24. Chapter Twenty-Four

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

MICAI'S POV

I wake up, stretching my arms above me as a yawn pulls at my lips.

I spent the rest of the day yesterday with Morgan, Grey, and Ash in the cafeteria. Morgan told me stories about the guys and how boring they used to be before I came along.

Annex and Ezra found us there after a while and joined us, complaining about the interviews and Creed giving them more work to do at night. We spent the next few hours lost in conversation, and even Grey and Ash relaxed a little in Annex's presence enough to enjoy their time together.

Morgan said I'd have to give her a one-on-one training session and teach her how to use a blade like earlier. Then she re-hashed the story with Ivy to Annex and Ezra, their expressions instantly darkening before she told them about the little trim I gave Ivy. Annex laughed so loud that all the students at the tables around us flinched before moving further away.

The guys then left as night fell, walking me to my room and each getting me worked up with their soft touches and heated kisses before leaving me high and dry. Assholes . A favour I will definitely be returning in the near future.

I hear noise from outside, and pull myself from my bed to glance out the window. Students were leaving their dormitories; some with large bags floating beside them, others with them draped over their shoulders, and all heading toward the main building or gate.

They were finally leaving for Winter break.

Gadriel crosses my mind as I watch the faculty move together with the students. I hope he has a good Christmas and Elven Solstice with his family. The way he talked of them and his home— even briefly —made me feel like he must have a good relationship with them.

I glance over at the Elven blade in my drawers he gifted me, safely nestled between my clothes and back where it belongs.

I would have to find somewhere else to spar and train with the representatives still lurking around. The abandoned building is no longer safe as they investigate the forest and surrounding areas of the academy.

A glint of bright blonde hair catches my eye as Seria makes her way through the courtyard. Four familiar figures follow her, carrying her bags, with one figure strangely limping.

At least she would be gone. Now, I could properly look into getting some answers. Asking her questions outright or watching her from the shadows would do nothing. She was too calculating and manipulative and would easily see through any simple rouse.

I need to be smarter than her. First, I need some type of clue, evidence, or trail she unknowingly left behind. Something that she might not even realise would give me a hint as to her plans.

And the best time to look for that is tonight.

The only ones staying in the academy were me, a couple of sixth years, the grounds caretaker, Mr. Helix, and the representatives.

The representatives were staying to investigate the area around the forest and the academy for a few days. And I definitely didn't want to bump into those assholes again. Paying a visit to the boys in town could burn up some of that time.

A knock rings out on my door, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Micai?" Ezra calls as I open the door, a smile stretching his lips as Annex grins behind him.

"We got you croissants and a bagel," Calls Annex, as he and Ezra step into my room.

"Did you manage to get any sleep without me, Red?" Asks Annex, his grin fading into a cute pout. "Cause I had a horrible night without you."

He wraps his arms around me. "Guess I'm too used to these soft little fingers clinging onto me like a koala already." He pulls me closer, an exaggerated sigh leaving his lips as he continues. "We'll just have to stay together every night from now on." He leans his head against mine as I feel his grin grow. Ezra scoffs before rolling his eyes.

"What's our plans for the day, Micai?" Ezra asks, laying three bagels and four croissants out on small napkins and turning the bed into some makeshift table as Annex and I make our way over.

Annex sits on the bed, pulling me down to sit on his lap as Ezra passes two croissants and a bagel my way.

"Two?" I ask as Ezra's smile widens, his eyes sparkling as they meet mine.

"I know you like a flaky croissant, so we got you an extra one."

A warmth swells and spreads in my chest as I watch Ezra continue to lay out our food, and feel the warmth of Annex's arms wrap around me. They begin chatting and laughing, and a sense of rightness settles over me.

Is this what a real relationship with genuine love felt like? So natural, so easy and comfortable…so warm ?

Is this what it would always feel like with them?

I bite my lip, feeling a little emotional. This …this care and genuine affection, it's what I always craved when I was younger and in my past life. It's why I tried so hard and endured all the pain and humiliation…to get this kind of love from someone . And Annex and Ezra have given it to me unconditionally and so effortlessly.

If I had to live that miserable life and die that horrible death to experience this and them....then it was worth it.

I place my hand on top of Annex's sitting on my hip, his fingers subconsciously brushing back and forth the area near my marks as he continues to talk with Ezra. And I'm reminded of the fact that I never told Annex about them.

I meet Ezra's gaze, his eyes flickering toward my hand as a knowing look takes over his gaze. His warm smile spurs me on, knowing the two of them have accepted every part of me that I've given them so far.

"Annex?" I call, a slight hesitancy unconsciously creeping into my voice. I shake it away and continue.

