7. Chapter Seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

MICAI'S POV

I make my way into my room, the faculty having divided us up and sending us to our dorms after an entire morning and evening of them following whatever ‘protocol' they had in place.

Once we were deemed okay, we were sent our separate ways.

Annex wouldn't budge from my side, saying he wouldn't leave me, and even tried to follow me into my dorm. Three faculty members had to hold him back, with Mr. Heinley shaking the whole time at Annex's deathly glare.

A grin tilts my lips, remembering the three teachers and Annex's murderous expression.

Ezra wasn't much better. He tried to slide past them, and the mayhem Annex was causing to join me while I walked to my dorm.

Creed stopped him, whispering furiously about ‘not acting like a love-sick dolt.'

Dusk was taking the skies as I close the door behind me, the old wood creaking and moaning as I head toward my drawers. Pulling out a pair of navy-blue silk pyjamas, I head straight for the bathroom and peel off the now-tattered teal dress, a frown marring my lips as I hold the frayed and bloodied fabric in my fingers. The teal dress is torn from the knee down, the once bright colour now a murky brown mud shade. An ache works its way into my chest the longer I stare at the ruined gift.

My first proper dance. I should have been able to enjoy the night more.

I glance down at my body; my legs are still covered in dried dirt, with flecks of dried blood running down each arm. My hands were covered in a mixture of dirt and dried blood from Annex, and I'm sure my face and hair didn't look as pretty as they had at the beginning of the night. Not one area had escaped the chaos of the attack.

The only somewhat clean skin on me was my feet, thanks to Ezra.

I peer down toward the tidy pair and remember Ezra's words. He thought my marks were tattoos.

I guess that was a good excuse as any. But I still didn't like keeping something from him, or Annex.

A heavy sigh escapes my lips. It was a talk for another day.

I leave the dress on the edge of the sink as I slink into the shower and turn the tap on. The water spurts out slowly before turning into a heavier stream. It's not nearly enough to submerge myself in, but it was the best I was going to get, unfortunately.

I crank up the heat as far as the old faucet will allow and let the hot water wash away the dirt and remnants of the night.

This wasn't what I was expecting when I left the room earlier with Morgan. We had talked about dancing with the guys until our feet hurt and then sneaking into town afterward to grab something to eat together.

I never pictured this happening. It didn't in my previous life.

After a few minutes, I pick up the soap and begin to scrub myself down.

I never wanted to experience another night like this. I never wanted to see another person I love or care for in pain and feel so utterly useless again. I never wanted to feel so helpless and lost, like I had returned to being the person I was in my previous life.

I wasn't the same girl from back then. I was stronger and faster, both physically and mentally. So why wasn't I acting like it?

If the guys knew how strong I was, maybe they wouldn't have felt the need to protect me like they did? Maybe they wouldn't have put themselves in danger so easily thinking I couldn't defend myself?

They only saw a small glimpse of what I could do tonight. It's time I open up and show them more.

Either way, I wouldn't let what happened tonight repeat itself.

A shaky breath leaves my throat as I remember Annex's cold, limp hand in mine. Of the air seeping from his lips on his last breath and the light fading from his eyes as he fell lifeless.

The demented and wicked smile I had grown to love was gone from him and never to be seen again.

Annex had died . And if it weren't for whatever miraculous ability he had, he would be gone forever.

The thought has tears dripping down my cheeks as I rub the ache growing larger in my chest, like a black hole trying to consume me with the memory of his loss.

Annex had built a place for himself inside me, and both he and Ezra meant more to me in this life than I thought anyone other than Zrael could.

I had wanted to build a wall around myself in this life so that nobody could get in, but they broke it down. They tore into it, brick by brick, with each cheeky grin and soft smile until only rubble was left behind.

I thought I couldn't trust again, believing that only Zrael could love me. But Annex and Ezra…they accept all the broken bits of me, placing me with the shards of themselves that were damaged.

With them, I feel more whole and alive than I ever did before.

Maybe I had allowed some of the poisoned whispers from Seria and all those other assholes surrounding me in my previous life to wedge further inside me than even I realised. And it took Annex and Ezra to remove it all from me.

I turn off the water as I pull myself from the shower. All the scratch marks, dried blood, and dirt from earlier were completely washed away, and all evidence of anything having happened escaped down the old drain with its now murky water.

I dry myself off and change into my silk pyjamas, grabbing a brush from the side of the small sink as I untangle my messy-wet hair.

This life will be different. I'll find Zrael before The Facility does.

I'll destroy that hellish nightmare of a prison and turn it to rubble before it can take another person I love from me.

And Annex and Ezra…I'll protect them too.

These marks…I brush my fingers along my hip; this power and strength, and whatever these marks are, it is time I put them to proper use.

