Page 143 of The Blackened Blade

Grey slaps Ash on the back and wraps an arm around Morgan, his gaze focused fully on her as he pulls her gently along and toward the main academy building.

“How about we head in first?” He turns slightly to Ezra, giving him a small nod before heading off with Ash and Morgan.

I feel two burning gazes on me as I watch Morgan leave; a small giggle leaving her lips as Ash whispers in her ear.

“Red.” Calls Annex just as I’m about to follow after them.

He slides a hand over my right arm as Ezra takes my left hand in his, entwining our fingers together. He pulls them to his lips, placing a light kiss along my fingers, just as Annex pulls my right hand toward his lips.

But he doesn't kiss them…hebitesthem. It's not hard enough to hurt or break my skin, but enough to pull my attention away from Ezra’s tender touch and gaze.

I go to pull my hand back from Annex, but his grip is like steel. He leans down and licks the marks he’s just left on me, a look the complete opposite of Ezra's on his face.

A shiver runs down my spine and straight to my lower abdomen, a new heat beginning to unfurl with all of their heated gazes and light touches.

“Enough playing Annex…it’s time.” Ezra gives Annex a look, the both of them sharing a brief moment before Ezra nods and slowly pulls his hand back. Almost reluctantly.

Ezra takes out a small black box and places it in my hand. Annex gives me a small squeeze before releasing my hand.

I look at the small box in my palm and then back toward them. What was it?

And why did the thought that they got me something have my breath catching in my throat?

Their gazes flicker between me and the box as I stand there slightly frozen, not quite knowing what to do or say. Between the dress and now this, they had given me more than I had ever received from someone. And simply because they wanted to.

Ezra rubs the back of his neck. “We hope you like it.”

“It’ll definitely suit you, Red.” Annex adds, his eyes a little narrowed toward the box as he bites his bottom lip.

I gaze between the two of them. They were both acting strange.

They looked almost nervous? But why?

Was it because of what was in the box? I guess there was only one way of knowing.

I slowly open it, half expecting something to pop out at me or for it to be empty as some kind of prank.

But it wasn’t.

My eyes widen at the sight of the small silver necklace.

I lift it up in my hand. And in the centre of the chain sits a small glinting dagger. It instantly reminds me of Annex’s drop earring, except this was all silver with a slightly longer blade.

Small markings on the metal dagger catch my attention and have me leaning in closer. And there along the tip of the blade, sit delicate music notes carved all the way to its hilt. They look so small and ornate, and must have taken a lot of effort to carve.

A knot catches in my throat, it was so beautiful but…somehow this felt like I was receiving more than just jewellery from them.

I look toward the two boys whose eyes haven’t left me, their own growing more anxious with my silence.

“Do you like it?” Asks Ezra, his eyes searching mine as he tries to read my expression.

“We should have gotten one with a bigger looking blade, or maybe an actual blade.” Mutters Annex, his brows furrowed and focused on the delicate metal glinting between my fingers.

“Iloveit.” And I do. I lift the necklace up between the two, they’re expressions instantly relaxing with my words. “Put it on me?”

I don't know who I’m asking but they both jump forward, reaching for my hand.

I chuckle hearing them scuffle as I turn around.

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