Page 97 of The Hunger
“Lander and I weren’t happy about it, but we agreed in order to keep Fenris in school with you until Saturday.”
“For what purpose? I won’t feed from him in public. You should know me better than that by now.”
Mrs. Quill’s troubled gaze swept over my face.
“You can’t refuse to eat, Eliana. It’s not healthy for a girl your age.”
I snorted. “You should have thought of that before trying to force me to do something I’m very clearly against doing. I thought we all understood how I felt about being forced.”
She paled slightly.
“Are you all right?” I asked. “You don’t look well.”
“I’m fine. It’s nothing. Will you attend school tomorrow?” she asked.
“I’m not sure yet. I guess we’ll see what kind of mood I’m in come morning.”
She wished me good night and didn’t comment about the desserts I was taking up to my room. Even though it was early, I got ready for bed. Then, I went to the media room and settled in to watch some horror flicks. My phone buzzed.
Fenris: You know you don’t have to go Saturday, right? It won’t change anything.
Me: I know. I wish he wasn’t so against me.
I stared at the message and smiled in realization as I sent it. Having Raiden dislike me as a choice for his son wasn’t as upsetting as it had been. Somewhere along the way, how people perceived me stopped mattering so much. I wasn’t sure why. I still cared what Megan and Oanen thought of me. I definitely cared what Mom and Dad thought of me, but I guessed that too many other people had let me down in some way for me to keep caring so much.
Fenris: I’d rather be against you. Preferably while you’re eating.
My eyes went dark, and I wrinkled my nose.
Me: No flirting while you’re in a time out. If I went on Saturday, what could I expect other than a lot of nudity? Would I get to see you at all?
Fenris: You’d see a whole lot of me. *winking emoji*
Me: You’re in a pretty good mood. I pictured you confined to your room, doing your bored prisoner impression.
Fenris: I’ve been picturing you in your room, too.
Me: You’re about to lose your two minutes of scratching.
Fenris: Don’t tease. My heart will break.
I rolled my eyes.
Me: Go to sleep, Fenris. I’ll see you in the morning.
The phone stayed quiet, and I started my movie. One led to another until I could barely keep my eyes open.
Yawning, I shuffled back to my room and climbed into bed a few minutes before midnight. I was just about to turn off the light when movement by my window caught my eye.
I blinked at the sight of Merri holding up Piepen. His wings were barely fluttering, and his head drooped.
“Why me?” I muttered as I got out of bed to let them in.
“Thank you so much,” Merri panted. “I didn’t know where else to go or I would have kept my promise not to return.” She flew straight to my bed and helped Piepen collapse onto my pillow.
“What’s wrong with him?” I asked when he lay there unmoving with his eyes closed.
“I don’t know. We were staying at Madeline and Marshal’s, caring for little Piewhistle while they were gone. Before the sun went down, he said he wasn’t feeling good. He started to sweat and then just collapsed. No one knows what’s wrong with him.”
