Page 6 of The Howl
With Uttira’s newest human relatively safe, I turned my car around and drove back home. Despite my comment to the Quills about not waiting up, there wasn’t anywhere else in town for me to go. Hanging out with Eugene was definitely not an option. As much as I would like to think he would be safe with me, I couldn’t trust myself when I was this hungry. I wasn’t willing to risk him just to avoid Adira and the Quills.
However, I cringed at the thought of facing Mrs. Quill so soon after reminding her and Mr. Quill that the mate of their only son probably never wanted to see them again. It’d been a poopy move on my part, but Adira had left me little choice. I would not feed on humans. Ever. If I had a choice, I wouldn’t even feed on Mrs. Quill.
Hating my line of thinking, I turned on the radio and sang along to some music. By the time I pulled up to the garage, it was only half past six, and every light was still on in the house. I debated what to do as I turned off the engine. There really wasn’t much of a choice; I’d need to sneak into the house.
In the quiet, the snow crunched loudly under my flats as I walked around to the back gardens. The long line of privacy hedges posed a slight problem as I wedged my way through their barren branches. But every scrape I received was worth it to avoid the disappointment I was sure I’d see in Mrs. Quill’s eyes if I walked in through the front door.
Picking twigs from my hair, I scanned the darkness for the path to the house. I could just walk forward until the security lights turned on, but I knew there were rose bushes somewhere close by. I didn’t want to damage my dress any more than I already had.
A low growl rumbled from the other side of the hedgerow. I slowly turned.
My mom told me over and over that all the monsters in Uttira had nothing over a succubus. But, she was biased, and I’d seen enough during my four years here to make my hair white. Whatever was on the other side of that bush sounded as mean as heck.
“Go find someone else to bother,” I said bravely while retreating a step.
There was a rustling then –
“Eliana?”
“Fenris? What are you doing here? I told you my car is fine. Go home.”
I took another step back and started breathing through my mouth, hoping it would be enough to save me.
“I’m not here because of the car. Why do I smell your blood?”
The branches started to crackle, and I realized Fenris was probably very naked on the other side of the hedge since clothes didn’t shift. In my panic at the thought of him pushing his way through to me, I inhaled through my nose.
The scent of his lust hit me hard, and my vision sharpened on his hand as he reached through the hedge. My gaze locked on his strong fingers, and I shivered. I could feel them on my skin. One thought, one command, and he would be mine.
I whirled and ran for the house.
Fenris called my name, and just as the door slammed shut behind me, a howl rose.
Chapter Two
Settingmy head against the door, I took a deep, calming breath. The distance I’d put between Fenris and me did nothing to alleviate the hunger that started in my middle and radiated right into my bones. The hunger didn’t care that I liked Fenris as a person. My hunger didn’t discriminate. It didn’t think of the consequences. It only wanted to be fed. Anyone would do.
The sudden pounding from the other side of the door made me jump.
“Eliana?” Fenris called. “I need to know you’re okay.”
There was honest concern in his voice, and I felt terrible for causing it. Of course he had been worried that he’d smelled blood. Any nice person would be.
“I’m fine,” I said, my mouth close to the wood panel. “Go home.”
There was a thump on the door, followed by the muffled sound of his voice, but I couldn’t make out what he was saying.
“It works better if you open the door,” Mrs. Quill said from behind me.
I startled for the second time but didn’t turn to face her. How had sneaking into the house gone so wrong?
“I’m sorry I disturbed you, Mrs. Quill,” I said. “Everything’s fine here.”
There was a moment of silence before she spoke.
“Eliana, turn around.”
I wrinkled my nose and turned to face her. Her sad gaze locked with mine.
