Page 57 of Of Blackened Blood (The Blackened Blade #3)

“She acts all sweet and gentle while luring you in, and then once she’s got a hold of you ...” He dramatically snaps his hands together, like he’s caught something between them before meeting my gaze. “You’re done for.”

“Done for?” Morgan smirks, narrowing her gaze toward the leopard shifter. “Is that what you are, Ash?”

He grins knowingly at her, placing one hand over his chest. “Body. Heart. And soul.” He leans in closer. “Only for you, my black raven.”

She rolls her eyes at his antics, but the grin splitting her cheeks gives her affection for him away. “You’re such a walking cliché, Ash.” She slaps his shoulder, trying to school her grin.

“But that beautiful smile on your face tells me you like this walking cliché ass.” He throws her a wink before turning around, lifting his jumper at the back a little before making a show of walking a few steps down the hallway, putting a little shake into his hips for her.

Grey gives him a little shove, knocking him over before they both chuckle.

She scoffs and shakes her head, but her grin only grows as she turns back toward me.

“Why are you here, Micai?” She peers toward the infirmary door, her smile soon fading as her eyes turn and trail up and down me. “Is everything okay? Are you hurt anywhere? Did someone hurt you?”

A dark glower forms in her amber eyes. And I can finally see the slight family resemblance with Creed.

“Who the hell was it? When I catch them?—”

A small chuckle leaves my lips, cutting her words off and easing the growing rage on her face.

“I’m fine, Morgan.” My smile slowly fades as I glance back toward the infirmary door. “It’s not me that I’m here for. It’s an old friend ... Knox.”

I spend the next few minutes telling them what happened, how he reached out to us before, how I found him earlier in the courtyard, and how I think Seria is behind it all.

“It’s always that conniving snake.” Morgan’s lips twist upward, her anger returning as she peers around, as if waiting for her to appear from some dark corner.

“I knew from day one that she was rotten to the core, but to think she was doing shit like that to them?” She shakes her head, her glossy black hair fluttering from side to side as a frown tugs her lips downward.

“She deserves to pay in the worst way possible.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll see to it.” I meet her eyes, a dark glint reflecting my own as she grins and nods.

“But how are you with all the other stuff happening lately, Micai?” She reaches out, brushing a strand of hair from my face, her perfectly shaped brows cinching together as she watches me.

“Creed and Ezra filled me in on what’s been happening.

Or at least the PG version.” She rolls her eyes.

“They’ve told me to keep my distance from the abattoir, and them, until they’ve caught and destroyed whoever’s behind those attacks.

” An annoyed look takes over her features.

“And if it wasn’t for these two assholes .

..” She hitches a finger toward Ash and Grey who just grin at her.

“I would have been there to lend a proper hand. I can handle myself. But overprotective cop and crazy cop here have kept me locked away and busy?—”

“I didn’t hear you complaining about how ‘busy’ we kept you last night. I mean there was a lot of moaning but ...” Ash wriggles his brows as Morgan whirls around, smacking him as her cheeks flare red.

“Ignore him, Micai.” She lets out a little huff, glaring at Ash and Grey as they smirk before she turns back toward me.

“I haven’t been able to see you much lately.

My brother and those assholes have kept you locked up in that old meat-shack, using ‘training’ as a constant excuse .

..” Her eyes widen slightly, as if realising something.

Then she narrows her gaze my way before quickly glancing around us and leaning in closer.

“Do you need a rescue?” She glances up and down the corridor again.

“I may not look like much, but I have my ways. Just say the word.” She rolls out her shoulders as a grin traces my lips.

“Is it Annex? Has he locked you up in that old meat-locker, only letting you come to school to save face?”

A chuckle breaks free. “He would be the last person to care about ‘saving face’ here. And I’m sure he would love to keep me locked away, but as if I’d let him?—”

“Is it Mallyn?” She cuts me off, glancing toward Grey before leaning in closer to whisper. “It’s always the quiet ones you gotta watch for.”

Ash laughs as I shake my head. “Mallyn would never lock me up.”

Morgan sighs. “I should have known it was the fish. Those little beady turquoise eyes of his following you everywhere should have been an indicator?—”

“Morgan.” I place my arms on her shoulders. “The guys are not keeping me captive. We’re training together. And I’m pretty sure from them training with me ... that they know they couldn’t take me .” I give her a small knowing grin as a small chuckle leaves her lips.

“ Who is trying to take you?” Annex calls, sauntering down the hallway as Ezra, Mallyn, and Creed follow closely behind him.

Grey and Ash move to make way for them as Morgan steps in front of me, blocking their view of me. “ You assholes better take better care of my friend.”

She narrows her gaze at each of them before finding Creed. “Or else I’ll hunt each of you down and kick your asses before ripping your dicks off and making you all into unicorns.” She glares at each of them as Ash and I try to stifle our laughter.

Nobody but Morgan could get away with saying shit like that to the Infernal Four. Well, except me.

Annex scoffs. “Sure, you will. Next, you’ll be telling me Ashleen over here will take a bite outta my ass.” Ash’s eyes widen as Annex hitches a finger his way, his head shaking side to side with Annex’s words.

“In his little kitty dreams, Morg.” He narrows a glare Ash’s way as the poor shifter drops his eyes to the floor in fear.

“Don’t pick on Ash, Annex.” I step beside Morgan, pulling his attention toward me.

A wicked grin stretches Annex’s lips as his eyes trail down me. “Then why don’t you keep me busy with a few more rounds then, Red. And wear all my energy out ...” He takes a step closer, leaning in. “But we both know I don’t mean in the ring.”

A heat creeps up my neck and into my cheeks with the asshole’s intentions.

Creed rolls his eyes as Ezra steps forward, elbowing Annex in the side before meeting my gaze.

“We heard about Knox ...” He glances toward the infirmary door before turning back toward me, his eyes tracing my face and finding everything I don’t want him to see.

He steps forward and wraps an arm around my back, pulling me into his side.

“Let’s get you something to eat in town, and you can fill us in on what happened then? ”

I take a deep breath and nod, my emotions settling with his gentle touch and all their presences. I glance around at each of them watching me, all my guys, Creed, Morgan, and even Ash and Grey. And a smile tilts my lips.

Annex comes to my other side and wraps an arm around my shoulder as we all begin walking down the corridor.

“You can also fill us all in on how we know we couldn’t take you , Red.” A dark grin tilts Annex’s lips as Mallyn joins Ezra’s side.

“I’m pretty sure Micai knows we can take her.” A grey storm swirls in Mallyn’s eyes as they meet mine. “Anytime, any day ... and any way she wants.”

Annex chuckles as my jaw drops open, but Mallyn just grins my way.

It seems my shifter is spending too much time with my dark reaper.

My eyes flicker between the two, a dark promise glinting in their eyes that have my cheeks heating up.

I turn to Ezra, seeking a little calm and solace from my sweet Siren, but the gaze he gives me has the heat turning into a burning flame that’s quickly creeping into every part of me and making my mouth go dry.

What have I gotten myself into with these boys?