Page 140 of Claimed By Fangs and Darkness

Mena clapped her hands together and blew us all a kiss before leading Kylo up to her art studio on the second floor.

“Be right back, I vow it!” she called over her shoulder.

Idris shook his head.

“Should I be worried?” I asked, sending everyone around me into a fit of laughter.

The revolutionary spirit was potent. I caught sight of Vesper holding court in the corner of the room, already surrounded by a new group of mortal fans. One of the men brought her a plateof grapes, as if in offering. Vesper accepted the gift with a warm, infectious smile.

All turned were glamoured, of course. But I had a feeling the mortals here were well-aware of their presence.

Clarke was chatting up a shifter man, and Blade, Harmony, and Idris joined in on a competitive, loud game of cards.

I was content to meander through the space, more comfortable in my own skin than I ever thought possible.

“Evie,” Amy called, waving me over.

I joined the group of witches on the ground. They were giggling and clinking glasses, poring over a book of astrology together.

“I’m so glad you all made it,” I told them. I scanned their faces, relaxing when they regarded me with kindness.

Gwendolyn pulled me into a side hug. “Thanks for inviting us. Mena is wonderful,” she said.

“She’s the best.” I released a breath. “How have things been going?”

“Second batch will be ready soon. We’re getting quicker and more efficient,” Gwendolyn said. “Hekate’s presence in our lives has never been stronger. Dreams have become more vivid, some hopeful, and others quite dark. Sometimes they spill into the waking world.”

I nodded. “I know exactly what you mean. How are things in the city?”

“Most loyalists have only hardened their positions. They think the turned are the cause of everything wrong in Etherdale, that the born are only trying to help make things right,” Amy hissed.

“But,” Gwendolyn said, swallowing a piece of pastry. “People on the right side of history have only become more radicalized. Etherdale is preparing for war, that is for certain.”

“I know it feels wrong to say,” Amy said. “But there’s this surge of excitement and freedom in the air that’s electrifying. Like it’s all crashing down, but that’s exactly what we need. We know it’s going to be bloody and devastating, but it’s the only way to get to the other side. I’ve never seen the people of Etherdale so united, so kind and gracious and generous with each other—the ones capable of it, anyway.”

“It’s not wrong to say,” I said. “I feel it too. The light beyond the shadow.”

“Pluto entered Aquarius today,” a thin male witch said, pointing at a colorful chart of astrological signs. “That’s why we were toasting. We’ve entered an era of intense community-building, collective transformation, change, advancement, andduh, revolution.”

Amy grinned, clinking glasses with me.

Astrology was out of my wheelhouse, on my list of things to explore, eventually. It was nice to know I had people to learn and practice with.

After ten minutes of chatting, Mena re-entered the space and clinked her glass with a small spoon.

“Thank you all for being here tonight. I know it was not without risk. Nothing worth doing ever is.” She winked.

Kylo was quick to find me as he scanned the room, his features warming when he did.

“Tonight, the theme ischange.Talk to strangers about the way you have transformed. See my new, lovely friend Antoine for an astrological reading.” She gestured to the male witch sitting with us. “Enjoy. Indulge. And remember that change is inevitable. Resisting its pull is futile. Let yourselves be changed by each other. By music and literature and art. By the city herself.”

I smiled when Mena locked eyes with me. I felt seen, and I did not cower from the sensation. She nodded.

“My home is open to all of you. You will always be welcome here. No questions asked, for as long as you need. We need each other, now more than ever.”

Love oozed from my every pore, gathering into pools that slid down my cheeks. I wiped the tears away, my smile never faltering.

When Mena was finished, she did a little curtsy and threw her head back with a laugh. “Get back to it!”