"Yes, Red?" Annex brushes his lips across my ear as he leans down closer.

"You remember the ‘tattoos' that were on my hips when you…" A blush creeps up my neck with the memory of that first night with them both. Of him between my legs and…I shake the thought away and try to focus. But Annex's hand slides around my front, pulling me back further into him and showing me how much he remembers that night.

"I remember every delicious second of it, Red." He hums in my ear, his breath tickling down my neck as his other hand slides back and forth my leg. "Especially the taste of—"

I reach up placing my hand over his lips as he smirks against my palm, his eyes glinting wickedly. I pull my hand back before he can lick it and give him a small glare that makes him chuckle.

I shake my head, remembering why I started this conversation.

"They aren't tattoos. They're marks. They appeared a couple of months ago."

" Marks ?" His movements still, his eyes flickering toward Ezra as the two of them share a look. "What kind of marks?" He looks back down at me, his eyes flickering toward my hips. "Did someone—"

"No," I call, twisting around to meet his narrowed gaze, a dark glint forming in his eyes as they trail down my body.

"They're nothing like that. They're not dangerous. They feel familiar…" A heavy sigh falls from my lips. "I can't fully explain it, but I feel like…they were always meant to be there." I glance back at Ezra. "I'm looking for more answers, and Ezra said he would help, but they're not something dangerous. If anything, it's made me stronger having them."

"You're sure?" he asks, his brows furrowed as he watches me.

I nod before his fingers slide beneath my pyjama shorts seam, a slow wicked smirk tracing his lips. "Maybe I need to thoroughly check them for you, Red."

A chuckle leaves my lips as I lean up and brush them across Annex's lips before pulling back and reaching for my croissants. "Maybe another time. I have business to attend to tonight."

A growl leaves his lips as he tries to pull me back toward him, but Ezra throws a bagel at him, distracting him as I straighten myself on his lap. A grunt rings out behind me as he bites into his fresh bagel.

"What's the plan?" Ezra calls, rolling his eyes at whatever expression Annex is giving him.

"What are we gonna do, Red?" Adds Annex, taking another bite of his bagel while leaning on my shoulder. "Should we head to town or go for a ride?"

I would love to take a spin on Annex's Ducati, but I needed answers.

I take a bite of my own bagel, a hum leaving my lips with its delicious savoury flavour before opening my mouth.

"I'm planning to break into a room."

Ezra's eyes widen as Annex whistles.

"Whose are we breaking into, Red? Any blood involved?" I can feel his grin grow behind me. "I'm in either way."

"Whose room?" Ezra asks, taking a leisurely bite of his croissant as curiosity takes over his expression.

" Seria's ."

Acknowledgement shines in his eyes with her name as a dark gleam grows in them. He nods. "We'll help."

Before, I might not have accepted help, wanting to do everything by myself. But now…Annex snuggles into my neck as Ezra talks about the best way to go unseen. And I feel something I never have before…unconditional trust.

Annex's POV

We make our way down the dark dorm hallway, following Red's hot ass as she keeps to the shadows. She slides from one shadow to the next, moving as if it were an everyday thing.

Fuck she was hot, even in the dark I could make out those sexy curves. She was the perfect little sexy ninja—

Ninja? I take another look at Red as she tiptoes toward the door. My eyes slide up and down her figure as my grin widens. Fuck. How had I not seen it before?

Red was the ninja chick. And she had saved Morgan…Oh, I'm gonna love seeing Creed's face when he realises this. My brother would have even more regret on his shoulders when sense finally kicks him in the ass.

I glance toward Ezra. I don't think he's noticed either.

This is gonna be fun .

Seems Red has a lot of little secrets.

I can't wait to peel back all those little layers of hers one by one. And when I'm done with her clothes, I'll explore the rest, too.

A small chuckle leaves my lips. I'm gonna enjoy every sweet minute of this.

I wonder if she still has those blades?

Fuck . We're definitely playing with those bad boys later. Just thinking about her holding them in those small hands again has me growing hard.

I glance toward Ezra as he and Red stand in front of the room I presume we're about to break into. He starts moving his hand about, his voice muttering some magical mumbo-jumbo to break whatever barrier is protecting the room.

My brother was smarter than just the playboy image he portrayed to others. He had a lot more knowledge and information than he let on too, but I guess that was his forte. Knowing shit.

A few more words and tiny marks on the door's top border begin to appear and glow.

Red looks at Ezra, her eyes growing slightly wider as he works his magic. Show-off .

