Page 141 of The Hunger
We relaxed and ate cookies until it was time to meet by the fire. The walk wasn’t chilly, thanks to Fenris’s visit. But the welcome was. Heads turned as we joined those already gathered. The locals didn’t outright scowl at me. Those not from Uttira did, though.
I scanned the small crowd for Fenris. He either wasn’t here, or he was far enough away that I couldn’t sense him.
Raiden stood near the flames, speaking with several other people. When he saw us, he waved us forward. Most of the nearby people moved away, leaving him and one other man standing together. He was older, and the way he watched me gave me the creeps.
“Eliana, this is Rathel. He’s a mystic druid from Europe. I brought him here for a specific purpose. To prove to you and Fenris that what Fenris feels for you isn’t real.”
“And how is a druid going to do that?”
“By muting your natural abilities.”
That dark thing inside of me undulated as it rose in defiance of Raiden’s impudence.
“It would only last for twenty-four hours,” he said.
“As if that makes it any more acceptable,” I said. “How is muting my ability going to prove anything?”
“Without your lure confusing him, he will find his true mate.”
I tilted my head back and laughed even as that dark thing clawed at me to do something to show Raiden the difference between using my lure and being myself.
“I’ll agree on two conditions,” I said. “First, this will be the last time you interfere in my relationship with your son, and we will both accept the outcome, no matter what that might be. Second, you will work to repair all the damage your vendetta has caused in your relationship with your son.”
“I agree,” he said.
I turned to the druid.
“If you make any mistakes that have lasting consequences, there is a fury who will hold you personally responsible. Be sure before you cast your spell.”
The druid’s response was to lift his hand and blow dust in my face. I coughed and made a face.
“Why does it always leave a fish aftertaste?”
“Mermaid scales are one of the ingredients,” the druid said. “Can you seduce me?”
I made a face. “No thank you.”
“He would like you to test your lure, Eliana,” Raiden said.
“Well, I’m not seducing a man old enough to be my father.”
Raiden’s gaze scanned the crowd, and he waved someone forward.
“Him then.”
I turned and found a good-looking boy close to my age standing right behind me. Before I could guess his intent, he grasped the back of my head and pulled me in for a kiss. Shock immobilized me for a second before I shoved away and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
“Don’t ever kiss me again without permission.”
“Anything?” Raiden asked.
“Nothing,” the boy said.
I sputtered.
“Thank you,” Raiden said before the boy winked at me and left.
“And you’re sure it will hold?” Raiden asked the druid.