No more holding back. No more regrets. In this life, anyone who gets in the way of my plans or tries to hurt the people I love will pay.

I couldn't just reserve this strength for The Facility anymore.

In this academy, there were no ‘kids' here. The assholes here have proven they will go to any lengths and don't care about what happens to me, so I'm done holding back too.

This life was a one-way gift I couldn't waste anymore.

I'll take what I want from it. Revenge and even Annex and Ezra.

No more holding back with them, either. I want them, and they've made it clear they want me too.

I turn to open the bathroom door when I hear a strange noise on the other side—the sound of light footsteps and the slight creaking of my old window pane.

Was there someone out there? In my room ?

All students were ordered to stay in their rooms until tomorrow and until everything had been secured around the academy.

Only those injured during the attack had permission to move to the infirmary. The faculty was also out patrolling the academy grounds to ensure everyone was safe and no threat was found.

I listen again as I reach for the nearest thing I can find to use as a weapon and notice Morgan's makeup case by the sink. She must have left it here yesterday night.

Using a little strength, I bend the metal handle on the case and twist it off. It's only a little larger than my hand and not much of a weapon, but something was better than nothing against an intruder.

I grip the door handle with my other hand as the noise in my room falls completely silent. I move quickly to take out whoever's there.

If it was one of those assholes trying something again…tonight was not the night to fuck with me.

I push the door open, ready to attack, when I'm suddenly met with two familiar pairs of eyes; a widened pair of turquoise eyes and a set of piercing-blue eyes that both gaze back at me.

Ezra stands beside my dresser, wearing casual grey joggers and a fresh white shirt. Wet drips from the tips of his hair, and he pushes it back, a sheepish smile lacing his lips as Annex lays sprawled out on my bed.

The ass in question turns to his side, a new black shirt unbuttoned down his chest and showing off a freshly washed torso with all his ink.

He lays his head in one hand as his grin grows, a bemused gaze at the choice of weapon in my hand.

"And what were you planning on doing with that, Red?" He nods toward my hand as I let it fall to my side.

"I could show you…" I grin, "But things could get bloody... again ."

His grin widens as I walk over toward Ezra and place my ‘weapon' down on the dresser.

"We both know I don't mind getting bloody for a good reason. And if you'll kiss it better later, I'll happily volunteer."

I shake my head. "I think I've seen enough of your blood to last me a lifetime." My lips fall into a small frown before I push the memories away. "What are you both doing here anyway?" My brows synch together as my gaze turns toward my still-locked door. "And how did you both manage to get in here?"

Ezra gives me a small smile before glancing toward my window.

"We tried to get your attention by throwing some small pebbles, but…" He shrugs. "Annex jumped up first, and obviously, I had to follow to keep this animal in check."

My eyes widen as they flicker to the window pane.

We were two stories high. How did they manage to go undetected and creep up here with such large frames?

"Animal?" Scoffs Annex, leaning back in my bed and using his hands as a pillow. "What, ‘cause I'm wild and free? That's what Red loves about me, Ez." He flickers his gaze toward me. "Right, Red?"

Annex grins as my brows pull together, still looking at the window. They threw rocks at my window, and I didn't hear them…and then I realise. "I was showering…" I turn toward Ezra. "That's why I didn't hear you…throwing pebbles ."

Ezra's smile widens as he opens his mouth, but Annex cuts him off.

"Washing up for us, were you, Red?" He leans forward in the bed, his eyes trailing from my bare feet and up toward my silk pyjamas, a slow heat setting into my cheeks as I feel both their gazes on me.

I clear my throat, pulling Ezra from whatever daze he was in.

"We should have waited for an answer, but—"

"Red doesn't mind." Annex cuts Ezra off again as he pulls himself up, sitting on the edge of my bed as if it were his own. Ezra cutely narrows his gaze at Annex.

"She's happy to see us, Ez."

"Am I?" I raise a brow. He'd gotten a little cocky lately.

"Maybe just one of us then." Adds Ezra with a wink and playful grin. The expression makes me smile, and Annex chuckles.

"What are you here for?" I ask finally, glancing between the two of them.

"Obviously you, Red." A wicked grin forms on Annex's lip as he stands, all six-plus-foot of him towering over me as he glances around my small room.

"This place isn't good enough for you or big enough for us ." He nods toward Ezra. "That's why we're taking you to Ez's dorm room. He and Creed were the only ones who kept their rooms…presentable."

"You mean liveable," Ezra adds, a brow raised as he grins playfully.

Annex gives me an unapologetic smile.

"Mine got a little… messed up . So Ezra's place will be big enough for all of us tonight."

" All of us?" I shift my gaze between the two of them as my brows pinch together. "Why would I go to Ezra's room?"

And since when did they have dorm rooms?

Annex takes a step toward me, a serious expression taking over his features.

