Page 40 of The Howl
“Adira’s forcing me to wear what she thinks is appropriate for a succubus my age. She has also attempted to select who I should feed on and has tried to coerce my compliance.”
“I see. And did she give you a reason why?”
“We’re worried Eliana is starving herself because she hasn’t fully embraced who she is. Until yesterday, she’s solely been feeding on me.”
My mother stared at Mrs. Quill for a long moment.
“I would like to speak with my daughter alone, please.”
Mrs. Quill promptly vanished, and Mom looked at me again, patting the chair.
I took the seat and saw she’d made me chocolate chip pancakes smothered in chocolate syrup and topped with a death-by-chocolate ball of ice cream that was slowly melting. Her understanding of me almost brought me to tears.
“Thanks, Mom.”
She smiled and watched me take my first bite. It was disgustingly good.
“You know that doesn’t nourish you, right?” she asked.
“I know. It’s a good thing, too, or I’d be fat. How can something that doesn’t provide any significant nourishment taste so good?”
“You told me you were feeding, baby.”
“I was. Mrs. Quill was perfectly acceptable and willing.”
She watched me eat for a moment.
“Are they right? Do you have an eating disorder?”
I stopped with my fork partially to my mouth. The absurdity of her question startled a laugh from me.
“It’s not funny, Eliana. I know you’ve been through a lot and just want to make sure—”
“I’m fine, Mom. I fed off a nasty pedophile this summer. I’m not starving, I’m selective.”
She frowned.
“You like pedophiles? I suppose that explains your trim figure.”
“Ew, Mom, no! What I like is choosing my own meals. You don’t let anyone tell you who to eat or what to wear or when to kiss. Why should I?”
I couldn’t believe that just came out of my mouth.
“Oh, baby, I’m so glad I’m here, no matter what the reason. I wish you wouldn’t have kept all this from me. Why did you?”
Her gaze turned sad as I tried to come up with a truthful reason that wouldn’t hurt her feelings.
“You thought I would try to force you, too, didn’t you?”
I nodded, hating the disappointment in her expression.
“Never, baby. All I’m going to do...all I ever want to do...is to encourage you to become the best version of you, whatever that version may be. While I think Adira was trying to do that in her own backward way, you don’t have to worry about her anymore. I’m here, and I’m not leaving you again until everyone sees you like I see you.
“Now, tell me all about school, your friends, or anything you want. I’m ready for all the juicy Uttira gossip.”
The weight of her motherly affection stifled me.
“Well, I’m not any further in my self-paced studies. Mostly because I’m having a hard time focusing on them with Megan gone. I’m worried about her.”
