Hierarchy of Need [t.r]

Chapter Twenty Three

Just after she turned around, she witnessed a fist flying through the air and landing on Abraxas' jaw. The platinum haired boy gaped at his friend, not having the slightest idea as to why he was so pissed. "Elio? What the hell?"

"What is wrong with you?" His voice was raised, but he wasn't yelling. Nonetheless, nobody had ever seen him like this, causing the boys to stare at him cautiously and curiously.

There are three things all wise men fear; the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.

Delilah had pressed her back to the door, trying her best to stay out of it as she watched Elio's chest rise and fall rapidly. But the new weight behind her eyes nearly felt painful as she looked at them all. Her friends, the boys whom she was growing to love. They actually branded someone.

Disappointment.

That's what she was feeling, and it made her heart ache slightly as her eyes landed on Pyrrhus. It was extremely difficult to comprehend how he could do something like this. Nearly two months ago she was having to wipe away his tears as he was drunk in a bathtub, heartbroken over a break up.

And Abraxas, he- what was she expecting? Delilah knew he was one of the first death eaters. She just subconsciously decided to ignore that fact. Or maybe she tried to convince herself otherwise. Making herself focus on the boy she knew now, or thought she knew. The boy who pulled her into the room of requirement and poured his heart out about a girl he loved.

Shifting her eyes to Cain, it was just so unusual to picture him being cruel. He usually kept to himself, but the love that glowed from his eyes when he looked at his fiancé was something incredibly rare. Delilah's only seen that look a handful of times.

Finally, her eyes landed on Tom, and she didn't know what to think.

He was sitting on his chair as if it was a throne, a look of disinterest in his eyes as he watched Abraxas' jaw grow slightly red.

Abraxas' own gaze shifted between Delilah and Elio for a second more his shoulders dropped. "Shit, listen Elio-" He didn't get to finish his sentence, because instead, a hiss of pain left his lips.

Elio had grabbed his tie, yanking him forward and right into his fist. His knuckles colliding with Abraxas' nose with a crack.

Pyrrhus rushed forward, hooking his hands under Elio's arms to tug him away from landing another hit. "What if that was Aurora, hm? Not too far off considering what her house is and blood status."

Abraxas suddenly tensed, about to fire back, but someone cut them off.

"Enough," Tom bit out, his hand absentmindedly twirling his wand. Elio yanked out of Pyrrhus' hold and spun around to face him, his features contorted due to anger. Delilah almost didn't recognize him, was all this under the surface the entire time?

Then something shifted, Elio's face become stone as his eyes rested on Tom. "Since today seems like the day of revealing things not meant to be told," his voice was sharp and it sounded like a stranger. "How about that day Delilah mysteriously fell ill after your little trip to the woods, hm? How 'bout it?"

Delilah furrowed her brows, what was he talking about? "I thought you said I got food poisoning or something."

Elio whirled around, a slight crazed smile on his lips. Everyone in the room came to realize he had finally cracked. "Oh no, definitely not food poisoning, this fucker," he waved a hand at Tom, who had suddenly gone eerily still. His eyes burning, his jaw clenched. "Rosier, enough."

"No," his voice was nearing a shout. "I am sick of you. I'm sick of the mind games. I'm sick of the emotional manipulation. We are not chess pieces you can move around on a board whenever you feel like it!"