Page 229 of Claimed By Fangs and Darkness

“What’s he talking about?” Evie asked groggily. Her eyes lit up the moment realization struck. “Oh.”

My heart pounded in my chest. Rune had agreed to a meeting. I was going to meet the man I’d admired since I was a teenager—the first turned vampire to lead a war against the born andwin.

“When?” I asked.

“Based on our current schemes and the time it will take to get there, I’d say a month and a half,” Blade said.

“We’ll be dangerously low on resources by then,” Vesper murmured. “We willneedValentin. And we will surely need them to stop supplying the kingdom’s weapons and magickal imports.”

“Gods, if we could pullthatoff… let alone convince them to join, in some capacity,” Blade said, shaking his head. “There is bad news in all of this, however. Rune’s close comrade Uriah has explained that Valentin may be heading toward its own civil war, just as we feared. Which means relations with the kingdom are already dicey. No one knows exactly how this will all play out. Rune’s clan could either be pushed toward us, or decisively away from us. Depending on what Rune deems best for his city and island.”

“Okay,” I said. “Let’s keep our ears to the ground. We’ll prep as meticulously as we always do. I have a feeling it’s going to work out. For all of us.”

“Oh my gods,” Evie said, raising up and poking my cheek. “You’re going to meet your boyfriend!”

I grabbed her finger and lightly bit it with my fangs. She only giggled.

“Do you think you’ll kiss?” she asked sweetly. “I won’t be mad.”

I dropped her hand. Blade and Vesper burst into laughter.

“I hate all of you.”

Tonight we joinedour mortal allies at Mena’s house for Gwendolyn’s celebration of life.

I held Evie’s hand tight, especially when she finally faced Amy, her teenage admirer who’d found Gwendolyn’s body.

We’d gone over it again and again—the fact that Juliette’s atrocity wasn’t Evie’s fault—but Evie’s guilt was rooted deeply.

Evie hesitated. Amy locked eyes with her from across the room. ButAmydidn’t hesitate—she immediately ran to us and folded Evie into a hug.

“I’m so sorry,” Evie said, dropping my hand to hug Amy. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

The girls pulled back and wiped their tear-stricken faces, and my heart clenched.

“You killed the witch who did this?” Amy asked, gaze flicking between the two of us.

Evie and I nodded.

“That was what I heard. Good,”Amy said, stronger now. “I know she’s so happy for us. Gods, I wished she’d lived to see a free Etherdale again.”

“Me too,” Evie whispered. “Her help was invaluable. I know she’s still aiding us from the beyond.”

Amy nodded. “They all are. She’s with Princeton now. He always knew how to make her laugh.”

“One of his greatest gifts,” I murmured with a small smile.

I surveyed the space. I admired the pillar candles and warm lighting alongside Mena’s artful decor and meticulously curated environment. It was easy to see why Evie felt comfortable here.

I let Evie and Amy catch up, relaxing the moment that Evie did. Soon she was surrounded by witches, all asking her about the unbelievable battle stories spreading through the realm. They included Evie’s impossible power, the way she killed one hundred born in the blink of an eye, and her turned brother’s magick blessed by the heavens.

Idris quickly joined Evie to bask in the attention, the confidence of his grin softening something inside me. I moved to Mena, who hugged me fiercely.

“Thank you again,” she whispered. “For protecting them.”

She glanced at my proudly displayed tattoos, as she had on previous visits. After our first battle against the kingdom, Idris had told Mena the truth. She’d cried, but she took it well. She was just glad her grandchildren were safe.

“How long have you known I was a vampire?” I asked her, curious.