Page 17 of The Howl
What would my father think of me?
My mom’s words echoed in my mind. “Off limits always tastes best.”
Backing out of my spot, I blasted my music and did my best to forget all of it. However, by the time I reached the Quills’ house, my frame of mind wasn’t any calmer. What had happened hadn’t just upset me. It terrified me. I’d never come so close to unwittingly feeding on someone before. Well, not since the last time I went home to see my dad.
The gaping hole of guilt and regret that had opened inside of me in the pool grew larger at the memory. No one could hate herself as much as I did.
Parking the car in front of the door, I slipped inside the house, removed my shoes, and quietly made my way upstairs. The moment I stepped into my room, I knew that Adira had gotten my message because a new outfit was laid out on my bed. I should have felt relief that it was jeans and a top. Instead, all I felt was dread that I needed to go back to school.
I stripped from the wet clothes and hung them in the bathroom to deal with later. Once I finished toweling off, I dressed in what Adira had set out for me, after adding another shirt, then left my room.
Mrs. Quill was coming up the stairs as I was heading down. From the study on the floor above, I could hear the low murmur of Mr. Quill’s voice.
“You’re home early,” Mrs. Quill said.
“I fell into the pool and needed to change.”
Her gaze swept over me, noting my still wet hair.
“Perhaps you should take another minute to blow dry your hair. I don’t want you to catch a chill.”
I smiled at her. Mrs. Quill cared. Really cared. And I loved her for it even when she went to Adira with her concerns when I wished she wouldn’t.
“I’ll turn up the heat in the car and be fine. I’ll see you at dinner.” I gave a small wave and jogged down the steps in my newly acquired, dry heels. This time, they were black instead of red.
Once I was in the car, though, I paused. I didn’t want to rush back to school and face my fresh humiliation. Yet, I couldn’t stay home or Mrs. Quill would notice. Where could I go? I immediately thought of Megan’s house and remembered my promise to watch for her goblin and brownie. Relieved I had something to distract me, I started the car and headed toward the store for some supplies.
Taking my time, I browsed the aisles as if Uttira’s sole food retailer actually had mouth watering, shove-them-in-my-face items instead of boring healthy options. Once I had the oats, milk, and honey, I reluctantly paid for my items and hauled them back to my car.
Like a good citizen, I drove the exact speed limit, or maybe a little under, to Megan’s rundown, two-story house. Though I’d only known her for a few months, seeing her vacant house dredged up a new pang of loneliness. How could I so deeply miss someone as new to my life as Megan was?
I knew the answer before I had even finished the thought. Megan was the type of person I wished my dad would have been. She didn’t cower to anyone, not even the Council. She certainly wouldn’t have succumbed to my mom.
Shaking those thoughts from my head, I got out of the car and looked at the house’s peeling white paint. The goblin would love this place so long as I remembered to feed him. I wondered if Megan realized what she was about to unleash on her home. Probably not. But, she wouldn’t care what the goblin fixed, either. Like me, she’d lived in Uttira because she’d had to.
Inside, I grabbed a bowl and filled it with the oats and milk, then topped it with honey. I left the mixture on the table along with a note with my address so the brownie and goblin could let me know when they arrived.
Making myself at home, I turned on the TV and stayed there until twenty minutes before the end of the day. I knew Megan wouldn’t mind. Heck, she would have encouraged me to skip the rest of the day. But I couldn’t. I needed to check on Eugene to make sure he was okay.
When I walked back into the Academy, I had just enough time to slip into my last session to be seen. I was surprised to see Eugene at the back of the room, sitting next to my usual spot.
He gave me a quick smile, and I ignored the looks and whispers as I took my seat. I was used to them by now. The weird succubus who wouldn’t feed. The reject. Let them think what they wanted. I’d never be like them. Humans would never be food to me.
As soon as the bell rang, I turned to Eugene.
“You okay?” I asked.
“I’m fine. A little damp, but I didn’t want to go home and miss anything. You okay?”
Guilt hit me hard.
“I almost fed on you, Eugene. Don’t worry for me. Fear me.”
He sighed and shook his head.
“I get what you’re saying and know you’re trying to keep me safe, but you’re not seeing things from my side. You almost fed on me, but you didn’t. You stopped. And, you stopped the mermaids. As far as I’m concerned, you’re not a creature I need to fear. You’re one I need as a friend.” He gave me a questioning look. “So are we good?”
“We’re good. Just don’t be alone with me. Ever. Okay?”
