Page 27 of The Hunger
“I swear we have no problem taking turns being in the same room with you, Eliana. Whatever it takes.”
Their love for me made everything I was already struggling with that much harder.
“It’s not you two. I’m avoiding Fenris. He was already there this morning. That’s part of the reason I went to the marsh.”
There was a long moment of silence.
“It’s killing me not to ask questions. But if you want to talk to me about anything, I’m here to listen.”
I grinned.
“Oanen’s scowling at you, isn’t he?”
“You know it. I think he’s struggling with the idea that you might have a romantic interest in someone or vice versa.”
“He can’t possibly be struggling with it more than me,” I said.
“Talk, Eliana. I can hear you’re upset. Do you still think you broke Fenris?”
“Yes. His desperation is clear in every text he sends me. Avoiding him will help break the thrall...if it even can be broken. Redirecting his infatuation should have worked even better. But that failed epically.”
“What failed?”
“He wanted me to meet him at the hot spring caves. I sent Jenna in my place. She kissed him, but instead of breaking the thrall like it did for Eugene, I think he saw it as a challenge. He sent me a message saying that I was the one causing trouble, and he would see me soon.”
“So you’re hiding from him? For how long?”
“Until the thrall wears off.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“Then I guess we have another wrong to right.”
“Hey, no being hard on yourself. Oanen’s head is going to explode if I have to suddenly leave this car to give you a fury hug.”
“I’m fine. Or I will be. Go talk to the Quills. Let me know how it goes.”
“Where are you going to be?”
“Wherever I think Fenris won’t find me.”
After we hung up, I drove toward town and parked at Ashlyn’s. It seemed cruel to use her driveway, but it was the only thing I could think of that might throw off Fenris. Wherever he looked, he would be watching for my car. Hopefully, by leaving it here, he wouldn’t know what to think. If I was lucky, he’d think I was inside.
Me: Can you meet me at Ashlyn’s in three minutes?
Mrs. Quill: Is everything all right?
Me: Yes.
When she appeared a few minutes later, I had most of the driveway cleared. She quietly watched as I hurried to finish and stashed the shovel in the trunk once more.
When I faced her, I was suitably flushed.
“Are Megan and Oanen at the house?”
“Is that why you don’t want to go home?” she asked.
“Last night wasn’t the best, and this morning hasn’t been great either. A little bit of peace and quiet would be a welcome change. Could we go inside?”
