Page 51 of Of Blackened Blood (The Blackened Blade #3)

ANNEX

I head into the abattoir, the space turned into a temporary training room by Creed over the past few days. He said we all need to worker harder on our skills in case of future attacks.

I notice Red, Ez, Mal, and Isaiah across the room and near Creed’s makeshift ring. I look at Isaiah, the gruff bastard still looking as messy as usual while chatting to Red.

Did he not believe in using a brush? Would water melt the flesh from his shifter bones?

I shake my head at his overgrown beard and dishevelled jeans and grey top. A good barber and the dry cleaners in town could fix that right up for him too.

I brush a hand through my hair as he continues burning the ears off Red, hogging all her attention. Who knew the ass could be such a talker?

You’d think his voice would be gone with the amount of blabbering he did a few days ago too. He spent hours filling us in on Micai’s family and their past, and what they went through.

Seems like my Mate’s family suffered and were hunted like prey. But that ends with Red.

I’ll hunt every bastard that glances her way and leave a bloody path behind me to make sure she lives free and happy.

Me, Red, and my brothers are a force to be reckoned with. That night at the safe house proved it. We’ll destroy whoever comes our way, no matter how big, bad, or old they are. They all fall the same anyway. At the end of my blade.

This shadowy Facility group that keeps attacking us can also go burn in the pits of hell. I’ll personally drag them to it and lock them in the abysmal depths that is the afterlife. Perks of this cursed blood.

I watch on as Isaiah and Micai step into the makeshift ring and begin some light hand-to-hand combat. The gruff ass looks too comfortable fighting beside my Red. And taking the space next to Red that belongs to me.

After Isaiah’s little confessional that night, the large asshole has taken it upon himself to come and go as he pleases too. Like our home is his personal vacation spot. Minus the vacation.

If it wasn’t for Micai, I would have already flung his ass out of the abattoir’s top windows.

But she seems happy listening to the big ass talk about his past. He also told her he’s gonna try to fix her mom’s keepsake, separate the relic from it bit by bit. I guess I’ll keep him around a little longer to finish that up for her.

I watch on as Red dodges one of his hits, her tight sports bra and leggings letting me enjoy every dip and curve of hers as she moves.

It’s about the only thing I enjoy about these training days, seeing her in her element and watching her sexy ass in those tight clothes.

She’d look even better without them though.

The marks on her wrists and hips catch my eyes as she slides back and forth evading his attacks with ease.

I had thought they were tattoos before, but knowing they’re some kind of inherited mark from her family is even better.

And she can summon blades from them ...

the Gods couldn’t have found a more perfect Mate for me if they tried.

Even with this curse running through my veins, I was a blessed man having Red in my life.

Isaiah tries attacking again, lunging for Red, but she twists around and lands a blow to the burly ass’s torso.

A chuckle leaves my lips as he winces with the force of the hit. That’s my Red.

I glance toward Mallyn who’s leaning against the wall with Ez, his eyes glued to our woman as she moves likes she’s dancing, mesmerising all of us with her skills.

The asshole grins from the side, his eyes taking in every move like he’s drinking her in.

There’s been a change in my brother since a few days ago, something more settled in his eyes, for both him and his beast. And that’s definitely because of our Mate.

I knew the moment he and Red tried sneaking themselves into the abattoir a few nights ago that he had cemented his bond with her. The lucky ass got a proper taste of our Red and now he looked as feral as me for more.

But how could I blame him?

My eyes trail down Red as she continues to dominate the fight against Isaiah. How could we not want someone so fecking sexy?

Even the sweat running down her neck makes me want to reach out and lick it, wondering if it tastes as good as she does.

Our Mate brought out the beast in all of us, wanting more of her time, another slow touch, another sweet taste, and to hear those soft moans of hers again.

I adjust my pants as Ez’s eyes meet mine, his own rolling back as they notice my hands.

A grin stretches my cheeks before I mouth, Blame Red to him.

He shakes his head before dragging a hand down his face. And I notice my scaly brother is looking worse for wear these days.

