massive grin. Dan cleared his throat and rolled up his shirt sleeves up to his elbows.

'To be honest Levi, she's gonna find out sooner or later...maybe it should be sooner.' I fought the urge to run up to both of them and attack them with a hug. Instead, I waited for Levi's decision, watching his facial expression for any signs of a change of mind but his expression remained blank and guarded.

'I suppose...it should be fine.' He eventually muttered, his eyebrows knitted together with uncertainty.

'But you'll stay with either me or Phoenix for the time being. That's up to you.' My excitement was quickly diminished by the thought of spending a whole night with Phoenix and his ever-conflicting emotions or lack of.

'Wait, why can't she be with me? I mean, wasn't she meant to stay with me today anyway?' I heard Dan comment and I turned towards him with a sympathetic look on my face.

I personally would've love to stay with Dan for the whole day. There was something about his personality that was so welcoming and warm. I paused for a moment.

He reminded me of my brother.

'I'd be more at ease if she'd stay with either me or Phoenix. I know you would protect her in case anything happens but...' He trailed off, but Dan nodded firmly, understanding him.

'I understand. I'll go and get ready. See you in a bit shortcake.' He spoke, ruffling my hair as he strode past me. I giggled slightly at the term of endearment.

'The rest of us should get ready too.' Levi sent a warm smile in my direction, his brown dreadlocks resting on his shoulders and gently framing his face.

I couldn't stop the warm feeling that lingered in my chest after that smile was sent in my direction.

'You can borrow some of my stuff. I'm way smaller than you but a lot of my stuff is baggy. I might have a bigger pair of leggings but I'm not too sure...' Scar looked thoughtful for a second and a small laugh erupted from me, taking in her innocent demeanour.

'Just follow me. Through my magical purple door.' She made her way to the door which was next to mine and I turned to look at Levi, who was staring at me intently.

'We'll meet up and then leave in about 15 minutes. Ladies, try not to be late.' He warned, his eyes narrowing dangerously at Scar, who simply shrugged and rolled her eyes at him.

'Yeah, whatever Levi. Follow me Amery and we'll find you something to wear sweetheart.' She grabbed my arm enthusiastically and I tried not to gasp from how cold her hands were.

'Sorry, I was outside before this meeting. My hands refuse to warm up.' She states, taking in my silent reaction. I looked up and realised that she had dragged me through her door and into her neat and tidy room.

'Right so, if have a feeling that if I check in this drawer...' She started but I was too busy distracting myself with taking in the details of her bedroom.

The layout was incredibly similar to mine; En-suite bathroom, a chest of drawers and mirror as well as other things but the main difference was that her walls were covered with posters.

Band posters and posters from cartoons. Her walls were colourful and fun, and it represented her personality perfectly.

Another huge difference was all the technology.

I stared in awe of the various screens, wires and keyboards, wondering which each one did and where each wire led to.

This was more than impressive.

'Here you go. I knew I had a pair of leggings somewhere. I bought them a while ago and they were too big.' She tossed the leggings at me and I caught them ungracefully.

'Thanks.'

'No problem.' She replied as she tried to stuff all her clothes back into her drawer.

'I'll see if I can find a top-'

'Scar, it's fine. I can just wear this.' I gestured to the comfortable and oversized hoodie I was already wearing, trying not take draw attention to the fact that it was dirty and fairly worn out.

'Well...' She started, hesitating slightly.

'If you're sure...but we have to get a move on.' She pushed me into her bathroom, shutting the door behind me abruptly.

'Change.' I heard her muffled voice command from the other side of the door and I did. I tried to change as quick as possible, almost forgetting my jeans in her bathroom on the way out.

'Perfect, they're still a little short but we can do some shopping tomorrow. Unless you have anywhere to pick up some old clothes?' I nodded at her.

'Yeah, my aunt's house.' Her head tilted, questioning me without her speaking.

'It's a long story. I can probably sneak in and out without getting caught though.' She sighed, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

'Alright well, we can go when you're ready. For now, let's make out way downstairs to meet the others. We're pretty early for time.' As she turned to grab some equipment, she tutted in annoyance.

'I think Levi has my transmitter.' She muttered, and my eyes widened in shock.

'You have a transmitter?' Her head whipped round, and she burst out in laughter.

'I know it's illegal, but I need it. Helps me do my job a lot quicker.' She stuffed a bunch of different wires into a backpack and went for the door handle.

'Let's go.' She said softly, putting her backpack on and I gulped before following her into the lives of The Ravens.