Page 16 of Of Blackened Blood (The Blackened Blade #3)
EZRA
M icai slides her hand down the silver silk dress as she sways between Annex and Mallyn. The silver dress shimmers against the lights above her as she moves, acting like a spotlight for all eyes to fall on her.
I trail my eyes down the silky dress hugging her sexy figure, accentuating each dip and curve perfectly as she moves between my brothers.
The dress looks like it was made just for her.
Its small straps loop around each bare shoulder before dropping into a slight curve that hugs her back and then cinches in around her chest and waist before gently flaring out a little.
Then it trails down her soft hips and thighs before cutting off, showing those long, silky legs of hers off. She looks like a goddamn goddess.
A small grin stretches my cheeks. I had chosen the silver thigh-length dress myself as one of her Christmas gifts. But it seems more like a gift for me than her. She looks absolutely breathtaking.
The beat quickens and a small laugh falls from her lips as she moves her hips quicker to the rhythm, her smile widening as Annex and Mallyn join her faster pace.
Her dancing draws more and more eyes around the club toward her, her seductive moves entrancing and captivating them all.
That is, before they notice Annex. Once his eyes meet any of the onlookers, they turn away, completely pale and pretending like they were never looking in the first place.
A chuckle leaves my lips. I felt just as possessive as Annex, but there was no point in fighting it. Micai was beyond stunning. She could draw attention from even the darkest of corners and have them pulled into the light with her allure.
She was a queen. And a queen demands the attention of all.
They can all look. But not touch.
They can keep to their ardent gazes, but us ... we get her completely.
“Here’s your drinks.” The blue-haired bartender passes me a tray with my order, a grin tracing her lips as she notices the direction of my gaze.
“She’s a beauty.” Her eyes trail up Micai, a small blush coating her cheeks toward my Mate. “They’re lucky men.” She gestures her chin toward my brothers dancing with her.
“That we are.” A genuine smile stretches my cheeks at the compliment toward my queen. “Thanks.”
I toss her an extra tip and head over to the booth Creed has secured in the Exclusive section. Apparently Club Maro has three different VIP areas and Exclusive is second-ranked. Deluxe sits at third, and Opulent holds first place. And that’s where my contact Jericho is.
He sits in the highest VIP area, wearing a dark navy tailored Armani suit and the latest Rolex on his wrist. He gently brushes a tanned hand through his coiffed brown hair, a small smile appearing on his lips toward the women surrounding him in his private booth.
The small grin makes them go feral, each pushing to get nearer to him and looking as if they would claw the eyes out of one another for a drop more of his attention.
He wasn’t what I expected from someone supposed to be a historical buff. He reminded me more of an older Creed than a magical scholar.
He suddenly turns my way, his hand raising as our eyes meet, gesturing me for me to come to him.
“Seems like you’re being summoned.” Creed narrows his eyes in Jericho’s direction. His guard was up as he watched him and the women surrounding him.
He doesn’t like me going alone to someone we don’t have safe connections with. But that was one of Jericho’s stipulations; he would only allow one of us to go talk with him. And since I was the one who reached out, that was me.
“He could have information we need. Not just for us but for Micai too.” I glance toward her and my brothers laughing on the dance floor before turning back to Creed.
“I’ll play along if that’s what it takes to get what we need.
” I meet his wary glare and give him my best business smile as he rolls his eyes, the tightness in his jaw slightly easing.
“It better be worth it.” He sighs, the dark glare seeping to something milder as I pat him on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry, brother. Information is what I deal in. I’ll find what we need.” I make my way toward the Opulent section, the area almost twice the size of ours but with only Jericho and his women in it.
The bouncer lifts the golden-threaded rope as I head up its gold-and-black marble steps, allowing me entry to the private space.
I take one final glance in Micai’s direction, her silver dress and rose-gold locks catching my eyes instantly even from across the room.
My little sea star looks so beautiful and tantalising. Being away from her for even a moment is unbearable, especially when she looks so breathtaking and dances so alluringly. Almost as if she’s trying to tempt me.
I clench my fists and turn back toward the Opulent area, making my way toward Jericho. This was also for her.