He seems more tired lately, his eyes a duller shade than before and his face a little paler. He only seemed to pick up when Red was around.

I hope whatever is bothering him passes soon, otherwise I’m gonna have to hold an intervention. Or tattle to Red.

The poor ass was also on bitchling duty tonight.

I’d take his place, but apparently my brothers are worried I’ll kill the bitch if I’m let lose. Can’t blame them. I would.

That demented half-sister deserves a world of hurt for what she’s done to my Red. And I can’t wait to make her pay it all back slowly.

A clanging noise across the room pulls my gaze toward Creed. He’s pummelling the punching bag in front of him like its presence is a personal insult to him. He finishes his bag-thrashing, straightening himself and grabbing his water bottle before his eyes turn and linger on Red.

And my lips curve into the biggest smirk.

I knew the bastard would fall like the rest of us. It was only a matter of time. And it’s already begun.

He watches Red, a glint growing in his eyes as she continues to kick Isaiah’s ass, a small tilt to his lips as she moves with ease.

Yup, he’s a goner. And it won’t be long now until the dick realises it himself.

Seeing his face when he realised she was our little ninja was already delicious, but him falling hard for her like the rest of us? It’ll be priceless .

I make my way closer to the ring as Red finishes up with Isaiah. Now it is my turn.

We had each been taking turns sparring with Red each day since Isaiah joined us. We all agreed, the best experience is the hands-on kind.

And I’ll happily put my hands all over Red any day and every day.

Isaiah exits the makeshift ring as Red rolls her shoulders out, a victorious grin tilting her lips as I make my way nearer from her side. And as if she senses my presence, she twists around, her grin only growing as our eyes meet.

And fuck, if I don’t wanna just throw her over my shoulders, carry her upstairs and make her all hot and sweaty in a different kind of way.

She raises a brow, glancing at the tent pitching my pants with the thought, her smile all-knowing before she trails her gaze back up me.

I relish every second her eyes are on me, wanting more of her each day. My obsession only grows more infinite for the blue-eyed woman before me. How had I ever lived before she came into my life?

We slowly begin to circle one another, her eyes watching my every step as I prowl around the ring, inching closer to her.

“You know the idea of you on top of me seems more like a reward, Red.” I shrug, my smirk growing as I watch her gaze narrow playfully. “Even if I lose, I’m still winning.”

“Not if you’re unconscious,” she quips, bringing her fists to her face and taking a defensive stance, her eyes never leaving mine. And right where I always want them.

“You underestimate how much I enjoy your hands on me, Red. Even if you get all pissed and aggressive and take my ass down ... it’ll just turn me on even more.”

She shakes her head, a sexy grin lifting those plump lips of hers as her eyes watch me carefully, trying to predict what move I’m going to make.

But hell, even I didn’t know.

Calculations and strategy don’t mean shit to me. I move on impulse and instinct. I just know where to hit to make it hurt the most and how to kill quickly. Like a predator that can sense weakness and strike. It’s what makes my style of fighting different from the others.

I jab forward, aiming for Red’s torso, seeing a slight opening, but she dodges, quickly twisting around and out of my way.

She evades another attack as I try to swipe her legs from under her, flipping out of my reach.

Then she turns on the attack, throwing a roundhouse kick my way, but I catch it and aim for her chest. She twists out of my grip, throwing her free leg toward my face in a heavy hit, but I dodge before it can land.

She rolls backward as I kick out again toward her, seeing an opening while she’s on the floor, but she deflects and jumps back up just as quick, taking her defensive stance again.

I don’t want to hurt Red. Even the thought of it turns my stomach.

But her enemies won’t hold back or go easy on her. They’ll take every chance they can to maim or kill her.

I’ve fought enough dark pricks to know that if they see a weakness or an opening, they’ll take it. They won’t hold back, so neither can I.

I’ll always be her sharpened blade, ready to attack and defend her. But right now, she needs an equal sparring partner. One that will give her their all and strengthen her like the powerful fighter she is.

