Page 88 of The Howl
And I felt a fair share of guilt for it under my annoyance. However, I wouldn’t apologize for my behavior. Any hint of affection from me, and the brownie would never leave.
A sullen silence filled the car, and I watched for the marshes. Piepen didn’t say anything when they came into view. More than likely, he didn’t know what they were. I glanced at him in the mirror, and my guilt grew. His clothes weren’t that warm. Would he be okay out here? Brownies didn’t have heated homes like we did. Or pillow beds. I started to worry that my need to get rid of him would be what killed the poor little thing.
His gaze met mine as I put on the blinker.
“Pulling over so we can make up?” he asked.
My worry went out the window.
“Nope.”
He frowned at me and watched the road. When I reached the parking area, I saw Fenris. He stood by the reeds, wearing nothing but a pair of jeans. Steam rose from his torso. I tried not to stare at the ridged expanse. I tried to tell myself that he had to be freezing like that. But mostly, I just imagined what it would be like to—
“Stop staring,” Piepen said, flitting in front of my face so I had to slam on the breaks.
He yanked up his shirt and pointed at his belly.
“If you want abs, you can look at mine.”
The passenger door opened before I could swat Piepen.
“Everything okay?” Fenris asked.
“No, but it will be. Where are they?”
I opened my door and got out, shivering despite my jacket. Piepen followed, staying close to my head.
“Where are who?” he asked.
“Your new family,” I said.
His eyes rounded.
“New family? You’re my family.”
“Hello, Piepen,” a female voice said, drawing our attention to the reeds in front of the car.
An older couple, both with their wings, hovered just within the brown stalks. Their grey hair and creased faces worried me a bit. Hopefully, they weren’t too old to handle Piepen’s energy.
“I’m Madeline, and this is my husband, Marshal. We’d like to give you a home and a family.”
Piepen looked at me, shock and dejection showing on his little face.
“What about our family?”
“We don’t have a family, Piepen.”
“The baby,” he said stubbornly.
I had to take a slow breath before answering.
“For the last time, there is no baby.”
“How do you know?” He looked at the older couple. “I gave her my very first magic dust.”
They both made sounds of awe as if he’d done something special instead of disgusting.
“It’s a special gift to receive,” Marshal said. “You’re marked for life for certain.”
