Page 14 of The Howl
“The most dangerous types of creatures you will encounter near the water are mermaids and sirens. However, there are many, many more that might also pose a threat. Be sure you read the books I’ve recommended to become familiar with all of them and their lures. For now, we’ll focus on resisting siren song and mermaid trickery.”
“Trickery?” a mermaid said, giggling near the edge of the pool. “You’re making me blush, Ashlyn. Come here and give me a hug.”
A siren rose from the water beside her and started singing.
Ashlyn poked her ear and looked at me. It wasn’t until then that I noticed they all wore earbuds and had their phones out.
“We’re on a group call and have earbuds that reduce background noise. Reduces, not mutes. Keep an eye on us.”
I nodded and started unpacking my lunch. My stomach rumbled when I pulled out the sandwich, but I knew the food I’d packed wouldn’t touch my real hunger. Despite the mineral smell, the faint scent of lust tickled my nose. I glanced at Eugene and found him staring at a pair of mermaid boobs.
Elbowing his side to get his attention, I shook my head.
“They use their bodies as lures,” I said loudly. “Then they’ll talk to you, either nicely or tauntingly, to try to get you close enough to the water’s edge where they can grab you and pull you under.”
“Hear that, Stacey?” one mermaid said. “The succubus is saying we use our bodies to lure men when she’s sitting there in her painted-on jeans and hooker heels. Kettle-pot, much?”
Laughter rose from the water.
I flushed but didn’t acknowledge her words.
“The key is ignoring them,” I said to Eugene.
His gaze kept flicking to my mouth. My brain knew he was trying to understand what I was saying…that he was probably subconsciously reading my lips, but my hunger went another direction. It whispered that he wanted me. That he would kiss me and his lust would satisfy my hunger. His touch would soothe my aches and fill me. He would be mine. All I needed to do was—
“Sorry I’m late,” Fenris said, sitting at the table across from me.
I jerked back, realizing I’d been leaning toward Eugene, who was staring at me wide-eyed.
“Sorry,” I mumbled before dropping my gaze to my sandwich. With startling clarity, I could see each tiny air pocket in the bread.
Embarrassment consumed me, flushing my face and spreading heat right to my toes. I hadn’t even noticed the change happen. I’d just turned into a monster right in front of my friends.
Locked in self-loathing, I didn’t hear what was being said until someone kicked me under the table.
“You okay?” Ashlyn asked.
“Yep. Fine,” I said without looking up. I took a quick bite of my sandwich so I wouldn’t need to say anything else.
Beside me, Eugene shifted in his seat and bumped against me. I kept my eyes on my sandwich.
“Your real eyes are pretty cool,” he said, leaning toward my ear. “You didn’t scare me. I trust you.”
His words were meant as a comfort. Instead, his exhale was tickling my neck and making my hunger worse. That and Fenris’s constant aroma of spiced cake lust were enough to drive any sane succubus crazy.
“Let’s focus on the mermaids,” Ashlyn said, saving me.
“Yes! Focus on us,” one of the girls in the water called. “Eliana’s skin and bones. I have curves that will fill your hand. Take a peek.”
I rolled my eyes, tired of the constant judgment regarding my weight, and took another bite of my sandwich.
Eugene shifted beside me again as Ashlyn continued her lesson.
“Like Eliana said, the best way to deal with mermaids is ignoring them and keeping your distance when they’re in the water. They use their natural environment to confuse and subdue their prey.”
“Prey? That’s such a harsh word,” one of the mermaids said. “I prefer the phrase short-term lover.”
“When they are on land, they aren’t much of a threat because they’re weaker and less agile with legs,” Ashlyn said without pause, causing a flurry of hisses and curses from the water.
