Page 89 of Claimed By Fangs and Darkness

“They sent that letter toMena,” I said, turning to my brother now for support.

Idris shook his head. “Evie, we said we wouldn’t make decisions based on Mena’s choice to remain in her home. Was it a threat? Maybe. But that’s also your only known place of residence. They know Mena is there, and they didn’t harm her. Your protective wards weren’t even triggered.”

“Which is more evidence that they’re at least pretending to play nice. This is an opportunity.”

“You don’t know that,” Idris said.

“True. We don’t know what they’re thinking,” I said. I was growing stronger, more focused. “And that’s the entire point I’m making.”

It wasn’t fair that so many mortals were risking their lives every day to resist born tyranny, but here I was, hiding.

“We don’t know who the witch is, so how can we avenge Princeton? Or take them out before war begins? We don’t knowwhat the born believe about us or what their next moves are. Etherdale is suffering. The born don’t reveal much of anything during torture. They clearly underestimate me, and I’m not without my own defenses. Let me find us answers. Making myself vulnerable is strategic—it will undermine their potential assumptions about me, and it will lower their guard. If you could just help me plan?—”

Kylo took a step back, cloaked in darkness now. “No.”

“But—”

“Evie, that man still refers to you as hisbride.I think it’s clear what he wants, no matter what he believes about your role with the clan. Are you not familiar with how their slave trade works? Trafficked girls are drugged, sometimes even enchanted. He. Wants.You.”

I’d never seen Kylo strain this hard against his own urges. I could see it now, the woundedness in his eyes, the terror of history repeating. First Aisling, then Princeton, now me.

I wanted to comfort him like he did me. But I also didn’t want to bend to his control when I was still fighting to be heard.

“Would you go?” I asked Kylo. “If the roles were reversed, and you had an opportunity to avenge Princeton, would you go?”

Kylo closed his eyes for a moment. “I need to be alone with Evie.”

Idris crossed his arms. At first, I thought he was going to question Kylo, but he sighed and stood with Blade and Harmony. “Evie, I know you’re all strong and badass now, but please remember that we need you.Ineed you.”

Frustration burned through my chest. I didn’t respond.

“Once everyone’s cooled off, we can discuss alternative strategies,” Blade said, his ruthless features tinged with a hint of concern as he glanced from Kylo to me.

They were placating me. I still didn’t speak as they filed out of the room.

As soon as the front door closed, I focused on Kylo. I didn’t bend, and neither did he. We stared at each other, our intensity illuminated by the warm afternoon glow from the opposite windows.

His lips were turned down, his eyes ruthlessly vampiric. His shoulders were back, his chiseled body resembling a poised weapon now more than ever.

I resisted the urge to shift or make myself smaller. My palms warmed, a tingling sensation crawling up and down my spine as power flowed through.

“You’re not being a good listener, baby,” he whispered.

The tone instantly made my stomach flutter, the space between my thighs recognizing it immediately.

It was deceptive, the cool confidence, the softness wielded as a slippery poison.

“You’re not being a good listener either,” I snapped.

Kylo grinned, but it didn’t match the darkness in his eyes. The moment his pupils dilated, my instincts kicked in.

He let me run. Through the foyer, then into the main drawing room. There, I halted, realizing I didn’t want to play chase and capture with Kylo. I wanted him to treat me as an equal like he promised he would.

I spun around, and in a flash of vampire speed Kylo had his hand around my throat and fangs bared.

My glare was sharp, and I shocked the fuck out of his palm with a jolt of magick. He released me, that cold grin spreading once more.

“Don’t you dare,” I hissed. “You can’t feed and fuck me into submission.”