Page 147 of The Blackened Blade

Annex leads the way punching anyone who comes near and promising to gut anyone else who pushes against us. Ezra wraps his arms around me from behind, making sure no-one jostles us or touches me as we move.

We head through the doors and freeze, like all the students in front of us.

It was pure chaos.

There were beasts fighting teachers or attacking students everywhere we looked. Spells were being thrown at them from every direction but nothing seemed to stop them, even attacks that inflicted heavy wounds couldn’t stop the ceaseless attacks. The beasts seemed completely feral and crazed, attacking everything and everyone that moved.

A scream from my right pulls my attention. A small female first year falls to the ground as a large deformed tiger-like beast stalks closer toward her. Its irises are like pins, a foam-like substance dribbles from its mouth as blood drips from its face and claws. With no visible wounds of its own on its face.

Just as the creature pounces, a figure jumps in front of it, slicing the creature's extended claw. Gadriel grips two large daggers in his hands as the creature growls before lunging toward them again. He pushes the beast back with a swift slice from his dagger, this time taking the whole creature’s limb off.

The creature stills, a strained howl leaving its mouth before it suddenly begins to shake. A loud roar bellows from it before it charges toward Gadriel again. He nimbly flips over the creature, slashing his daggers outward before landing behind the beast. The creature's head rolls to the ground as Gadriel rushes to aid another group of students shouting for help.

Mr. Heinley, Mr. Hampton, Mrs. Bruswick and Mr. Aldeir with a few sixth years are spread out in groups trying to stop the beasts. But there's too many, with some higher grade creatures mixed in and their magic not holding them for long.

Suddenly I’m pulled to the side by Ezra, a worried look in his eyes.

“Stay here, Micai. Please.” He turns back to Annex, a look shared between the two as he takes off his jacket to place around me. “We’ll lend a hand and be back in no time.”

Annex cracks his knuckles, a small scowl taking over his face before he flickers his gaze back to me, his grin reappearing.

“I’ll fuck em’ all up Red and be back to claim my reward for being a good scout.”

“Who said I give out rewards?” I grin, enjoying his nonchalant thoughts in the midst of all this chaos.

Annex’s smile straightens out, his expression turning more serious as he steps closer to me. His nose gently grazes my cheek as he leans down before placing a soft kiss there.

“You are the reward, Red.”

He meets my gaze, a look of pure resolve and something new and unreadable flickering across his features before he schools it, giving me one of his playful grins. “I’ll even get you a present if you're a good girl.” He looks out toward the beasts as he rolls up his jacket and shirt sleeves, taking out his blade and tapping it on his lips. “Which head would be best?” He narrows his eyes in the distance, flitting his gaze across the beasts attacking students like he was browsing a catalogue. “A coat made fromthatthing’s skin would look hot as hell on you…” He points to a large creature fighting Mr. Aldeirs group. Its body is ostrich-like in shape, except for the huge razor-like claws on its legs and snake-like scales on its head. It has small black and blue shimmering feathers falling down its back and legs, which is what I think Annex is referring to.

Annex looks back at me and nods. “Yep, you’d look sexy as fuck,” He narrows his eye menacingly at the beast, “And it won’t be needing its skin if its dead.” He chuckles darkly before darting toward it.

I watch as he makes his way over clutching his blade. He lunges toward the beast without hesitation and starts hacking away, dodging the beast's attacks effortlessly as he mercilessly attacks its weaker spots. Just what I would expect from Annex. He didn't get the nickname ‘Psycho’ for nothing.

I take a step toward him, wanting to join. I couldn’t stay on the sidelines and just watch. I was well-capable of handling myself and these beasts.

But before I can take another step, Ezra blocks my way.

“Ezra–” My brows cinch together as I try to move around him, but he blocks me again.

“Please,Micai.” His gaze is pleading, his eyes filled with worry and…fear? “I know you don’t want to watch. I can tell by your eyes that you want to help, but…” His shoulders slightly drop, a tremor in his hand as he reaches toward me, brushing it softly across my cheek. “If anything happened to you…” His brows furrow, his eyes closing for a brief moment as his voice falls to a whisper, “I couldn't…not when I’ve finally found you.”

He leans his forehead against mine as he opens his eyes, the turquoise tones swirling with lilac as he watches me, begging me with his gaze to listen to him just this once.

I open my mouth to tell him I’m stronger–stronger than any of them know or can imagine. That I’d fought beasts before and could do this. That I could help.

But before I can tell him, he starts talking again. “I’m not the nice guy everyone thinks I am Micai…I couldn’t care less about anyone else. Only my family matters, and that includes you now.” He quickly leans down, slamming his lips to mine in a bruising kiss. One so intense it has me leaning further into him. Our lips meld together as he pulls me flush against him, his tongue taking possession over mine with each lick and stroke and quickly building a heat in my core. But all too soon, he pulls back, a reluctant but heated look in his eyes as his tongue darts out, licking his lips as he watches me. “We’re continuing this when we get back.” His gaze darkens as his eyes trail down my front and flow back up toward my mouth, a promise lacing his lips in the wicked grin stretching them.

He looks to the area around us, his eyes resting on the two teachers nearest us; Ms. Cheron and Mr. Finch. They’re both casting spells and chanting, forming a stronger barrier around the academy and protecting the students nearest it. A few sixth year students beside them are calling out to people to come over and make their way into the academy for safety.

“Stay and help the others here if you want, but don't leave.Please. I’ll be back with Annex soon.” He places a soft kiss on my forehead before reluctantly pulling back and dashing off in Annex’s direction.

He joins Annex, who sits on top of a strange dark green furry creature with large talons and razor sharp teeth. He’s laughing like some crazed maniac as he wrangles the creature like a bull, slicing into its sides as it tries to flip him off.

Erza grabs a large discarded blade and stabs it into the creature's chest. It falls limply to the ground as Annex jumps off its back.

I can’t make out what he’s saying from here, the teacher's barrier blocking my heightened senses, but by the look on Annex’s face he’s annoyed at the assistance.

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