8. Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

EZRA'S POV

W e head into the dorm room, which I barely use. Flicking on the light, I make out Micai's widening eyes as she glances around the room. This place was nothing compared to our rooms back at the abattoir, but I guess it was a big step up from the tiny room she had been living in.

Her eyes glance from the plush navy curtains draped along the dove-grey wall to the large dark navy marble fireplace. The room's design was more delicate and ornate than I'd typically like, but it would do for a spare room. I didn't use it much anyway. So, there was no point in putting much of ‘me' into it.

Her bright blue eyes continue to glance around, taking in even the smallest detail. And quickly reminds me of the tiny storage space she called a room.

Why was it that my mate couldn't get the same room that every other student in this academy had? Sure, this one was a little bigger and had a couple of extra luxuries than the others, but every room in this shitty academy was at least three times the size of Micai's, and updated with the latest amenities. So why was she the only one stuffed into that tiny shoebox of a room?

It was now just another thing for me to look into. Why didn't the academy treat her with the respect she deserved, and why did the faculty seem to disregard her or turn a blind eye to the other students' treatment of her?

The sooner Annex and I convince her to stay with us in the abattoir, the better. She would be safer with us there, and we could lavish her with all the things she deserves.

I make my way over toward the fireplace and flick the fire on. The flames sparking to life instantly with the snap of my fingers.

Magic came easy to me. My body was overflowing with it.

It was harder to control it and keep it hidden than it was to use it.

Reading and manipulating magic was a gift of my kind and something that came easy to us. But even revealing that small part of myself to Micai had me worried she would figure out what I was.

Sirens were rare in this world; my kind almost hunted to extinction because of our abilities and beauty.

I had been through too much and lost too many to open up so easily about my pain.

However, I didn't want to hide anything from Micai. Opening up all those old and festered wounds and bleeding out in front of her, wasn't something I was willing to do just yet. I needed a little more time.

I hear Annex chuckling. His hand reaches for Micai before she playfully slaps it away, her eyes sparkling as his grin widens.

Annex . I worry for my brother each time he comes back from death's grip. He doesn't tell us much about what he goes through, though his mind becomes more splintered each time. His family's madness rooting itself deeper in his core.

His mind becomes more muddled, his senses lost as the madness tries to claim him as its own. He becomes violent, lashing out at even me, Creed, and Mallyn. The only thing that seems to help him come out of it, usually involves a lot of bloodshed and carnage.

I was anxious about seeing Micai with him, worried his madness would take over and that he would lash out at Micai too. But he's been calmer than I've ever seen him after returning. Maybe even a little clearer-minded than before too.

My brows pull together as I watch them talking. His eyes curve upwards at something she's said, his smile growing with his whole face lighting up in laughter at her words.

I had never seen my demented brother happier than when he was with Micai, or more lost when he was without her. Looking at him was like looking in a mirror these days.

My eyes narrow further in thought. Was there a deeper bond between the two than I initially thought? Could Annex also be…Micai's mate ?

I shake my head. Maybe that's just what I wanted to believe; us as a family and all together, with Micai as the glue to our crazy dysfunctional group.

I could see Mallyn warming up to her—I think he already has if the look he was giving her on our way back to the academy meant anything.

Even before that, he had stopped inching away from her, his gaze following her and listening carefully to her when she was around.

My quiet brother had a giant barrier around him. He had already been betrayed by the people he loved and was unwilling to open up again—but she was changing him.

She was changing us all, even Creed.

Not that he would ever admit that.

Mr. Stubborn incarnate would be a harder one to crack than Mallyn. But if she's willing to put up with his stubborn shit for a while, I'm sure she would be able to break down even his defences.

Creed and Mallyn were staying in Creed's dorm room down the hall. We didn't exactly tell them about our trip to Micai's room since neither of us wanted to deal with Creed's lecturing.

Micai had proven herself to be one of us. She even put herself in danger to protect all of us when she thought Mallyn's beast was a threat.

And when Annex died…I could see the pain and devastation on my mate's face at his loss. I could taste it in the air around her.

I rub the centre of my chest, an ache rolling inside me with the memory of the look on her face and the devastation in her cries.

I could see a piece of her break when she thought he had left her, and I never wanted to see such devastation on my mate's face again.

I'll do everything I can to ensure she never makes a face like that again while I'm breathing.

My hand reaches into my pocket, pulling out the small wrapped piece of cloth. I head over to the wooden desk on the other side of the room and hurriedly place it in its drawer, closing it harder than normal before moving away from it.

Whatever that metal bracelet was, it wasn't something I wanted here for long. The energy and magic seeping off of it was…stagnant and twisted.

