Page 19 of Of Blackened Blood (The Blackened Blade #3)

ANNEX

W e make our way to Ellie’s, Micai’s hand wrapped in mine as we stroll down the stoney street together. Her small little figure slides beside mine in sync as we move. She peers up and gives me a cute little smile that has me grinning as stupidly as Ezra always does. Gods, I fucking love this woman.

Last night was the best New Year’s I’d ever had, and all we did was party and spend the night together. No blood, killing, or blades, just surrounded by my Mate and brothers. And I loved it.

I had to squeeze myself beside Red in Ezra’s bed with Ez and Mal too. Which was a shock in and of itself for Mr. Big Bad Beast sharing so easily. But I guess that’s just the effect Red has on us. We’re all whipped.

But I would happily take a lashing from those sexy little hands as long as they’re on me. The thought has my dick instantly twitching and my grin growing. Plans for later.

Red gives my hand a cute little squeeze, pulling my attention back toward her as we near the shop, the excitement visible in her eyes.

She enjoyed blades almost as much as I did. Another reason why she’s perfect.

She’s even got her own built-in weapons system with those marks and black blades. And when she gets that shit under her control ... I’m gonna be the first in line to play with them.

But as cool as they were that night, what followed after almost drove me into the abyss. Red laying on the ground, unmoving, her breathing low and weak ... I shake my head looking toward my beautiful soulmate. Never again.

If it wasn’t for Creed reining us all in, I would have destroyed the abattoir and town with Mallyn ... and then followed her. Wherever that was.

I rub the spot on my chest where my heart once sat ... and look down at the woman who now holds it forever. Today, tomorrow, and forever. I’ll follow Red to Hell, Heaven, or high water. And I’ll park the fuck outside and ram the gates if they think they can keep me out.

’Cause clearly my Red was an angel and had an all-access pass to that shit. But me, I’m a bit more tainted ... And yet she still loves me.

My fingers move to the mark on my chest. Red’s Mate mark.

Ever since this little beauty appeared I’ve felt the connection with Red grow. If it was a flame that flickered before, it now blazes like a fierce inferno. It’s a warmth that travels through every vein and limb, coursing through my blood and consuming me completely.

Every part of me loved Red, and every moment together brought me more joy than I ever thought I could feel.

I wonder if she can feel it too, the growing connection of our Mate bond?

I used to laugh shit like that off, but not anymore. Red’s made me a true believer.

I can also feel a slight change in me since the bond’s growth. Something moving deep inside me. I’m not sure exactly what it is, but I know it’s a change because of Red. And I accept whatever comes from her fully.

My grin widens. There’s never a dull day with Red.

We head into Ellie’s, and she gives me a cute little peck before heading toward the blacksmith’s booth.

She said the gift me and Ez got her at the Winter Ball got damaged during the attack and she had brought it here for repairs.

She was planning to collect it when I said I was heading here this morning to drop my Bowies in for some sharpening and repair work.

I had a little too much fun when we were facing those asshole attackers recently, and unfortunately my Bowies took a bit of damage.

I hand them over to Fred, the assistant manager. He flinches every time I come here, his face paling and hands trembling when I pass my Bowies over. You think the guy would get used to me by now.

Fuck, if they had a membership, I’d be signed up. They have the best weapons, and the blacksmith has a talent for repairing and engraving blades. He also has some light skills in magical enforcement and engineering and has some interesting knowledge in supernatural weaponry.

This place was an ace in my books.

I glance over toward Micai and notice the blacksmith himself standing in front of her.

Isaiah. He seemed chill. He didn’t talk much and looked like a bear or wolf shifter with his large stature, broad frame, and shaggy beard.

He kept to himself and focused on his work. Which I could appreciate.

Micai’s brows cinch together while talking to Isaiah, some sort of dialogue going back and forth between the two before I notice Micai crossing her arms. It was a defensive move. Did she feel threatened?

Not on my watch. I make my way straight over to her.

Red wasn’t one for pleasantries, but any guy making her feel defensive wasn’t one she needed around her.

Even if I like Isaiah’s work, I have no problem sticking him with one of the blades he’s fixed for me. No one makes my Red uncomfortable.

