Page 139 of Claimed By Fangs and Darkness

“If you ever want me to read your cards or anything else, I’m happy to,” I offered. I didn’t feel comfortable enough yet to bring up her daughter explicitly, but I hoped she knew my offer extended into that realm as well.

“Thank you, Evie. I’d love to get a reading sometime.”

I exhaled. I asked her more about the people she’d met and her favorite experiences. I enjoyed watching the way it lit up her entire etheric field in shades of orange, pink, green, indigo, and purple.

In a burst of wind and shadow, Idris suddenly appeared, scaring the shit out of me and almost making me spill my coffee.

I glowered, and he grinned back.

“That never gets old,” he said wistfully. He’d been staying in one of the apartment units in the turned neighborhood since he’d gained clearance to venture above ground. He and Vesper were neighbors. “What are you all talking about?”

“Sex work,” I said.

Idris blushed furiously. He scratched the back of his head. “Oh, um, I can come back later.”

Vesper and I laughed, which didn’t help Idris’s discomfort.

“Sit down, punk,” I said. “What’s in your hand?”

Idris took a seat and waved what appeared to be some sort of invitation. “Mena is hosting a soiree tonight. She told me she’d off herself if we didn’t come.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, the drama.” I soon melted, remembering that we’d hardly seen her in weeks. And that wasn’t going to get any better. “Then we’ll be there.”

“She also told us to bring all of our new friends,” he said, lifting a brow. “Does sheknow?”

I shrugged. “Probably. Mena is crafty that way. She’s like an unpaid private investigator. She definitely suspects something, but I’m not sure how far those suspicions reach.”

“True,” Idris murmured. “She doesn’t know I’m a vampire though, and I’m not ready to tell her, okay?”

I nodded. “Of course. Take your time. Let’s just have fun tonight, and you know, invite all of our friends.” I shot Vesper a conspiratorial look.

“I’m not one to turn down a party. Especially not when I know the guest list will be this immaculate,” she drawled.

“Oh, just you wait,” Idris said. “You and Mena are going toloveeach other.”

I nodded. “I hope you usurp Kylo for top spot in Mena’s favorite people list, personally.”

“God, me too,” Idris laughed.

Vesper’s smile was sly. “Challenge accepted.”

For a moment,I forgot how to act normally. I’d returned to my true childhood home, kissed my grandmother on each cheek, and then watched as everyone I loved gathered in one space.

Not only Kylo, Blade, Harmony, Vesper, and Clarke—but also Amy, Marietta, Gwendolyn and the other witches. They all stepped through my protective barriers and into Mena’s soiree.

“What if she shows up, somehow?” I whispered to Kylo.

“Then we’ll kill her.” He smiled and kissed the side of my head. “You’re safe, baby. Enjoy it.”

Mena was a radiant beam of pure light. She wore a burnt orange tent dress, layers of turquoise and gold necklaces, and big hoop earrings. Her gray hair was in a messy bun, wavy strands escaping to frame her face and leopard print glasses.

She was freedom embodied.

“Kylo, doll, you simply must give me your honest opinions on the pieces I’m working on!” she exclaimed as we gathered in the main drawing room.

I smirked.

“It would be my pleasure.”