12. Chapter Twelve

CHAPTER TWELVE

MICAI'S POV

A fter eating breakfast with Morgan, Grey, and Ash, I leave the cafeteria and head toward the forest, keeping out of sight as I move to avoid suspicion.

The Council representatives would be investigating the attack, but how much information would they share with us?

From the looks and attitude of Creed, Ezra, and Mallyn toward them, they didn't seem like a very forth-coming group. Or ones to be trusted.

I needed answers.

Why did the beasts attack the academy? How did they break through the barrier? And where had they come from?

None of this happened in my past life.

The Winter Ball had gone without a hitch last night, no beast in sight or mention of one. So why this time?

After thinking about it for a while, there was one common denominator between Morgan's attack and the beasts' attack this time…the forest. They had all come from the forest and the mountain behind it.

Magical beasts were known to roam the mountains behind the forest. That's why it was restricted. However, for many different types of magical species to travel to the same location and at the same time…it was unprecedented.

Magical creatures were known to be territorial, so charging and attacking in the same place was unheard of. They also seemed to behave very differently than what had been documented by the supernatural community over centuries of research. That crazed behaviour…wasn't natural for magical beasts.

The forest leaves rustle beneath my feet as I move deeper inside, following tracks left by some of the beasts the night of the attack: two sets of hoof-like prints and three different sets of claw-like appendages. They seem to have moved together as a type of group. But why?

I make my way deeper, following any track or trail I can find, keeping my senses heightened for any type of sound or movement around me as I head further into the forest. The tracks veer off, the beast's prints heavier the closer I get to the mountains.

My eyes narrow toward the peaks in the distance. Even if they had come from their habitats in the mountains, why did they come together, and why were they so crazed? It just didn't make sense.

There had to be someone involved…except how did they manipulate and control a horde of wild, magical beasts and have them attack the academy?

The sun begins to set in the distance, reminding me of Ezra and Annex's soon return.

I glance around the forest, trees in every direction. It had taken me hours to slowly follow the beast's tracks, but if I ran back now, it would take a fraction of the time.

But would it be worth the risk of getting caught by one of the Council's representatives? I didn't need the inquisition that would follow.

As I take another peek around the densely green area, thoughts of Ezra and Annex waiting flash through my mind. Maybe just halfway?

I set off, darting through the forest, watching the trees and shrubbery blur into soft green tones as I move, my thoughts falling back to the mountains and beast's trail.

After the representatives leave in a few days, I will have to explore the forest and mountains. Maybe I would find some clue as to who orchestrated the beast's movement there and why they behaved the way they did. I also wanted to prepare in case of another attack.

After a few minutes of running, I slow down, the academy's grey stone rooftop visible in the distance as I fall into a light jog.

The scent of dried blood hits my nose, the forest around me seeming familiar as I stop in place.

My brows pinch together as I notice a pool of dried blood on the forest floor, and glancing around, realise this was the place where Mallyn and I had stopped…and where Annex had died.

An ache works its way into the pit of my stomach as I stare at the amount of blood and remember that night; images pass through my mind of Annex's blank stare and unmoving body.

I brush a shaky hand down my face. He's fine. He's alive.

And I would never let what happened here that night, happen again.

I take another step forward before a strange glint from a tree a few feet away catches my gaze. I warily approach the tree and branch holding the small gleaming metal and find my chain dangling from it.

My hand falls to my neck and the empty space there, my brows pinching downward. I hadn't realised it was gone. How could I have forgotten something so precious?

I gently untangle the metal from the branch and grasp it between my fingers. Its tiny clasp is damaged and broken, and the small ornate dagger with its lyrical design sits from a knotted loop at the end of the chain.

A feeling of relief seeps into me as I brush my fingers over the precious gift. I'd have to get the chain fixed, but at least nothing was missing or damaged beyond repair.

The metal glints under the last gleam of sunlight, the blade swaying slightly and reminding me instantly of another precious gift I had dropped that night. Gadriel's Elven blade.

I gaze around the forest, hoping another metal glint will catch my eye, but to no avail.

I begin to retrace my steps, heading back toward the academy, and after a few minutes of searching through shrubbery and the forest floor, I see the Elven blade wedged under the bark of a fallen tree a few feet from me.

