Angel landed in Daisy's yard and placed the new girl on the ground. Her baggy grey hoodie just about swallowed her whole. The sleeves drooped over her hands. Round hazel eyes peered out from under the hood, and light brown ringlets framed her face. Her intensity reminded Angel of the time he spooked a raccoon. The animal looked at him in much the same, suspicious way.

He pulled his wings inside, then grabbed his crumpled shirt from his back pocket and shrugged it on.

Butterflies flitted amongst the blooming wildflowers. Chubby bumblebees buzzed through the dense rose bushes in the garden. Angel led the way down the stone path to the front door and Kismet tagged along a few feet behind.

She walked as if she were fast asleep, moving with the fluid certainty of a dream. Her energy moved in dual waves. One sat on the surface, running like rapids in furious, panicked motion while the other, deeper stream held steady and vast. He had no idea what to make of that, or her.

It was really none of his business, but the girl intrigued him.

"What brings you to the island?" He asked.

"My powers get... they're a lot."

"Why didn't you come sooner? You know, as a kid?"

Kismet tensed. "I'm here now."

When Alistair had told him she was a telepath, at first he had been anxious. The thought of someone digging around in his head was horrifying, but he had to trust that she wouldn't. Though her abilities were so obviously out of control, Angel was relieved he seemed to be resistant.

It also confirmed Cassie's theory, but also gave him more questions.

It's strange how a body resistant to energy abilities would somehow develop energy abilities. It explains how my powers were repressed for so long, but I still didn't know how they got there.

Daisy opened the door, ushering them inside. They were immediately greeted by the warm scent of freshly burned sage. Even though Daisy's empathic abilities could have no influence on Angel, he still found Daisy's house to be a space of calm. Now, he could see why. It was not just her abilities, but her essence itself that went into maintaining the energetic integrity of her home. It was right down to the choices in furniture, and knick-knacks, and where she decided to place them.

"And who is this?" Daisy asked. The woman's life-force radiated a steady wave of vibrant citrus and rustic oak.

"Kismet," said the girl, shaking Daisy's hand.

They followed Daisy into the living room. The tall, slender woman sunk into the overstuffed couch and crossed her legs. Her effortless elegance made any piece of furniture beneath her look like a throne. The hazy orange light of the salt lamp cast her smooth dark skin in a soft glow.

Angel slouched in the arm-chair and Kismet perched on a wicker poof, unable to take her eyes off the older woman.

The sharpness in Kismet's eye vanished and she visibly relaxed. Angel was slightly jealous. He often wished Daisy could change his emotions, but he was also thankful no one could have that kind of control.

"Alistair found her on the mainland," he explained. "She needs help with her powers."

Kismet didn't look up from the ground. "I didn't know what else to do."

"Why not The Academy?" Daisy asked.

"I feel silly now, but Ivy made me nervous," said Kismet. "I thought if I could come here then, well, I don't know exactly what I was thinking to be honest. I'm so sorry to be causing such a fuss. I would have just gone to The Academy, but -"

"It shouldn't be a problem," Daisy assured her. "I'm sure it'll only be a matter of paperwork."

"What about your powers?" Angel asked Kismet. "How are you going to learn to control them if you don't go to The Academy?"

Kismet blanched. "I hadn't considered that. I was kinda just taking things one step at a time. I guess all I hoped for was somewhere I didn't have to hide them so much." Her cheeks flushed and she studied the carpet. "I wanted a place where people could understand why I'm the way I am. I'd given up on controlling them a long time ago."

"Don't give up yet," Daisy said gently. "When you get settled in, I'll do my best to help you. I'm self taught, so I'm not sure how much I can really contribute to what you already know. If you like, come see me when you're ready and we'll give it a try?"

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"That would be wonderful," Kismet exclaimed. She smiled for the first time since Angel first met her. It lit up her eyes and dimpled her cheeks.

"It's settled," said Daisy, clasping her hands together. Then her eyes landed on Angel. "Julian isn't pleased with you."

Angel shifted uncomfortably. "I heard. When is he ever?"

"We were worried sick about you," Daisy said.

Normally, he was adept at shrugging off concerned sentiments, but this time the waves of grief enveloped him. Every needle prick stuck inside his chest as if it were his own.

"I didn't think it was -"

"Exactly." Daisy narrowed her eyes. "You didn't think. That's your problem, but you don't want my advice. You never have."

"I suppose you're going to give it to me anyway?"

"I've told you enough times by now. I won't waste my breath." With a dismissive wave of her hand, she said, "Take Kismet to Julian for the papers. We'll bring her case to the council and let Watcher Liz decide. The sooner you start the process, the sooner we can get it over with."

"Is there a chance she'll say no?" Kismet asked.

Angel jumped, having nearly forgotten she was there.

"I doubt it," said Daisy, "but this situation hasn't happened before." She laughed. "We have an island full of people with miraculous abilities and we still can't be rid of bureaucracy."

