Page 53 of Of Blackened Blood (The Blackened Blade #3)
GADRIEL
I make my way out of the dean’s office and down the staircase after explaining the circumstances of yesterday’s incident. I didn’t quote their disgusting insults toward Micai, but the dean knew what I meant as I further explained.
He was a man who believed greatly in honour and protecting the students of the academy and didn’t take kindly to them being harassed or threatened.
But a teacher fighting a representative and her people on the academy’s grounds couldn’t go unpunished. As such, I have been suspended from my duties for the rest of the week without pay.
But I regret nothing. It was a small price to pay for what I had done.
Imelda could have also pushed for a heavier punishment, but it seems she understood my warning, if her absence this morning tells me anything.
Those thugs of hers have also left too.
Unfortunate. As I was planning on paying them a personal visit if they had chosen to stay a moment longer.
Their foul tongues deserved to be sliced off for what they said about Micai. Their twisted lips should have never dared to speak her name.
I clench my fists, my anger rising once again with the memory.
I wonder if I could catch up with them?
I shake the thought from my head. I shouldn’t cause more problems for the dean.
I make my way past the main reception and head toward the doors, wondering what I should do for the next week. Returning home was an option, but I wouldn’t find any answers I was looking for there.
Maybe I could scout the forest and mountain area over the next week and use the time to search for clues and investigate the attacks more thoroughly? If I stay hidden in the trees, it shouldn’t be a problem.
I can also stay close by in case anything happens too.
I make my way out of the academy’s main doors and straight out into the path of a familiar face. One of Micai’s partners, the one with lilac strands ... Ezra, I think.
Ezra stares my way as I take a step forward, ready to leave, but he quickly blocks my path.
“We need to talk,” he begins, his eyes curious as he watches me.
But my thoughts instantly turn to Micai after the talk with Imelda last night. And fear begins to bloom inside my chest.
Had Imelda and her vile thugs gone to find Micai? Is that why they had left earlier? Where is she now?
“Is Micai okay?” I rush out, my gaze flickering around us, searching for her or her other white-haired partner. “Has something happened?—”
“She’s fine.” He sighs, cutting me off as he drags a weary hand down his face. “She’s safe with my brothers.” His bright turquoise eyes watch me, a tired look coating his features as he continues. “It was a long night, so I’ll cut to the chase.”
My brows draw downward with his words and the strange look in his eyes.
“I overheard you last night with that representative and her little goons.” His eyes darken with the mention of Imelda as my own widen slightly.
I had felt a brief presence nearby in the courtyard but thought it might have been a student in passing. I did not realise I was being watched. It seems like Micai has surrounded herself with strong partners.
“I appreciate you defending Micai against their insults,” Ezra continues. “I’m sure there were certain consequences for fighting them?—”
“The consequences do not matter,” I reply, interrupting him. “They shouldn’t have mentioned Micai in the first place.” I clench my fists, my knuckles turning white with the memory.
Ezra nods, his eyes watching me curiously as a beat of silence passes between us before speaking again. “But as you’ve seen first hand, there are those who don’t think well of Micai. Some have gone even further to try to hurt her?—”
“Who?” I feel my features darken as the word seeps from my lips. Memories of Micai injured the night I found her in the forest resurface in my mind as my anger only grows.
Did Ezra know of that night and who was behind it?
Or were there other times where she has suffered like that? And at the hands of those still left running free and unscathed?
Ezra’s eyes widen as the anger in me seeps outward, darkening my expression as I wait for an answer.
“I can’t tell you everything. It’s not only mine to tell.” He shakes his head, but before I can argue, his next words have my lips quickly closing.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think you were someone who could help her.”
Her? He means Micai?
“But you’ll have to understand that there are things we can’t discuss.” His eyes narrow toward me, his stance more guarded as he continues. “You’re not one of us. But you have skills that she needs, so this will be a temporary alliance ... for Micai.”
Another beat passes, his eyes assessing me, waiting for me to argue or question him.
But I can see that he is doing this for Micai. As her partner, it can’t be easy asking another man to help, but he’s doing it anyway. I can respect that.
He will hear no protests or questions from me. For now, at least.
If Micai needs my help, that’s all I need to know.
“We have enemies, and Micai needs to grow stronger.” Ezra sighs, dragging a hand down his neck. “She has new ... abilities that need training, and I’ve heard that you’re not only her Defence instructor, but a member of the Valor Clan. One renowned for their warriors.”
I give him a small nod as his lips quirk upward.
“You, in particular, have a reputation for being capable of mastering any weapon you touch ...” He raises a brow, a question in his words as his eyes watch me.
I fold my arms, another nod tilting my head.
Our clan was known for their weapon mastery. I had just acquired more than others over time. It was a hobby that I greatly enjoyed.
“Right now, Micai needs someone like you to help her train.” Ezra continues. “Not in the academy or in any official sense ... but with us outside. I cannot tell you everything, even if you ask.” His brows pinch together, his gaze firm as they watch me. “Will you still help us knowing that?”
“You’re telling me that Micai has enemies, and that she needs to train this new skill of hers to be able to protect herself?” I take a step closer to him. “But that you will not tell me who this enemy is?”
Ezra nods, uncertainty flitting across his features as a beat of silence passes between us.
“If I knew, maybe I could help you fight them?—”
He shakes his head, cutting my words short. “It’s not that simple. Our enemies move in the shadows. And that’s all I will say. If you’re not willing to help—” He moves to leave, but I reach out, placing my hand on his chest, stopping him from taking another step.
“I never said that I wouldn’t help.”
If Micai was in danger, I would do everything and anything in my power to help her. This wasn’t a choice for me. Every cell in my body screamed to rush to her now and protect her and wipe out all her enemies.
But if I could teach her to master her new ability to protect herself instead, then that was even better. I would help her sharpen her blades as I have done and teach her to master every weapon she holds within her grasp.
If that is my calling, then I will happily take it.
I take a step closer to Ezra, narrowing my gaze toward him as a thought enters my mind. “As long as you guarantee that this danger wasn’t brought on her by you and your friends?—”
“My brothers and I”—he cuts me off, his own eyes darkening with my words—“would never put Micai in danger. I’d rather be burnt alive than watch so much as a drop of blood form on her skin from a mistake I made.”
I gaze into his eyes, seeing more sincerity there than most of the students I’ve taught.
Not being able to know who Micai’s enemy is or why they want to hurt her is bothering me more than I can put into words. But I can tell by the look in Ezra’s weary eyes that if I pushed for more, he would only walk away and never look back.
This was a chance. One I couldn’t not accept to help Micai.
If she needed me, if I could help or strengthen her in some way, then I would learn to push my worry and curiosity down to do what had to be done.
“When do I begin?” I ask. Investigating the forest and mountains will have to wait a little while longer.
A small smile stretches Ezra’s mouth as he begins to walk away from the main building. “Today. We’ll head to the abattoir when classes are finished, and I’ll introduce you to everyone.”
My brows cinch together.
Abattoir? Does he mean the old, abandoned meat factory in town?
But he comes to a stop after a couple of steps, turning back to meet my curious gaze.
“My brothers are pretty protective of Micai and our home and are unaware we’ve struck this agreement.
” A worried look creases his brow as he continues.
“They’ll realise sooner or later that it’s in Micai’s best interest. But you should be prepared for a little hostility . .. or maybe a lot.”
He meets my gaze again, his worry fading as a slight smirk lifts his lips in one corner. “But I’m sure you can handle it.”