A small grin tilts my lips as I make my way over to it, happy to have found both precious gifts so quickly.

I'm feet from the blade and bending down to pull it up, when I hear the rustling of leaves and footsteps behind me.

I quickly pull myself straight, my eyes narrowing as two large familiar frames make their way toward the small area of the forest I'm standing in.

"What do we have here?" Smirks Dean as Leon scowls beside him.

"Some rabid bitch wandering through the forest acting suspicious." Barks Leon.

Had they not learnt their lesson the first time? Or were they not conscious enough then to realise they shouldn't fuck with me again?

"What are you doing out here, Micai?" Demands Dean, his gaze flitting the area around me.

"Why would I have to tell you dickwads anything?"

Dean's eyes widen a fraction before narrowing toward me, his hand holding Leon back as the other dickhead tries to take a step in my direction.

A heavy sigh leaves my lips. I wasn't the same girl from that day.

I had only just returned, and this body wasn't able to fight well, but now…they stand no chance against me. Dealing with these stupid shifters wouldn't be a problem.

"That's funny." Dean takes a step toward me. "You think because you've climbed into the Infernal Four's beds, you can do what you want now?" His lips curl up into a vile smirk. "But they're not here…" He glances around, his brows quirked as his smirk widens, "Nobody is." He takes another step, "If you went missing right now…who's to say another beast didn't make its way down the mountain and gobble you up?" He shrugs, his dark gaze meeting Leon's.

They both chuckle, the sound grating on me as I watch Leon crack his fingers, his grin mirroring Dean's.

"I'll take great pleasure in slicing you open." Leon moves past Dean, edging closer to me. "We would have visited you sooner if you hadn't spread your legs for the Infernal Four, using them as some shield for protection."

"Shield? I didn't need their help when I knocked you both down before." I grin as a twitch works its way into the vein on Leon's forehead.

"You were lucky that day." He barks, his features darkening with the memory. "We were caught off guard. It won't happen again."

"You want to try the same shit with me?"

Did they think they would get the better of me after already being defeated once, and with one less person to help them?

Did they think cornering me in the forest would grant them a different result?

Dean scoffs. "Something as pathetic as you should be so lucky."

Both of their features darken, a twisted look taking over their eyes.

"Don't worry. We have no plans to fuck you now." Smirks Dean. "We're not interested in loose leftovers . No…" He shakes his head. "Today, we're going to make you pay. And blood is our currency."

"This will be messy." Leon chuckles, his eyes glinting a silver shade before he blinks and I'm gazing into two green slits.

He darts forward, large blade-like claws extending from his fingertips as he slashes them toward me.

I dodge, side-stepping the attack before throwing my leg out and catching him in his torso. I hear a small crack as I pull my foot back, his eyes widening before he jumps backward toward Dean, clutching his waist and wincing.

"How the hell can you be that strong?" He grits out as Dean takes a step forward. "Dean, wait. She's—"

He pushes Leon back, cutting him off. Then he stumbles to the forest floor and glares down at him. "One little kick and you're moaning…" He turns his gaze toward me, his eyes glowing gold as his wolf moves through him. "I'll handle this."

He moves toward me, one slow step after another. "You should have just stayed quiet last time, been obedient, and followed along. You've brought this on yourself…" His smirk darkens. "Not even the beasts will want your remains when I'm done."

His gaze narrows before he lunges forward, his meaty hand reaching toward me as he nears.

I couldn't dodge this attack like Leon's. But I didn't want to either.

Just as his fingers reach my arm, I knock him away, throwing my full strength into a hook to catch the side of his face. He stumbles sideways with the heavy hit, a small dribble of blood trickling from his mouth as his eyes widen before quickly narrowing.

"How the hell…"

"I told you, Dean," Leon calls. "She must have taken something—"

"No." Dean shakes his head, straightening himself. "She just got lucky like last time."

"Dean—"

"Shut up." Dean spits the drips of blood from his mouth to the ground, raising his fists up toward his face as he takes another step toward me.

