Page 83 of The Hunt
Shaking my head, I went to check my phone. My steps slowed on my way to the closet as I scrolled through my texts.
Council: The Council expresses its gratitude to the banshees for warning the residents of Uttira of a potentially disastrous situation. The Council is vigilantly working with other Mantirum towns to prepare for whatever may lie ahead and asks all residents to resume their activities with caution and awareness of the banshee warning. Should any resident learn of any additional information they feel pertains to the warning, please notify the Council immediately. Thank you.
Eugene: Adira told us not to come in today. Is it because of the screaming last night? What’s going on?
Megan: Oanen’s mom is freaking out about some banshees singing. Call me when you get this.
Mom: The Council is clueless about what the banshees were warning us about. Don’t believe anything they send out. And use your ears. I don’t trust them.
Fenris: I’ll be there early for a full report on last night’s cake flavors.
My gaze lingered on that last message and the subtle reminder of the upcoming spell removal. Everyone was worried about the banshees and the Council’s reactions, and Fenris was focused on what I dreamt about? That wolf had a weird obsession with my cake dreams.
There was a knock on my door before I could respond to any of the messages. Adira let herself in without any response from me.
“Good. You’re awake. How is your arm?”
I reached back to gingerly feel the cut. The care wasn’t necessary though. Not a trace of the cut remained. Turning, I showed her the back of my arm.
“You fed?” she asked, surprise lacing her expression and tone.
“Given what’s going on, does it really matter? Eugene texted me that you’re not allowing the humans to go to school.”
“They’re safer in their homes, which are heavily warded. And of course, it matters if you’ve fed. I’d like you to join us for dinner tonight. There are people I would like you to meet.”
I stared at her for a moment.
“That didn’t work well last time.”
“Your mother said it didn’t work well because you weren’t warned. Now you are. Dinner is at seven. Don’t be late.”
Adira swept out of the room as abruptly as she’d entered.
Chapter Thirteen
Narrowingmy eyes at the space Adira had occupied, I vowed not to be her puppet.
After sending a quick reply to Eugene explaining the Council’s message, I marched to my closet, grabbed some clothes, and called Megan.
“It’s not just Uttira,” Megan said in lieu of a greeting. “My mom heard it where she’s at and made some calls to find out that it happened in other Mantirum towns as well. But get this; it’s still happening. Like a ripple effect, Uttira was the first, and it’s spreading outward.”
“What does that mean?”
“Dunno, but Oanen and I are heading home.”
My heart seized, and I sat down heavily, struggling to come up with a reason to keep her away before recalling last night’s conversation.
“I overheard the Council. They’re worried you or one of the other furies might be what the warning is about.”
“What? Why?”
“They haven’t done bullpoopy about all the stuff you told them to do. No library. No human rights changes. I mean, the humans were going to school, but after the Council warning, they’re back under house arrest for their safety.”
“While that does annoy the piss out of me and pokes my fury temper, none of it sounds so bad that I’d willingly drag a mass number of creatures to hell. And according to Oanen, for a warning of this scale, that’s what would need to happen. So, it’s not me. But I kinda like that they think it is. I’m already picturing Adira pissing herself when I show up in a little bit.”
The sound of her chuckle quickly faded when she realized I wasn’t laughing with her.
“What’s wrong? Are you still worried about your mom?”
