Page 38 of The Howl
I knew he meant fourteen months because brownies weren't as long-lived as most races. Likely because they bred like crazy as soon as they hit puberty, which started after one year of age. So, what he was doing wasn’t really his fault. It was his nature for the given stage of his life.
“I need to shower and get ready for school. While I'm gone today, I want you to stay in this room for your safety. You still have your wings, and a lot of creatures in this town will want to change that.”
“Thank you for keeping me safe.”
Guilt stabbed at me as I stripped my pillow, threw the case into the laundry, then closed myself in the bathroom.
While I would do just about anything to help Megan solve her case so she could get home faster, keeping the brownie in my room wasn't going to work for long. Especially after I'd accidentally fed from him. He was far from safe with me.
I started the shower and stripped out of my pajamas. As much as I wanted to avoid eye contact with the mirror so I wouldn’t see what was currently drying to my cheek, I turned to place my pj’s on the counter.
I stopped short at the sight of myself. Not because of the smear on my cheek but because of the reflection of my body.
My rib bones shone in startling prominence. The hollow of my stomach was ghastly as were my protruding hip bones. I touched them, not believing what I was seeing. But I didn’t feel as wasted as I looked. I felt thin, sure, but not bony.
I frowned and looked down at myself. I was normal. Looking up at the mirror again, I saw the same thing that I felt and shook my head at what I’d thought I’d seen. I was just tired and stressed. My mind was playing tricks on me.
As soon as the water warmed, I stepped into the wet room and stood under the rainfall spray. Soaping my face twice only made me feel marginally better. Breathing in the scent of my floral shampoo, I lathered my hair and tried to find my happy place for the day.
With the brownie and goblin in Uttira, Megan wouldn't be gone for much longer. That happy thought deflated when I realized that Megan had her mark now and would likely leave again for some other case just as soon as she returned. The Council wouldn't want a full-fledged fury in town for long.
Buried under the weight of my depressing thoughts, I didn't immediately notice the splash of water against my legs. However, I definitely felt the splash against my inner thigh since it was accompanied by the brush of tiny fingers.
I squealed and scrambled back a step, looking down to see Piepen, the naked little horndog, bathing in my pubic hair runoff.
His wet, upturned face was filled with joy as he “washed” himself with a vigor that threatened to detach his prized possession.
Without thinking, I lifted my leg to kick him. I wasn’t thinking of how it might hurt him or how I was exposing myself. I just wanted him out. However, the moment his eyes widened and his gaze locked on my privates, I knew my mistake. Instead of flying away in terror, he dipped lower. I missed and almost fell.
“The glory of a real woman!” he said in his high-pitched voice.
He twitched and groaned, and his familiar skunk smell clogged the air.
“Oh, what a gift! Thank you for showing me your flower and glistening petals. You've made a man out of me,” he said on a sigh and continued to stare. “Your breasts are magnificent, too. Would you like me to wash them for you?”
I sputtered for a moment before my brain formed a coherent thought.
“Get out of this bathroom before I rip your wings off myself.”
All trace of color vanished from his exposed flesh, and he zipped from the bathroom.
Shaking and disgusted—mostly at myself for threatening him in such a horrible way—I stood in the water for another minute before rinsing and drying off.
Wrapped in a towel, I peeked into my room and noticed a shaking lump under my blankets.
I opened my mouth to apologize then stopped. If he was afraid of me, maybe he'd keep his distance. And distance would keep him safer.
Leaving him be, I went to my closest and found yet another revealing top waiting for me. I seethed for a moment before ripping it off the hanger and dressing. Piepen remained quietly hidden when I reemerged, but the trembling ball had flattened out.
“We need better rules,” I said. “You're not allowed on, in, or near my bed at any time, day or night.”
His rhythmic humping of my sheets immediately stopped.
“When I'm in the bathroom, you're not allowed to enter under any circumstances. If you break any of those rules, you'll need to leave. Do you understand?”
He crawled out from under my sheets, his tear-streaked face peering at me before he nodded and fled to his drawer.
“I'll see you after school.”