"Let's see you try that again." Fangs extend from his mouth, the gold hue in his eyes shining brighter as his knuckle turns a bright white shade on his fists.

He moves toward me again, his movements more cautious this time as he circles me. He flicks a jab out, trying to catch me, but I dodge it with ease. A scowl pulls at his lips as he tries again and fails to hit me.

He shoots out a few other manoeuvers, his wolf coming forward and his patience wearing thin as I grin, easily evading each one.

Finally his frustration builds and he snaps, a loud growl leaving his lips as he charges toward me. Caution to the wind, as his annoyance takes over.

His claws extend, his fangs elongated to their fullest as he reaches for my neck. I meet his attack head-on, twisting away from his sharpened tips and hold before I slam my shoulder into him and send him tumbling across the forest floor.

Leon rushes to help him up, both of them glaring at me as Dean pulls out a small white pouch from his trouser pocket.

"Clearly, she's gotten her hands on something. But we won't be beat with this." He pulls two small black circular pills from the pouch before throwing it to the ground. "It's a pity that I have to waste these on you."

He swallows his pill in one gulp, handing the other to Leon, who devours it instantly.

A dark smirk laces Dean's lips.

"You won't be able to get away from us now."

I watch as a tremor works its way up Dean and Leon's bodies, their pupils dilating. Their fangs and claws grow larger, protruding through their mouths and fingers, as a primal noise leaves their lips.

What the hell had they just taken?

What was that little black pill, and why did they seem so confident it would help them?

I silently step toward the small white pouch sitting feet from me. Maybe it would hold a clue.

Dean and Leon's heads suddenly whip around in my direction with the slight movement, their gazes eerily similar as they watch me.

Suddenly, they blur, their movements much quicker as Dean attacks me head-on. His fists meet my forearm as I defend against the attack.

He throws jab after jab, his strength fiercer than before as his attack continues.

I block and dodge them, but that doesn't deter him. His eyes glint a crazed look as his attacks become harder but more erratic.

I jump to the side with his next hit, my arm sore from taking so many hard punches, and watch on as his hand pierces the tree that had been sitting behind me. The bark splinters as a crazed chuckle leaves Dean's lips. He pulls his hand back from the wood, his knuckles cut and bleeding badly as a deranged grin stretches his lips, his eyes only focused on the tree's damage and not his own.

I hear the slight crunch of leaves behind me just a second too late as Leon attacks me from behind. He slashes his razor-sharp claws down my left arm before I can make it away.

Pain sears through my arm from the wound, blood trickling down toward my hand as a wicked laugh peels from his lips.

"Couldn't get away that time, Micai?" A look of pure venom fills his gaze, a crazed glint pulsing through it as he watches me.

"It's only the beginning." Calls Dean, turning our way as he mirrors Leon's expression.

He stretches his arms out to each side, his eyes closing for a brief second as his lips part. "I heard the effects were great, and that's why everyone wanted them, but this…" A dark grin laces Dean's lips as he takes off his academy blazer, throwing it to the forest floor as his body begins to tremble and shake. "Feels even better than I thought it would."

His eyes glow a dim gold as his fangs descend, fur sprouting down his arms as his bones crack and reshape.

The bastard was shifting.

Leon's eyes flash a paler silver, thicker fangs descending from his lips as he watches me and Dean. His hand raises to show off five larger and thicker blade-like claws growing from his fingertips.

"I'll not waste a shift on dirt like you. Dean will be more than enough." He flicks his gaze toward the now fully-formed brown wolf standing just feet from me.

It's double the size of a normal wolf, its eyes glinting as a tremor or shake continues to work its way through him. Saliva drips from its bared teeth as a low growl falls from its lips. It takes a step toward me, prowling closer as a shrill cackle leaves Leon's lips.

" He looks hungry ."

Dean's wolf's gold eyes meet mine, his lips parting on a feral growl as he takes one step forward before lunging toward me.

My eyes catch on Gadriel's gift to my side, my body diving toward the forest floor to retrieve it.

Dean's wolf snaps toward me, its teeth snarling as it tries to rip into me. Pulling the blade from the ground, I twist around and slash it out toward the still-snapping teeth of Dean's wolf.