If it weren't for the ‘no destruction ban' she placed on us tonight, I would've had the door open already. Sure, it would've been blown off its hinges and into splinters, but it would've been a lot faster than this.

I sigh as Ezra continues his show-off shit. It was slow work, and as cute as all his pretty hand gestures were, it wasn't my area of expertise.

Call it talent or ability, but my specialty lies in carnage— not just the bloody kind. My destructive strength and nature can easily break through most magical spells and barriers. One swing of my fist or from a weapon in my hand can destroy an average-cast shield. A few harder knocks can take out something stronger or cast by someone higher. Nothing could hold me back or tie me down easily.

I glance toward Red and Ez. Pity they won't let me play. The door would've looked so lovely splintered into a million pieces. But Red wants to go unnoticed.

I'll be a good boy for now, and maybe Red will let me play with something else later. I'll show her just how useful these hands can be when they're spreading her soft thighs open and—

A sizzling sound catches my ear, pulling my attention away from my plans and my quickly hardening dick.

"We've got an hour before the spell snaps back into place again." Calls Ezra as his gaze bounces from Red to me. He quickly notices the growing bulge in my pants and rolls his eyes. "Let's go."

I adjust my trousers and follow Red as she slowly makes her way inside. She glances around the room and scoffs before going over to a dresser on the other side of the room.

And what a fucking room it is. It looks like Elmo's wet fucking dream in here. All shades of dark red and pink everywhere you look: the furry rugs, the wall-to-floor curtains, even the furniture. This bitch seemed more demented than I thought. She had to be to have shit-taste like this.

Ezra told me she was Micai's younger half-sister. The thought had my head spinning. How the fuck were they related? They didn't even look anything alike.

Red was beautiful and breathtaking and a fucking Queen .

Her sister was…some blonde bimbo who seemed to have attention issues and lousy taste.

I glance around the overly decadent room, my brows pinching together. Why the hell did she get a room like this, and my Red got a tiny storage room?

You usually get a better room if you have a better status here. Money and power speak louder than anything else to the hungry pricks in this community. As fucking usual.

But why, if they were sisters, was my girl getting less than her younger sister?

I thought the room was small each time Ez and I dropped by to visit Red before, but…I look toward the huge master king-size bed and then to the red crystal chandelier hanging in the centre of the room, my lip pulling up in disgust. This was too much of a difference.

What did my girl have to deal with outside of this shithole? How did her family treat her if this bitch got all the better treatment here?

She had old and cracked furniture, a tiny bed barely big enough for one person, and a room devoid of colour.

Or any of my beautiful Red's soulful personality.

This room has photos of her demented sister smiling everywhere, with jewellery and clothes falling from every drawer and desk, each piece looking more expensive than the next. It was stacked with more expensive shit than most of the other students could afford here.

And that's saying something for these preppy bastards.

I take my lighter from my pocket, flicking the flame back and forth as I feel anger bubbling inside me. Something was crawling at the back of my mind, niggling at me.

My Red's eyes were too deep and too full of pain and sorrow. I thought it was just this shithole trying to pull her down, but maybe there was more to it than that and more than we know about our girl.

I clench my free fist, my nails biting into my skin as I continue to stare at all this bitch's shit. How the fuck was everyone so blind around my beautiful Red? How could nobody else see the diamond she was? See how utterly breathtaking and beautiful she was? Those deep blue eyes and plump lips alone could bring any man to his knees.

Maybe I should start that collection I had planned before. Especially since nobody seems to be using their damn eyes and ears with my Red anyway. What's the problem in taking a few since they weren't being used?

I bite my lip. It was probably more than just a few people in his hellhole, though…A frustrated sigh leaves my lips. Looks like I'll have to burn the academy down. I'll burn every bastard to the ground and dance on their ashes for treating my Red the way they have.

And then I'll find out what's happening with her and her family. Better yet, I'll get Ezra to put his scaly feelers out. It's time to teach everyone why they shouldn't fuck with me and mine.

I peer toward Ezra. I mean ‘Ours'.

Creed always told me to behave, to play nice, and to keep the academy and authorities away for now. But fuck that.

No one fucks with one of mine. With our Red .

This school's in for a dark awakening when they get back.

Let the bloodbath begin . A grin stretches my cheeks with the thought.

Movement across the room pulls my attention back and toward her. Red.

My saviour, my soulmate.

I don't know how I got so lucky, or what prick I killed in the past that deserved it so much the Gods decided to gift me with Red. But fuck, I know I'm one lucky man.

I'm not stupid. I know I got the golden goose when I got my girl. Golden? Nah, she's better than gold or diamonds. I don't think I could compare Red to anything else. Something that amazing doesn't exist. She's… everything.

