A Blackened Bond (Blackened Blade #2)

10. Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

MALLYN’S POV

I hear shuffling inside as I knock on the door again and Annex’s low grumble as Ezra’s footfall grows nearer. And then the gentle movements and light whispers of her. Micai.

She had spent the night in Ezra’s dorm room, clearly brought by my brothers.

I understood them more now, though. After everything that had happened with Annex and the attack, both my beast and I wanted her near and safe.

‘ Mine’ he growls in my ears, rolling under my skin as he waits and listens to each slight movement she makes.

She sits just feet from where we stand, his growl ringing in my ears at the wooden door separating us from her.

I shake my head, trying to shove him back down.

He’d been unsettled last night, wanting to go to her, to shift into his massive form and guard her against any threats lurking in the shadows.

‘ Mate ’ he calls again. ‘ Ours’ .

I shake his voice away. A knot wrapping around my chest with his feelings and thoughts seeping through our connection. His possessive need to see and protect her trying to take hold of me.

It was an overwhelming sensation that made me want to rush to her side and never leave it.

He was certain she was our mate, the one person in this world made for us, and the only one able to withstand the monster we were.

A scoff leaves my lips. Something like me— like us —couldn’t have something as sacred as that. Shouldn’t have.

A growl rings out in my ears, anger flooding the link.

He was a beast like no other, a monstrous shifter with strength never seen before. He wasn’t tameable, and the thoughts of getting close to Micai and hurting her…A cold shiver runs through me.

I don’t think I could survive losing another person I cared for like that.

The door opens, dragging me from my darkening thoughts as Ezra stands in the doorway. He combs a hand through his hair, a tired look in his eyes as he gazes half-dazed at me.

But a genuine smile soon appears, stretching my brother’s lips, with an expression more content and free than I’d ever seen before etched across his features.

Ezra held a lot more on his shoulders than he would ever tell anyone, burying his pain deep inside him.

But his gaze sometimes betrays him just by a lonely look seeping through the cracks when he thinks no one is watching.

But Micai had brought a side I’d never seen before out of him. One of genuine happiness and hope, his smile more natural and full of warmth when he’s with her.

‘Ours’ my beast growls lightly, no possessiveness in his tone as he watches on.

I clear my throat, trying to shake him away.

“They’re calling all students to head to the Assembly Hall.” Ezra’s brows pinch together as I continue. “The Council’s dogs have arrived.”

A sigh leaves Ezra’s lips. “Tracers?”

I nod as Ezra frowns. He turns back and calls for Annex and Micai to get dressed and gives them a brief explanation.

The Council oversaw and ‘policed’ the supernatural community.

It had been set up centuries ago as a neutral faction. It was supposed to govern the laws and ensure equality among the different species and clans. It was supposed to maintain the balance between the high-blooded families and the lower clans in the supernatural community, keeping those in higher power in check and helping to ensure judgement without prejudice when conflicts arise.

Except in recent decades, they have lost their neutrality, opting to line their pockets and increase their power by favouring certain higher-born families. They only kept the rogues and outlanders in check for appearances' sake, sending their dogs to placate the masses and play pretend.

The system was tainted and just as corrupt as the ones they once persecuted in the past. Laws and rules were now made and policed to suit the ones paying for it. The smaller families or those without backing were stepped on…or worse.

The supernatural community had become tainted, blackened, and corrupted. The families of old with the most power failed to uphold their past promises to protect the weak, and the Council failed to keep the community's balance and equality.

And that’s where we come in.

Creed brought us together to pull it all apart, to unravel the system set up to help only those on the top stay there.

We were no Robin Hoods or musketeers. We weren’t doing this out of some noble obligation or wanting to help anybody. It was for our own personal revenge against all those who’ve done us wrong and every string we found connected to them. It’s funny how those strings were all intricately linked to even the high-blooded families and the Council.

A dark smirk pulls at my lips. We weren’t the heroes or shining white knights in this battle…we were the bloody monsters moving in the shadows, waiting to make our prey pay painfully. And as slowly as possible.

