Page 232 of Claimed By Fangs and Darkness

Vesper gasped, rubbing her arms. She cleared her throat. “Can we take a break?”

“Of course.” I steadied myself, hesitating for only a moment before pushing through. “I just need to say one thing, first.”

Vesper held my gaze, her features consumed by intense emotion—love and fear and heartbreak.

“If you’ll let me, I want to help you find her.” I cleared my throat, tears filling my eyes. “I would giveanythingto discover I had a mother like you. Fuckinganything.”

Vesper swallowed. More tears broke free, and she was powerless to stop them.

“Your daughter knows love. You can rest easy knowing that. But I bet she has room in her heart for more. She has room in her heart foryours.”

The words I didn’t say, I kept close to my heart instead. Vesper didn’t deserve to feel any more guilt. Everything she’d done, she’d done it to protect her daughter.

We were all searching for perfect maternal love. That was the hole in Juliette’s heart, the hole in mine.

I would learn to live without it. But maybe Vesper’s daughter didn’t have to.

The world was quiet. Vesper closed her eyes.

My mind drifted to Kylo’s upcoming journey to make a bid for Rune’s support—support that could help us win a war against an ancient, mad king and his expansive army.

A gentle breeze rolled over the roof.

“Okay,” Vesper said. “Yes. Please help me find her.”

73

KYLO

“We’re so glad you made it,” said a man with shoulder-length honey blond hair and a neat beard. “I’m Uriah.”

His eyes shone with genuine warmth and excitement, instantly putting me at ease as we walked further into Rune’s castle.

I managed not to get shot down on my journey across Ravenia, an ocean, and Valentin’s dry lands to the vampire city in the center of the island.

Aristelle was the most beautiful city I’d ever seen, rivaling even Prospyrus in its effortless splendor. On my descent, I’d marveled at the great expanse of twinkling lights, the crystalline domed temples, the architecturally stunning buildings in various shades of cream, black, white, and jewel tones, and the sloping cobblestone streets.

I washere. The stars had aligned, leading me to a place I’d idolized since I was a boy. The city that had been ruled for centuries by the first turned vampire clan to win a war.

I smiled. “Thank you for the warm welcome. I know these haven’t been easy times for either of our clans. But it’s wonderful to put a face to the impeccable handwriting.”

Uriah laughed. “It’s barely legible, I know.”

I caught a glimpse of a woman with icy blonde hair slipping into a room, where a giggling brunette was lounging on a couch with a book in her lap. The brunette closed the book, peeking around the blonde to get a good look at me.

They both laughed, whispering to each other.

Uriah smirked, rolling his eyes. “Those fucking girls,” he said. “They don’t listen.”

“I understand the feeling.” I pieced together who the brunette was immediately, and I sensed soft, witch-magick from the blonde.

The notebook in my pocket delivered a familiar, light zap to my hip. I casually opened the journal to Evie’s note.

Only one kiss! No tongue.

I rolled my eyes, covering my chuckle with a cough. Uriah caught the expression on my face as I scribbled a response.

I know you think you’re safe from me with an ocean between us, but I’m keeping score of every bratty word. You’re taking your punishment with your favorite collar and a matching gag. Oh, and my rope skills have improved tremendously.