My Vampire Harem Will Dominate Everything

Chapter 125: A Declaration Of War

Ezra settled back into his seat, the subtle tension in his shoulders easing as he ordered a whiskey, neat. His eyes wandered around the restaurant, taking in the sophisticated ambiance and the contented chatter of the diners.

Moments later, the waitress returned with his drink, her professional smile warm and courteous. As she placed the glass on the table, Ezra looked up at her with a knowing smile, one that hinted at a shared secret.

"Would you care to join me for a moment?" he asked, his tone inviting yet commanding. "I believe you would like to hear what I have to say."

The waitress froze.

"Come on, now." Ezra's smile turned to a razor sharp grin. "We both know that disguise isn't fooling anyone."

She hesitated, glancing around to ensure that no one was watching them. Then, with a small, sigh, she slid into the seat across from him.

Ezra raised his glass slightly in a silent toast, his eyes locking onto hers. "I think we have much to discuss," he said softly, the undercurrent of his words promising more than just casual conversation.

The waitress stared at him, her curiosity piqued and a hint of wariness in her eyes. She looked at him intently and asked, "How did you know I was the one?"

Ezra took a sip of his blood laced whiskey, savoring the warmth it brought before responding. "It wasn't hard to figure out," he said, nodding subtly towards the lead investigator, who was now returning to his table.

"The Silent Hand always has someone watching key players. And tonight, all eyes are on him."

The waitress's expression hardened, her cover blown. She leaned back in her chair, the mask of her pleasant demeanor slipping away. "So, you figured it out. Impressive."

Ezra's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her. "You're more than just a watcher, though, aren't you? You're the assassin who attacked me in my office."

A slow, predatory smile spread across the waitress's face. "I wondered if you'd make the connection. Not many do, after a brush with death."

Ezra nodded. "It's hard to forget someone like you. Gen was thorough in her investigations. She uncovered your presence while digging into the investigator's life. A vampire hiding in plain sight. Quite the cover."

Her eyes flickered with a mixture of admiration and annoyance. "Genesis. She's good. But I'm better."

"We'll see about that," Ezra said, his voice low and steady. "Tonight, you won't be making any moves. The lead investigator is about to take a long vacation, and without him, the Silent Hand loses its edge in this investigation."

The assassin's smile faded, replaced by a cold, calculating look. "You think you've won, but this is far from over."

"I've not even started." Ezra chortled.

"Like hell we'll let you start." She retorted.

Ezra leaned in, his gaze unwavering. "Maybe. But for now, you'll sit there, enjoy the ambiance, and leave the investigator's family in peace. Or, we can find out just how good you really are, right here and now."

She stared at him for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Alright, Ezra. You've got your reprieve. For now."

Ezra leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving the waitress. "You know, you can drop the disguise. I know who you are now. In fact, I know your name," he said calmly.

She scoffed, trying to maintain her composure. "You think you know me? Names mean nothing in our world."

A dark grin spread across Ezra's face. "Oh, but I do. You're Delilah."

The waitress froze, her eyes widening in shock. The name hung in the air between them, a powerful revelation that shattered her veneer of confidence.

"And Delilah," Ezra continued, his voice taking on a predatory edge, "I also know about Lucien, your coven leader. A charming man, isn't he? I hear he's quite the strategist."

Delilah's expression turned from shock to anger as Ezra rattled off more names. "And let's not forget your coven sisters, Isolde and Marissa. Such a tight-knit family you have. It's almost heartwarming."

Her eyes flickered with a mixture of fury and dread. "How do you know this?"

Ezra's grin grew darker, more menacing. "I make it my business to know. And I wanted to be polite, Delilah, to inform you personally that war has begun. I'm coming for everything you have, everyone you hold dear."

"You and what army?" She gritted her teeth.

"I guess you haven't heard." Ezra waved casually. "Count Griffin himself will be stepping in to handle this personally."

"That's a lie." Delilah's mask of bravado crumbled completely. "You don't know what you're dealing with, Ezra. My coven will retaliate."

He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "Let them. I'm not afraid of any of you. In fact, I've been preparing for this. You see, Gen's investigations didn't just uncover your presence. They uncovered your weaknesses, too."

She recoiled slightly, her mind racing to calculate her next move. "You can't take on my entire coven. You're just one man."

Ezra chuckled, a low, sinister sound. "You underestimate me, Delilah. I have allies, resources, and knowledge. More than enough to dismantle your little family piece by piece. And get to the rest of the Silent Hand."

A flicker of desperation crossed her face as she realized the gravity of the situation. "You're making a mistake, Ezra Matten. This won't end well for you."

"Perhaps," he said, his eyes cold and unwavering. "But I'm willing to take that risk. This isn't just about survival anymore. It's about sending a message. The Silent Hand, your coven, anyone who thinks they can come after me, they'll learn what it means to cross me."

Delilah's lips pressed into a thin line, her fear giving way to a steely resolve. "Then we'll see who survives this war, Ezra Matten. You may have the upper hand now, but we're far from finished."

Ezra nodded, a chilling smile playing on his lips. "Indeed, we are. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Delilah. It might be one of your last in peace."

He stood up, leaving her to process the magnitude of his declaration. The game had changed, and Ezra was determined to see it through to the bitter end.