"I don't plan on sleeping without you in my arms tonight, Red." He shakes his head, an unreadable look flitting across his features. "I'm not having another moment of ours together taken away by anything …not even the night." He takes another step closer, the tips of his shoes touching gently against my toes as he leans down toward me. "I think we've made ourselves pretty clear, Red." He takes a quick glance sideways as a large shadow overcasts us.

I glance toward Ezra, his expression mirroring the one on Annex's face as he leans in. "We hope you feel the same."

A wicked grin pulls at Annex's cheeks. "I know you do, Red."

He takes my left hand in his as Ezra reaches for my right, both of them entwining our fingers together and reminding me of our time before the dance. "So let's go."

They were right. I didn't want to be apart from them either. Especially after everything that happened.

I meet both their gazes as a thought flickers into my mind.

"What if one of the faculty catches us? Why not stay here?" I ask as a small grin tilts Annex's lips.

He glances back at the small single bed he's just crawled out of moments before. He looks back toward Ezra, whose face has scrunched slightly while looking at my now dishevelled bed.

"Neither of us could squeeze ourselves into that tiny box of a bed, Red. Ezra's room has a much bigger bed that'll easily fit all three of us." He gives my hand a tiny squeeze before pulling me toward him. "It's also perfect for a bit of spooning."

He gives me a small grin before turning to Ezra. "Bagsy being the baby spoon." He turns back to me, a sinful smile lacing his lips.

"I can't wait to be held by these sweet little hands all night. And if they wanna go exploring…" His smile darkens, a mischievous glint forming in his eyes, "They are more than welcome to search, frisk, grope, whatever you want—"

"That's what you want." Ezra scoffs, his fingers wrapping around mine as he glances at me and rolls his eyes.

"Course it is. Don't say you wouldn't want it."

I chuckle at the antics of the two of them, something warm spreading in me with their presence.

"Laugh now, but don't think I've forgotten how much you enjoyed the view last time, Red." He takes my hand in his before pulling it toward his chest, slowly dragging it down his bare torso, letting me feel every ab and tight muscle.

A darker grin forms on his lips as a small tremor works its way up through him. His gaze growing heated, "We can take all night—"

A flash of light from the window causes Ezra's smile to fall, his expression becoming more serious. "We better move while the faculty's patrolling the main building."

Annex sighs, turning toward the small light fading in the distance.

"Why the fuck is everybody always disturbing us when it's getting good?" He whips back toward me. "Grab everything you need here, Red. We're moving to Ez's and continuing this pronto."

He gives me a look that tells me he means business before heading toward my drawer and taking some clothes out. He pulls out a white lace bra and flicks his gaze toward me. His eyes trail slowly up my body, a look so heated and hooded taking over his features as he wraps the bra up. "You can give me a short demonstration—"

Ezra smacks him in the head before pushing him out of the way and grabbing some clothes for me. His hand freezes with a white top in them before he glances my way.

"Is it okay for me to…" He glances at the clothes he's holding, and I smile, giving him a small nod.

He continues to move quickly, finding a small tote from the wardrobe and going back toward my drawer, packing each small piece with care and thought.

He takes out my hairbrush before his brows furrow, his hand reaching deeper into the drawer before pulling out a small metal chain. It's the bracelet from Seria.

A strange look overtakes Ezra's features, his brows pinching further as his eyes narrow.

"Is this yours, Micai?" His voice sounds weary, his expression instantly darkening at the dangling metal chain in his hand.

"Something like that," I call as I reach for the bracelet, but he jerks his hand back, his eyes narrowing in anger toward the small metal piece.

The longer he holds it, the darker his expression becomes.

" Who gave this to you, Micai?" He finally shifts his gaze toward me, a desperation building in his eyes.

But why?

What did Ezra know, and how did he know about it?

"Why? Do you know what it is?" Had he encountered something like this metal bracelet before?

He hesitates for a moment before slowly opening his mouth.

"Not exactly. It's one of my abilities." He flits his gaze toward me before looking toward Annex behind me. They share a look before Ezra continues. "I can feel and sense magic, and I can also reflect and manipulate certain types as well."

My brows raise. That's quite an omission. And not a normal ability of witches or shifters.

I always thought Ezra was some sort of Fae or hybrid mix, but I had never heard of them having such abilitie s .

Ezra's eyes narrow at the bracelet. "And I can feel the energy off of it. It's stagnant and dark. It's something given with ill intent, Micai. This bracelet…" His lip curls up in disgust, "It's laced with something… murky . It's a twisted and tainted kind of energy. Even holding it for such a short period feels like it's siphoning something from inside me—" His eyes suddenly widen.

"You haven't been wearing this, have you?" Worry creases his brows and pinches his lips into a frown.

I shake my head. "I haven't worn it in a while."

