Epilogue - Olivia #4
Ezra gestured lazily toward her sisters across the club. “Because women are more dangerous.”
Nova glanced over at that. Aniyah grinned proudly. Riot didn’t react at all from her perch above us.
“I watched their mates carefully,” Ezra continued. “Their devotion is obvious. Straightforward.”
“That doesn’t mean they’re incapable of betrayal,” I cried out.
She nodded, her eyes going sharp. “You're right. But their simple ways means I’d see it coming long before it happened.”
Her finger tapped once against the table. “Men are transparent creatures when they want something. They use force. Power. Violence.”
“But women…” Something darker flickered behind her eyes. “Women survive differently.”
She leaned back slowly against the booth cushions.
“We smile while hiding knives behind our backs. We can crave love and power at the exact same time. We can want closeness while still preparing escape routes. We learn to think ahead because we have to.”
Her gaze locked onto mine again.
“Plans within plans. Possibilities within possibilities.” A small smirk tugged at her mouth. “The intelligent ones prepare for outcomes no one else even considers.”
“Men can feel complicated too,” I argued weakly.
Ezra laughed softly under her breath. Not mocking. Just amused.
“Yes,” she admitted. “But men usually show it. Women weaponize it.”
That sentence settled heavily in my chest. Then suddenly her eyes drifted over me slowly, thoughtfully.
“If I thought you were weak,” she said quietly, “you wouldn’t concern me.”
Her gaze dropped deliberately toward the pile of emptied glasses between us. “And by now you should understand how much I hate wasted potential.”
Heat crawled up my face despite the fear and alcohol still tangled together inside me.
“You’re observant,” Ezra continued. “Capable. Emotionally intelligent without becoming naive.” The words hit harder than compliments should’ve. “You understand how ugly the world can be…”
Her voice softened almost imperceptibly. “And somehow you still haven’t let it hollow you out completely.”
Something tight twisted painfully in my chest.
“That,” she finished calmly, “is why I both like you and keep my eye on you, Olivia Savin.”
A loud commotion suddenly exploded near the front entrance of the club. People scattered aside immediately and Ezra sighed into her drink with clear amusement.
“Ah,” she murmured. “Looks like your two black knights finally figured out they’ve been manipulated.”
I turned toward the entrance just in time to see Calix and Rack shoving through the crowd looking absolutely frantic.
And strangely enough…Part of me was disappointed the conversation was ending.
Because somewhere between the threats and psychological warfare, Ezra had actually started letting me see her.
“Welcome to the family, Olivia.” I looked back sharply. Ezra’s hand rested outstretched across the table toward me and I grabbed it immediately. Her grip was cool and firm.
“I look forward to working with you,” she said smoothly, “with or without my brother present.”
I stared at her for a second before the question slipped out automatically.
“So…” I blinked slowly. “I passed?”
Ezra barked out a genuine laugh this time. Loud enough Nova and Aniyah both looked over immediately in shock and she squeezed my hand once before releasing it.
“Yes, Olivia.”
Her eyes sparkled faintly with something warmer now. Something dangerously similar to the humor Calix carried.
“You passed with flying colors.” Then her smile sharpened proudly. “And I’m very pleased my brother found such a formidable mate.”
Warmth exploded through my chest so suddenly I nearly swayed in my seat. I grinned so hard my cheeks hurt. I did it. I survived the terrifying sisters.
“Olivia!” Calix’s voice cut through the club sharply as he rushed toward me. The second his eyes landed on Ezra, his expression darkened instantly.
“Was this really necessary?” he demanded.
Ezra lifted her glass calmly without a shred of guilt. Her lips twitched against the rim.“Yes, it absolutely was.”
Calix let out a low growl the second he reached the booth, one hand dragging through his hair while Rack stopped beside him with his arms folded tightly across his chest.
Neither of them looked happy. I, however, felt fantastic.
Before either of them could start interrogating Ezra, I launched myself at Calix and wrapped both arms around his shoulders hard enough to nearly knock him backward.
“I’m dangerous, Calix!” I shouted triumphantly. “Not a waste!”
His entire face twisted. Confusion. Concern. Mild horror.
“What?”
His hands automatically caught my waist to steady me while his eyes snapped between Ezra and me rapidly. “What does that even mean? What did you say to her, E?”
Ezra didn’t answer immediately. She simply lifted her glass slowly toward me in a mock toast, the corner of her mouth curving upward.
“It means,” she said smoothly, “your mate is exceptional.” Her gaze slid deliberately over him. “So try not to ruin her.”
Calix exhaled sharply through his nose while rubbing at his temple like he was developing a migraine in real time.
Meanwhile I cupped both sides of his face happily and squished his cheeks together.
“Oh, Calix,” I sighed dramatically, “take me home.”
His eyes narrowed instantly. “That sentence never ends well when you say it like that.”
“I wanna try some of the things Aniyah told me.”
Nova immediately started cackling across the club. Aniyah doubled over against the booth laughing so hard she nearly spilled her drink.
Rack pinched the bridge of his nose. Calix physically closed his eyes.
“A threesome with a mage and vampire apparently has specific techniques for maximum pleasure,” I informed him very seriously.
Calix groaned like he’d just been stabbed.
“Aniyah,” he hissed under his breath with murderous intent. Before I could say anything else, he scooped me clean off the booth seat and into his arms before I could say anything else publicly humiliating.
“This,” he muttered while carrying me toward the exit, “is exactly why I didn’t want you hanging out with them. They’re insane.”
“Nope.” I poked him square in the chest. “I like them.”
His brows lifted while I wagged my finger dramatically in front of his face.
“They’re dangerous.” I said and grinned wider. “And I’m dangerous too.”
Calix stared at me for half a second before a reluctant smile finally cracked through his frustration.
“God, you’re drunk.”
“Mhm.”
I wrapped both arms around his neck happily while he carried me through the club. Under his breath he kept grumbling about his sisters corrupting his mate and getting me wasted, then quietly admitted I looked beautiful in my new dress.
As we reached the doors, I twisted around in his arms to look back toward Ezra.
She still sat in the booth calmly watching us over the rim of her glass. Then she winked at me. Butterflies exploded stupidly through my stomach and I immediately gave her an aggressive thumbs up.
That finally earned another real laugh from her, low and amused as she leaned back into the booth.
Further across the club, Nova and Aniyah both waved wildly at me.
“We’re calling you tomorrow!” Nova shouted.
“You better answer!” Aniyah yelled over the music.
“You better call me!” I shouted back immediately.
Riot stood near the entrance waiting for us to pass. The second I looked at her, she gave one small nod. And shockingly, a faint smile.
Something warm settled heavily in my chest as Calix carried me outside, Rack following close behind, and the cool night air hit my face.
I think I’ll fit in with them better than I thought I would. I think fate gave me the perfect family.