Page 19 of The Hunger
“I know you love your parents more than anything. But I promise I’ll do better to make this the home you deserve if you choose to stay here.”
Mrs. Quill set the mug in front of me. The rich scent of dark chocolate teased my nose and made my mouth water. However, I couldn’t enjoy it with the worry pouring from her.
“Thank you,” I said. “I would rather stay here and not listen to what my parents do in the morning.”
A smile ghosted Mrs. Quill’s lips.
“I imagine that would be rather uncomfortable.”
“It was.”
Her worry grew, and I toyed with the mug as I waited for her to say what was really on her mind.
“Adira knows that you fed on Fenris at your mother’s club last night. Is that why you were crying?”
I stared down at my chocolate, debating what to say. She surprised me by setting a hand over mine.
“You don’t have to answer that. I understand I’ve broken your trust too many times for any level of confidence.” She patted my hand and released it. “I’m here any way you need me.”
I looked up from my mug. “An Adira-free place to stay is all I really want.”
“Okay. Then, that’s what you’ll have. Would you like anything else besides the chocolate?”
My stomach rumbled audibly. I flushed but shook my head.
“No, thank you. And if Fenris shows up, please send him away. We need some time apart.”
“Of course. If you change your mind about anything, you only have to call for me. Fenris is welcome any time you want him to be. All your friends are. Whenever you’re ready.”
“Thank you.”
She was about to leave when another thought occurred to me, and I stopped her.
“I’ve done what Adira wanted. I’ve proven that I can find my own prey and have been feeding myself for weeks now. I even fed in public. That’s everything she told me I needed to do to get my mark.”
“I will bring that to the Council’s attention.”
I could feel Mrs. Quill’s doubt and sorrow.
“But?” I asked.
“There were witnesses last night who said you were upset after dancing with Fenris. A few overheard you tell him that you never wanted to feed from him in the first place. I’m afraid Adira will view your reluctance to feed as a sign that you’re not yet ready.”
“Reluctance? Of course, I was reluctant. I’ve never once had a choice about how or when I fed. Or even who I fed from. Who wouldn’t resist being told what to do every second of their lives?”
I stood, leaving my chocolate.
“The mark is meant to keep in those who are a threat to humans. I’m not a threat. You and I both know that. I have more control than any other succubus in Uttira. Adira only wants to keep me here because she hasn’t yet made me into her perfect little puppet. Your sister’s manipulations are going to catch up to her. And when hell rains down on her head, make sure you’re not standing too close.”
I walked out of the kitchen, too angry to care that I’d just lashed out at the woman who’d yet again opened her home to me after a heartfelt apology. It wasn’t Mrs. Quill’s fault that her sister was a control freak. I amended that thought after a moment. Maybe it was her fault. It was my fault, too, for giving Adira any measure of power in the first place.
The phone in my hand buzzed with a message.
Fenris: I’m here. Would you rather talk outside where there are fewer ears or should I come in?
I wanted to throw my phone in frustration. Instead, I marched into my room, grabbed the bag I’d packed for the cabin, and started repacking it. While I’d asked Mrs. Quill to keep Fenris out, I wasn’t sure that was something she’d be able to do. After all, the wolf had been feeding me in my sleep for weeks without anyone knowing.
As uncomfortable as it was to stay at my parents’, that might be the only option available to me until Fenris’s infatuation wore off.
