Ezra and I stood at the same time, but she beat me to the punch.
“Okay. I’m not watching this foreplay build any further.”
On the other end, our grandfathers weren't paying attention, still arguing over which of us most resembled them. I had to admit, Tata was right; we all looked like Mom. With our ashy white hair and rose gold eyes, we all looked similar even though we were technically different species. But I’d never say that aloud. I liked how they doted on me.
With that, we left, driving to the shop separately even though it was down the street. Sailing down the strip, the bright neon lights felt just as familiar as the dark alleys and back streets. Every corner of this neighborhood felt safe, but looking around, I could feel an itch starting. I wanted to carve out something of my own. I wantedmore.
Once I parked and got inside, Ezra, Riot, and Nova were already waiting. A small woman behind them was prepping the tools.
“That was fast,” I said, nodding at her.
“I already contacted her?—”
Ezra was cut off when Calix shuffled in like a zombie. What the hell washisdeal? He looked worse than usual. Ezra gave him a sharp look that screamed, “Buck the fuck up.” He straightened a little, but the haunted look in his eyes worried me.
“I know the past few days have been rough,” she said, looking around at us.What the hell has happened to everyone else?“But this is it. Our time. We’re taking the throne and building something so big, so terrifying, no one will dare cross us.” You could feel her sincerity in every word, making you want to follow her to hell and back.
She nodded to the mage woman behind her. “This is Greta. She’s from Romania. I brought her here for a specific reason. I’m getting a mate-blocker tattoo.”
We all stared at her like she’d grown a second head.
Her voice was calm and final when she explained, “I need to focus on the Syndicate, on protecting all of you and what our parents built, while also expanding. I want to build something bigger, more powerful, and I… can’t afford distractions.”
Her eyes softened in a way I rarely saw. “This is my choice, but I wanted to offer it to you.”
“I’ll do it,” Riot said instantly. Too quickly.
My eyes snapped to her. Riot? The one who’d spent a whole summer talking about waiting forthe one? Something wasn’t right.
“How long does it last?” Nova asked quietly.Wait, wait, what?
“I’m in,” Calix snapped. “Fuck mates. Fuck love. Just give me my lab and my family. I’ll survive.”What the hell happened with Valentina?
He stomped past us, slumped into the chair, and slapped at his neck. “Right here. I want everyone to see it.”
The tattooist looked at Ezra. “Blocator de mate, da?”
Ezra nodded. The woman turned back to Calix. “Nu-?i face griji. Va fi invizibil.”
“What’d she say?” he asked.
“Invisible, the tattoo will be invisible after she places the magic into it,” Ezra replied.
Calix slumped, mumbling under his breath, “Then how will she know I’ve moved on?”
Nova voiced the question we were all thinking. “What’s going on with him?”
“Valentina and Calix… broke up. For good.”
Oh.Shit.Helovedher. What the fuck happened?
“The spell is ancient.” Ezra moved on, obviously knowing more than us, but I figured Calix needed time to lick his wounds before he talked about it. “She couldn’t give me a solid answer as to how long it lasts. Maybe around… ten to twenty years.”
Nova looked at him, then Riot, then nodded. “I’ll do it.”
Ezra nodded, stepping forward and giving Nova’s arm a squeeze before turning to me. “You don’t have to, Niya. It’s your choice. No pressure. I don't want you doing something you will regret later.”
I knew the weight of this. Ifeltthe magic humming in the air. It was powerful. It was real.
