29. Tate

29

TATE

I leave Ivy's house and walk towards campus, my mind racing. I know she's worried about keeping our relationship a secret, but I meant what I said - I'm not hiding her. She's mine now, and I'll face whatever consequences come from that.

As I near the main quad, I spot the dynamic duo, Torin and Bram, huddled together, deep in conversation. They look up as I approach, looking tense as fuck.

"Well, look who finally decided to grace us with his presence," Torin drawls.

"Good morning to you too, arsehole."

Bram eyes me suspiciously. "Where were you last night? We were supposed to be looking for Poison, remember?"

"I got distracted," I say vaguely, glancing at Torin. He glares back. "What about you two? Any luck?"

Torin and Bram exchange a loaded glance .

"Poison can wait," Torin states. "We have a lead on my dad."

"Oh?" I ask.

"Yeah," he says, his eyes glinting dangerously. "I put out a hit on him through The Syndicate."

I blink in surprise. "You did what now?"

"You heard me," Torin growls. "It was the fastest way to find the bastard."

Well, I can't fault him for innovation.

"Did you request Poison specifically?" I ask, trying to keep my voice neutral.

Torin nods. "Obviously."

"Are you going to let her go through with it?"

"No," he snaps. "I just want him found. He has shit to deal with. Shit that will fall on me if he dies. Huge pass."

Fuck. This is bad. This is very, very bad. I need to warn Ivy somehow.

"So, what's the plan?" I ask casually.

"I asked for a location confirmation before the hit. When they send that, we'll simply beat her to it. Get my dad restrained and away from the scene, and then we will wait for her to arrive to show her that we mean business. I've decided Bram is right. We aren't letting her go next time. She is ours, and we will take her." His gaze of steel bores into mine. "Got a problem with that?"

Fuck, yeah. "No."

I struggle to keep my expression neutral as Torin lays out his plan. Every instinct in me is screaming to protect Ivy, to warn her somehow. But I can't let on that I know anything.

"Sounds like you've got it all figured out," I say carefully. "When do you expect to hear back about the location?"

"Any time now," Torin replies. "Which means we need to be ready to move fast. You in?"

I nod, knowing I don't really have a choice. "Of course."

"Good," Bram says with a wicked grin. "Because I've got some ideas on how to make our little assassin scream once we have her."

My jaw clenches involuntarily at his words. I want to rip his fucking throat out for even thinking about hurting Ivy. But I force myself to stay calm.

"We should focus on securing Walcott first," I say. "One problem at a time."

Torin eyes me suspiciously. "Since when are you the voice of reason?"

I shrug. "Just trying to be practical. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves."

"Fair enough," Torin concedes. "For now, we act normal. Go to lectures, keep our eyes open. The second I get that location, we move."

We head to our respective lectures. Mine is, unfortunately, another class I share with Vex. I need to find a way to warn Ivy without tipping off Torin and Bram.

Glaring at Vex as I bypass him to sit at the back of the Ancient Runes for Advanced Practitioners lecture, I try to focus, but my mind keeps drifting to Ivy. I need to find a way to warn her without arousing suspicion. As Professor Jameson drones on about runic combinations, an idea starts to form, and I scrawl over a page at the back of my notebook.

When class ends, I hang back, pretending to pack up slowly. Once the room has mostly cleared out, I approach the professor's desk.

"Professor Jameson, I was wondering if I could get your advice on something," I say.

She looks up at me, her sharp eyes assessing. "Of course, Mr Blackwell. What can I help you with?"

I hold up the book. "I've been experimenting with creating a warning ward. Something that could alert someone to danger without being detected by others. I was hoping you could take a look?"

She takes the paper and studies it closely. "Interesting concept. Your base structure is solid, but you'll want to incorporate the ehwaz rune here for communication over distance. And perhaps algiz for protection and warning."

I nod, making notes. "That makes sense. Thank you, Professor."

As I turn to leave, she calls out, "Mr Blackwell? Be careful with experimental magick. Even with the best intentions, it can have unexpected consequences."

I meet her gaze and smile. "I'll keep that in mind." With her advice, I should be able to create a warning rune that I can send to Ivy without Torin and Bram detecting it. Now, I just need to figure out how to get it to her without raising suspicion.

As I head to my next class, I spot Ivy across the quad. She's walking with Josh, laughing at something he said. For a moment, I'm struck by how normal she looks - just another university student without a care in the world. It's easy to forget the dangerous double life she leads.

Our eyes meet briefly, and I see a flicker of lust in her gaze before she looks away. I want nothing more than to go to her, to pull her aside and warn her about what's coming. But I know I can't. Not here, not now.

Glancing back at the notebook in my hand, I get shunted from behind, which can only mean Vex. "What the fuck do you want, prick?"

"You to fuck off out of the world, but we can't have everything we wish for," he drawls.

"Is that a fucking threat?" I snarl, grabbing his arm and shoving him up against a nearby tree.

He smirks. "Take it however you want. And stay the fuck away from Ivy Hammond. She is way too good for you."

"Oh, and not you, I suppose, because you're such a beacon of light and hope."

He pushes me away from him, his eyes shining with power. "She is better than all of us put together, arsehole. Watch your fucking step around her. I'm waiting for an excuse." He flicks his fingers, and sparks of dark magick flare up.

