Page 77 of The Hunger
“A little trick a few of us possess. It’s draining to use.” Her gaze shifted to Dad. “Darling, I need to eat. I need you to go upstairs.”
He kissed her lips and quickly hurried away.
“Baby, take your friends outside.”
“I’m not leaving you lying on the stage by yourself.” I glanced at Fenris and Oanen. “Go. Just for a few minutes. It shouldn’t take her long, and I’ll watch for Megan.”
“Five minutes,” Oanen said before walking to the door.
“I can stay,” Fenris offered. “I don’t mind.”
“But Eliana does,” Mom said. “Go on.”
I watched him cross the floor. At the bar, the bartenders were working fast to get everyone a complimentary drink, keeping them right where they needed to be so Mom could eat.
“Go ahead,” I said to Mom the moment they were through the door.
I felt her energy push out into the room. It beckoned and beguiled. The humans closest to her began to make out. She inhaled the lust they produced as it bubbled forth. The more she ate, the more the frenzied behavior spread until the people at the bar were kissing and dry-humping each other.
“Is it helping?” I asked quietly. “Is the baby okay?”
When she looked at me, for the briefest moment, I saw anger in her gaze. Directed at me. She’d never before acted like that when I’d interrupted a feeding. I tried to hide my shock, but she sensed it.
“I’m sorry, baby. I’m not myself yet. Your brother or sister is fine and moving aggressively to let me know.”
“Do you want to sit up? Or want me to leave?” I asked, unsure where I stood with her. She clasped my hand and smiled reassuringly at me.
“Don’t leave. Help me sit up. I’ll recover more quickly if I involve myself.” She motioned for the DJ to start the music back up.
I knew what all that meant and offered to get her something to drink. While she kissed and groped random men under the guise of dancing, I had Ymir make her a martini.
“Want one too?” he asked.
“A chocolate one, please,” I said.
“Virgin?”
“She sure looks like it,” a man said beside me. “Let me buy that for you.”
I glanced at the man, who was close to my father’s age, and felt nothing but disgust at what he was feeling as he contemplated me.
“Go to my mother,” I said. “Give to her what you wish to give to me.”
He immediately turned around and approached Mom. She seemed to like what he had to offer because she pulled him into her circle.
“About the drink?” Ymir asked, regaining my attention.
“A virgin cocktail would be perfect. Thank you.”
He gave me a small smile and hurried to mix both drinks. By the time they were done, the groans coming from the dance floor were fading, allowing the music to emerge.
Mom didn’t get angry when I approached with the drink. Instead, she kissed my cheek and told me to go get Oanen and Fenris and to come upstairs.
The pair stood outside, both unbothered by the cold as they watched cars drive away.
“It’s safe to come in,” I said. “Mom wants us to meet in her office.”
“Did she say why?” Oanen asked.
