Silence lingered for half a second before I cleared my throat. “I have one more thing.”
Every single one of my sisters turned toward me, and for the first time in a long while, nerves actually crawled into my stomach.
I pressed the button on my watch, which removed the glamor. The illusion peeled away from my neck, revealing the tattoo underneath.
Aniyah squinted at the screen. “What the fuck am I supposed to be looking at?” She leaned closer like that would somehow help.
Nova shook her head at her and tutted. “Oh, Aniyah, look at his neck.” She quickly looked back at me with a large smile. “Congratulations, Calix!”
I smiled back at her automatically, grateful someone in this family possessed functioning brain cells.
Aniyah’s mouth fell open, then she screamed so loudly I physically recoiled from the volume.
“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!” She slammed both hands against the table. “Big bro actually found someone willing to be with his ancient ass?”
She winked after she said her piece, but I still narrowed my eyes at her.
Riot nodded to me, giving me a forlorn look I did not understand, before it was gone. Softly, she said, “Many good wishes to you and yours. I’m happy for you, brother.”
Then I looked at Ezra, and my smile weakened instantly.
She hadn’t moved. Not even a little. No blink. No shift in posture. Nothing. It was like someone had carved her out of stone.
I tried to coax something out of her. “I know it wasn't part of the plan, but it just kinda… happened.” When she still didn't say anything, I quickly blurted out, “Her name is Olivia, and I think you all will really like her. She's sweet and sassy, the perfect mix.”
“Oh, so she’s like me,” Aniyah announced proudly.
I looked at her flatly, giving her my deadpan voice. “Not even remotely.”
Aniyah burst into laughter while Nova covered her mouth, trying and failing to hide hers.
“The woman you turned.” Ezra’s words came sharp and immediate, cutting straight through the noise. “The mechanic.” My smile faded. “The human who crossed paths with Manshu.”
Her eyes locked onto mine now, intense enough to pin me in place. “That’s who she is, correct?”
The room suddenly felt smaller as I glanced toward my other sisters before lowering my voice. “I’m going to talk to Ezra about this after you guys leave, but I do want you all to meet her soon.”
Then, because apparently I enjoyed casually detonating bombs, I added, “And she’s also Rack’s Flame.”
Nova blinked once before smiling again, though worry lingered behind it as her gaze flicked toward Ezra.
I gave her a tiny nod.It’s fine.
“I knew it!” Aniyah yelled, pointing at me. “I knew you and Rack were just too close. How does it feel when his dick’s next to yours? Do you like it? You do, don’t you, you dirty dog.”
“Aniyah!” I snapped. She dissolved into cackling.
“Okay, okay!” She waved both hands innocently while still laughing. “I’ll interrogate Rack later instead.”
Before I could threaten her further, she clicked off the call entirely. The silence afterward felt blessed.
Riot inclined her head toward me. “I’ll see you soon.” Then she vanished too.
Leaving only me and Ezra staring at one another.
I folded my hands together slowly. “Okay. What’s going on?”
The second we were alone, the frozen mask fell right off her face.
