Chapter 37
MICAI
I smooth the teal fabric down my chest, the silk soft and light against my skin as Morgan pulls the zip up my back. A low whistle leaves her lips as she takes a step back after finishing.
She had come to my room a couple of hours ago, saying we should get ready together.
But had been shocked by my lack of ‘preparation supplies’ as she called it.
She made a quick call, one that had Ash arriving at my door a mere ten minutes later with a large silver case, filled to the brim with almost every known makeup brand and hair piece available.
An hour and a half later and after some heavy nagging and fixing from Morgan, we were both finally ready. And I had even found some time to sneak into the bathroom and slip on the sheath and dagger Gadriel had gotten me without her noticing.
I walk over to the mirror, my mouth slightly parting at my reflection; the dark teal dress slides across my body, hugging and accentuating every dip and curve. It sits tightly around my breasts, while dipping at my small waist and clinging to my curvy hips.
A couple of inches from there sits a slit that parts the fabric all the way to its hem. It shows a slight bit of thigh when I move, and flares out in gentle waves down to my feet with the teal silk fabric feeling light and flowy against my skin.
I lean closer toward the mirror and brush a hand over my cheek and out towards my hair.
My short strands fall to one side of my face in a loose finger wave, framing and complimenting my natural features and making me look more feminine and mature.
It also gives my whole look a nineteen forties feel.
Morgan had gone with what she called ‘a glamour look’ with a more modern and glamorous makeup style. While I had opted for a more classic and natural look and a dark mulberry lip.
Morgan slips into her strapless navy dress; the beads swaying and shimmering down her dress as she moves. The colour compliments her raven black hair and porcelain skin, making her look even more like some foreign princess or a model from a Vogue magazine.
She gives me a knowing smile, throwing a pair of black suede cut-out stiletto heels at me.
“Thankfully I brought a spare.” She winks, gesturing toward my bare feet.
I give her a sheepish grin and my thanks before slipping them on.
We make our way slowly down the dormitory stairs in our heels. Morgan tries, and fails to stifle her laugh as I stumble a couple of times. But by the time we reach the front door, I’m much more steady.
That is, until I see them.
Ezra and Annex stand at the doorway; Annex leaning against the wall as Ezra chats nonchalantly to Grey and Ash.
Ezra’s brown and lilac wavy hair is styled in a quiff, his sun-kissed skin a contrast against the dark charcoal grey suit he's wearing.
There's a deep teal shirt under his suit jacket that he’s unbuttoned at the neck.
And that's where I see a slight bit of dark ink trailing down his chest.
I didn’t think Ezra would have any tattoos.
My eyes trail down his front and to where his teal shirt tucks into his suit pants, the fabric looking just a fraction darker than the colour of my dress.
A heat creeps into my cheeks the longer I stare, with thoughts of us in the Roller-Room flashing in my mind and of his body flush against mine.
I turn my gaze away, trying to push the memories down. But my eyes instinctively fall on the tall dark figure beside him that screams danger and sin. Annex.
He leans against the wall with an almost bored look on his face as he listens to Ezra and Ash talk.
His dark brown hair is loosely slicked back, showing off every ear piercing and tattoo.
A thick black chain sits on his neck, matching the metal colour of his drop dagger earring, while black ink flows down his neck and onto his chest. His shirt is loosely open down to his waist and shows little snippets of daggers and skulls inked on his torsos skin.
Where Ezra wears a dark charcoal suit, Annex has opted for a pure black combo, except for a small snip of dark teal fabric peeking out of his jacket. Which looks exactly like the fabric I’m wearing.
A blush coats my cheeks as I trail my eyes up their physiques.
Both of them look drool worthy, their suits fitting and hugging them in all the right places. And tonight, they were all mine.
A small smile tugs at my lips with the thought as I follow behind Morgan. She opens the door and pulls their attention straight to us.
And they all fall silent.
Ezra’s smile drops, his eyes slightly widening as they trail down my body.
Annex stiffens, mumbling ‘Fuck’ as he follows Ezra’s burning trail. Their eyes slowly meet mine after their perusal, with a look of almost awe in them before they quickly turn hooded.
A grin stretches my lips, a small chuckle tumbling out at their dumbstruck faces. It pulls them from their little trance.
“Fuck, Red.” Groans Annex as he adjusts his trousers, “I knew you’d look hot but…that’s fucking criminal.” He pulls out a small blade and palms it in his hands.
“Annex.” Ezra narrows his eyes at the blade as Annex points a finger toward me.
“If anyone tries to eye fuck her while she’s looking like that …
I’ll be taking souvenirs and starting a collection, Brother.
” His gaze turns heated as he trails his eyes back over me.
“Don’t blame me, Red. It's damn near sinful what you’re doing to me.
” His grin turns wicked. “Thankfully I’m more on the morally grey side of life, and enjoy committing a few sins.
” He leans in closer, his eyes burning a trail up my front before they land on my lips.
“How about we forget the ball and go commit some sins together?”
A hand from the side slides in between us and pushes him aside.
Ezra shakes his head at Annex before turning toward me.
He leans in, his breath tickling my neck and ear as he whispers.
“He is right though…” His lips graze my ear as a shiver works its way down my spine with the dark timbre of his voice, “You look absolutely devourable .”
Heat creeps into my cheeks as he pulls back, his eyes dark and hooded with a wicked grin stretching his lips.
There seemed to be a lot more to Ezra than I had thought.
And with each new day we spent together he seemed to show me more of him, and a different side that I don’t think he let others see easily.
A small warmth flickers in my chest with the thought.
A throat clears behind us as Morgan narrows her eyes playfully at Ezra.
“We’ll be late for the ball if we just stand here watching you two slathering like dogs over Micai’s hot ass. So let's get moving!”
“Slathering?” Chuckles Ash as he wraps an arm around her waist, “Just say drooling babe.” His chuckle dies off, his face falling as his eyes meet Annex’s. Annex gives him one of his signature smiles–meaning it looks almost demented–and Ash starts shaking.
“S-sorry.” His face pales slightly before he quickly turns away.
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…he bites them. 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.