Page 3 of The Hunger
“What happened?” she asked.
“A misunderstanding,” Mom said smoothly. “It would be best if Eliana and I could sort through it at home, though. Would you mind taking us there?”
“Of course not.”
Wrapped in Mrs. Quill’s arms, I had no choice in the matter as the world collapsed around me and punched through my middle, only to explode outward again. The nausea halted my tears.
“I apologize for that,” Mrs. Quill said. “I assumed you’d prefer a quicker exit.”
I looked at Mom, who appeared paler than usual and was rubbing her stomach while distractedly tapping on her phone screen. She glanced up at Mrs. Quill.
“We’re fine. You were correct that I preferred a quick exit. Thank you for your help, and I apologize for sounding rude on top of it, but Eliana and I need to have a private conversation.”
“Of course.”
Mrs. Quill brushed her lips against my brow.
“I know I have no right to ask this, but please call and let me know you’re all right when you’re done.”
“Why? So you can tell Adira?”
“No, Eliana. I worry about you too,” she said softly before disappearing, leaving behind an echo of the pain I’d caused her.
I wiped at my face, barely noticing how Mom set her phone on the coffee table.
“See? I hurt everyone without even trying.”
“No, Eliana. The woman you once trusted more than me broke that trust when she stopped feeding you. Your anger at her, at all of us, and the mistrust, were earned. I know that you don’t accept that as a justification for your actions, but consider this. You reacted as any normal person would have reacted. Anyone would have been hurt by what we’ve put you through.”
I shook my head. On any other day, her reasoning might have worked. Today wasn’t that day. I didn’t care that I’d finally acted “normal,” something I’d been striving for since the moment Mom showed up to claim me. All I could see were my mistakes.
“I mess up everything. If this is what it’s like to be a succubus, alone and hurting everyone who gets close to me, I don’t want it.”
“That’s it,” Megan said from nowhere. “I’m done staying out of Dodge.”
My eyes flew to the phone.
“No,” I rasped.
“Yes.”
A ball of fire and light exploded into existence beside me. I flinched from the heat and lifted a hand to shield my eyes, but the light faded quickly, leaving a sad Megan and serious Oanen in its place.
I stared at my best friend in horror, waiting for her to wrap her wings around me and send me to hell. But she didn’t. Instead, she opened her arms wide.
“Get your succubus butt over here, and give me a hug,” she said, tears in her eyes.
My tears started falling harder. Megan was here, and there was no hate or anger in her. Only sorrow and pain. For me.
I shook my head, unable to move. Megan had no problem moving. She wrapped me in a hug and held me as I sobbed out my misery. I couldn’t be sure how long we stood like that. Twice, I heard her mutter something about wishing she could steal emotions. After the second time, I did my best to pull myself together.
Megan eased back from our embrace. Her eyes were red and her lashes wet with blood.
“I know you’re worried about Ashlyn. And I promise that we’re going to find her.”
I nodded and started sniffling again.
“That’s not what this is about, is it?”