This world didn’t need heroes; it needed villains to destroy it so that it could be rebuilt.

To beat the darkness, you had to either join it, or already be a part of it. Blood and chaos… ran through each of our veins, death and devastation seeping from our lungs with each heavy breath we took.

Nothing would stand in our way.

The Council brought in its ‘Tracers’. Loyal, trained dogs to investigate the attack on the academy. But would they properly work to get the answers we needed?

If this somehow involved any of the connections that lined their pockets…it would all be covered up with a coat of glitter and bow within a matter of days.

We wouldn’t get any explanations from them.

No. We’ll do our own investigation. Creed will make sure to get us our answers. And then we’ll make whoever put us and our people in harm’s way, suffer more than they ever have before.

I glimpse toward Annex and Ezra when I hear their laughter, wondering why they were taking so long.

Ezra is tugging Annex from the bed as he chuckles and reaches for Micai. She shakes her head, a smile tilting her lips as she yanks a black top over her head. Her eyes meet mine as she walks toward the bathroom, a slight blush creeping up her neck as she grabs a small bag from the floor and quickens her pace.

“Take your time, Red. I’ll be in to help you wash in a minute!” Annex slips out from under Ezra’s hold and tries to dash for the bathroom, but Ezra lunges for him, grabbing his waist and pulling him to the floor.

“No, you won’t, asshole,” Ezra says as he flips him over, and they start playfully scuffling, both chuckling and grinning from ear to ear.

They seemed happier than ever, and why wouldn’t they be? They had spent the night with Micai.

And I had heard everything . Each word, each slight movement, and each little moan of pleasure. I never thought I’d want something as much as I wanted to be in there with them last night.

Maybe the beast wasn’t the only one being affected by Micai.

A slight chuffing noise plays out in my ears, the beast’s version of a laugh. ‘Mate’ he repeats, a satisfied expression appearing in my mind with his words.

“Fine. But we get to play after this. There’s a hell of a lot more I want to explore and a list, as long as my blade collection, of things I wanna do with Red.” Annex gives Ezra an exaggerated sigh as they stand up. “I guess morning orgasms and breakfast-in-bed will have to wait for another day.” He glances my way, a grin stretching his lips. “And how was your morning?”

My brows scrunch together. Did I look tired from staying up through the night, or did Annex know I heard them?

“It was norma—”

“Not as amazing as mine, I bet.” He chuckles, cutting me off before grabbing a dark grey top from the nearest drawer and rolling his eyes.

“You really need to get some better taste in clothes, Ez. This shit just doesn’t cut it,” he says, pulling the grey t-shirt over him. Then he whips out a small blade from his trousers and rips off its short sleeves.

Ezra’s brow raises. “Then maybe wear your own shitty clothes instead of taking mine.” He punches Annex in his side as the psycho chuckles.

“I forgot to pack for the sleepover.” He shrugs, rubbing the reddening spot.

Ezra sighs, glancing down at the ripped grey sleeves on the floor.

“That was one of my favourite shirts.”

Annex drapes an arm over Ezra’s shoulder. “I’ll buy you an even better one. We should bring Red shopping too, and buy her some even hotter lingerie. She’ll look sexy as fuck in something lacy and red.”

The bathroom door opens just as Annex finishes his sentence. Micai appears fully dressed in grey sweatpants and a black vest top, a small glint in her gaze as she looks between them.

“I prefer black.” She calls as she passes them and heads toward me.

She stops right before me, a small smile stretching her lips as she opens them. “The Assembly Hall, right?”

I give her a small nod, a beat passing between us before I realise I’m blocking the doorway. A soft smile laces her lips as I move for her and follow as she leads the way out of the dorm room.

“Where’s Creed?” Calls Ezra, coming up beside me as Annex saunters toward Micai, taking a spot beside her.

“He’s with Morgan. They met up earlier.” I answer, my eyes still watching the small figure walking in front of me.

“Is she okay?” Ezra’s brows pinch downward, a slight bit of worry creeping into his gaze.

“She’s fine. You know how Creed can be.”

