Page 20 of A Blackened Bond

“Everyone fall in and head toward the Main Hall. We’ll account for everyone there and take care of the injured too.” He ushers students into the main building, his gaze flickering back and forth from the forest, a slight shake to his hands as he moves. “Move a little quicker, students. Dean Griffith will direct everyone on what our next step is when everyone is assembled.”

Morgan glances toward Creed, a hesitant look in her gaze.

“We follow them…for now,” Creed calls, giving each of the guys and Morgan a nod before leading the way into the academy.

Students dart out of our way as we head inside, giving us a wide berth as we move together.

No queue or waiting for us then.

A benefit of being with the boys that I could get used to.

CHAPTER SEVEN

MICAI’S POV

Imake my way into my room, the faculty having divided us up and sending us to our dorms after an entire morning and evening of them following whatever ‘protocol’ they had in place.

Once we were deemed okay, we were sent our separate ways.

Annex wouldn’t budge from my side, saying he wouldn’t leave me, and even tried to follow me into my dorm. Three faculty members had to hold him back, with Mr. Heinley shaking the whole time at Annex’s deathly glare.

A grin tilts my lips, remembering the three teachers and Annex’s murderous expression.

Ezra wasn’t much better. He tried to slide past them, and the mayhem Annex was causing to join me while I walked to my dorm.

Creed stopped him, whispering furiously about ‘not acting like a love-sick dolt.’

Dusk was taking the skies as I close the door behind me, the old wood creaking and moaning as I head toward my drawers. Pulling out a pair of navy-blue silk pyjamas, I head straight for the bathroom and peel off the now-tattered teal dress, a frown marring my lips as I hold the frayed and bloodied fabric in myfingers. The teal dress is torn from the knee down, the once bright colour now a murky brown mud shade. An ache works its way into my chest the longer I stare at the ruined gift.

My firstproperdance. I should have been able to enjoy the night more.

I glance down at my body; my legs are still covered in dried dirt, with flecks of dried blood running down each arm. My hands were covered in a mixture of dirt and dried blood from Annex, and I’m sure my face and hair didn’t look as pretty as they had at the beginning of the night. Not one area had escaped the chaos of the attack.

The only somewhat clean skin on me was my feet, thanks to Ezra.

I peer down toward the tidy pair and remember Ezra’s words. He thought my marks were tattoos.

I guess that was a good excuse as any. But I still didn’t like keeping something from him, or Annex.

A heavy sigh escapes my lips.It was a talk for another day.

I leave the dress on the edge of the sink as I slink into the shower and turn the tap on. The water spurts out slowly before turning into a heavier stream. It's not nearly enough to submerge myself in, but it was the best I was going to get, unfortunately.

I crank up the heat as far as the old faucet will allow and let the hot water wash away the dirt and remnants of the night.

This wasn’t what I was expecting when I left the room earlier with Morgan. We had talked about dancing with the guys until our feet hurt and then sneaking into town afterward to grab something to eat together.

I never pictured this happening. It didn’t in my previous life.

After a few minutes, I pick up the soap and begin to scrub myself down.

I never wanted to experience another night like this. I never wanted to see another person I love or care for in pain and feel so utterly useless again. I never wanted to feel so helpless and lost, like I had returned to being the person I was in my previous life.

I wasn’t the same girl from back then. I was stronger and faster, both physically and mentally. So why wasn’t I acting like it?

If the guys knew how strong I was, maybe they wouldn’t have felt the need to protect me like they did? Maybe they wouldn’t have put themselves in danger so easily thinking I couldn’t defend myself?

They only saw a small glimpse of what I could do tonight. It’s time I open up and show them more.

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