Page 30 of The Howl
I slapped my hand against the steering wheel in frustrated anger then started home.
Trying to ignore the hunger was out of the question. I would need to find Mrs. Quill as soon as I got home, hopefully without attracting any attention. Using the intercom wasn’t an option, just in case Adira was still in the house. I hadn’t yet decided how to approach Mrs. Quill when I walked through the kitchen door.
Hesitating near the kitchen island provided my answer when Mrs. Quill entered the kitchen moments after me. She took one look at my face and rushed to hug me. The contact only made my hunger stronger.
“What happened?” she asked, smoothing a hand over my hair.
“I danced at the Roost. I didn’t know I’d get so hungry so fast.”
She pulled back and looked into my eyes, which I knew were still flickering.
“Was your partner unwilling?”
I knew she didn’t mean an unwilling dance partner. She was asking if my partner hadn’t wanted to feed me.
“I didn’t ask.”
She smiled slightly.
“I think your mother would be pleased to hear you didn’t ask for permission.”
I nodded, glad she wasn’t going to ask the big question. If my partner hadn’t been openly unwilling, why hadn’t I fed?
“Take what you need, Eliana,” Mrs. Quill said without releasing me.
I opened my mouth and fed four times. It was more than I’d ever needed so closely together. Yet, the hunger still wormed impatiently in my belly.
“Better?” she asked when I stopped.
I couldn’t answer because what she wanted was a lie. Instead, I hugged her tightly.
“Thank you for allowing me to stay here and for taking care of me.”
“Always,” she whispered.
* * *
For the firsttime in a long time, I didn’t want to go to school. I dreaded running into Eugene after Fenris’s “help” almost as much as I dreaded seeing Fenris himself. On top of that, I knew I’d need to face an Adira lecture, or worse, for not feeding well enough the day before yesterday. And, as if I wasn’t anxious enough, my hunger was still twisting restlessly inside of me. No doubt it had something to do with the single outfit I’d found in my closet when I was getting ready for school.
The Academy gates swung open for my car, and I slowly eased down the drive, trying not to think about what I wore. My outfit was the reason I knew I’d crossed a line in Adira’s goal to see me feed on someone other than Mrs. Quill. It didn’t matter that I’d already technically done just that at the harvest feast. I shuddered at the memory of that man’s taste.
Adira wanted me feeding regularly from my peers, and that wasn’t going to happen.
Pulling into my usual spot, I turned off the car and zipped up my jacket. I’d sweat like crazy wearing it all day, but there was no way I’d take it off. It was the only safety I had and the only reason I’d even left the house.
However, the moment I opened my car door, Eugene emerged from the building and held up a note.
“It’s not a love letter,” he said hastily, “unless you have a thing for Adira.”
I made a face, and he chuckled.
“I’m sorry about the last few days,” he said, handing me the note. “Ashlyn helped me out last night, and I think I’m good now. You’re nice, but I’m not feeling any urge to find a way to get you to like me. Even as a friend.”
I exhaled in relief.
“How’d she help you?”
Eugene flushed and sheepishly ducked his head. The hint of lust that drifted from him was answer enough.