Creed and Isaiah won’t hold back with her either because they know she needs this too.

The best we can do for her is to give her our all and let her learn and grow from us, so that when she faces her next opponent, she can take them down much quicker and with all the strength and experience she’s gained from fighting us here.

Red pushes forward, on the attack again as a small spark glimmers in her eyes. She charges toward me, kicking out before twisting into a roundhouse and aiming for my head again.

I catch the kick with my right hand, ready to knock her back on her ass. But the force of her strength has my hand shaking and it begins to inch its way closer to my head to knock me out.

Her fiery gaze tells me just as much too.

But it’s still not enough to take me down just yet.

I grip her ankle, ready to fling her onto the mats below us, when she suddenly kicks off the ground with her free leg and twists toward me.

My grip loosens with the incoming attack, moving to defend, but she uses that millisecond to wrap both of her legs around my neck.

The next thing I know, I’m lying on the mat below her, pain slicing through my head and back from the force of her attack as a loud ringing echoes in my ears. She definitely wasn’t holding back either.

I try to get up, but before I can lift my shoulders, she’s on top of me, a sexy smile curving her lips as they part. “Still enjoying this?”

My smirk grows as I lift my hips to hers, letting her feel how much I enjoyed it. My dick is more solid than ever before.

A sexy pink blush covers her cheeks as my hand reaches for her hip, wanting to grind into her and show her exactly how much she affects me.

“The things I wanna do to you right now, Red?—”

A shadow covers us, cutting my words off as the big bearded brute stands behind us.

I roll my eyes as he glares my way.

“Train seriously,” barks Isaiah, his gaze flickering to Micai on top of me. “This isn’t the time for flirting.”

Micai quickly pulls herself from me, the pink of her cheeks turning into a deep red as she nods toward the large cockblock.

Just ’cause his old ass hasn’t gotten any in decades.

I pull myself up and brush myself off, missing Red’s soft curves against me as I glare at the rigid prick.

The brute’s bushy brows furrow, looking between us before falling on Micai.

“All this combat is good, but you need proper training with weapons. And the more you master, the better.” He glances toward Creed, Mallyn, Ezra, and me before sighing.

“But none of you have those types of skills. Lucien travelled for years, finding specialists and masters to conquer and control his abilities. He mastered all the weapons he could summon with a precision like no other ... but we don’t have the time to find multiple masters.

” He rubs a hand down his jaw, mumbling.

“Maybe I could contact ...” He shakes his head. “No. Too far away.”

Gloomy, indecisive bastard.

“But we need someone for you to spar with.” He scowls, rubbing a hand down his beard, his messy mountain-man face looking even older with the expression.

“I know someone who could help.” Red’s eyes light up, taking a step closer to Isaiah. “He’s able to use all sorts of weapons, and I’ve trained with him bef—” Red stops, her words trailing off as she glances toward me, Ez, and Mal before quickly shaking her head and saying “never mind.”

That little spark dims from her eyes, and I wonder why she stopped. And then it hits me ... “ He .”

She was talking about another guy to help. She seemed to think well of whatever dickhead it was too.

A slight annoyance grows in me before I push it down.

There would be no other additions to our family other than me and my brothers. Unless fate decided to add another Mate to Red’s collection, it’s a definite “no” from me. I don’t trust anyone other than my brothers, and nobody else is deserving of my Red.

“We’ll work it out,” adds Ezra, taking a step forward from where he and Mallyn were standing. “We’ll reach out to our people, if need be, to help. I’m sure we can find someone.” He wraps an arm around Red, placing a small kiss on her forehead as Mallyn and Creed come to stand beside me.

“Fine.” Isaiah folds his arms with a sigh. “But we need to get someone soon. We can’t waste time.” He meets Micai’s gaze again. “We’ll just have to train more in the meantime. Make sure you’re here every day after your classes. No slacking.”

My eyes narrow toward the Spartan shifter robbing all my Mate’s time.

Maybe I could still throw him through those windows?