Page 7 of The Hunger
“You aren’t wrong. However, my priority for safety isn’t only for the humans inside Uttira. Those outside of Uttira are just as important.”
“Which is why we’re also ensuring that no human can come to harm in Club Blayz. We’ve warded the building heavily and have separate entrances to ensure that no human can enter Uttira and no Mantirian can enter the human world within fifty miles of the club.”
I glanced at Mom. If not for a quick flicker of black, nothing in her expression would have given away her annoyance.
“As for visiting the humans, I would recommend against doing so. As you know, the Banshees have sung their songs. For the safety of the humans, we’ve asked them to remain in their warded homes. And since we don’t know what threat we face but do know the level of destruction a fury can unleash given cause, it would be in everyone’s best interest if you refrain from contacting them.”
Megan opened her mouth, but I set a hand on her arm.
“If you’re keeping the humans in their homes for their safety, then why is Eugene at the club right now?” I asked.
This time the silence was much longer, and her telling hesitation created a heavy ball of realization in my middle. Eugene had told me that Adira had a druid ward him to keep him safe, but I’d overpowered a druid ward before. Their wards weren’t foolproof. How could she be sure no human would come to harm? She couldn’t unless she tested it first.
“Eugene is your guinea pig to make sure the wards work before you open the club to the public, isn’t he?” I demanded.
“Is Megan at the club, or did you leave, Eliana?” she asked instead of answering.
“Don’t deflect, Adira,” Megan said. “Answer her question. Are you using Eugene to test the wards?”
“How else can I ensure human safety? Spells are as faulty as the caster. Would you have me place blind faith in a spell and risk countless lives? Of course not. And it’s not as if I’m truly risking a human to test the wards. It’s in Nicolette’s best interest to protect the boy if the ward should fail. So you see? Nothing will happen to him.”
Megan snarled.
“Your disregard for those in your care is noted and begs for action on my part. I’ll retrieve Eugene and visit the others.”
A sudden burst of music filled the line for a few seconds before it disappeared again.
“Come on, Adira. What gives? You said I could stay until closing if I wanted,” we heard Eugene complain.
“Megan is on the phone. She felt you were in danger and wanted you returned to your home. Goodnight, Eugene.”
Megan’s flame-lit gaze met mine. She looked two seconds from combusting, and I wondered if I’d be strong enough to drain her anger now that she’d claimed her true power.
“There,” Adira said, once again speaking into the phone. “He’s safely returned to his home. I’ll let Anwen know you and Oanen would like to see her and Lander. I’m sure she can have a late dinner ready within the hour. She missed you both terribly and is hoping for a chance to make amends for past misunderstandings. Eliana, you should invite your mother to dinner. I’m sure she’d like a chance to say hello to Megan again.”
“Cut the bullshit, Adira. I know Ashlyn is missing, and your attempt to cover that up sits like a lie to me. So I have a better idea than waiting for dinner. It’s time you and I had a face-to-face discussion. Marco.” With that last word, Megan disappeared.
I could have sworn I heard a faint “Polo” from the phone she’d left behind before the call ended.
“I hope the fury catches her,” Mom said.
Megan’s phone buzzed with a message, which I managed to read before it disappeared.
Oanen: You gave your word. Together. Always. You have one minute. Then I’m coming for you.
I bit my lip and glanced toward the back of the house. By nature, a griffin was overprotective of his mate. Add to that the fact he’d almost lost Megan once already, and he was probably beside himself with worry. I imagined allowing her even a minute was a stretch of his endurance.
“Looks like we’re not the only ones with the gift for innuendos,” Mom said, having also read his message.
“Ew, Mom. Oanen’s like my brother.”
Megan reappeared as suddenly as she’d left, but twice as angry.
“Adira, where are you?” she demanded, glaring at her phone.
“She already hung up,” I said. “And Oanen sent you a text.”
The anger left Megan.
