Page 65 of The Howl
She dived under the water instead of answering.
“It would be better if you left,” another girl said, sitting beside me. Even though she had legs, I could tell she was a mermaid by the undertones of green in her hair.
“Where else am I supposed to go?”
“Not my problem,” she said.
“I’m starting to think all mermaids are mean.”
“What did you expect? Cute and cuddly? We’re cousins with piranhas and sharks. Go give one of them a hug and see what happens.”
She flashed her sharp teeth at me, stood, then stripped at the edge of the pool and dived into it.
I’d never had a problem with a specific group of creatures before and didn’t immediately understand the animosity of the mermaids. Then it clicked. I’d stolen their meal. Something else tickled my mind, but I pushed it away, refusing to acknowledge there was any more to their dislike than me robbing them of their fun with Eugene.
When the bell rang for lunch, I went to my car and ate my sandwich alone.
School sucked.
* * *
Ignoringthe open solicitations for a good time that guaranteed to feed my hunger, I left the Academy grateful that I would get a few days of freedom now.
“Eliana!”
I paused at the sound of my name and turned to see Fenris jogging toward me. I briefly considered running.
“Don’t do it,” he mouthed.
I rolled my eyes and waited. His scent hit me hard before he even reached me. Why did he have to smell so good?
“What do you want?” I said with more irritability than I intended.
“I just wanted to extend an invitation to hang out at the Roost. As a friend.”
“I don’t know, Fenris. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“What? Why not?”
It was like he was daring me to bring up what happened during Self-Discovery.
“Because I have other plans.”
“Eating chocolate and watching the latest action flick until you pass out at eleven?”
His assessment of my evening was eerily accurate.
“Nine, actually,” I said primly. “My mom will probably be using the TV room.” Even as I said it, I knew I couldn’t go home. Not until really late. Where in the heck was I supposed to go?
“Suit yourself,” he said, tucking his hands into his pockets. “If you change your mind, we’ll be there past nine.”
He smirked and walked away.
I got into my car before anyone else stopped me and followed the line of vehicles from the Academy grounds. Rather than turning to go home, I headed for Megan’s.
The goblin was less creepy in the daylight but not any more welcoming.
“Hi, Elbner. If it’s okay with you, I’ll feed you a little early today.”