Ezra relaxes, a grin tilting his lips as he nods. “ Overprotective. ”

“It must be hard for Morgan.” Micai glances over her shoulder, her blue eyes flickering between me and Ezra. “Between Grey and Ash and Creed, all of them seem a bit…overbearing.”

“Overbearing? Babe, you’ve seen nothing yet,” Annex calls. “If anyone so much as breathes in your direction, I’ll be slicing and dicing like it’s my birthday, and somebody filled the cake with speed.” He drapes an arm around her waist. “And if any guy tries to touch you…” A sinister growl-like noise seeps from his lips as his eyes darken.

“I’ve done some crazy and even disgusting things before, Red. But that shit will look like child’s-play toward what I’ll do if someone so much as brushes a finger against those plush cheeks.”

Micai scoffs, a cute roll of her eyes as she answers him. “As if I’d let some random guy touch my face.”

“Not the cheeks I was referring to, Red.” He reaches down and squeezes her ass. She slaps his hand away, but not before a small squeak leaves her lips, the sound having even her raise a brow before a blush coats her cheeks.

“What was that cute little noise, Red?” Annex’s eyes widen with a devilish glint as his hand reaches for her. “Make it again.”

She ignores his request, slapping his hands away as they try to grope her, a pink tint still coating her cheeks as Annex chuckles.

“So what are Tracers ?” She changes the subject, glancing between me and Ezra.

We share a little grin before Ezra explains.

“They’re people sent by the council to do their bidding, usually searching for things or people, or in this case investigating an attack.”

Micai nods, a contemplative expression taking over her face as we leave the dorms and head toward the main building.

Ezra explains a little bit of the history of the Council as we walk, telling her why they send Representatives— Tracers —to do tasks.

I throw in a little of my knowledge here and there and relish her little blue eyes flickering my way, soaking in every glimmer of attention she gives me. My beast sits content and calm as we move together.

We head in through the main building, groups of students rushing out of our way the moment they see us.

We enter the Hall and spot Creed, Morgan, Ash, and Grey off to one side, with everyone else keeping their distance as Creed glares around the room. We make our way over to them just as the faculty calls for everyone’s attention.

Beside the Dean and faculty members stand three new figures, all wearing badges with the Council’s crest.

“We called all of you together to announce a delay to the Winter Break.” Dean Griffith announces. The giant shifter is at least half a head taller than the rest of the school staff behind him, his black and white peppered hair matching his pinstripe suit as he narrows his gaze around the room. Other shifters flinch from the domineering aura rolling off of him in waves. But my beast just chuffs.

Groans and murmurs of frustration echo out around the room before he hushes them and continues.

“Representatives from the council have come to investigate the recent attack. Everyone will report any information on this matter in an interview with a member of the representative team over the next couple of days.” He watches each group of students, his tone leaving no room for argument or discussion. “They will also be searching the grounds, so stay inside the academy buildings and dormitories as much as possible so as not to hinder their inspection. Winter break will commence in four days’ time when the investigation is done.”

More discontent sighs ring out around the room before one of the representatives steps forward. She’s a woman with slick dark-brown hair styled to one side and muddy-brown eyes. The white and black fabric of her dress sways with her hips as she moves to the front of the stage, pulling everyone’s attention to her.

Her eyes glint, a saccharine smile pulling at her dark red lips as she flits her gaze across the room.

“Your participation is necessary…and compulsory .” She begins to move slowly back and forth on the stage, meeting each staring student with a smile. “We’ll be starting with the first-year students and then the second years until every student has recanted everything they can remember about his incident.” Her smile seems to soften, but her eyes glint a dark look that’s there and gone in seconds. Just like a dog of the Councils to hide their true agenda. They were all snakes and cunning foxes.

“It’s a short time. Only a few days to give toward our investigation and the safety of the academy.” A fake frown pulls at her crimson lips.

“An attack like this should have never happened. Your safety is of the utmost importance to us and the Council.” Her voice softens, trying to show some fake compassion and understanding.

But only a moron would fall for it.

I peer around the room. I guess there were a few here.