A pained howl rips from the wolf's mouth as it shuffles backward, blood gushing from its hairy brown fur, and the wound now slashed across its face.

"Bitch!" Barks Leon, coming from behind me with his claws ready to attack. But I won't fall for the same trick twice.

I twist the blade around just as his claws reach me and slice them clean off.

He screams, an unholy sound pouring from his lips as he clutches his hand, blood squirting from the sliced limb.

I place a hand over my ears, the sound becoming unbearable.

I dart toward him, twirling the blade to its hilt as I smash it into the back of his neck. His eyes lull to the back of his head as he falls to the ground unconscious. I couldn't bear that noise for another moment.

I whip back around toward Dean's wolf, who's still stumbling back and forth in the area, his face gushing blood and eyes slashed open as whimpers continue to fall from his hairy maw.

"I told Cole last time that you shouldn't fuck with me again…I guess he didn't relay the message properly." I flip the blade between my fingers. " You'll be so broken and bruised, you'll have to crawl back …those were your words last time." I take a step closer as the wolf continues to whine.

"And I promised to return all the pleasantries I've received…" I grip the blade as I narrow my gaze. "And I'm a woman of my word.

I take another step forward as Dean's whimpering wolf collapses to the ground.

I halt my steps, a brow raising as I wait and watch the unconscious wolf on the forest floor.

Was this a feint or some fake fall to get me to drop my guard so he could attack?

Or had he fainted from the blood I now see pooling around him?

I tighten the grip on my blade as I make my way closer, prodding the wolf's body with my foot before checking it properly.

He was out . Completely unconscious.

Probably from the gaping wound I'd inflicted on his face and the lack of blood in his system that was still flowing from it.

I bend down, glancing between the two unconscious bodies.

What do I do now? Should I finish them off or leave them here so the animals or beasts in the forest could do that job for me?

Before I can make a decision, the sound of rustling leaves and footsteps heading this way has me pulling myself straight and putting my blade away.

It could be one of the faculty members making their patrols, and I didn't need to be caught with a bloody blade at the scene of the crime.

Without a second thought, I dash in the opposite direction at full speed, moving away from that area in seconds and following the treeline until I can see the girl's dormitory building.

The sun had set during the fight with Dean and Leon, and night had blanketed the sky.

I hide behind a large tree, listening for sounds around the dormitory before moving toward it. A group of students exit the dorm, laughing and chatting together as I watch from the shadows.

I wait for another couple of groups to pass, making sure no one is around or near as I slink into the shadows and make my way into the dormitory through the back door.

I creep into my room and glance down at my messed-up clothes covered in small splatters of blood and dirt. The wound on my arm is thankfully healing already as I make my way toward the bathroom and twist the old shower faucet on.

The water spurts out a cold spray before turning lukewarm as I strip off and enter, my mind racing over everything that happened in the forest: the beast tracks and trails coming from the mountain, the thoughts of who was involved or whether it was in some way connected to The Facility. Also, Dean and Leon's little ambush: What the hell was that little black pill, and how did it make them stronger and faster?

I guess it didn't improve their healing or recovery, though.

A smirk tilts my lips with the memory of them both unconscious and pooled in their own blood. They deserved worse for what they had planned for me last time. And this time.

Hopefully whatever faculty member found them would have taken a while to get them back to be healed. The assholes deserved to suffer.

I gently scrub myself and notice the wound on my arm is almost fully healed.

I step out of the shower and begin drying off, taking the discarded clothes I threw onto the ground earlier with me as I move.

I'm making my way into the room when something falls from the dirty bundle of clothes I'm holding.

A small clang rings out in the silent bathroom as it hits the floor.

I pick the tiny black oval object up, the feeling cold and hard on my palm. What the heck was it and why was it in my clothes?

I had a strange feeling I had seen it before or something like it.

The small oval was half the size of my nail and felt smooth to the touch—almost like a bead or small piece of metal.

A loud knock rings on my door, pulling me from my thoughts as I approach it.

"Interviews for the third years will be held tomorrow," Mr. Aldeir's voice booms from the hall. "Make sure you're early and ready, Ms. Bane."

An interview with the Council's representatives in the morning. Just what I needed.