Page 59 of Poison Ivy
Vex looks up at me, blood trickling from his split lip. His eyes narrow. “Or what? You’ll kill me? Go ahead. Prove to everyone what a monster you really are.”
I hesitate for a split second and Vex seizes the opportunity. He headbutts me hard, sending me reeling back. As I stumble, he tackles me to the ground. We grapple in the dirt, trading blows andmagical attacks, both of us wanting to feel the thrill of flesh meeting flesh.
As Vex and I continue trading blows on the ground, a crowd starts to gather around us. I can hear excited murmurs and shouts of encouragement, but I tune them out, focused solely on pummelling Vex’s smug face. I don’t give a shit now if I get expelled over this. It’s not like I’ve got nowhere to go. I stay because Torin is here, and that’s where he wants me, but that can change in a heartbeat. Half expecting a professor to show up and split us apart, I’m mildly surprised when one doesn’t.
Vex roars and slams his black lightning into my chest, throwing me back ten feet. I hit the ground hard, flat on my back, my shirt smoking, burning through my skin. The pain is intense, but I grit my teeth and push through it, struggling to my feet.
Vex stalks towards me, hands glowing with more dark energy. “Had enough yet, Blackwell?”
I spit blood onto the grass. “Not even close, you piece of shit.”
We circle each other warily. The crowd around us has grown, students cheering and placing bets. I catch a glimpse of Ivy at the edge of the crowd, her eyes wide with concern. Seeing her reminds me why I’m doing this - to protect her. To keep her safe from Vex and anyone else who might try to hurt her. Torin and Bram push to the front, and I see Torin giving me the timeout signal, but there is no chance in hell I’ll forfeit.
With a roar of pure rage, I gather my power and unleash a blast of pure magical force at Vex. He tries to dodge, but I anticipate his movement and adjust my aim. The magick slams into him, lifting him off his feet and sending him crashing into a nearby bench.
I advance on him as he struggles to rise, my fists crackling with energy. “Stay down if you know what’s good for you.”
Vex glares up at me defiantly. “Fuck you.”
He lashes out with another bolt of black lightning, but I’m ready this time. I catch it on a hastily conjured shield, the impact sending shockwaves through my arm. Before he can attack again, I drop the shield and slam my fist into his jaw, channelling all my pent-up rage and magick into the blow.
There’s a sickening crack as my fist connects. Vex’s head snaps back, and he crumples to the ground, unconscious.
I stand over him, breathing heavily, my knuckles bloodied and raw. The crowd around us has gone silent, staring in shock at the brutality of the fight. “Anyone else want to fuck with me?” I snarl, glaring at the onlookers. They back away hastily, muttering nervously amongst themselves.
Torin and Bram stride over, looking impressed despite themselves.
“Nice work,” Torin says, eyeing Vex’s unconscious form. “Remind me never to piss you off.”
I grunt in acknowledgement, still coming down from the adrenaline high. My eyes search the crowdfor Ivy, needing to see her, to make sure she’s okay. But she’s nowhere to be seen.
“We should get out of here before the staff shows up,” Bram says, gripping my arm and pulling me away.
I nod, still breathing heavily, and I bend to retrieve the notebook and my backpack. “Yeah, good idea.”
As we hurry away from the scene, I catch a glimpse of Ivy disappearing around a corner. Without thinking, I break away from Torin and Bram.
“I’ll catch up with you guys later,” I call over my shoulder, ignoring their confused looks.
I round the corner and find Ivy waiting for me, her green eyes wide with concern.
“Are you okay?” she asks, reaching out to touch my bruised face.
I catch her hand, pressing it to my cheek. “I’m fine. Are you okay?”
She nods. “Whatever is going on between you two needs to stop.”
“He threatened you,” I growl. “I wasn’t going to let that stand.”
Ivy sighs, shaking her head. “I can take care of myself, you know. Especially when it comes to Vex. You don’t need to worry.”
“I know,” I say softly. “But you shouldn’t have to. Not when you have me.”
She meets my gaze, searching my eyes for something. Whatever she sees there makes her soften slightly.
“We need to talk,” I say urgently, remembering the hit and glancing around to make sure we are alone. But right then, Torin and Bram round the corner and come to a stop with a low whistle.
“Well,” Bram says. “If it isn’t the little mouse.”
