Page 28 of The Howl
“Right. Socializing, because you’re concerned that I’ve formed too much of an attachment to Megan and Oanen.”
We both knew that wasn’t her primary concern. She wanted me to be a man-eating ho that fed on anything with three “legs.” I flushed with embarrassment and anger at the thought.
Without waiting for her reply, I went to change then left the house. The drive to the Roost took longer than necessary because I went to Megan’s house first and replaced the bowl of milk, oats, and honey with a fresh batch.
I was more than a little tempted to just sit there and watch TV instead of doing as I said I would. But, I knew that word would get back to Adira if I didn’t show up at the Roost. So, to keep the fragile peace I clung to in my life, I left.
The Roost’s neon sign on the roof lit the sidewalk in a wash of color. As soon as I shimmied from my car, the heavy beat of music reached my ears. I secretly loved the Roost, the only gathering spot for Uttira teens. I loved the music. The atmosphere. Watching all the people. If it weren’t for what I was, I would have been there all the time to dance the night away. However, as a succubus, there were too many elements at the Roost to stir my hunger.
Pushing open the red double doors, I took in the large crowd. The cold, winter air from outside drew the notice of more than a few of the outlying dancers. I tried not to pay attention to their stares or tug at the hemline of my mini sheath with a scooped neckline.
As usual, the humans were gathered at a back table. Thankfully, Eugene wasn’t amongst them. Skirting the crowd, I started for Ashlyn, Zoey, and Kelsey.
“Hey, girls,” I said, sliding onto the bench seat next to Kelsey.
Ashlyn looked up from her book to smile at me, but the other two remained focused on their pages.
“How’s it going?” I asked.
“Good. Eras came over and tried to influence Zoey again, but it didn’t work. They’re almost ready to do this solo.”
“The Council isn’t still making you work shifts here, are they? This is just supposed to be for learning. Megan—”
Ashlyn’s hand covered mine. A jolt ran through me, and I quickly withdrew my hand.
“Sorry,” she said.
“It’s okay.”
“The Council isn’t forcing shifts. Coming here and going to the Academy isn’t just something for us to do. It’s a way for us to integrate. To change mindsets. Hiding in our houses won’t do that.”
She had a point.
“Is it dangerous to touch you?” Zoey asked.
“Zoey!” Kelsey said, scolding her sister.
“What? I didn’t look up or make eye contact, and we’ve talked to her before.”
“To be safe, you should always consider it dangerous to touch anyone who’s not human,” Ashlyn said with an apologetic smile to me.
“Ashlyn’s right. While I wouldn’t want to hurt you, if I’m hungry enough I might not be able to stop myself,” I admitted.
“And touching would trigger your hunger?” Zoey asked.
“No,” I said. “Touching is a way for me to get to you. Like eye contact.”
“Oh.”
Poor Zoey had learned the hard way that she could fall under an incubus’s influence because of eye contact. The unwanted make out session that had ensued had left her feeling shaken and violated. It didn’t matter that it hadn’t progressed further than public kissing, something my kind wouldn’t even bat an eye at. Except, it was for me, which was why it was one of the many items on Adira’s checklist for me that I’d yet to accomplish.
“Any word from Megan?” Ashlyn asked, changing the subject.
“Nothing significant. Just that she and Oanen are still in New York and on the case. I’m worried about them.”
Ashlyn nodded.
“My uncle told me he’d once witnessed a troll smile. He told me to run if I ever saw the same because whatever made a troll happy wouldn’t make me happy.”
