Page 38 of A Blackened Bond

I give him a small smile, one he doesn’t seem to be falling for. So, I quickly change the subject.

“Did you have to change your family plans?” I internally smack myself for just repeating his words back to him.Great question.

His brow creases out as he opens his mouth.

“We have the Winter Solstice, which is held from the night of the 24thright through until New Year’s night. We welcome in the New Year, and the ending of the old. It’s an Elven tradition. We spend the entire time with our loved ones, lay gifts down for the old Gods, and give thanks for the blessings we’ve been given over the year.”

It sounds…nice, almost like a warm family celebrating their traditions together.

I wonder what Gadriel’s family were like.

Were they all as statuesque as him? Did they all fight and move like him? Did they all share the same light golden-blonde hair and forest-green eyes?

“Maybe you can see for yourself sometime…” His voice is almost a whisper, a strange look glinting in his eyes as he lets his words trail off.

I open my mouth, but laughter from around us stops me from speaking. A group of students pass us, entering the cafeteria and halting the question wanting to leave my lips.

What did those words mean?And that look?

Gadriel clears his throat and gazes toward the group entering the cafeteria building. “We can talk another time. You should get something to eat.”

He gives me a small smile before being called by another teacher in the distance, Mr. Hampton, the other defence instructor and bear shifter.

I watch as he leaves, heading toward the direction of the forest. Another faculty member joins them, and they head in, disappearing from sight.

I head into the cafeteria, grabbing a bottle of orange juice, a small bowl of porridge and fruit and apainau chocolatthat smelled extra delicious.

The cafeteria was busier than ever. Everyone was probably enjoying the freedom from the dorm rooms and wanting something to eat.

I’m looking around the crowded room for Morgan, Ash, and Grey before noticing them at our usual table. But before I can make my way over, someone shoves straight into me.

The hit catches me off guard, and I stumble slightly but manage to steady the food tray I’m holding.

A heavy scoff rings out in front of me as I see Ivy, annoyance clouding her features.The feeling was mutual.

“Why, of all the rats scurrying around here, did I have to bump into the lowest of them? Why the hell is it always you, Micai?” Her freckled nose scrunches up further. “Shouldn’t you have gotten the message by now…” She bends toward me, her voice no lower than before. “Nobody wants you around. Not one person would have noticed or cared if you had disappeared during the attack.” She shrugs, a smirk lacing her lips. “That’s just how pathetic your life is.”

I grip my tray, a small crack forming as the red-headed rodent continues.

“And why is it that Dale and Kayden get injured, but someone like you doesn’t have so much as a scratch on them?” She flicks her gaze roughly down me before gesturing toward the two boys standing behind her.

A dark-haired boy wearing a bandage on his wrist and hand raises a rigid brow as our eyes meet, a sneer pulling at his lips as a familiar ginger-haired boy brandishing a small bandage on his forehead throws a dark glare my way.

Ivy’s eyes glint, her face twisting and features dripping with disdain as her lips part again.

“Ah, using the Infernal Four as your own personal shield and protection, Micai?” A dark humourless chuckle leaves her lips. “Of course you were. How would you be here otherwise? You could only hide behind someone with your level of strength…” She shakes her head as Kayden chuckles behind her.

“If not for them, you would have been thrown as crumbs to the beasts so others could have gotten away easier.” A dark sneer twists his lips as he leans closer to Ivy. “That’s all you would be good for. You’re useless otherwise.”

Ivy titters as his arm wraps around her shoulder.

“Are you done?” I flick my gaze between them, the crack growing more prominent in my tray as they open their lips again.

“You—”

“Great.” I cut them off, my eyes narrowing as I give them a small grin.

“While we’re on the topic of‘useless things’…how’s your head?” I meet Kayden’s eyes as he grits his teeth. Hopefully, remembering our last encounter. “Or your dickhead friends? They didn’t get eaten, did they?”

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