Page 121 of The Howl
I warned Fenris to stay in the car then went inside to make Elbner his daily meal. When I reemerged, I saw Elbner standing next to the car, glaring through the window at Fenris, who was grinning like a madman.
“Is there anything else you need, Elbner?” I asked. “Paint? Cleaning supplies? A warmer coat?”
“No. Elbner needs nothing but the mongrel gone.”
“All right. I’ll get him out of here. See you tomorrow.”
I got in and backed out of the driveway without making eye contact with the angry goblin.
“Did you have to grin at him like that?” I asked once we were on the road.
“Yep. He threw a shoe at me, and it bounced off the glass. It was hilarious.”
I shook my head at Fenris and followed the road back into town. He directed me to the address, and we parked in front of a very standard looking ranch home.
“You can stay here,” I said, reaching for the door. “This will only take a minute.”
He followed me out of the car.
“Like I’m going to let you walk up to a strange house alone. You’re not the only thrill-seeker in this relationship. They might have candy.”
I snorted.
“I highly doubt whoever lives here is stupid enough to try luring anyone in with candy. We’re the predators.”
He flashed a toothy grin.
“It’s cool hearing you say that.”
I rolled my eyes and knocked on the door.
“I’m very aware ofwhatI am,” I said softly. “I’m just choosing to bewhoI am if that makes sense.”
“It does to me.”
The door opened, and a man a few years older than us stared at us.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
“I’m looking for Meg, Anne, and Lauv. Are any of them here?”
“Nope. Anne and her friends went out camping. Winter solstice and all that. I hated that shit when I was their age. It’s fucking cold in a tent.”
“I hear you,” Fenris said.
“Do you know where they are?” I asked.
“Nope. But Anne has her phone. You can call her.”
I gave him a sheepish look.
“I would, but I don’t have her number.” Suspicion crept into his gaze. “I swear she knows me. And I really need to talk to her.”
“About what?”
I struggled to think of something quickly.
“Spell work,” Fenris said. “The Academy kind. Maybe you could pass on a message to her?”
