Page 130 of The Blackened Blade

But it was for the best.

What had I been thinking? What were Annex and Ezra to me?

I guess it was something I needed to think more about from now on.

I look back as Ezra sighs, an annoyed look coating his expression as he looks toward Creed. Annex grumbles, something about‘killjoy’while openly glaring at Creed.

I slowly skate over toward the rink entrance, where Creed stands looking like a bull who's seeing red, and quickly change back into my shoes. Annex and Ezra skate over and whisper with Creed in hushed tones.

I’m about to get up and head back to the academy, when Ezra steps in front of me with his hand out to help me up.

“I’ll put them back,” He takes the skates from me, “And we’ll head back together, okay?”

“No.” Barks Creed, “You’re needed here. She can make her own way back.”

His glare is more cutting than usual, with a look of something darker swirling in his eyes as he stares at me.

Ezra stands in front of me, blocking my view of Creed.

“There's no ‘No’,Creed. I’m taking her back myself.” Ezra's voice drops lower, a harder grit to his tone as he continues, “And don’t look at her like that. She doesn’t deserve your anger.”

Annex’s eyes widen before curving upward, a small smirk lacing his lips as he nods his head, taking his place beside Ezra.

I can’t see Creed’s face from behind Ezra and Annex but I can hear the enmity in his tone.

“You're serious…both of you? Forher?” He scoffs. “You don't evenknowher.”

A beat of silence falls between them. “Have you both lost your mind?” His voice becomes steely, a harder edge to his tone as they continue their standoff.

“It's been gone a long time, Brother.” Annex shrugs, grinning playfully as Ezra lightly chuckles.

“...Fucking stupid.” I hear another bang as the bench beside us falls over.

“Be quick.” Creed growls, his voice rougher than I’ve ever heard before. “We have enough to do without adding this shit to the list.”

Annex shakes his head. “Not shit, Brother.” His hand reaches toward what I can assume is Creed. “You’ll understand soon enough.”

“The fuck I will.” He grits out before I hear a shuffle and some footsteps, followed by a door slamming.

“Don’t mind him, Micai,” sighs Ezra as he changes into his shoes. “Creed can be a bit rough around the edges. And it takes a bit longer for him to trust people.”

“And sometimes he's just a stubborndick.” Adds Annex as he pulls me up, already ready to go as he slings his arm around my shoulder.

“Let's head back, it's getting cold here.” Calls Ezra as he glances around the rink.

“It's fine, Ez. I’ll keep Red warm,” Annex tugs me closer, a wicked smirk growing on his lips. “I havemanyways to heat her up.”

Ezra’s hand reaches out toward Annex's head to smack him, but he catches it.

A smug smirk stretching his lips. “Thought you had me bro, but–”

Ezra’s other hand whips out toward Annex, his fist connecting with Annex’s side.

“Fuck.” Annex bends over, slightly winded for a moment before a small grin stretches his cheeks.The demented ass.

I turn toward Ezra, my mouth slightly open from surprise. I didn’t think he would be that strong. But maybe that was an unfair judgement. Hewasa part of their ‘Infernal Four’ as well.

I flicker my gaze between the two of them, but there's not an ounce of anger or annoyance in their gazes to one another.

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