Page 39 of The Hunger
Bundled and feet covered, I hurried inside and spotted Mom sipping her hot chocolate at the kitchen table. I could see the dark circles under her eyes.
“I’m so sorry for waking you up. Why don’t you go back to bed?”
“What time is Jenna coming over?”
“She said within the hour, but I can watch for her so she doesn’t ring the bell. We’ll be quiet.”
Mom smiled at me and rose gracefully.
“Thank you, baby. I thought I’d be fine, but your sibling is being a little disagreeable at the moment. More sleep should help. Our house is your house.”
“Actually, I wanted to ask you about that. What happened to the people who were here?”
“Your mother bought the house from them,” Dad answered with a smile.
“Bought at a fair price or at a bargain because you seduced the owner?” I asked Mom. Even though I’d kept my tone respectful, Dad still bristled.
“Eliana, apologize to your mother.”
“Why should she? She knows I’m more likely to do the latter than the former. How do you think I was able to afford this at a reasonably fair price, darling?”
Dad considered Mom for a long moment, paling slightly before nodding.
“Right. The true power of persuasion. A succubus’s seduction.”
Mom rewarded his accurate answer with a wide smile.
“Will you lie with me, Jason?”
“Please, no sex,” I said as he joined her. “I don’t begrudge you your food, but it’s not something I ever want to sense or consume.”
“I completely understand, baby,” Mom said. “We’ll behave.”
I grabbed my bag and hurried to the spare bathroom to change into real clothes. My phone buzzed as I finished.
Fenris: We both know that me leaving you alone isn’t going to happen, right? If I was close once, I bet I can do it again. You ready, rabbit?
Shaking my head, I repacked what I’d worn to bed then returned to the living room. I peeked out through the curtain and briefly wondered if I should warn Jenna not to use the pack car. It would stick out like a red beacon in the snow-covered driveway.
The phone vibrated in my hand again.
Fenris: Did you know that I can see that you’re reading my messages? Good thing I’m comfortable with uncomfortable silences. See you soon.
Not if I could help it.
Staying by the window, I paced and kept an eye out for Jenna. When I finally spotted her in wolf form, I hurried to the door. She was faster than I was, though. Before I could tell her to come inside to change, she was already naked on the front step and shaking out her bundle of clothes.
“Come inside when you’re done,” I said softly before turning away.
She entered a moment later, barefoot and wearing a summer dress.
“Sorry about that,” she said.
“No, it’s okay.” I carefully closed the door. “My parents are sleeping. Mom’s room is probably sound-proofed, but just in case, I was trying to make sure you didn’t ring the doorbell.”
“Is it okay that I’m here?”
“Absolutely.” I led the way to the couch and motioned for her to join me. “Did your mom have any problem with you coming over?”
