Page 5 of Of Blackened Blood (The Blackened Blade #3)

MICAI

E zra’s hand slides up my waist, our movements becoming more fevered as his other hand slides lower down my back. My fingers brush through his hair, a light grunt of appreciation leaving his lips as both of us become fully lost in each other.

Suddenly, the door swings open with a loud crash, hitting into the wall.

It pulls Ezra from me as he whips around, his body still covering mine as he narrows his eyes and clenches his fists.

But his body quickly relaxes and falls back toward me as two familiar voices sound out from the door, soon followed by two figures that make their way into the room.

Annex rushes over, a smile wider than any other he’s given me before as he jumps onto the bed beside me, wrapping his arms around me quickly before sandwiching me between him and Ezra.

“Fuck, Red. Don’t ever do that to us again.” He nuzzles into my neck, his lips quickly finding their way up my jaw and toward my lips.

But it’s a kiss I would never expect from Annex, soft and endearing, as if I were something fragile and breakable. Each move careful and too gentle. Not like Annex’s usual passionate and possessive self.

It’s as if he thought he would make me crack or fade away or hurt me in some way if he wasn’t careful. I can see and feel the fear and worry in each brush of his lips and the light touch of his hand on my hip.

And I don’t like it. It isn’t Annex.

I want the Annex I’ve fallen for, the one who doesn’t hold back with me, who treats me as an equal and not some frail damsel.

Just as he tries to pull away, I grip his top and pull him in closer instead, wrapping my tongue around his and dominating the kiss, showing him I’m not weak or delicate in any way. And of how much I want him .

I wanted these boys as my equals. The kings to my castle, all matching with equal crowns. I don’t want shields in front of me, but swords by my side.

And I’ll fight with them and for them, but never behind them.

Like I told Ezra moments ago, I won’t be going anywhere either.

I guess I’ll just have to properly show them from now on that I can handle myself. And them.

A small grunt leaves Annex’s lips as I pull back, nipping his bottom lip and drawing a small drop of blood as I do. His tongue slides out, catching it before drawing it into his mouth as a feral look takes over his eyes. Mr. Nice fades instantly.

“I’m not sure you’re able to finish what you’ve just started, Red.” His grip on my hip tightens, pulling me against him. “But I’m sure as hell looking forward to finding out?—”

“Not right now, you’re not.” Mallyn reaches in between me and Annex, wrapping his arms around my waist before gently pulling me up toward him in one swift move. His grey eyes soften as his arms gently lift me a couple of feet off the ground to meet his gaze.

He gives me a look filled with such relief and affection that I can’t help but lean toward him. And that’s all he needs.

His lips meet mine in a searing kiss, one not holding back and showing me the storm of emotion that’s been warring inside him while I was unconscious. Each little bit of worry and fear and how much he’s missed me.

I return each flick and swirl of his tongue with my own, my hands sliding up his arms to his shoulders and then around his neck, before I brush my fingers through his hair.

His hands slide down to my backside as I lift my legs to wrap them around him?—

Ezra clears his throat, pulling us slightly apart as we turn toward him.

He brushes a hand through his hair, his eyes heated as they trail down me before returning to meet my gaze.

“Not that I don’t enjoy watching or anything ...” He pulls his bottom lip into his mouth before continuing. “But just remember you have two other envious partners in the audience, Micai.”

I can feel Mallyn’s grin against my cheek as he brushes a soft kiss against it.

I return it in double before I shimmy down him to place my feet on the floor.

And a small reluctant rumble vibrates from his chest. I raise a brow, peering at his grey eyes flecked with blue, knowing it’s the beast inside him acting out. I give him a knowing grin and wink.

Annex chuckles, pulling our gazes back toward him as he places his hands behind his head before leaning back onto them and lounging on the bed nonchalantly.

“Audience? Nah, Ez. I’m a full participant. I don’t watch. I take part, brother.”

“Take part?” Ezra smirks, raising a playful, questioning brow.

“Yup.” Annex’s hand slides down his torso. “Whatever part Red wants; my mouth, my fingers, my di?—”

A voice clears itself, stopping Annex in his tracks and making enough noise to pull our attention in its direction.

Creed stands in the doorway, his shoulder leaning against its black frame as his eyes glance to each of the boys. They fall on me before quickly flickering away. Still an asshole, I see.