I'm about to make my way over to her and ask if I could burn or break a few things before our time is up, when I come to a quick stop.

She's frozen to the spot as she clutches a chain or bracelet in her hands, her face pale and her eyes growing darker.

Ez notices her too and looks toward me. We both head over to her, taking a space to each side of her.

She doesn't move, not noticing our presence yet, and is lost in whatever dark thoughts are trying to take hold of her. But neither of us will allow that shit.

Ezra slowly places his hand over hers as I put mine on her back, both of us crowding into her and snapping her out of whatever is going on in her head.

She flinches before looking up at our faces, a small bit of colour returning to her pale face.

I glance down at the metal chain being cradled in between her and Ezra's hands, my eyes narrowing at the annoying fucker. Whatever it was, or whatever memories it was dredging up, was causing my Red some type of pain. And I wanted to melt the fucker and bury it so far under the academy it would never be anything but a fleeting thought in her memory again.

Fuck, I'd find every metal bracelet and piece of jewellery in this shithole and melt every fucker into oblivion. I never want to see her lost or pale like that again.

As she turns to me, I slide my hand up and down her back.

"What's wrong, Red? Tell me so Ez and I can make it better?" I glance at Ezra as his eyes narrow strangely at the metal now touching his fingers. "Whatever it is, I'm sure a little bloodshed can help."

"It's…a different energy than the other one." Ez calls, flicking his gaze my way, a dark look growing in his eyes.

He gently takes it from Red's hand and twists it in his own, the dark glint growing the more he inspects the metal chain.

"What's different about it?" Asks Red, her eyes glued to the small metal piece. "They were supposed to be a pair. This one is Seria's."

I narrow my eyes at the ‘S' charm dangling from the metal bracelet as Ezra scoffs, a dark grin lacking any humour stretching his cheeks.

"They're a pair, alright." Ez's lip curls up, disgust bleeding through his expression. "There's a twisted magic running through it, similar to the bracelet you had before, Micai. But this one…" He shakes his head. "There's flecks of mixed energy in this one, including mine and yours."

How the fuck was that possible? Why were both Red and Ezra's energy in that tiny metal? What the fuck was it, and how the hell did it get their energy or shit?

"How…" Red's face scrunches up, confusion taking over her cute little features as Ez begins to chant again, tiny wisps of his magic covering the metal bracelet before he places it in his pocket and gives me a pointed look.

"We'll get the answers you need, Micai. Whatever they are, and whatever she's been doing with these bracelets, we'll find out soon."

"And then we'll make the bitch pay." I wrap an arm around her, placing a soft kiss on her forehead before pulling back and looking at the worry seep from her eyes. "We'll get answers one way or another. And if Ez's way doesn't work, I'm more than happy to step in and torture the thick blonde until she tells you everything…" My brows furrow as I glance at Ez. "Maybe I should just pay her a litt—"

"No." Ez shakes his head. "We won't get all the answers we need that way, Annex. Some answers you can't get even when you try forcing them out. We need to look into every facet of her life." He turns back to Red. "You said she only came to the Bane household when you were fourteen, right?"

Red nods her head as Ezra continues, the little wheel spinning in his head.

"And you don't know much about her life before that? Who was she with? How she lived? Any family or friends?"

Red shakes her head, her brows pinching together.

"It was all very hush-hush. No one ever talked about her life before joining us, and in the past, when I asked, she would always say she had no one. That she was alone before she came to our house, and then she would quickly change the subject. It was like a taboo topic. No one brought it up or mentioned it in the house. She was the child my father had out of wedlock and conceived shortly after the death of my mother, his mate." Red's eyes narrow. "I always felt I couldn't pry for information. She would get upset when I asked about her past, and back then, I was gullible enough not to push her. Falling for her crocodile tears and soft smiles like the rest."

Ezra places a hand on her back, his grin growing.

"Then that's where we'll start. Everyone has a past. We just need to dig up Seria's."

"And digging is a specialty of mine." I rub my hands together, my grin growing as I glance between the two of them.

"Not that kind of digging." Ez chuckles as Red smiles.

At some point, they'll need to bury a body and then can see my talent for what it is. Once I bury it, you'll never find it or be able to dig it back up again.

It's a gift.

"Let's see if there's anything else this bitch is hiding." I look around the room, my eyes narrowing at all the little spots Red's demonic spawn of a sister could be hiding shit.

It would be a hell of a lot easier if Red just let me flip everything over. I'd find answers real quick. You can always find shit in the debris of my destruction. It may be splintered, but it's no longer hiding.

