Page 6 of The Hunger
“Not you, too. We’re supposed to be better. Children of the gods. Why is it so hard for us to be considerate of the creatures who can’t fend for themselves? The baby is no bigger than your thumbnail, Megan.”
“It’s not that. I’m just surprised you’re still talking to any brownies after everything Piepen’s done to you.” She made a face. “And talking to me, come to think of it. I am the one who sent him to you. Forgive me?”
“Always.”
“Same. Now let’s make a plan to right some wrongs and kick some asses. You with me?”
I opened my mouth to reply at the same time Megan’s phone buzzed with a message. She looked at the screen, and her eyes began to glow orange.
CHAPTER TWO
I could feel the depth of Megan’s anger before she looked up at me.
“How can she possibly know I’m here? I portaled directly into this house. Are there cameras? Is this place bugged?”
Mom gave a throaty chuckle.
“My lovely fury, if you mean that menace, Adira, it’s not because of cameras. She knows the danger of watching a succubus feed. It’s not a spectator sport. Participation is always required.”
That last sentence was laced with a sensual purr, and Megan glanced at me.
“Is she hitting on me? I can’t tell.”
I gave a teary laugh. “She’s not. Speaking in innuendos is second nature.”
“Eliana’s correct. I apologize and will attempt to speak with more care. As for Adira, she’s alerted any time someone enters the boundary. Most she ignores. There are a few worthy of her notice…and fear.”
Some of the anger left Megan, and a slow grin tugged at her lips.
“Adira’s fear is something I can embrace. She wants to know why I’m here. I think it’s time to make her pee herself.”
Rather than text a reply like I would have done, Megan dialed Adira and put the call on speaker.
“Fury,” Adira answered respectfully. “Thank you for calling me so quickly.”
“Yeah, this isn’t a courtesy call. This is a ‘what in the hell do you want now’ call.”
“On behalf of the Council and the residents of Uttira, I’m inquiring about the purpose and duration of your stay.”
“Of my stay? I live here.”
“Of course, your family home is here. However, most furies choose to use the money they acquire from their predecessor to establish homes elsewhere.”
Megan’s brows rose.
“You’re making me feel very unwelcome, Adira, which makes me suspicious. Is there a reason you’re trying to get rid of me?”
There was a moment’s pause.
“Of course not, Fury.”
“Good. Since I just arrived, I’m far from ready to leave. Oanen is going to want to visit his parents. I’m hoping that Eliana will take me to the library that’s being built. Then, I want to visit with Ashlyn, Eugene, Kelsey, and Zoey to see how they’ve been treated in my absence.”
Megan grinned at me, and I couldn’t help but return the smile. It was about darn time someone turned the tables on the woman.
“With regret, Fury, we have not been able to achieve significant progress on the library you requested. At the time of Nicolette’s arrival, we shifted our focus to building a club suitable for feeding Nicolette and Eliana. We believed, and still do believe, that providing them with access to humans outside of Uttira would keep those in Uttira safer. Were we wrong to assume you would prioritize the humans’ safety over their entertainment?”
I could feel Megan’s anger pooling.
