Page 60 of The Howl
I looked up at him, unsure what to say.
His gaze held mine.
“It’s cool when they flicker like that. Does it mean something?”
“Yeah. That they can’t make up their minds. Probably because I’m not sure which me I want to be.”
He shook his head.
“There’s only one you, Eliana, no matter which face you show the world.”
His words warmed me further.
“Thank you, Fenris.”
“For saying the truth?”
“For taking me as I am.”
His scent grew stronger, and this time, it was Fenris who looked at his desk. I noticed a slight tremor in his fingers before he flattened them on the wooden surface.
Something about what I’d said had set off his werewolf lust. I didn’t want to press him and ask what, though. I, more than anyone, understood some topics were just uncomfortable to discuss.
“We’re not the only ones misunderstood,” he said, changing the subject. “I’ve heard the same conversations happen to a lot of other kids our age.”
“Like what?” I asked.
He shrugged.
“More talks in that same restaurant. Parents too focused on their kid’s sex life. Are the kids doing it too much? Not enough? The right way? Will the parents be grandparents early? The best so far is don’t eat a human if you’ve slept with them. It’s not fair to play on their emotions like that.”
I shook my head. Only in Uttira could a person have that conversation in a restaurant.
“Stuff like that makes me miss the human world sometimes,” I said.
“Yeah?”
“Conversations were so much politer in public. And the food was way better.” I sighed, remembering all the desserts I had consumed before coming here.
“You’re thinking about chocolate, aren’t you?”
“How did you know?”
“You always get this far away, happy look.”
I grinned.
“Humans know how to use their chocolate. You should see the creations they’ve made.” My mouth started watering. “I miss lava cake.”
Fenris laughed.
“You have a little drool just there.” He reached out and rubbed his thumb over the corner of my mouth.
Hunger kicked me in the stomach, and I knew my eyes went dark.
“You shouldn’t touch me,” I said. It was part warning, part plea.
His humor faded, and he set his hand on his desk again.