But once I’ve gotten what I need from him, I’m heading down there and spending every second of the night glued to her side. Each dance will involve me in one way or another, and each laugh and smile will be shared together.
We didn’t get to celebrate Christmas because of the attack, so I’ll be damned if I don’t spend every second of New Year’s night with her. We’re going to ring in the New Year together as a family.
And every moment and day that follows after too.
Micai’s POV
I watch on as Ezra heads into the Opulent section and toward his contact, Jericho. Annoyance tilts my brows as I remember the stipulation for Ezra to go alone.
Maybe I should have tried tagging along instead of just watching. I could have easily played the part of some bar hookup. Most guys let their guards down around a tipsy chick as well. And I could have protected him better from his side.
I glance over to Creed, whose glare hasn’t left the back of Jericho’s head, his focus fully set on the area and the people there.
He watches every movement made, his body language telling me he’s ready to dart over there at any minute and protect Ezra.
I guess his control issues come in handy every now and again.
I look back at the section Ezra is entering.
There isn’t much difference between our VIP area and Jericho’s, other than a larger space laid with more golden accents, a bigger bouncer, and its own serving staff.
It looked to also have an endless supply of high-end fae and elven wine and a gaggle of busty woman vying for the occupant’s attention.
Ezra takes a seat opposite Jericho, his back now toward the dance floor and his face out of view.
One of the women tries to slide up next to him but soon stops as he turns to her, catching her movements. Whatever look he gives her has her face turning pale and quickly backing off.
A swell of warmth rushes through my chest with the small thoughtful act.
Jericho then raises his hand, and all the women reluctantly remove themselves from the booth beside him and head in the direction of the bar.
A more serious look takes over Jericho’s face as he leans in and begins talking to Ezra, their voices now indecipherable by magic being woven around the private space.
A small sigh escapes my lips. Hopefully, whatever conversation Ezra and Jericho have will be quick. And if we’re lucky, maybe he’ll have some information about the bracelet that helps us figure out how Seria and The Facility are connected. And help us link together all these ambushes and attacks.
I feel movement to my side and glance up to meet Annex’s gaze. He pulls me toward his front and leans in closer, stealing a kiss as we begin swaying to the music again.
Mallyn’s hands slink around me from behind, pulling me away from Annex’s lips and pulling me flush against his front. His lips brush softly against my ear before he finds my neck.
“Don’t forget ...” His hand slides down to my waist. “I’m here too.” His deep husky voice sends shivers down my spine as he kisses a path down my neck before returning to my ear.
Annex chuckles, his hand falling to my hips as he meets Mallyn’s gaze before falling onto me.
“I’m all for sharing, Mal.” A mischievous grin tilts his lips.
“Hell, the thought of Red with the both of us ...” A heated look takes over his expression as a growl-like noise falls from Mallyn’s behind me.
A noise that sounds more primal than it probably should .
.. and seems in agreement with Annex’s words.
A heat creeps up my neck and into my cheeks with Annex’s words and the thoughts of being with the two of them. Of having them both ... and Ezra.
I feel Mallyn’s grin grow against my ear as Annex’s smirk widens knowingly.
“I’m owed a certain demonstration, Red. And this ...” Annex’s hand slides down my hip and to my thigh, his hand brushing against the little gift he gave me earlier. “This isn’t just to use against assholes getting too close. But for us to play with.”
The gift is a silver dagger sheathed in a black thigh strap that’s fitted perfectly for my thigh and hidden under my dress.
The dagger is silver from its hilt to the tip of its blade and about as big as Annex’s large hand.
The blade also bears a large black rose down its edge with four black snakes wrapping around it. And I completely love it.
Ezra and Mallyn had also each gotten me a gift.
Ezra gave me the silver silk dress I’m wearing now, and it fits me like a glove, the fabric feeling like a second skin against me as I move.
I brush my hand down my ear and to the new earring there. He also gave me these beautiful, delicate drop-earrings with small lilac pearls that shimmer with a slightly blue hue when the light hits them. The colours instantly remind me of a mixture of both of our eye colours and makes me smile.
Each present seems so well thought out and just to my taste.