Relief takes over his features for a brief moment before he turns back toward me.

"A while? Meaning you've worn it before?" Panic sets into his gaze as he throws the bracelet onto the dresser and starts to check me over, asking a dozen questions all at once. ‘How long I had worn it?', ‘ How did I feel right now?' or ‘ Was I feeling strange or sick in any way?'

Thankfully, I had stopped wearing the bracelet the instant I came back, and felt so much better for it.

I knew there was something eerie about the bracelet, something dark and reminiscent of the shackles I wore in The Facility. They also made me feel weak and restrained me. They had to be connected.

And she had to have known something.

If I could just find out where it was from or how she got her hands on it, then maybe I could find my first proper link to The Facility.

"What's going on, Ez…" His blue eyes narrow toward the small bracelet. "What the fuck is it? And what was it doing to Red?"

I shake my head, flickering my eyes between their two worried gazes.

"I'm fine. I stopped wearing it before we even met. I promise I don't feel sick in any way. I actually feel the best I ever have since I stopped wearing it."

Ezra sighs. "That makes sense." He glances down at the bracelet. "I think it might have some type of draining or absorption magic spelled into it…" His words cut off, colour draining from his face with some type of realisation dawning on him. "Micai. How long had you been wearing it?" A somber look floods his gaze, his voice falling to a low whisper as he watches me. "Is that why you were weak before and why everyone thought you had no magic or power?"

"Wait, what—" Calls Annex, glancing back and forth between Ezra and me. A look of anger starts to bubble and ooze in Ezra's eyes.

" Who ?" The word seeps from his lips, a promise of death in the single syllable as a murderous expression takes over his features. "Who the hell has been doing this to you?" He steps toward me, anger rolling off him in waves. "Who gave this to you?"

Annex also takes a step toward me, his dark expression mirroring Ezra's. "Give us a name, Red. And I'll shove the little metal chain down the bastard's throat—"

"That's not enough." Calls Ezra, glaring back at the small looped metal. "They made her suffer for god knows how long."

"How long was it, Red?" Annex asks, his brows pinched together as his eyes trail up and down me.

"Over three years." In this life.

Their eyes widen, a shaky breath leaving Ezra's lips. " Years ."

"Who?" Demands Annex darkly.

I look between both sets of eyes as my lips part, the word tumbling from my mouth in a soft whisper. " Seria ."

Both of their eyes widen before Annex shouts. "The fucking Klutz!"

He takes a step back, glaring at the door as if she were on the other side of it. " Fucking bitch . I knew I should have slit her throat when she fell into us." He shakes his head as he pulls out a small pocket knife. "I knew there was something off about her. Who the hell falls over their own feet?" He twists back around to me and Ezra. "I didn't like the way her beady little eyes looked when they stared at you either, Red."

"How… why …" Ezra's voice is laced with sadness, his face void of colour as his hands reach for me, wrapping me in a warm embrace.

"I knew that there was something off about her. I wish we had found you sooner, then you wouldn't have suffered for so long and with all these stupid pricks around you." He pulls me in tighter, his lips grazing the top of my head. "I should have known when I felt that energy around her. I'm sorry you had to deal with this alone, Micai."

My brows pull together. "What energy?"

Was he still talking about the bracelet?

" Hers ." His gaze looks venomous as he spits out the word, his lips unwilling to say her name. "There was always a strange energy around her, something off that constantly made me feel uncomfortable and on edge. Like something was slithering around me." A slight tremor rolls down his body with the memory. "I could feel her pushing it out around me at times."

"Why couldn't I—"

"It's something only I would be able to feel, Micai. It feels somewhat familiar–in a distant way, yet like nothing I've ever felt before. It's hard to explain…" He drags a hand down the back of his neck. "But I think she's using it on the people around her and in the academy. That's the only thing that makes sense now. Why else would everyone around her be so biased and against you?"

He glances back toward the bracelet on the dresser, his hand taking out a small piece of cloth from his pocket and taking the bracelet up with it.

"I'm not sure what type of metal this is, but it's definitely something I'd like to look into, along with that half-sister of yours." His gaze meets mine. "If you'll allow me to."

I nod as a small sigh of relief leaves his lips.

"I have a few places and contacts that could help find out what it might be, or at the very least where it came from. And I can dig deeper into Seria, too. I'll take it with us and start looking into it as soon as we're able to go back into town." A dark look takes over his features as he wraps the bracelet up in the small piece of cloth and tucks it quickly away in his pocket.

If Ezra could help me get answers to all my questions about that bracelet and Seria, maybe it would give me some sort of clue to finding The Facility.

"Great. Now that that's all settled." Annex takes my hand, making his way toward the window and gently tugging me alongside him.

"Let's blow this damn joint and head to a better room."