“The crew downstairs are almost finished with the clean-up?—”

Before he can continue, Ezra cuts him off, an annoyed look covering his face as he glares Creed’s way.

“Micai just woke up. She doesn’t need to hear this shit, Creed.”

Creed’s dark brows furrow for a moment before he gives Ezra a slow nod.

“Actually, I would like to know what’s been happening.” I pull myself from Mallyn’s warmth and turn toward Creed, meeting his rigid gaze before I quickly twist around to Ezra. The prick probably wouldn’t give me answers anyway.

“Who were they?” I ask. “And why did they attack the abattoir?” I glance toward Mallyn and Annex. “I’d like to know everything that’s happened while I was asleep.”

“Not asleep, Red.” Annex’s tone darkens as he pulls himself up straight on the bed, a bleak look taking over his features as he watches me.

“You were unconscious for three days ... there’s a difference.

That shit wasn’t voluntary or restful. You were healing from an attack.

” He drags a hand down his neck. “One that never should have happened in the first place.”

“Agreed,” Mallyn adds, his arm wrapping around my waist again.

“That’s not something any of us want to see ever again, Micai.

” His voice grows lower as his grey eyes darken.

“You laying on the ground ... unmoving. We thought we were going to lose you ... and just when we all finally found you.” His other hand reaches up, softly sliding against my cheek.

“I’ve never felt fear like that before. I’ve faced death a hundred times over .

.. but that made me feel more fear and terror than I ever have before.

” Confliction wars in his grey-blue eyes as he continues.

“We can’t lose you, Micai. There would be no point in a world where you don’t exist. My beast wouldn’t allow it.

Neither would I. And we would destroy everything left in it without you. ”

There’s a certainty in his low tone that has me believing it, and a promise in his dark gaze that has me turning toward the others.

An ache starts in my chest as I look to each of them, the same dark and resolute expression on Ezra’s and Annex’s faces too.

They would do it. They would destroy everything in their path if I was gone ...

Before this life, I felt worthless and hopeless, always craving the recognition and affection of my so-called “ family ” and the people around me. And never getting so much as a drop thrown my way.

But these boys ... they see my worth. They accept me fully and completely, every dark flaw and weakness and every secret.

And they still want me ... like I do them.

A world without them is no longer one I would wish to exist in either. But I won’t have to, because we can protect each other .

I reach up, placing a small peck on his lips before turning to each of them.

“I feel the same. A world without you all is not one that should ever exist.” I meet each set of eyes on me, even Creed’s briefly.

“But I’m also not some damsel. You all have to understand that.

” I square them all with a look. “I protect what’s mine and always will.

I will always be beside you or have your back in a fight, and you’ll all have to accept that.

I’ll never run away or hide. My safety does not come before yours.

I’m your equal, not your treasure to hide and hoard, not some weak woman wanting to be protected or saved by her white knights.

I need you to trust that I can protect myself, and that I will pick up a blade and fight beside you, just like you would for me. ”

“But Micai?—”

“Red—”

Ezra and Annex try to protest, but I quickly shut them down, knowing what they’re both about to say.

“I know I was hurt this time, and I can’t promise I won’t get hurt in the future doing something similar if I need to.

But I did it protecting the one I love.” I glance toward Ezra.

“And I would do it again a thousand times for any of you.” I meet each of their eyes, showing them the truth in my words.

“I will always protect you whether you like it or not. And I will never regret or hesitate to protect what’s mine. ”

“You sound so sexy calling us yours, Red.” Annex grins before his expression darkens. “But I don’t know if I can promise you that I’m always gonna be okay with you jumping into our fights. I can’t watch you get hurt like that again.”

I shake my head. “You of all people can’t argue with me, Annex.

You died protecting me, remember?” I feel a frown draw my lips downward.

“I truly thought I had lost you then. That ...” I feel my voice crack with the memory of it.

And I feel Mallyn gently tighten his hold on me as I push the rest out.

“I don’t want you to go through that either, but ... do you regret it?” My gaze turns to Annex’s. “Do you regret saving me?”

“Hell no.” His answer is instant, his expression furious as his voice grows louder. He pulls himself up straight. “It was the best decision I’ve ever fucking made in my life, Red.”