"Now I'm taking that as a threat, and I'm going to kick your arse from here to the middle of the next dimension." I throw down the book and face off with him, bringing my own magick out to play. It crackles with power and malice and is completely forbidden on University property, but right now, I don't give a shit. I've got a lot of pent-up rage, frustration, and worry, and Vex has pushed all the wrong buttons. He smiles and throws the first punch, his fist crackling with dark energy. I dodge to the side, feeling the heat of his magick singe my shirt. Retaliating, I send a blast of my power surging towards him. He throws up a shield at the last second, but the force still sends him staggering back.

"Is that all you've got, Blackwell?" Vex taunts, circling me. "I thought you were supposed to be so powerful."

I snarl, unleashing another volley of magick. This time, it connects, slamming Vex against the tree. Before he can recover, I'm on him, driving my fist into his stomach. He doubles over with a grunt of pain.

"Stay the fuck away from Ivy," I growl in his ear.

Vex looks up at me, blood trickling from his split lip. His eyes narrow. "Or what? You'll kill me? Go ahead. Prove to everyone what a monster you really are."

I hesitate for a split second and Vex seizes the opportunity. He headbutts me hard, sending me reeling back. As I stumble, he tackles me to the ground. We grapple in the dirt, trading blows and magical attacks, both of us wanting to feel the thrill of flesh meeting flesh.

As Vex and I continue trading blows on the ground, a crowd starts to gather around us. I can hear excited murmurs and shouts of encouragement, but I tune them out, focused solely on pummelling Vex's smug face. I don't give a shit now if I get expelled over this. It's not like I've got nowhere to go. I stay because Torin is here, and that's where he wants me, but that can change in a heartbeat. Half expecting a professor to show up and split us apart, I'm mildly surprised when one doesn't.

Vex roars and slams his black lightning into my chest, throwing me back ten feet. I hit the ground hard, flat on my back, my shirt smoking, burning through my skin. The pain is intense, but I grit my teeth and push through it, struggling to my feet.

Vex stalks towards me, hands glowing with more dark energy. "Had enough yet, Blackwell?"

I spit blood onto the grass. "Not even close, you piece of shit."

We circle each other warily. The crowd around us has grown, students cheering and placing bets. I catch a glimpse of Ivy at the edge of the crowd, her eyes wide with concern. Seeing her reminds me why I'm doing this - to protect her. To keep her safe from Vex and anyone else who might try to hurt her. Torin and Bram push to the front, and I see Torin giving me the timeout signal, but there is no chance in hell I'll forfeit .

With a roar of pure rage, I gather my power and unleash a blast of pure magical force at Vex. He tries to dodge, but I anticipate his movement and adjust my aim. The magick slams into him, lifting him off his feet and sending him crashing into a nearby bench.

I advance on him as he struggles to rise, my fists crackling with energy. "Stay down if you know what's good for you."

Vex glares up at me defiantly. "Fuck you."

He lashes out with another bolt of black lightning, but I'm ready this time. I catch it on a hastily conjured shield, the impact sending shockwaves through my arm. Before he can attack again, I drop the shield and slam my fist into his jaw, channelling all my pent-up rage and magick into the blow.

There's a sickening crack as my fist connects. Vex's head snaps back, and he crumples to the ground, unconscious.

I stand over him, breathing heavily, my knuckles bloodied and raw. The crowd around us has gone silent, staring in shock at the brutality of the fight. "Anyone else want to fuck with me?" I snarl, glaring at the onlookers. They back away hastily, muttering nervously amongst themselves.

Torin and Bram stride over, looking impressed despite themselves.

"Nice work," Torin says, eyeing Vex's unconscious form. "Remind me never to piss you off."

I grunt in acknowledgement, still coming down from the adrenaline high. My eyes search the crowd for Ivy, needing to see her, to make sure she's okay. But she's nowhere to be seen.

"We should get out of here before the staff shows up," Bram says, gripping my arm and pulling me away.

I nod, still breathing heavily, and I bend to retrieve the notebook and my backpack. "Yeah, good idea."

As we hurry away from the scene, I catch a glimpse of Ivy disappearing around a corner. Without thinking, I break away from Torin and Bram.

"I'll catch up with you guys later," I call over my shoulder, ignoring their confused looks.

I round the corner and find Ivy waiting for me, her green eyes wide with concern.

"Are you okay?" she asks, reaching out to touch my bruised face.

I catch her hand, pressing it to my cheek. "I'm fine. Are you okay?"

She nods. "Whatever is going on between you two needs to stop."

"He threatened you," I growl. "I wasn't going to let that stand."

Ivy sighs, shaking her head. "I can take care of myself, you know. Especially when it comes to Vex. You don't need to worry."

"I know," I say softly. "But you shouldn't have to. Not when you have me."

She meets my gaze, searching my eyes for something. Whatever she sees there makes her soften slightly .

"We need to talk," I say urgently, remembering the hit and glancing around to make sure we are alone. But right then, Torin and Bram round the corner and come to a stop with a low whistle.

"Well," Bram says. "If it isn't the little mouse."

"Fuck off, Bram," I state, and give Ivy a look that she can't understand. Running my fingers over the sketches of the runes, I bring them to life and snatch the stone in my fist. "I'll talk to you later," I say quietly.

"Leaving already?" Torin asks. "You couldn't tear yourself away from her last night."

"Let's go," I say, ignoring him and shoving him and Bram back the way we came. With their backs turned, I throw the rune at Ivy. It whizzes to her, and she catches it, startled, holding it in her fist.