Of Angel Descent

Chapter Fourteen

I wake up the next morning with a stabbing headache. I slowly sit up and run my fingers over my face. I stand up and stumble to the bathroom for my painkillers.

"Good morning Lela." I choke on the water I am drinking when Andy's voice slides through my mind. I set the cup down and glare into the mirror as if I was looking at Andy instead of my reflection.

"I am still mad at you Andrew."

"Very well, I understand my Angel. Feel better." Andy's voice is calm and loving but I am not falling for it he has tried to do this thousands of times. I roll my eyes and ignore his last comment and finish the cup of water. Despite my anger I do have the slight confusion of whether or not he also heard...like Michael did, and if he did, why is he being so calm about it?

"Um excuse me, you're not the only one who uses this bathroom you know?" Eva's perky voice calls to me through the closed bathroom door.

"You have your own bathroom. At your house." I grumble in response.

"Well I am not at my house now am I?" I can hear the smirk in her voice. Ugh. I pull the door open and push past her walking towards the kitchen.

When I enter the kitchen I see Curtis sitting with his back to the door at the island. He is reading the morning newspaper, like he always does. He is dressed in his pajamas still which is an old t-shirt and navy blue sweats.

"Curtis, I thought you went home last night." I comment as I make my way to the fridge.

"Good morning to you too Nilea." Curtis looks up at me from his paper. "Actually, Eva decided we needed to stay another night for her protection."

"Right because Eva is the one that needs to be protected," I mutter as I open the door to the fridge and scan the food.

"Well, you know Eva." He chuckles forcibly and looks back at the paper he is reading. I grab an orange and close the door walking to the seat across from Curtis at the island.

"Sorry about last night." I comment as I sit down. Curtis looks quickly at me making eye contact over the top of the paper. I can tell he is trying to figure out what exactly I am sorry for provided I am just as shocked as he is about the glowing so I clear it up for him. "I was mad at Andrew, not you, I shouldn't have yelled at you."

I can see the relief in his eyes as he lays the paper down again. "Nilea, you had every right to yell at me. I should've came to check on you but truthfully I was just too damned scared to see you in pain." I start peeling my orange as he keeps talking. "You know me, egotistical big brother. I want to protect you from potential harm but when you actually get hurt all of the sudden I realize I am a shitty brother and can't stand to face you. If I had just told Eva to not call you..." his words trail off as he rubs his face in guilt. I can't believe he actually blames himself.

"Curtis," I place my hand gently on his hand, "Considering recent events, I don't think me not showing up would change the outcome. He'd still be lost to me and just like now I would not be blaming you."

"Still. I should've been there for you and for that I am sorry."

"I forgive you. Now quit being all sorry for yourself and finish reading your paper." I peel out a slice of my orange and toss it into my mouth. Curtis lift the paper and continues reading.

"Good morning, feeling better?" I look up and glare at Michael as he walks into the kitchen wearing an old t-shirt and his gray shorts. His curly blonde hair an absolute mess. He has a small smirk on his face as he makes his way to the sink and leans back against it smiling at me.

"How about I feed you some garlic and I'll have you answer that question." I pop another orange slice into my mouth still glaring at him. I hear the newspaper rustle from beside me as Curtis lays it down on the island.