It was weaker when I wasn't touching it, but I could feel it draining magic from me, even pulling my energy into it. Absorbing it almost.

And Micai had it.

Seria had given it to her.

Even thinking that name ignites a blazing flame burning in the pit of my stomach.

I knew there was something off about her; the way she looked at Micai, how she behaved around us, and all those damn rumours.

From the first day, she tried to manipulate that situation with Micai, I should have known she was the mastermind behind it all.

When she tried to touch me that day…it felt like bugs were trying to slither along my skin. She had been trying to use whatever spell or ability she had on me. And it had felt heavy and dirty, like trying to breathe through sludge.

Thankfully, my magic was old and powerful and reflected her spells, protecting me from her manipulation.

But the others around her seemed too far gone.

Those guys from Micai's past…if they had regular doses of that magic poured into them…I shake my head. It wasn't my business.

With those abilities, they would have had to have some sort of positive feelings for Seria long before she began weaving her magic on them. And if they truly loved Micai when Seria came into the picture, they wouldn't have been affected or manipulated so easily. So it was their own fault for falling into her black web.

She seems to have pulled a lot of people in this academy under her web.

I don't think she used her ability on everyone; a mind can be easily persuaded or manipulated with the right tactics. Sometimes, a well-weaved story, soft tears, or a smile will work better than any magic.

She seemed to have mastered her art well.

I knew she was putting on a show the moment we met. I just didn't realise the depth of manipulation or what type of spell or ability she was using. I hadn't cared enough to look into it.

But not anymore. She won't fuck with my mate and get away with it.

Manipulation? I can play a better game than any other at it.

Let's see who the better puppeteer is.

I catch the end of Annex's conversation with Micai, his words instantly tugging me toward them.

"…And those fuck-wads with that dumb klutz…" Annex continues, a dark grin pulling at his lips, "Seems like they need a little reminder on what their positions were in this shithole."

I watch Micai as he continues his rant.

"Fucking thinking they can say whatever the hell they want. I'll be starting a different kind of collection. Just. For. Them ."

I could tell by the look in his eyes that things would get bloody.

And I wasn't against it.

I wouldn't be holding my brother back on this one. I'll join him.

Even if they had been somewhat affected by Seria's abilities, they've hurt my mate and treated her horribly. They left scars on her that can't be easily removed…and deserve a few of their own in return.

Annex gives me a small grin and nods, noticing the look I'm wearing.

"I can deal with them myself." Calls Micai, pulling us from our darkening thoughts. "They're mine to handle. I'll take my own revenge when it's time."

By the look on her face, it seemed our little sea star had her own plans for them. And we would be beside her through it all.

We would happily help her find the best place for the disposal of their bodies. It was more of Annex's expertise, but I wasn't afraid to get dirty for a good cause.

"I want a piece of that, Red." His hands slide up her arms. "Or at least let us watch. I know a great place to hide some bodies. Or a lovely little concoction to melt flesh down into nothingness." His grin widens, as a smile tilts my lips. There's his normal derangement back in its usual place. Talking casually about killing people.

"I'm sure you have no problem getting your hands dirty." Grins Micai.

"I can give you a personal demonstration anytime you want and show you just how good with these hands I am." He takes a step toward her, his gaze turning heated. "But killing is not all I'm good for, Red. I have no problem getting bloody; it's what I do, and I won't lie, I enjoy it." He shrugs, a dark smirk lacing his lips before he looks at her, and it softens.

"There's a part of me that calls for the carnage and chaos, breathing it in like my only oxygen at times." His hand reaches down, brushing gently across her cheek as she watches him. "I used to think that's all I needed, all I wanted…but not anymore."

Who the hell knew Annex could be so damn romantic.

He leans down toward her, his lips grazing against hers as I watch her chest slightly rise and fall with the contact. "Now I want something else…so much it consumes my every fucking thought."

She takes a small inhale, a blush creeping into her cheeks.

The bastard relishes her reactions, his grin turning wicked as his gaze falls down her. His eyes slowly trailing down her silk navy pyjamas before returning toward her gaze.

And then she does something that shocks both of us.

She leans toward him, taking him by surprise as her lips find his.

Her hand reaches toward him, gently palming his cheek before sliding it into his hair. He groans as her fingers fist his hair, pulling him in closer as they deepen the kiss.

And fuck, I wish it was my lips against hers.

I'm hard, my breath coming out a little faster just watching them. And then she pulls back from him, her head tilting my way as a small grin stretches her sweet, rosy lips, tempting me to come closer.

Then her hand reaches toward me, beckoning me like the light calling to a sailor lost at sea.

And fuck, if I didn't want to be found…or lost forever with her.