Page 122 of Claimed By Fangs and Darkness
38
EVIE
“They’re here early,” Blade said. “Can they join us?” He was nearly bouncing with excitement as he looked up from his journal.
Kylo glanced at me and Idris and made a quick calculation.
Nervousness and curiosity wove through my spirit, and I could tell my brother felt similarly as he straightened in his seat. Idris sat across from me as I ate.
“Bring them in,” Kylo said.
They were talking about the leaders of the Serpent Clan, our strongest allies.
Blade beamed. Blade, Harmony, and Kylo were in their own conversation, standing off to the side of the table as Idris and I chatted.
I set down my sandwich, the only one in the room doing more than merely nibbling at mortal food.
Seeing Idris drink blood was jarring, to say the least. “You didn’t tell me you were top of your class in your fighting courses.”
Idris cocked his head. “Can’t imagine why.” He shrugged. “I surprised myself. I thought my insomnia was hurting mypotential, but I don’t know—it came naturally to me, I guess. It was healing to feel like I had at least some amount of power.”
I smiled. “I’m sorry I ever held you back. I just wanted to keep you safe.”
“I know, Evie,” he said. “I’ve started seeing an emotional healer. A witch allied with the clan.”
I grinned. “Good, Idris. That makes me really happy to hear.”
“You should see one too,” he said pointedly. “Now more than ever.” He frowned.
Similar to Kylo, Idris wasnotenthused about my sudden role as a double agent. But Idris and I were both learning how to care for each other in healthier ways. To support each other without falling back on old fear-based scripts.
We were learning together.
I nodded. “You’re right. I’ll see what Kylo recommends.” Anyone I divulged personal information to would need to be carefully vetted. “What about architecture? Do you miss it?”
Idris shrugged. “I don’t miss all the reading and homework.”
I rolled my eyes. Fanged or not, Idris was clearly still his age.
“But yeah, I do. I can’t do it all, not right now. I have plenty of time to circle back.” His lips curved.
His smile was quick to fade, and I couldn’t help the creep of guilt. I wasn’t used to being the onecausingthe worry.
“I’m going to be okay,” I said. “We all are. Mena’s protective wards are strong. I’ll know if anyone threatening crosses her path. And I—I have all of you.” I nodded toward the skilled, century-old vampires to our right. “I couldn’t outrun my fate.”
Idris tentatively reached for my hand, and my chest warmed. “I think I’ve always been waiting for you to remember who you are.” His soft brown eyes oozed with emotion before they shifted into something more reserved.
I squeezed his hand.
He let go and leaned back in his chair. “And now we get to be frightening, shadow-wielding, vampire killers together. Still pretty stoked that I’m not dead.”
I smiled in spite of myself, shaking my head at him.
“Did you tell her about yesterday?” Harmony asked Idris.
Idris’s eyes lit up. “Well, it’s not that big of a deal yet. But my shadows did something new.”
For the first time in our relationship, I leaned into Idris’s excitement for violence. It was selfish and hypocritical not to. We all chose our paths.