After saying their good-byes, Angel and Kismet set out to Julian's house.

Angel went to remove his shirt, and Kismet stepped back.

"Can we walk?"

"Ah - Sure," he said, and let it go. "You're gonna need a place to stay. Do you have any plans?"

Kismet followed him down the sidewalk. "Is there a hostel? Like the one in Happsburg?"

"Unfortunately, no."

"Why not?"

"Ivy gets too much of a say. We don't really like her help around here."

"Not even to heal people?" She hurried to keep up with his long strides.

"What people do on the mainland is up to them," said Angel. "We have a doctor here on the island and make-do."

After a few blocks, they arrived at Angel's childhood home. The brown house was almost a perfect square if it wasn't for the sun porch jutting into the lawn. Brambles over took the garden below the window. Their scraggly branches sprawled up the siding and they fought the weeds for space.

Angel led the way to the door. This time, he didn't bother to knock and let himself in. Every light in the house was on, but it still seemed dark around the edges somehow. Dust motes always floated in the sun beams coming through the window no matter how clean the house was.

"In here," Julian called from the kitchen.

A light crackle of electricity, like static in the air, made the hair on his arms stand up.

"I think you should wait," said Angel to Kismet.

She nodded in agreement and sat on the couch, seeming relieved.

He walked through the living-room toward the sound of his voice to the kitchen. Julian hunched over the table, tinkering with the exposed guts of a radio. He didn't bother to look up, twisting the screw-driver into the machine with every ounce of his focus.

"Nice of you to show your face," he grumbled. "Timmy had us all thinking the worst this morning."

"I heard," said Angel. "I'm sorry."

"Not good enough!" he bellowed, banging both fists on the table. The tiny screws jumped and some skittered off the table onto the floor. His ruddy skin turned even redder beneath his coarse beard.

"What do you want me to do then? Grovel?" Angel snapped. "I said I'm sorry, I didn't actually die, what more do you want?"

The burly man got to his feet like a boulder shifting. "I want you to grow up. You can't keep living like this forever. Aluminum Carl? Seriously?" Julian moved in closer and Angel smelled beer on his breath. "Do you have a death wish?"

"I needed the money -"

"You wouldn't if you'd spend it more wisely and quit blowing it all on drinks."

Angel clenched his jaw, curling his fist at his side.

Julian laughed. "You think you're gonna hit me?" He stepped closer and Angel flinched. "That's what I thought."

"I'm not the only one that's been drinking," Angel said, looking toward the empty cans on the countertop.

"I get to," Julian snarled, jabbing a finger at his chest.

Angel stepped back after each until he felt the edge of the counter dig into his spine.

"There's never a moment's peace with you. Ember and I had plans for this place." Bitter tears shimmered in Julian's eyes.

This was the only time Angel ever heard Julian speak of his mother - when he was absolutely piss drunk, but still, he clung to every word.

"I lost her, and all my dreams with her. Then you come along to really seal the deal."

Angel's heart lodged in the bottom of his throat, choking him. Julian's energy filled the room. Cold disappointment and dark pits of dejection. He'd heard it all before. Julian usually apologized later - but this time, Angel felt his father meant every single word.

"Fuck you."

Without further thought, Angel marched into the living room. He couldn't look Kismet in the eye.

"Come on, we're leaving."

She hopped off the sofa and hurried after him. The door slammed at their backs.

"I'm so sorry -" she began as they marched across the lawn.

"You can come back tomorrow. He'll be in a better mood once he gets some sleep, and I promise he'll be a hell of a lot nicer to you than he is to me." Despite himself, Angel sniffed and he cursed under his breath. "I'm sorry you had to see that. We'll figure out somewhere for you to stay in the meantime. Nyx has a cabin now and -"

Kismet caught up to him, gently touching his elbow so he'd stop walking. "You didn't deserve that."

"What do you know?" he snapped, then sighed, shame immediately turned his stomach. "I'm sorry. I mean, I do deserve it. He's right. I'm useless. I just keep fucking up. Now even Nyx is fed up with me, Daisy too and -" Flashes of blue light, blood and pain, obscured his mind's eye. He pinched the bridge of his nose, as if stopping tears was the same as a nosebleed.

Unable to withstand the pressure, he nearly burst. Angel pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes, desperate to push the tears back inside.

"I'm sorry, I've just had a day," he said, hating the cracking sobs in his voice and how heavy his chest felt.

Kismet did not let go of his arm. "You can cry," she said softly.

Angel crumpled, unable to stop himself. Torn between mortifying embarrassment and relief, he buried his face in his hands and sobbed. Kismet stood by his side in silence. She maintained a gentle hand on his arm. He wanted to pull away, but couldn't bring himself to do it.

Finally, the tears subsided and he wiped his face with his hands. He couldn't look at her. Instead, he continued down the side walk toward Nyx's new cabin.