Page 62 of A Blackened Bond

“Besides, I wouldn’t bring a corpse around you for laughs and giggles.” His brows furrow before shaking the thought away, his typical playful grin reappearing on his lips. “Unless you’re into that?”

He raises a brow as I shake my head.

“I prefer live prey, too.” He shrugs before taking my hand in his.

“It’d be nice if you spent more time here. I mean, that little room of yours isniceand all…” He observes me for some reaction, only there’s none to give.

The dorm room was tiny and old, and nothing like this or anyone else’s room in the academy. It never really felt likemine,anyway.

It was just a space to hide or to get away from everyone else—a place to rest and sleep.

“But you deserve better, and bigger.” Annex gestures to the room around us. “You need a space filled with you, a space you can feel comfortable in and do what you want. And inthattiny space, I’m surprised you can even breathe, let alone sleep.”

He takes my hand in his. “Ez and I wanna spend more time with you. So much that you’ll grow sick of looking at his face.”

I raise a brow as he shrugs.

“You couldn’t get sick of this face, Red. I’m too pretty. That’s why no one can look at me for longer than a millisecond. I’m dazzling.” He gives me a bright smile as laughter bubbles up and tumbles from my lips.

“So that’s why people can’t look at you? Here, I thought it was from fear of being skinned alive or turned to stone.”

“Pssh.” He waves a hand between us. “Skinning someone takes too long, Red. There are quicker torturing methods these days.” He lightly rolls his eyes as he shakes his head. “I’ll show you sometime. But let’s get back to us.” He waves his hand between us, pointing back and forth between himself and me.

“Ez and I want as much as you’re willing to give us…” His brows draw together, and his gaze narrows toward me as his grip on my hand tightens.

“Fuck that. I want it all. Ez said we should take our time and not rush you or push you into anything too quickly, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned from dying, Red…it’s that you never know what can happen in life and how fleeting time can be.It’s precious.” A softer look takes over his features as he leans a little closer.

“It’s probably the most precious thing we can have or give to someone. And I want all of yours.” His hand reaches up and strokes my cheek before brushing into my hair, his gaze flickering back and forth between my eyes and lips.

“I don’t do shit half-assed and don’t say shit I don’t mean. When I want something, I’ll go after it one thousand percent.” A mischievous grin pulls at his lips as he continues. “I may cross the line at times, sticking to you like the handsome dark shadow I am. And I’m also alittlebit possessive and might do some shit that’ll piss you off in the future. But know I’ll always haveyour back…and front.” He gives me a playful wink before a more serious expression takes over his features.

“I know we haven’t known each other for years or decades, but it’s never taken me long to realise what I want.” His hand slides down my cheek toward my chin.

I grin, shaking my head as his fingers brush against my lips, tilting my gaze back toward him. “What I’m saying is…I don’t see a life without you anymore, Red.” An almost desperate look forms in his gaze. “When I died…all I could think about was getting back to you. I don’t ever wanna be apart from you like that again.” His brows furrow, a strange smile stretching his lips. “It’s funny. I never cared much about dying before, but now…” He gazes deep into the depths of me, piercing through every remaining barrier I’d taken years to grow, destroying them easily with one gaze and each soft word leaving his lips.

“You’ve given me a reason to live again, Red. And from now on, it’s you, me, and the dickheads downstairs against the world.” He leans his head against mine, his gaze soft and luring me in. His lips brush across mine as I tilt up to him, his grin instantly widening with the move.

“Red.” He huskily whispers against my lips. “I lo—”

“Annex—” Ezra’s words are cut off as he enters the room, a brow raising as he watches Annex pull back slightly and curse, his hand brushing through his hair as he glares at Ezra’s arrival.

“Worse timing ever, Ez.” Annex’s hand snakes around my waist as Ezra comes over. “But I guess we can just continue.” His dark grin reappears as he pulls me flush against him.

Ezra places a hand on Annex. “Unfortunately, you can’t. Creed wants you on a job tonight.”

Annex whips around, his eyes narrowing. “Fuck no! It's Red's first night here. We have to break all the beds in. And the bathrooms and countertops. There’s no time for blood tonight.Tell him I said no.” He tightens his hold on me as Ezra shakes his head.

“I tried, but there was no give. You’ve got to work tonight.”

An incredulous look takes over Annex’s features. “Oh hell no.”

“He’s waiting—”

“Let the dickhead wait, I—”

Just then, Creed's voice bellows up the stairs, his timing almost impeccable, as Annex scowls.

“Stubborn bastard.” He murmurs, glancing toward his open door.

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