Page 9 of The Howl
“Last night.” With a sinking feeling, I looked from her to Adira.
“We were unaware of that,” Adira said. “But I will be sure to contact Oanen for the details. For now, I’d like to discuss why you entered this house with visible signs of hunger you refused to acknowledge when Anwen confronted you.”
Annoyed, I fisted my hands under the table.
“Mrs. Quill didn’t confront me. She asked me to turn around; then she showed concern. I hear that’s a typical reaction when you care about someone who’s been hurt. And, I was when pushing my way through the bushes. As for my eyes, you know as well as I do that a succubus’s eyes change for more than hunger. Fenris wasn’t leaving, and I’m a teenager prone to mood swings. For as old as you are, none of this is new to you.”
Adira said nothing for a moment as she studied me, and I fought not to fidget under her scrutiny.
Since coming to Uttira, I’d followed the rules and done what I’d been told. Until Megan came. She’d changed things, not just for me but for the other creatures in Uttira. Now, Adira's feelings about those changes were plain to see in the slight crease between her brows.
“Megan’s influence continues to spread,” she said finally.
“A good thing, I should think,” I said. “No one wants a meek succubus running around. It’s not part of our inherent nature.”
Adira gave me a slight nod.
“Very true. Your mother will be happy to hear you’re standing up for yourself.”
I almost cringed at the mention of my mom.
“To help you embrace this burgeoning boldness, I’ve updated the left side of your closet. Please go upstairs and change before you leave for the Academy. I’ll check in on you later today.”
She disappeared abruptly.
“I’ll fix you something to eat,” Mrs. Quill said gently before leaving as well.
Alone, I leaned forward and let my forehead thump to the table.
Today was going to be a new level of hell, thanks to my big mouth. I didn’t have the pebbles that Megan had to stand up to Adira. Why had I even tried?
The phone in the pocket of my skirt chirped, and I pulled it out to see a text from Fenris.
The car’s still fine. Not Megan’s house, though. Still looks like it should be burned to the ground.
I rolled my eyes and pocketed my phone again. Megan’s family home was the complete opposite of the Quills’. In the wrong light, it looked two seasons away from condemnation. In the right light, it didn’t look much better. It wasn’t nice for Fenris to say so, though.
Knowing there was no point in putting it off, I went back to my room and looked at my closet. Gone were the cute, knee-length dresses I favored. In their place were tops and jeans. I closed my eyes before looking again, confused at the extremely non-sexy clothing options.
Grateful it wasn’t filled with a bunch of barely-there dresses, like the right side, I grabbed a pair of jeans with a white blouse and went to change. I realized the mistake in my thinking as soon as I tugged the jeans up. They were clingy. Every slight curve I had was on display. The top, while flowy, was see-through. I went to grab a cami to layer under it but found the drawer filled with lacy bralettes. Adira had left me nothing to use as layers for modesty.
After searching the closet for several minutes, my only solution was a bralette under two shirts. Doubling the material made it mostly opaque. Satisfied, I went for my shoes and groaned at the options. All I now owned were hooker heels.
I seethed for a moment then strapped a red pair on. A glance in the mirror told me I looked amazing. Hot as heck, even.
“Worst day ever,” I said to myself before grabbing my jacket and heading downstairs.
A chocolate chip bagel with chocolate hazelnut spread waited for me in the dining room. I devoured it, grateful to Mrs. Quill, then hurried out the door before she could see my two shirts. If I got to school quickly enough, maybe I could avoid being spotted by the majority of my peers, too.
While hiding in the first session’s classroom would help my morning, I knew I’d need to leave it eventually. I hated that I’d be seen like this. Well, hate was a strong word. I loved the clothes; I just didn’t love what would happen when I wore them around other people.
My phone chirped again.
I looked at the new message from Fenris.
We should repaint for Megan. You in?
And spend days with Fenris in the process? The answer was easy.
