Page 22 of The Howl
The reminder made my stomach sour.
“I heard Adira and the Quills talking. While you're checking out the deaths in New York, the council near Flagstaff is investigating the deaths of three Nemean lions.”
“What's a Nemean lion; and did they die with smiles, too?”
I nervously laughed.
“No. Nemean lions are a lot like regular lions. They're animals but a lot harder to kill. Their coats are impenetrable by mortal blades. Since they're a protected species by our laws, word is going out, asking for information about their deaths.”
“I'm not sure how this is supposed to make me feel better about dealing with troll deaths.”
“It's not. I told you so you'd know the Council isn’t giving Oanen all the poopy jobs. An enforcer has to look into any death that's questionable.”
“Poopy? Adira should forget the succubus clothes and work on your language skills.”
“Swearing isn’t a language skill.”
“Says the person who doesn’t know how.”
“I know how; I just choose not to.”
She snorted.
“I better go. Oanen just walked in with our pizza, and I'm starving.”
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
I stared at the phone after I hung up and briefly wondered if I’d done the right thing by not repeating what I’d overheard or my suspicions that she was in danger. Megan’s disregard for authority had caused her problems in the past. If she thought for a moment that Adira was up to something again, Megan’s attention would be on Adira instead of the case. And given the seriousness with which Adira spoke about the deaths, the last thing I wanted to do was distract Megan.
No, keeping silent about what I’d overheard was for the best. I only wished coming to that conclusion would have given me some ease of mind. Instead, all I could do was worry that Megan was still in danger. I needed to find out what was really going on.
My phone chirped. Thinking it might be something more from Megan, I hurried to look at the message.
How’s the studying going? Done yet and ready for some fun?
I wrinkled my nose in irritation.
While Megan might think Fenris was lonely, I knew better. He had far too many girls clinging to him already, and I had no desire to become another member of his all blonde girl pack. I was definitely the wrong species.
Walking toward the refrigerator, I quickly typed out a reply.
Thank you for the notes today and the invite, but I’m staying home.
A knock on the open entertainment door had me looking up from my phone. Mrs. Quill smiled at me.
“Lander and I are going out for a flight. Do you have enough chocolate?”
The normal question seemed so out of place after what I’d overheard that my return smile was weak at best.
“I have enough for now. Thank you, and enjoy your flight.”
“If you decide to take Fenris up on his invitation to the Roost, please leave a note so I don’t worry.”
She left me in a stunned state of confusion. It took a moment to realize she wasn’t somehow reading my texts but that Adira had likely overheard Fenris when he’d been at the door.
Tired and filled with too much worry for Megan, I helped myself to a dark chocolate candy bar. Although chocolate wasn’t readily available in Uttira because it had been deemed too unhealthy for the young stuck here, Mrs. Quill knew how much it calmed me and always offered to pick some up when she and Mr. Quill went out. If she knew just how dependent I was on the stuff or how much I had stashed in the house, she probably wouldn’t be so willing.
My phone rang instead of chirping. Annoyed, I answered without looking at the screen.
