Page 5 of The Howl
“Good,” she said. “Then I think it’s time for you to take Eliana for a walk. She’s hungry.”
My mouth dropped open as did Eugene’s. He looked from me to Adira and back again.
“I thought the goal was to not be eaten by anyone here,” he said.
“Correct. However, Eliana won’t consume you physically. She’s not that type of creature. She consumes energy, but not enough to harm you.”
“Oh.”
I could feel his eyes on me again, but I didn’t look away from Adira.
“No,” I said firmly.
“Yes,” Adira said. “You’re hungry and need to feed. Your continued denial of your nature will not change who you are or what you need to do.”
I fought against the panic worming its way under my skin.
“You can’t force me to feed.”
“Can’t I? You will feed on Eugene, or he goes back to the human world tonight.”
Eugene swore under his breath and fully turned toward me.
“Hey, I really don’t mind, Eliana. Just do what you got to do. As long as it won’t kill me, I’m fine with it.”
His naivety reminded me of Megan. Instead of giving in to panic, I set my napkin on the table and smiled at Adira. Her normally bland expression flickered with a hint of surprise.
“Do you think I’m joking?” she asked.
“No. I think you’re entirely serious. But, I also think you’re forgetting something very important. Megan warned you what would happen if you continued to mistreat the humans in Uttira. And I promise you that if you return Eugene to the human world as a means to coerce me, Megan will turn the full wrath of her fury on you. Choose your blackmail wisely, Adira, because Megan still hasn’t forgotten how all of you manipulated her.”
Mrs. Quill paled at the reminder, and I felt a fair amount of guilt for it. However, I refused to back down.
“So be it,” Adira said. “Remember you made this choice, Eliana. I am not giving up on you.”
With those ominous words, she disappeared. I had no doubt Adira would attempt to make me regret my choice not to feed from Eugene. Even after all these years, she still didn’t understand my aversion to feeding. Yet, I would never regret my choice tonight.
“Mrs. Quill, will you please wrap Eugene’s dinner so he can enjoy it at home?”
“Of course.”
With a wave of her hand, his food left his plate and a white paper bag containing his dinner appeared. I grabbed the bag and stood.
“I’ll follow Eugene home. Don’t wait up for me.”
Eugene stood quickly and followed me out of the room. Neither of us spoke as we left the house and walked toward the car in the driveway.
“You don’t need to follow me home,” Eugene said. “I’ll be fine.”
I wrinkled my nose at him.
“They almost fed you to me, and you were willing. You’re not fine, Eugene. You’re in over your head. Get in the car, and lock your door. The car’s warded and will keep you safe unless something tricks you into getting out of it. I’ll follow you home to make sure that doesn’t happen. And next time, be sure to decline any dinner invitations that will keep you out after dark.”
“Okay.” He started to get in then hesitated. “I really hope you’re going to explain what just happened in there.”
“I will, but not tonight. Tomorrow, okay? I’m freezing.” I really was cold, but mostly I just didn’t want to talk about how I’d likely just made my situation worse in some new and unimaginable way.
As soon as he locked his car door, I picked up my skirt and jogged to my car, grateful I’d gone with the flats. The ride to Eugene’s house was uneventful, and I waited in his driveway until he waved to me from his kitchen window.
