Page 82 of The Blackened Blade

All their eyes fall on me, a dark knowing smirk spreading on Annex’s lips as our eyes briefly meet.

“So let me get this straight. You think Iwantyou? That any girl sitting at this table couldn’tpossiblyjust want to eat? They have to be up to something, and want your attention?” I raise a brow, shaking my head as I quickly continue.“Andyouwant girls to fuck, to use, and to then throw away when you please, buttheyshould have no expectations or needs themselves?” I lean a little closer toward him.“What? They should begratefulto get your dick?” I swing my fork in between my fingers as I pull back and sit straighter.“What's so good about you?” I ask, “I mean, yeah, you're pretty. And maybe you’ve got some sort of power or high status…you may even have a huge dick,” Ezra chokes on the drink he just took a sip of as I continue.“But you're acompleteasshole. Any girl having to put up with your shit and insecurities deserves a fucking trophy the size of your ego. Or maybe they don’t make them that big. I don't know.” I shrug, pointing my fork toward him.“But that sounds like ayouproblem, meaning I don't have to give a shit.” I say, before scooping up my last bite and slowly chewing.

I look at Creed, a wicked cold sneer spreading across his lips as he opens them, but I cut the dick off after swallowing.

“If that's how your relationships really are then that's pretty sad. But shit attracts flies, what do you expect?”

Ezra's eyes slightly widen before a small grin spreads across his lips.

A small cough,that sounded strangely like a chuckle,rings out from hoody boy at the end of the table as Annex breaks out laughing. The sound of it echoes around the room and sends the students near us to go stiff.

Creed's face darkens, his nostrils flaring as his jaw tightens.

Then something unexpected happens.

He leans back, his features relaxing as he takes a deep breath. The others around the table fall silent, their grins and chuckles fading as Creed looks at me.

To any other person, they would think he’s dropped it, that he was being magnanimous and moving on. But I could tell from the dark look in his eyes,those piercing amber eyes, that he was the silent killer type. The hit you never saw coming. Murder wasn’t messy or quick for this one.

He was the strategic type, the one who liked to pull the strings and watch from the front row. The type that when he snapped, everything would burn with him. It was the look of a predator watching its prey as it plans the most painful of deaths.

But death…I’d been there, and done that.

Livingwas harder.

And there was no point in living in fear. That wasn’t living.

A slow grin spreads on his lips.

“Tomorrow, we’ll be here.” He points to the table, his dark gaze never leaving me. “Andyouwon’t. Am I clear?”

“Creed–” Calls Annex before he cuts him off.

“Shut it, Annex.” Creed's tone is cold and cutting and leaves no room for compromise. Annex goes to open his mouth again as Ezra pulls his arm, shaking his head, his eyes never leaving Creed. He looks stiff and nervous.

I guess Creed meant business.

But I wasn’t budging either. I’ve dealt with enough assholes in both my lifetimes to know it's not worth it to back down or give in. It's better to fight back.

I feel my features fall and darken as I stare at him, a visible shift in the table's atmosphere.

“Thanks for the suggestion. Noted. But let me make one of my own.” I pull myself up straighter, my gaze meeting his dark glare. “You either learn to share or get a new space, cause this ismine.I’ll be here tomorrow, the next day andeverydaythis week. My presence is permanent.”

“Do you have a death wish–”

“Death?” A chuckle falls from my lips, surprising even me with its dark tone. “It doesn’t scare me.”I slowly stand, his dark gaze following my every move, looking ready to pounce if I take one wrong step.“Nothing can anymore. So get used to my presence,Creed. Because I’m not going anywhere.” I turn around and make my way out of the cafeteria, ignoring Annex’s voice and Ezra's gaze as I leave, and head towards the girls' dorms.

I wouldn’t back down from this. As stupid as it may seem, that was my space. A small place of peace for me, where I can rest and eat undisturbed. There weren’t many in this academy as it was, so I wouldn’t be giving it up for them.

But I guess now I can see why everyone else avoided it. Maybe it wasoriginallytheirs?

I make my way to my room, slamming the old door behind me and shaking the old wood.

The only other oasis for me to relax was in this old-falling apart room. But there was no-one to talk to here, to trust, or to call my own…I guess there never was here anyway.

I fall onto the bed, exhaustion taking over.

Even with the sun still bright in the sky, I begin to close my eyes.

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