Page 204 of Claimed By Fangs and Darkness

She’d been acting noticeably off since her escape, so this bit of Evie normalcy brought a relieved smile to my face.

I’d spent a precious few hours holding her close, relishing her aliveness. I’d told her she should continue sleeping, and I’d send a healer for her, but she’d insisted on joining me for breakfast before I headed to our post on campus.

The underground was still a hub, but now that we were able to meet in broad daylight, I was intent on taking full advantage.

I’d explained to her what had happened—emphasizing that launching into battle ahead of the Serpent Clan wasn’t her fault—but she hadn’t reacted at all like I thought she would. Her eyes had been wide with surprise, but there was no evidence of shame or worry. She took everything I said at face value, with no follow-up questions.

I worried she was in some kind of shock, or dissociation. What had been done to her was so violent and brutal that it was more than reasonable.

I’d chugged preserved blood to refuel, and I declined Evie’s offer for me to drink from her. Her body did not need any more stress or blood loss.

“Baby, I know you want to fight with us, but I need to make sure you’re okay first. Especially with the lingering struggles with your power.”

She nodded. “Of course. Whatever you think is best.”

I lifted a brow. Well, that was hot and all, but not exactly Evie.

Before I could prod, she set her coffee down and launched into my chest. She inhaled deeply, and my heart panged.

“Hi, baby,” I whispered into her hair.

“You really think we canwin?” she asked for a second time since her rescue.

It made me wonder what the hell had been said to her while she was being tortured.

“Wearewinning,” I said simply. “Things will shift when Earle sends his forces from the north, but only until the Serpent Clan arrives. We can hold out until then—we’ve planned for all manner of catastrophes. No one was deluded enough to believe everything would be perfect.”

Evie’s heart sped up; I could hear it leaping against my chest.

When she pulled back, her eyes danced with anxiety and her lips tugged down.

“Angel, I’ve got you,” I said. “You’re safe. Things are goingwell.Etherdale is ours, and everyone who harmed you will soon be dead. We will make sure they receive the punishment they have earned.”

“Then why did you let me go? Why did you let them torture me?” Her voice was heartbreakingly small and wounded.

My heart dropped into my stomach.

“Why did you let Aster kiss me and chain me to his bed?”

I let go of her waist, so I didn’t accidentally squeeze her to death. Fists balled at my side, I turned away from her. I knew my barely recovered shadows were leaking from me. The room became dark, heavy, and oppressive in seconds.

I cursed, body trembling with a rage that would easily lead to bloodlust if I dropped even a fraction of my self-control.

“I didn’t let you go,” I whispered, strangled and raw. Guilt and fury warred for supremacy. “Youchoseto go. I wish I’d stopped you, fuck, I wish I’d acted on my worst qualities. You might’ve resented me for taking away your agency but at least you would’ve been safe.”

What had happened to her played out in my mind in agonizing visions. He’d kissed my angel. He chained her to his bed.

I whirled around on her, noting the way she flinched. It forced me to take a deep, ragged inhale and halt the flow of my power.

“What else did he do?” I growled. I couldn’t stop myself. I had to know.

I’d exercised more than enough restraint the past few weeks, and I’d only been punished for it. I’d failed her, and she knew it. She’d needed a savior last night, and I never came. I was too late.

I’d betrayed her trust in me to protect her when she needed it most.

Evie trembled, fear swimming in her shiny gray eyes. “I don’t know. I can’t remember.”

My heart broke, my guilt reaching an insurmountable weight on my chest until I could hardly breathe. I imagined the worst, unspeakable horrors that would haunt Evie for the rest of her life.