Page 129 of Claimed By Fangs and Darkness

“I’m Darcy,” she said to me. “Have you read the new Rielly book?”

“Evie,” I said, though I knew my introduction wasn’t necessary. “No, I’ve been a bit busy,” I said. “I hope I can soon.”

“You’ll have it by tomorrow morning,” Kylo interjected before turning back to the men he’d been talking to.

I blushed, and Darcy stared at me with round eyes.

“You are living every book girl’s dream. I hope you know that.”

I sighed. “Do I ever.”

We both laughed, launching quickly into a dialogue about the author’s previous books. It was funny to me that before I’d met Kylo, I’d assumed the turned were all a bunch of bloodthirsty brutes who’d never stepped foot in a library not once in their lives.

It was a blessing to have been proven wrong. Over and over again.

“I’m going to use the restroom,” I whispered to Kylo.

“Down one flight of stairs,” he said. “There will be an attendant to help if you get lost.”

“Such little faith in me.”

He kissed my temple, and I told Darcy I’d be right back.

“I need a sweet treat,” she said with a nod. “You want one?”

“Always.”

My smile was easy and my belly warm as I made my way to the stairs. Socializing could be fun. Rewarding, even. Who knew?

I slipped past the guards and through the door. I was giddy and laughing softly at my own witty internal dialogue, war’s oppressive loom sinking further into the back of my mind.

The stairwell was quiet. No attendants to be found. I shrugged and reached for the first door on the level just belowthe roof. Behind me, the door to the roof opened and shut again, and someone hummed gleefully.

I stepped through the door and into an empty restaurant space. I peered around the darkness for the bathroom. Maybe the woman behind me would know?

Whoever it was hadn’t followed me inside. I conjured a small witch light and found it on my own.

After, I studied myself in the ornate mirror over the sink. It was strange how much more blissful and radiant I appeared these days, when my life was objectively more precarious. Was it because I’d finally freed myself and awakened my power? Was it my dedication to the clan? Kylo’s love?

It was a combination of all of it, I decided.

The empty restaurant was different as I walked back toward the stairs. It was eerier, the energetic environment more chaotic. A creeping sensation crawled up my spine, a familiar burn on my skin. The witchy warning bells went off too late.

A body slammed into me, knocking me flat on my back. A kitchen knife pressed against my throat. I went still.

“Hi, sister,” a familiar, creepy voice whispered above me.

41

EVIE

Juliette straddled me, staring hungrily into my eyes. She was in a light blue dress that looked suspiciously like one that I owned.

In one movement, she could slit my throat. Adrenaline coursed through my blood, and I allowed my heart to hammer and pound. Surely, Kylo would hear it through the bond and come help me.

Several thoughts moved through my brain at once. One, Juliette had followed mefromthe roof. Which made absolutely no sense. She wasn’t turned. How the fuck was she here?

Second, I wasn’t supposed to be using my power. Not so close to the turning ritual. I needed all of my strength.