Page 168 of Claimed By Fangs and Darkness

Idris’s face relaxed. “Thanks. I want to make this quick, for obvious reasons, but is she okay?”

I returned my gaze to the cross-legged girl learning to move her shadows. Limbs were shifting from smoke to solidity as she attempted to arrange objects with her eyes closed.

“Yes, she’s okay. And I intend to keep her so.” There was no reason to worry Idris. He should be concentrating on becoming a stronger fighter.

Idris nodded, releasing a breath. “Good.”

I felt a low buzz of power emitting from him, and I side-eyed him to see the jittery anger in his features and the tapping of his fingers against his thigh.

“How are you?”

Idris frowned deeply. He shook his head. “I’m fine. Thanks. I’ll see you around.”

He took off, and I couldn’t help but watch him. His powerful stance, the faint darkness blooming from his palms as he stalked toward a group of his older friends.

Hearing about Evie’s violation was probably incredibly triggering for him. But he didn’t want to talk about it, and I couldn’t make him. So long as he channeled that anger into noble pursuits and clan justice, he really was going to be fine.

I knew from experience.

Speaking of being fine, I needed to soothe myself with a born torture session. I’d earned it.

53

EVIE

Tomorrow was the day. Only Vesper and I were aware of the invisible deadline. The impossible choice that still wasn’t entirely clear.

Kylo and I hadn’t been the same since the moment he discovered my deception through our bond. He was working nonstop, as if he were avoiding me. And when he was with me, his attentiveness and devotion gave me whiplash—as if I were imagining the distance.

That was how I felt now, lying with Kylo outside as the sun began its lazy descent. The nights were getting cooler, signaling autumn’s arrival. I welcomed the change.

We were reading together, every once in a while coming up for air to discuss or laugh or kiss. He told me about each clan in Ravenia: where they were located, how long they’d been hiding, and any special gifts or powers each clan’s members held. It soothed me to understand deeply that we weren’t alone.

And when Kylo and I finished a lively philosophical debate, which concluded with him pinning me with kisses, my choice was being made for me in a way I hadn’t anticipated.

“I love your weird little mind,” Kylo said as I giggled underneath him. He teased my lips with his tongue.

I couldn’t do it.

Talking to Vesper, I’d been nearly certain that the right choice was to cave to Juliette’s threat. That it would be worth it, and I could handle this on my own without endangering anyone else. But Vesper had been right—I was no longer totally free and autonomous, and that was okay. Because the trade-off was the kind of love I’d always dreamed of.

It wasn’t a loss to choose Kylo. I wasn’t self-sacrificing. I was admitting that we were two distinct trees intertwined, nourishing each other as we grew and reached for the sun.

I would tell Kylo about Juliette’s threat. We would fight together, as I promised. And as I sat with this choice in my belly, it didn’t feel like a trauma response or people-pleasing. It was a conscious decision rooted in something higher. Faith that we’d be able to succeed on our own terms, in the way we needed. We could protect everyone together. If Juliette tried something, we’d have our opportunity to strike.

My heart warmed, my burden finally light and free. I stroked Kylo’s strong jaw, letting my sudden serenity pass through my body and into his.

Kylo exhaled. “I’m making you pasta tonight, baby.”

“Sexiest thing you’ve ever said.”

He laughed. “Sad if true.”

“Or that’s how much I love pasta.”

“Precisely the reason you’re getting it.” He kissed my forehead. “But also because you eat bread in this really cute way.”

I blinked. “What? I eat bread strangely? How do I eat bread? Now I’m self-conscious.”