Page 127 of Claimed By Fangs and Darkness

“Ionce believed that the monarchy protected us from born tyranny,” Vesper said. “If only the born followed the rules and acted with class and sensibility like those in Prospyrus, then all would be well. But as I said, I was naive. I see the truth now. After all, Earle and the council never denied Lord Conrad a seat at the table or rescinded his title. To be complacent is to be complicit. Monsters who know how to play the game might be the worst monsters of all.”

I was in awe of Vesper. She didn’t shy away from her story or her emotions, and now she fell back into a position of strength. The scar across her cheek took on a new light.

“I’m so sorry,” I said. “You’re incredible. I’m glad you’re both here.”

“And you as well,” Vesper said. “I wasn’t always so spiritually attuned. But I feel it now—the web of connection that has bound us all together. I do not think it a coincidence we named ourselves the Serpent Clan, when that is a symbol of Hekate.”

Powerful chills swept over my skin. I’d told them a bit about Hekate already, as they were curious about the name switch.

“I had a vision of snakes when I turned,” Clarke said, his eyes dancing. “Snakes and fire. The fire was clearly Vesper.”

Vesper’s lips curved.

“I, too, was not always as spiritually aware,” Kylo said. “I was open and well-read, but I was more focused on philosophy and tangible, corporeal action and affairs. I’ve always had a higher power, and I encouraged that in my clan as well. But Evie showed me how crucial the otherworld has always been, how important the ethereal to a life well-lived and a revolution well-fought. Now I see it everywhere—the connections, the serendipitous twists of fate, the wisdom, blessings, and lessons from beyond.” He grinned, and I blushed furiously. “Magick is falling in love, Evie once told me.With the unseen world and its inhabitants. I can feel that now more than ever before.”

My eyes rounded. My body swelled with emotion.

Idris didn’t roll his eyes or make a face as he watched us.

This time, he smiled.

Vesper shook her head and sighed. “I lovelove,” she murmured wistfully.

“Aren’t they so cute you could die?” Harmony asked.

“Absolutely,” Clarke said with a heavy nod. “Speaking of intertwining fates, we have officially made contact with someone close to Rune in Aristelle.”

And just like that, Kylo forgot all about me.

“Too soon for either party to reveal much, as tensions are peaking in Aristelle, and we have yet to rise from the underground. Rune won’t want to jeopardize relations with the crown at a time like this. But we now have an open line of communication.”

“Perfect,” Kylo said. Excitement bled through the cracks of his clan leader mask. “That’s all we need for now. I will make my bid for a diplomatic meeting after we secure Etherdale.”

Vesper frowned as she stared off into the distance. I wondered if she was thinking about her daughter. Had she ever thought about trying to find her, now that her blood bond with Conrad had been broken? Or did she still think it too big of a risk? Maybe by the time Vesper was stable and turned, she figured her daughter was better off without such a huge disruption to her life. I knew it wasn’t my place. I couldn’t imagine the emotional complexity of a situation like this, but I wondered all the same.

Kylo decided it was time to bring them in on our mission with Conrad and Aster, as difficult as it was for him to talk about. I leaned in close as he explained.

Vesper’s eyes widened and then narrowed. Clarke straightened.

“Do you have any insights into the nature of their relationship?” Kylo asked. “Or a potential play for the crown? I know this must be difficult?—”

Vesper cut him off. “This is war. I know what I signed up for, and I’ve done my healing. This is why I’m here.” She regarded me fiercely, almost protectively. “I don’t like that you’re doing this either, but I would do the same in your shoes.”

I nodded, relieved and soothed by her presence.

“Aster absolutely visited Conrad at his estate while I was being abused, and I saw them together at court a few times as well. One of the more palatable born men, a councilman named Kole Tefar, hated their guts. He was one of the people who tried to warn me about Conrad’s religiosity. Kole is as loyal to the crown as they come, and he would often speak of Conrad and Aster’s arrogance. He felt as though Earle and other council members weren’t seeing some of the southern lords for who they really were.”

Kylo’s powerful mind churned. Blade made similar calculations. They both exchanged a look, an unspoken conversation unfolding as Vesper continued.

“Whether they want to take Earle’s place, or help someone else do so, I can’t say. It’s possible this idea was conceived after I’d already escaped. If Aster was intrigued by your power when you were a child, perhaps that marks the start of their treasonous ambitions. They certainly have the motive. Conrad’s religiosity was rooted in the same framework of the Servants of Lillian, even if he preferred an unwilling mortal to a willing, groomed tithing.”

I swallowed, and Vesper’s face softened.

“Or they just want to take over this region and turn it into a prosperous, slave-trade-centered playground for the born,” Clarke said.

Blade nodded, weighing these ideas as a crease formed between his brows.

“We don’t have much time now,” Vesper said. “I think if you can’t make headway in your next two visits with Aster, you must transition into luring the witch away for a kill. I don’t want you making that strike when you’re on their turf.”