Page 175 of Claimed By Fangs and Darkness

Juliette’s face moved from rage to delight and back again like the perfect little psychopath she was.

I wanted to scrub my lips until they bled. And I couldn’t even think about Kylo, or I’d lose it. I had to keep it together and complete my objective, or all of this would have been for nothing. Or worse, I would risk the fate of Etherdale and everyone I loved.

No pressure.

“Here’s the book,” Juliette said, walking slowly toward us. Her smile was warm, but her eyes were manic.

Aster placed a hand on my thigh but thankfully backed out of my personal space.

Juliette showed me my own favorite fantasy novel, one with a main character who reminded me of Kylo.

“Have you read it?” she asked. “It’s myfavorite.”

I was quite certain I’d mentioned this one at dinner when Aster and I were talking about books.

“Yes.” I fought the urge to grind my teeth together. Instead, I presented an air of pleasantness. My mother had trained me well.

“The man is sooo dreamy, wouldn’t you agree?” Juliette asked, staring off into the distance.

Aster’s face soured, anger flashing in his eyes. He turned his sharp gaze to me. Could men really be jealous of fictional characters?

“Yes, that’s one of the many draws of the book,” I said blandly with a nervous laugh.

“The dark hair, the ruthlessness, the charm,” Juliette continued. She sighed.

Aster glared between us. When I tensed, impassivity rolled over his features like a veil.

“And look, it’s a special edition.” Juliette opened the book to hand-drawn illustrations and moved close to show me.

“Only the best for my good girls,” Aster said.

Juliette closed the book. I regretted eating, as my nausea was swift.

“Kitten, Evie will be joining us shortly,” he said, shifting the conversation back to something that was of interest tohim.

Juliette’s eyes widened. She stared at me so hard I feared she might burn a hole into my head.

“I know you two had your differences when you first met, but I will not tolerate any fighting going forward. You are each too special to me, and I refuse to see either of you hurt. I hope you can both see that there is more than enough love here for all of us.”

Juliette nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, Sir, of course.”

Aster smiled. “Are you still feeling all right, darling?” he asked Juliette, then turned to me. “She was under the weather for a few days. It worried me greatly. But last night’s sleep seemed to have provided the healing she needed.”

Juliette’s beaming smile widened. “Yes, I’m feeling much better now. Strong and healthy just like Evie.”

Rage swept so violently through me it blurred my vision. Not only did she murder my friend toprotectme. She also killed her for a health and power boost.

Aster watched me carefully, no doubt catching the unavoidable downturn of my lips. I’d told him why Juliette was ill. Either he hadn’t been listening, or he didn’t care.

Conrad cared. He seemed to care about Juliette’s weaknesses quite a bit.

“You’re not in competition, Evie,” Aster admonished, reading my thoughts and likely remembering what I’d told him the other night. “Juliette’s health is a product of her upbringing. I won’t tolerate cruel words or vicious lies, either.”

Juliette made herself small and wounded, once again crawling into Aster’s lap and nuzzling into his neck.

I reached for a strawberry. I let the fruit burst in my mouth as I set the stem on my plate. Aster watched my lips.

I nodded, brows furrowed. “The turned have said a lot of confusing things about all of you,” I said, deciding to defuse the tension by pretending I’d been brainwashed.