Page 35 of The Blackened Blade

His smug grin falls, his brows furrowed and eyes focused more intently on whatever expression I’m wearing and the thick sharp glass pointing toward him.

I take another step toward him as his eyes meet mine again, a more cautious look in them as he watches me move.

“And after I’m done with you, I’ll take my time with him.” I point the broken bottle toward Dean on the ground. “What was it he said? Oh yeah…I’ll make it so he’ll have tocrawl backwhen I’m done with him...that's if he’s still breathing I guess.” I shrug, twisting the bottle round playfully.“And unlike you scumbags, I’m in no rush, there’ll be noquickiehere.” I chuckle darkly. “I’ll take my time, and test out just how much a shifter can heal from.”

His eyes widen slightly with my words, never leaving my face. Whatever he sees has him taking a small step back as I take my next step.

“You really have gone fucking crazy, haven’t you?” He glances back at Dean, just a couple of feet behind him now.

“Maybe I was crazybefore. For putting up with everything, for taking it all and staying quiet.” I look at Leon shaking his head and taking a shaky step toward Cole.

Cole leans down to Dean and wraps an arm around him, pulling him up toward him.

“Now I’m going to return all thepleasantriesI’ve gotten the last couple of years.” I grip the bottle in my hand, veering it toward the three of them.

“Fucking bitch–” slurs Leon as he tries to take a step toward me, but Cole kicks a leg out toward him, pushing him back and sending him stumbling again.

“Not now.” Cole calls.

“Not ever again.” I call, my voice low and cold. “If you, orthey, come at me like this again Cole…I promise you, ‘crawling away’won’t even be an option.”

He wraps Dean's arm around his shoulder and calls for Leon, whose eyes are still dazed and unfocused as he makes his way toward them.

I watch on, unmoving from the spot I’m standing on or dropping the broken bottle I'm holding, until they’re completely gone and out of sight.

A heavy breath falls from my lips as a small tremor works its way down my hands and through my body.

I drop the broken bottle and listen to its glass shattering as my vision begins to sway and spin again, with the throbbing in my head working its way down my neck and back. Aches and pain scream from areas all over my body as I begin to slowly relax. It was a miracle I had kept so steady. I guess I have six long years of guard harassment to thank for that.

I hear a bell ring in the distance.

Pulling myself up, I wince with the pain, every inch of my body screaming at me to sit back down and stay still. But I wouldn’t.

Defence class would be starting soon, and I was adamant that I wouldn’t be missing it this time.

CHAPTER9

After removing the blood from my face and hands and tidying up the best I can, I make my way onto the training grounds. The area is almost like a huge football field with large open spaces and obstacle course equipment spread out around the large grounds. There are some low-lying metal barriers separating it from the immense forest around it. There's also a small grey building that sits off to the side, where weapons and training equipment are kept locked away for classes, only the instructors having access to it.

I make my way over to the group of thirty or so students already training in the centre of the grounds, when suddenly my name is called from the side.

A man over six feet tall with a face that could make even the most spinsterish of women swoon, calls to me.

I freeze for just a moment as I’m met with two deep green eyes. My breath catches in my throat, lost to his bewitching features and a face that even an angel would envy.

His light golden hair sways with the breeze and brushes across his shoulders, while the muscles in his arms pull and stretch at the fabric of his cream shirt. He narrows his deep green eyes toward me as I make my way over.

I continue to walk, picking up my pace as his lips pinch into a slight frown and I realise who it is that I’m staring at.

I guess those rumours about the new Defence teacher were true after all.

There's a slight tick to Mr. Valor’s jaw as he watches me and stands to the front of the class, his gaze becoming colder and more cutting the closer I get.

“Three laps around the training ground for being late Ms. Bane.” He turns back to the class as a couple of chuckles fall from the group, but instantly stop with his glare.

I guess with the attack and then tidying up, Iwaslate by a few minutes.

I look around the grounds. It had to be at least three normal football pitches long and at least two pitches wide.This would take a while.

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