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.
