Page 80 of A Blackened Bond

I get dressed, throw on my comfortable grey sweatpants and hoody with a soft white cotton top, and head out of my room.

Maybe I had missed them earlier while sparring with Gadriel? Maybe they were somewhere on campus waiting or looking for me?

My stomach growls as I head through the dormitory doors.

The cafeteria was as good a place as any to check for them. And if they were looking for me, that would probably be the first place they would search. A grin tilts my lips with the thought before I take a step outside and into a large crowd of students.

They are blocking my way to the cafeteria as each of them stands around, all facing toward the courtyard, watching and listening intently to something.Or someone.

I hear familiar voices talking back and forth, with a tone that tells me this isn’t some normal chit-chat.

I push my way through the crowd, recognising the first to be the sound of Ivy’s whiny voice and the one following it as Morgan’s.

What was happening, and why was there such a large group gathered around them? What was Ivy up to now? And why the hell did she have to drag Morgan into her bullshit?

I push past another few bodies until I see Morgan’s dark raven hair, her face wearing a tired and annoyed expression as she glares at the group of girls in front of her. Ivy stands just an arm’s length away from Morgan, surrounded by Alice, Tandy, and a short brunette wearing an Ivory tie.

“You think you’re so important because of who your brother is, but nobody likes you.” Sneers Ivy, her grin growing wider with the girls agreeing beside her. “You may have status, but you’re a stuck-up bitch, and nobody wants you around. Those two dumb lackeys around you probably only stay with youbecause of who your brother is…It’s theone good thingabout you. Without him, you would be nothing.”

Why the hell were these dipshits targeting Morgan? And where was Grey and Ash during all of this?

I scan the crowd and the area around us, but neither of them are anywhere to be found.

Had Ivy and her cronies planned this? To target Morgan when the boys were gone? And why the hell was everyone else just watching it like some sitcom?

My fists clench by my sides, my eyes narrowing at Ivy and the girls chuckling around her as they try to degrade Morgan. I step forward, ready to rip them to shreds, when I hear Morgan’s calm, silky voice.

“Is that the best you have?” She trails her eyes down Ivy’s front, a look I’ve seen many times from Creed before and when he’s looking at things he deems unworthy of his time. “That I’m not important and nobody likes me?” She chuckles, the sound a dark, beautiful titter ringing around the courtyard.

“You meanyoudon’t like me. You and your group of discarded trash that don’t deserve the dirt beneath my fingernails.” She quirks a perfectly shaped dark brow. “Why would I waste my time or energy on imbeciles like you?” She waves her hand to Ivy and her group. “Filth should stay with filth and will only ever recognise others of equal value.” She glances at the girls around Ivy, a mocking grin lacing her rosy-red lips. “And I would say you’ve chosen perfectly.”

Tandy steps forward, her face scrunched together in anger and resembling a blonde little hobgoblin.

“Just because you have the Infernal Four backing you, you think you can say whatever you want, and we won’t do anything—”

“Then do something,” Morgan cuts her off, her words like a knife, as she narrows her gaze at Tandy. “Even without the boys behind me, I could still rip you to pieces.”

Tandy flinches before Ivy steps beside her.

“You’re all talk, Morgan.” Ivy’s scoffs. “You can’t do anything without your brother or your little lackeys.” She glances around her, a smirk tilting her lips. “Where are they anyway? Did they get tired of you already? Did they find someone better to play with?” A dark chuckle falls from the group around her as Ivy sneers at Morgan.

Sounds familiar. She seems to be recycling the same bullshit she used with me before. Except Morgan looks utterly unfazed by her words, a small scoff leaving her lips before they part to reply.

“Ah,you’re jealous. Makes sense.” Nods Morgan. “Someone as pathetic and bitter as you wouldn’t be able to find someone who really loves her. You want others to hurt so that you can feel better about yourself.” She nods again as if talking to herself. “You use your vile words to pull people down to your sad level…and it’s beyond pitiful.” She glances at Ivy, whose face has turned bright red. “Your personality is worse than the trash around you.” Smirks Morgan, looking to each girl and then the boys behind them. Her amber eyes darken as she meets each set of eyes on her.

“Iamimportant. Iamloved. And I don’t need your approval or blessing. You all mean nothing to me.” She grins, shrugging as an arrogant and indifferent look coats her face. The look would make Creed beam with pride.

Silence falls around us, Ivy’s nostrils flaring as she opens her mouth. “You stup—”

But before Ivy can finish her words, Tandy jumps forward, her face twisted in rage as her hand reaches for Morgan. I catch aglint of something shiny hidden between her fingers as she aims for Morgan.

My body moves on instinct, catching Tandy’s hand an inch from Morgan’s porcelain cheek.

I twist her wrist as a pained howl leaves her lips. I grip her tighter, her hand opening as a small metal blade falls from between her fingers.

A strange smell hits my nose as it drops to the ground below me. I focus my heightened senses on the blade…it was tipped with something.

Was it poison? Or some type of drug?

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