29 : Magic Tricks

**Evelyn :**

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was darkness and everything was quiet. I looked up like that for a long time until I managed to sit up. Realizing that I was in Raphael’s bedroom, I wanted to go look for him with my eyes but there was no one in the room with me. It also looked like no one had slept next to me because it was already morning and the sun was shining through the windows in the room, giving a gentle and cozy atmosphere.

Then I also remembered the events of the previous night.

We were in the lounge, both relaxing, when all of a sudden there was an explosion and then everything what happened next, was like a blur, as I only remembered a few fragments. Everything hurt and the last thing was that Raphael turned into a real Phoenix.

*OH MY GOD. Was it really for real?*

I don't remember what happened next, of course, because I fell asleep but where did my bird go?

Without wasting time, I threw the blanket off me, taking a quick look at myself and feeling that I didn't have any scratches, miraculously, I jumped out of bed and instantly went in search of Phoenix. After exploring each room, each of which turned out to be empty, I went downstairs and immediately headed for the terrace. Having expected the terrible sight caused by last night's explosion, I was greeted by a room completely intact, as if nothing had happened. I stared at it all with my mouth open as I noticed that all the glass was in place and my laptop was placed on the small couch.

*Did I dream it all?*

"Oh! You're already up, sugar!’’ a low voice came from behind me and I turned around with a surprised scream, already protecting myself with my hands but when I saw who it was, I breathed a sigh of relief and lowered my hands down.

‘’Luke?’’ there was disbelief in my voice when I saw the brother of the owner of the house with an apron tied over his clothes.

He just smiled crookedly,'' Yes, it's me. I didn't want to sneak up on you so quietly but it happened by accident."

My eyebrows were furrowed,'' What are you doing here? What happened anyway because I think I was sleepwalking yesterday. I had such a horrible dream, you can't even imagine,'' I started to tell him and noticed small lines appearing on Luke’s forehead and a strange look appeared in his eyes until he shook his head and came closer to me.

Placing his hands on my shoulders, he was all serious now,'' Evelyn, I hope you're not hurt but this was no dream. You were actually attacked yesterday and Raphael called me to look after you while he was gone. What happened was terrible, if I may say so myself but don't worry, your man will be fine and you will be happy together again. Isn't it wonderful?'' Explaining, Luke grinned in excitement, that big smile appearing on his face again as usual.

I lost my language for a moment,'' Th - Wasn't that a dream? But what of…’’ trailing off, I turned my head to look at the now beautiful room, not knowing how to form complete sentences.

''Ahhh! That, yes, I put that back together. It was quite difficult because I had to remember how it was in the beginning but I managed it!'' Luke explained my silence.

"You? But then everything had to be changed,'' I could not understand.

''Well, I forgot to say but your lover isn't the only one with powers. I am a warlock and such things are simple to me,'' he grinned like a proud school boy and my eyes widened at such a revelation.

What else do I not know?

****

As I put the chicken leg in my mouth, It almost fell out of my mouth when Luke showed me a trick where the broom stands up on its own and starts sweeping the floor.

''It can't be! No!’’ I cried while looking at it with great shock and wonder.

After telling me what happened when Raphael flew away to find and catch the enemy that wanted to attack us, his brother barely managed to convince me to stay put, knowing that the bird might now be alone fighting for its life. I wanted to go after him no matter what it takes to find him but Raphael had strictly stated that I couldn't leave the house until he had settled everything and now it was safer with Luke while my killer was still on the loose.

Of course I wanted to help, to do something about it but I knew they were right. That way I would put myself in danger and also distract Phoenix. There went all my hope about partners in crime.

''This is still nothing, take a closer look at this,'' Luke’s voice brought me back to reality as he conjured a fireball out of thin air with a wave of his hand that flickered and blazed in his hands. I had to laugh in amazement at that.

''I guess nothing can surprise me anymore, I've been through so much in these last weeks,'' after putting the eaten chicken leg on the plate, which was now just a bare bone, I wondered for a moment what it would be like if I hadn't come to this area.

I wouldn't have met Raphael.

I would not have learned about myself and my history. I wouldn't have known his brother, whoever he was. Everything now seemed so natural and it was not even possible to live without it. I'm already getting used to it.

"To be honest, from the beginning I thought you were some kind of hired prostitute for Raphael. He wasn't with anyone for so long, it seemed that everything down there was already rotten. Good thing it didn’t smell yet,’’ after expressing his thoughts, I almost choked on the coffee I just drank when I heard Luke’s words.

''WHAT,'' I struggled to breathe until I realized what he was saying.

''Seriously. Look at yourself, you're beautiful Evelyn, how can anyone sane man or woman not want you,'' he smirked and I could only blush.

"Stop, if Raphael hears you, it's over for you, you know that, right?"

''Nah, I'm not worried about that, because as true as it is, you're like a little sister to me. You always have been,'' a warm look appeared in his eyes and I almost stopped breathing when our eyes met.

"What happened to me, if I may ask?" I was afraid of this question, but I couldn't hold my mouth shut and now the words were out.

Luke immediately became serious and his face darkened for a moment,'' I don't think I should be the one to say that. You better ask Raphael yourself, I don't want more problems if he finds out that I told you something about related to that,’’ to which I nodded sadly, understanding the situation.

There was a moment of silence between us, each of us pondering our own thoughts, when we both heard the front door of the house open and slam shut. Luke and I stopped breathing as heavy footsteps approached the kitchen. I turned just as we saw Raphael in the doorway, leaning himself against the wall.

My eyes widened as I noticed that he was only wearing shorts and the rest of his visible flesh was brown from the fire and still hot. His hair was disheveled and his left side was injured, or so I thought, as he tried to hold his stomach with one hand.

''Oh my!’’ I exclaimed in horror.

Phoenix’s eyes met mine as he grimaced in pain and, still looking at me, addressed his brother in a cold voice.

"Leave us alone, please."

Luke left us without saying anything, not even daring to ask if his brother needed help. I didn't want to sit still at all so I got up and immediately went to Raphael.

''What happened?'' my voice broke as I stood next to him and placed my hand on his bare flesh, seeing the blood under my palm.

Raphael let out a sharp breath and moved closer to me, placing his clean hand on the back of my head, entangling my hair between his fingers and pressed his forehead against mine.

There was silence for a moment, then, "I missed you."

It wasn't the right moment, of course but I blushed, not even wanting to, when I felt him fall a little on top of me,'' Raphael! You need to bandage it up!''

Phoenix’s eyes were closed shut when I heard his low murmur,'' That bastard injected me with something and I’m bleeding much longer than usual. I should have been healed long time ago before I even arrived home but now I feel like a mortal. Fuck, it hurts like hell,'' laughing at himself, I made him sit on the chair.

Fetching the first aid kit in a box I found by the sink in the cabinet, I put it on the table and dropped to my knees to get a better look at Raphael’s stomach but his hand grabbed mine in a tight grip. My eyes shot to Raphael’s face who was already giving me an intense look and his lips were pulled into a soft smile.

Grabbing my chin, he stroked my cheek with his thumb, "If you take care of me like this every time, I can come home wounded every day."

At that my mouth fell open. How he has no shame! He's bleeding and he's still in the mood to joke!

I had to roll my eyes,'' Har, har, har, very funny. Better shut up and let me help,'' he just smirked at that and fell back into the chair, more towards the back while closing his eyes. At that moment, I had nothing left to do but to clean his wound between his legs because otherwise it was impossible.

''I'll need a shower after this. Will you help me take a shower too?''

“Raphael!”

There was low laughter instead of a reply.

*Jesus, this man.*