Page 113 of The Howl
She slowly nodded.
“Thank you.”
“Just find Ashlyn.”
The office door was open when we reached it. Adira and the Quills were all inside. Anne walked in first, and I boldly tried to follow.
Adira portaled, appearing just beside the door before I fully entered.
“We’ll talk later, Eliana,” she said, closing the door in my face.
I stared at the wood. Then, deciding I didn’t care if I was caught or not, I pressed my ear to the panel.
“Miss Regan,” Adira said. “It’s good to see you. Any update?”
“I wish I had good news. I’ve checked the girl’s home and don’t see any signs that she was there since she left it this morning. I think it’s time we organize an official search. We need to recruit as many friendly creatures as we can to help find the girl.”
“We appreciate your determination to find her,” Adira said. “However, I caution against using that method. If you spread the word that a human is missing, it won’t only be friendly creatures out looking for her, and our chances of recovering the girl whole will rapidly fade.”
“What do you propose then? Do nothing? Her chances of being found whole are already rapidly fading.”
“I’d like to suggest we make Raiden aware of the disappearance. He is discreet and trustworthy. And he’ll be able to use her scent to track her.”
There was a long moment of silence.
“Fine. But we contact him now. If he can’t start immediately, then we find another trustworthy nose to sniff her out.”
I thought of Fenris and moved away from the door. Should I involve him? If both he and his father were looking for Ashlyn, they might find her faster. Faster still would be getting more information from the druids. I chewed on my lip then started back down the stairs, believing that finding the trio was still Ashlyn’s best bet.
Before I reached the door, the air shimmered, and Adira appeared. She looked surprised to see me.
“Eliana. Are you going out for the evening?”
“Probably. Any news about Ashlyn?”
“Don’t worry about Ashlyn. Just focus on your classwork and your friends.”
“Ashlyn is my friend.”
“Ashlyn is food, Eliana. Protected and treated well, but still food.”
I stared at her, wishing I was strong enough and fast enough to strangle her.
“I’ll be sure to share your opinion with Megan,” I said.
Adira nodded, not looking the least bit threatened.
“I’m so proud of the progress you’ve made in the past few days. I can see having your mother here is a very positive influence on you.”
“Positive?” I sputtered.
Someone knocked on the door, and she answered it, cutting our conversation short.
“Raiden,” Adira said in greeting to the tall, dark-haired man. “Thank you for coming so quickly.”
“Of course.” He looked at me. “Eliana. It’s nice to see you.”
“You too.”