I step beside Micai and in front of Isaiah; both of them instantly turn to me as I glare him down. “We got a problem here?”

He just stares at me, his gaze assessing me like we’re two wolves sizing each other up.

“None,” he replies, his eyes glancing briefly toward Micai before he turns around and makes his way into the back room without another word or glance our way.

I reach out, wanting to know what the hell he said to Red and what that look meant. But her soft fingers clasp around my wrist, stopping me from grabbing him and yanking the bastard back.

She shakes her head, her brows narrowed toward the door he just entered.

“He annoys me and gives me weird looks when I come here ... but he hasn’t done anything wrong.

” She sighs, the little crease deepening between her brows as she turns my way.

“It feels as if he has something to say to me but never does. I don’t like it— or him —but technically, he hasn’t started anything.

” Her cute little eyes flicker toward the door again, giving it a small glare.

“And he won’t if he wants to keep those damn hands of his intact, Red.”

I look back toward the door myself. The prick is probably hiding in his little workroom, playing with metal and shit.

She holds up her newly fixed necklace, pulling my attention back toward her as she hands it to me. She then turns around and slides her hair to one side. Her delicious bare skin is on show and begging me to mark.

“Put it on for me?” my beautiful Mate asks.

My grin widens before I place a kiss on her neck and fix it in place, letting it flow down her silky skin as I place another kiss on her shoulder.

Fuck, my Mate is too damn sexy. Every inch of her is calling to me and begging to be worshipped constantly.

“Is that all you need me to do for you, Red?” I ask, my grin growing against her soft skin as my hand wraps around her waist. “We could blow this place, and I can help you work out any frustrations you have in a more productive way.”

The sexy chuckle seeping from her plump lips makes me wanna bite them. Like she bit mine recently.

The memory instantly has my dick hardening, and the urge to hold her again grows heavier before she turns around toward me.

She gives me a knowing look. One filled with a promise I’m sure to reap.

I’ll leave my Red doe-eyed and jelly-legged when I finally get my hands on her. Making her scream my name in ecstasy is becoming my favourite new obsession.

Micai’s POV

I blush at Annex’s words, the heat in his eyes making my own temperature rise. If he had his way, he would probably bend me over right here and now, showing me all the deranged things he’s imagining in that wicked mind of his.

I clench my thighs with the thought and the dark promise in his gaze.

But why didn’t that bother me?

I shake my head. There is too much to do, and if I let Annex start something, we would both lose track of time and get nothing else done.

I take his hand in mine, leaving Ellie’s and heading back toward the abattoir.

On the way, we stop for a brief moment to grab some corn dogs and mini marble doughnuts from a food truck near the edge of town.

As Annex pays, I glance around and look toward the old grey cobbled roads leading to the academy’s buildings in the distance.

They would be back soon. The whole academy. And Seria.

But this time, I’ll be prepared.

I have the Infernal Four at my back, and together we will piece the connections between her and The Facility once and for all.

That means keeping a close eye on Seria and her movements in the academy. And maybe even the pawns around her.

My eyes narrow toward the academy in the distance.

Heading back to the academy and staying in the dorm would be the best option for that. It would keep me closer to the action and I would be able to move around her more naturally too. Unfortunately.

I would prefer to stay in the abattoir with the guys and not have to return there at all. We’ve become even closer over the past week, and the thought of leaving them bothers me more than it ever did before.

An ache builds in my chest with the thought of returning to the dorm and not being able to wake up with them every morning, of not eating meals together, and of not being able to spend the day with each other.

But I need answers.

If Seria is really connected to The Facility and they’re the ones behind all these attacks on the guys’ group and home, then it’s even more important that I keep an eye on her and find out what their plans are.

Keeping the guys safe and helping them is now just as important to me as my own plans. I want my revenge, but not at the cost of any one of them.

They were a part of me now, and I would protect them in whatever way I could.

I finish the last bite of my corn dog, my resolve solidified as I begin to make light work of the mini doughnuts, enjoying every delicious bite.

I need to finish up quickly here and sort out my return to the dorms. I couldn’t let my resolve waver for another moment.

Annex chuckles as I lick the sugar from my fingers, and we quickly make our way to the abattoir and inside the back door.