2. Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

MICAI'S POV

H is fingers lay cold in my hand, voices and sounds echoing in and out around me. But my eyes stay with him.

His darkened blue eyes were now void and dull instead of filled with the wicked mischief that was all him. All Annex.

I clutch his hand tighter, pulling it toward my chest as another sob rattles through me. It's cold and unmoving, lacking even the slightest trace of warmth now.

He's really gone.

The thought alone has everything around me fading away and sending me back into a pain I prayed I would never have to feel in this life.

How could he be gone? What cruel joke were the Gods playing on me?

Did they give me this second chance to make me miserable again? To take away yet another person I love?

Annex…He pulled me away from the memories of my past, of all the pain and torture I carried with me daily. He made this life where I had thought that only painful memories and revenge existed into something more exciting and freer to live and enjoy.

There was something special between us, something I didn't want to believe was possible again. Something that pulled me to him and had me smiling more than I ever had before.

His presence let me breathe and gave me peace when all I ever felt was on guard in this second life. I always had to watch my back here, everywhere, and with everyone… but not with him .

A part of him called to me, darkness and all.

I wanted it. I wanted him . Every inch of pain buried in his eyes that reflected my own, and every wicked whisper lacing his devilish lips.

I want them all. And all of him.

But I've realised it too late…

I brush a strand of dark brown hair from his face and free those piercing blue eyes that are still staring blankly at me.

My fingers slide down his cheek as tears fall down my face and onto his pale skin.

What was the point of this life if I couldn't save him?

What did I train for, become stronger for, if not to be able to protect the ones I love in this life?

I wanted to fight back, to take revenge on all those who wronged me, and to live the life I should have always had—one free of regrets and surrounded only by the people I love.

But I lost him anyway…

I brush my fingers across his knuckles, tracing the tattoos flowing down each finger until my fingers freeze at his fingertips, a dark thought taking hold.

Is this my fault ?

Did my return to the past cause this? Was my presence in his life the catalyst for this?Did I cause Annex's death?

The air around me feels thin as I begin to feel dizzy, my thoughts racing back and forth through time.

This beast attack had never happened before in my last life. Was this because of something I did?

Or something I didn't do?

A cold chill creeps through me, wrapping itself around each limb and inch of flesh, weakening me instantly as I gently let go of Annex's hand.

My eyes fall on his face…his time has stopped. His dark, heavenly features frozen in this moment forever while I have to live on without him.

He protected me when I should have protected myself.

I wasn't the weak girl of the past, but I let too much slide.

I had forgotten to be the strong woman who was forged through years of misery and pain. One who survived a hell worse than Wensridge Academy . One who lived years enduring pain and torture and still had her spirit intact and came out unbroken from it all.

The time I spent with Annex and the guys made me forget who I was and the misery I once went through. I was too lost in the happy dream that they gave me and let my guard down.

It never should have come to this. I should have been stronger and capable of protecting him and not let him die while protecting me.

A silent scream lodges itself in my throat as I gaze at his colourless face, a strangled sound escaping my lips before I can push it down.

I let them take another person from me.I may have gotten stronger, but I was still stupid and ignorant.I should have been able to prevent this. I should have known something was happening. I should have seen it.

With everything I'd been through, I should have connected the dots. The attack at Halloween was just the start. Something bigger was playing out in the background, and I let it go, too distracted, too happy, and too nonchalant to look into it. And now it cost me him.

I reach out again toward Annex just as a hand gently takes mine in theirs.I'm met with two worried-filled eyes gazing back at me, both a deep shade of turquoise. A slight look of relief begins to fill his gaze.

"I thought you'd never hear me," he says, pulling my hand toward him and wrapping it in his own two large ones. The heat from them slowly seeps into my numb fingertips, prickling my skin.

"I've been calling you for a while, little sea star," his gaze becomes anxious again, "But you…you got a little lost for a bit." He flickers his gaze between Annex and me, a sad smile stretching his lips. "It's not what it seems, Micai…Annex will be okay."

Okay? How could he be okay? Were we looking at the same thing? Did he not see what happened? Could he not see Annex in front of us?

My brows pull together, the words caught in my throat as I gaze back toward Annex. How could this be okay?!

I try to pull my hand from his, but his grip tightens, a frown forming on his face.

"Micai, I promise, Annex will be okay. I would never lie to you. I know it looks bad, but…" He sighs, a conflicted expression growing before he shakes his head. "It's hard to explain. You would have to see it to believe it."

What is he talking about? And why does any of it matter?

Annex is lying in front of us… dead. Nothing else matters.

I open my mouth to tell him as much when we hear rustling from the trees across from us.

I dive toward Annex's body, unwilling to let whatever creature was coming to take the last remains I have of him from me, when suddenly a voice calls Ezra's name.

Creed and Mallyn make their way through the trees and shrubbery and past the dead beast's body. But freeze as soon as they see me and Ezra.

I'm draped over Annex's body, not realising Ezra has followed, his hands wrapped over my shoulders and covering both Annex and me.

I guess we both were expecting something other than Creed and Mallyn. And he…was trying to protect me.

A weighted sadness falls over me.

Ezra also tried to protect me.

He was throwing away his safety for me, just like Annex.

I meet his gaze, relief filling both eyes as he nods to Creed. A softer expression takes over his features as he turns back toward me.

"It's okay now, Micai." He straightens himself, gently taking me with him as he moves, while never leaving Annex's side. "Creed and Mallyn are here. I'll explain everything about Annex—"

"That's Annex's story to tell…not ours," Creed says before his gaze flickers toward me, his eyes trailing along my face as his expression hardens.

