Page 51 of Claimed By Fangs and Darkness
The turned had prevailed. The born instigators had been annihilated. Bodies littered the street.
“Disperse,” Kylo commanded to his comrades.
A turned man bowed his head slightly in respect before leaving with the others in opposite directions. They each dropped their masks and reactivated their human glamours to camouflage back into the city.
Kylo and I returned our attention to the demented, disfigured canine in utter horror. I’d never seen anything like it, and by Kylo’s reaction, neither had he. Perhaps I’d read about similar beings in myths, or horror novels.
An elderly human man stumbled out from behind a merchant’s cart. “It’s another act of Lillian,” he cried. “Look what you people have done!”
17
EVIE
Mena fretted and spoke with increasing dramatic flair as she moved about the kitchen. “Sit, sit!”
Kylo and I exchanged a glance before we sat at the circular table in the adjacent room. Through the tall windows, I gazed at my garden with immense longing. Grief rooted in my chest.
“It’s not forever,” Kylo whispered, back in his human glamour. “We’re going to live long, peaceful lives after this war has been won. I vow it.”
He couldn’t vow something like that, and yet I cherished his sweet promise anyway.
“Quit reading my mind.”
“Never.”
“Are you pregnant? Is that the big news?” Mena blurted, her mouth dropping open as she waited for the kettle to come to a boil. “Oh, my heavens! Well, you are an adult now, so it’s not exactly a scandal, but gods, Evie, you’re really quite young. You have options, you know. And what about your plans for a witchy shop? I’ll help in any case. You know how much I’d—oh my, should I make you some food?”
I choked on a strangled half-laugh. “Mena! I am not pregnant!”
Kylo’s blue eyes were molten, staring at me so intensely I had to swallow and avert my gaze.
“That’s a relief. No offense to either of you.” She frowned. “Did the born accost you? Is that why you look so disheveled?” Mena paused her rummaging of the pantry. “Well,youlook disheveled. Kylo looks fine.”
I made an incredulous, indignant noise as Kylo smirked. Mena winked, almost forgetting her dedicated fretting.
“Have you heard from Idris? I’ve been so worried about you both I can hardly eat.”
“Yes, he’s okay,” I assured her.
I left out thehe died, but don’t worry, I signed my soul to the clan and rose him from the dead, but I can’t see him until he calms down and stops trying to eat meportion of the truth.
“Good, good.” She sighed deeply. “Chamomile?”
“Perfect, thank you,” Kylo said.
Mena made an impatient gesture for me to speak.
“As you know, the born have decided to shun Etherdale’s traditions and institutions and take the city by force,” I began. “Additionally, the Whitfields believe I’m one of the witches the born are looking for. We no longer think you’re safe here.”
It didn’t feel good to lie by omission, and it made me a hypocrite. But the less Mena knew, the better.
“The Whitfields went missing,” Mena said. “Disappeared into thin air. That’s what Missy told me during my afternoon stroll. She was tending to her rose bushes down by the road, which very obviously didn’t need tending to. She just wanted to gossip with anyone and everyone who walked by.”
Getting Mena to focus was like herding cats. Best to approach with gentle redirection.
“That is most unfortunate,” I said.
“Not really.” Mena slowly smirked.