"We've only got a few minutes left. Let's make this quick." Ezra heads toward a large wardrobe on the other side of the room, carefully opening its doors to search inside it. "And don't wreck anything." He gives me a cute, knowing little glare as I grin back at him.

Red starts opening every drawer she can find, her hands delicately making light work of each one before moving on to the next.

Those sexy hands could thoroughly work me out after this is all over.

We continue to scour the room, finding a few magical hiding spots behind a couple of frames and in a small jewellery box, and take note of them for future intrusions. But other than that and the bracelet now stored in Ez's pocket, there isn't anything else to grab.

We make it out, just a few minutes before the magic snaps back into place and locks the door behind us.

I shake my head as Red goes down the dark corridor again.

"I wish we could've at least broken something ."

"Next time, man," chuckles Ezra.

I glance at Red's sexy ass as she makes her way down the hallway. Maybe the night wouldn't be so boring after all. Maybe Red would want a little tucking in?

"Whatever you're thinking…don't," Ezra says as his eyes narrow at me.

"What do you mean, Ez?"I ask innocently. How did this bastard always know what I was thinking? And why the hell would he be opposed to a bit of ‘Red time'?

"I can see something sinister twirling in that head of yours–"

"I'd never think anything sinister about Red, Ez. Dark and delicious, maybe. Sexy and sinful, most definitely. Wicked and w–"

Ez places a hand over my mouth. "I get it."

"Are you both coming?" Red calls from smack-dab in the middle of the hall with a sexy little glare aimed our way. "We need to be quick and quiet."

We both glance at Red. I move Ezra's hand away, a grin stretching my lips as I take a slow step toward her.

"There'll be no quick or quiet moments with me, Red. I like to take my time when I want something. And quiet…" Whatever expression I'm wearing has her taking a small step back and into the nearest dorm door, "I prefer the sound of screams." My eyes trail down her body, a cute blush creeping into her cheeks as I gently push her up against the door and lean down toward her ear. "Especially when it's from these plump fucking lips."

Her little breath hitches as I feel Ez stand beside me. I make a little room for my brother, knowing how much both of us have been holding back when we're with her.

I pull back slightly to watch her as her gaze flickers from me to Ez, a look telling me she wants us just as much as we do her.

I wonder if she'd be opposed to being fucked against a hard door? Cause I don't think I can hold back with that seductive look she's giving me right now.

I bend down, ready to take those lips in mine, but just as I reach her, a noise rings out from the stairway a few feet from us, stopping me in my tracks. It's soon followed by heavy footsteps making their way up to us.

I narrow my eyes at the stairway, my hand reaching for the Bowie blade to my back before Red's hand stops me. She shakes her head.

"It's Mr. Helix, the caretaker, making his rounds. He'll leave after checking all the floors."

"Isn't he half-blind?" I flick my gaze back down Red's front, my grin growing. "If we stay super-still, maybe the old bat won't catch us?" I reach for Red, those curvy hips calling to me before Ezra sighs, placing a hand on my shoulder to stop me.

The shuffling sound of feet grows as the stairs begin to creak.

"We should just head back."

I look at Red as she straightens herself, her gaze clearer. And fuck Ezra and that old billy goat for ruining the moment.

I narrow my eyes at the nodding cock-block as he gives me a narrowed look.

"What?" I ask, my patience wearing thin as Red moves out of our little bubble.

I reach for her hand, though I miss it as she turns and takes a couple of steps, a new idea flickering into my mind as she moves.

"You're right…" I nod. "We should head to your room instead. There's a bed there, anyway. Even a tiny one will do." I give her my best smile. "We should have some proper fun. Plus, this door wouldn't have held up with us anyway." I give the door a little knock before taking a step toward Red.

She shakes her head, a sexy grin stretching her cheeks as she glances back toward the door.Her eyes briefly widen before her grin grows wider, a dark gleam in them as she looks toward the wooden green door.

"Maybe we should have a different type of fun tonight." She walks back over to us before passing me and Ez and reaches for the door. She stands there looking for something for a minute before a dark chuckle falls from her lips.

And my dick rubs against my pants with the sexy sound of it.

She whips something metal from her pocket and tinkers with the door lock. A few seconds later, the door opens with ease, and she turns back around to us.

"Thankfully, this witch isn't as smart about protecting her space. Guess she thinks no one would have the balls." Red leans against the door frame, the door creaking open as a light flickers from the stairway.

"We need a place to hide…" She looks between me and Ez. "And I know a certain redhead who owes me a few years' worth of payback."

Her dark grin appears again, and my dick twitches with my new favourite night-time material.

"Let's have some fun."