He turns away and peers over toward Mallyn. "Check the area for anything else and make sure we're clear."

He walks over to us before reaching down toward Annex and checking him over. His face scrunches up when he sees the bloody hole in his chest, a heavy sigh leaving his lips. "He'll need a lot more time."

"What do you mean…what time ?" I glance down at Annex again, pulling in a shaky breath at the empty look in his eyes.

"I need to tell her something , Creed. Look at her…" Ezra grabs my hand, worry blanketing his expression as confusion takes over mine.

What were they talking about? Tell me what ?

I turn to Creed as Mallyn makes his way over.

"We're clear. There's nothing near or close to this area."

Creed's gaze never leaves me. A strange look takes over his eyes before he turns away and nods at Mallyn.

"Better make it short, Ezra. We need to move soon."

What—

"Micai…" Ezra brushes a hand through his hair, realising only after a moment that it's still covered in blood. He winces before glancing at me and giving me a small smile.

"Quicker," Creed barks as he makes his way over to the beast's corpse. A rush of black mist and dark coils flow out from around Creed and toward the beast like a small wave. It covers every inch of the corpse in its inky darkness before entirely disappearing, leaving no trace of the beast behind.

Those coils…seemed oddly familiar.

Ezra sighs, "Quick…right." He glances at Annex again, his brows furrowing."Have you ever heard anything about the Porter Clan?"

I give him a slow nod as my brows pinch together.

Everyone in the supernatural community knew about all of the old clans. The Porters existed almost as long as the Banes and The Astons.

Only unlike the Banes, who had powerful Wiccan magic, or the Astons, who were renowned for their shifters, the Porter clan was one of great mystery.

However, what they were and what abilities they had were an enigma.

Rumours say they were blessed with longevity and strength that rivalled any elf or shifter. But most of their clan members were… eccentric . Some choose a life of isolation rather than mingling with the rest of the supernatural community. Or due to their unstable personalities.

"Most people don't really know or understand The Porter's power. Some even think they're masters of alchemy or have speculations about them using ‘taboo arts' or the ‘dark occult' to extend their lifespans." He shakes his head. "But it's nothing like that."

He leans down closer, his lips at my ear as his breath slides down my neck."They're immortal." He tilts his head, his eyes meeting mine. "And so is Annex."

The air is pulled from my lips in one quick exhale. Immortal?

I look down toward the lifeless body on the ground, my brows synching downward.

Annex was immortal? But—

"He died… yes . But he'll return to us soon." He pulls himself straight, glancing at Annex, still lying on the ground. "He just needs time."

Ezra's voice fades in and out as I turn back toward Annex.

Annex…wasn't gone? He was coming back?

"He…" I swallow the words, too scared to ask the question lingering on my lips in case I heard Ezra's words wrong or dreamt up some quick illusion to deal with the pain of it all.

And if I uttered the words waiting on my lips, the illusion would be broken.

I shakily meet Ezra's warm eyes. He sees my hesitancy and waits, giving me time to speak while giving me one of his genuine smiles.

"He's coming back?" The tears slide down my cheeks as I glance back at Annex's still face and unmoving body. "He's not…gone?" My voice cracks, too shaky and weak, as the tears continue to fall.

Ezra's hand brushes against my cheek, his touch soft and warm against my skin. He gently sweeps away the streaming tears before cupping my face in his hand.

"Micai." He leans in, his forehead laying against mine as his other hand reaches for my waist, wrapping me in his embrace and instantly warming up the numb and cold parts of me.

His bright turquoise eyes meet my gaze. "He would never leave you so easily…and neither will I. We're not that easy to get rid of." There's a promise gleaming in his eyes as he continues. "You're ours now. Even death can't keep us from you." He glances at Annex, a smile spreading on his lips. "He'll show you that soon."

"We need to move him now ," Creed calls as he watches the forest around us. "We've got to find somewhere safe for him to wake up."

Mallyn makes his way over, slowly taking Annex's body in his arms and lifting him. His eyes meet mine, and his movements slow.

He gives me a strange look before gently nodding, then takes Annex as if he weighs nothing and heads in Creed's direction.

Ezra smiles, taking my hand in his. Except just as I'm about to follow, a strange metal glint on the ground catches my eye, pulling me toward it.

I bend down and see a large silver blade that looks like it's been sharpened recently.It has two curved snakes engraved on its black hilt, reminding me instantly of the rings a certain psycho always wears. Annex.

It must be one of the blades he always carries with him and whips out with ease any chance he gets.

I take the blade in my hand, the reflection of a tear-stained face staring back at me. One now slightly more relieved but still bearing marks of pain and agony… and anger .

An anger that quickly begins to grow and boil in the pit of my stomach as I palm the blade, gripping it tighter and tighter.

Why did this all even happen? Why not any of the other assholes in this school? Why did it have to be Annex?How did the beasts even get here?

The academy was supposed to be protected by one of the most potent barriers in the supernatural world. So how did beasts get in here and attack its students?And not once, but twice.

It wasn't possible…unless someone did it. Someone with high-grade magic or connections in the academy.

It's about time I start getting answers to all the questions I have.

And I know a certain powerful, manipulative blonde I've been putting off looking into for far too long.

If she had anything to do with this…I'll bury the bitch so far beneath me, she'll wish she never laid her eyes on the people I care about.