“Young and powerful talents such as yourselves should never have to face such an incident again…” Her grin widens. “Which is why we have to investigate so thoroughly and punish those who posed this threat.”

She flashes her fake smile again before stepping back and letting the Dean finish his speech. He drones on about ‘student conduct’ and not leaving the grounds or dorms after the curfew.

A grin tilts my lips. We never followed their rules to begin with; why would we start now?

Creed and I agreed that we needed to check on the abattoir and our domain in town.

We would have to head out soon and leave for at least a few hours to set everything straight in town before returning.

I roll my eyes, a tired sigh leaving my lips as the Dean continues his little speech.

I overhear Creed telling Ezra and Annex about us all leaving for town soon. They argue back and forth about them not leaving Micai alone before Creed finally persuades them.

I glance over toward Micai, who’s sitting beside Morgan and chatting to Ash and Grey.

‘Mine’, my beast growls as I watch them laugh together.

I shake my head. Ash and Grey were of no threat to me and my brothers. You could see the look she gave them was nothing like the way she looked at Annex or Ezra. It wasn’t a look of want or affection.

She seemed to have a closer relationship with Morgan and that they were just add-ons. It’s a thought that immediately has me grinning.

She fit so effortlessly into our little group. Something that, to any other person, would be an impenetrable zone.

I hear Annex sigh loudly just as Micai’s name is shouted by a tiny blonde female carrying a stack of messy papers. She walks over and asks Micai for help to her classroom, while passing half of her load.

My eyes narrow toward the small blonde. She didn’t even wait for a reply. Just as I’m about to make my way over, I hear Micai reply.

“Sure.” Micai stands, taking the stack of papers with her, shaking her head toward Morgan, who’s glaring at the thoughtless teacher.

“That’s great. Thank you, Micai,” the blonde replies, a few papers falling from her pile as she moves. “I was having trouble managing all of this—”

“Mrs. Fleur!” Her words are cut short as another faculty member across the room calls to her.

“I’ll just be one moment, Micai.” She makes her way over toward the small man as Micai fixes the pile of papers in her hands.

“Who the hell gave you work, Red?” Annex glances around the room, his eyes narrowing. “Point the bastard out for me.”

Ezra sighs, stepping beside her, “Mrs. Fleur again.”

His eyes find the woman in question across the room, narrowing instantly. “Oblivious and inconsiderate.”

He tries to take the stack from Micai, but she sidesteps him and shakes her head.

“It’s a small job. I also don’t mind Mrs. Fleur.” She glances at the blonde. “She’s one of the nicer ones here.”

My brows draw downward as I look at each faculty member in the room. So which of these bastards wasn’t nice to her?

I’ll have to pay each of them a visit to find out.

Micai pulls the pile toward her chest, a small smile stretching her lips.

“Besides, you seem like you’ll be busy soon anyway.” She stares back at Creed as he narrows his gaze at her, a scowl pulling at his features.

Annex sighs, “I tried, Red.” He places his hand on his chest, a dramatic look on his face.

“But they have me shackled by their promises and brotherhood.” He shakes his head, an exaggerated pout coating his lips. “I’d rather face down an entire cartel with one broken blade than be away from you for another minute.”

She rolls her eyes, a grin tugging at her lips. “We both know you would enjoy that.”

His eyes widen slightly before a smirk stretches his lips.

“It would be fun.” His grin darkens manically before he glances back at Micai. “But I’d rather you beside me, enjoying all the fun too, Red.”

I could see the demented bastard meant it.

“Let’s move.” Barks Creed, his eyes watching the council’s representative as they slowly leave the hall with the Dean and a few faculty members in tow. “We’ll head out while they’re preoccupied.”

Ezra narrows his gaze at Creed before sighing and taking Micai’s hand.

“We’ll be back before nightfall, I promise.” He places a small kiss across her fingers before meeting her gaze. “We wouldn’t be able to sleep without you beside us now anyway.”

“Keep it warm for me, Red…” Annex grins, a dark glint in his gaze as Creed pulls him away. “And our bed, too.”