Page 158 of The Hunger
Rather than saying anything to the contrary, I hugged her.
“Is everyone here?” I asked.
“Upstairs in the study. Adira’s impatient to know the result of Zayn’s visit.”
“I’m sure she is,” I said. “My mom and dad are just behind us.”
Mrs. Quill’s brows rose. “I thought you wanted to meet with the Council.”
“We do. There’s a lot we need to talk about.”
She nodded and led the way upstairs.
Adira and Raiden stood near Mr. Quill’s desk, speaking quietly when we entered.
“Where’s Megan?” Adira asked as soon as we entered the room.
“Finding some answers,” I said.
“Which is what we need. Where is Zayn?”
“Wait. Is there time to make some popcorn?” Fenris asked. “I really feel that this moment needs some popcorn.”
A bucket of popcorn appeared in his hands. Grinning, he went to sit in a chair.
“Okay. I’m ready. Let the honey badger out.”
He winked at me, and all my annoyance at Adira bled away.
“You’re ridiculous,” I said.
“And you love me.”
“Can you please focus?” Adira asked. “We need to find Zayn before he—”
“He’s already gone, and as usual, you’re focused on the wrong things. Hades is awake.”
There was a moment of stunned silence, and I sensed a surge in everyone’s fear.
“What did Megan do?” Adira asked, her tone accusatory.
“Megan did what this Council failed to do. She kept her word and found Ashlyn with Zayn’s help. The location spell he performed revealed Ashlyn was in hell.”
“That’s not possible,” Adira said. “Location spells don’t work between realms.”
“I’m not here to debate facts, Adira. When Megan went to find Ashlyn, she discovered Hades was awake, and she was unable to retrieve Ashlyn.”
“She should have come to us first,” Adira said.
“Why?”
I could feel Adira’s frustration mount and her secret desire of wanting Megan here instead of me that lurked underneath it.
“Perhaps this discussion should wait until Megan arrives,” Adira said.
“Megan isn’t coming. She’s now working with the other furies to determine how to appease a god so he will go back to sleep.”
“She cannot make decisions on behalf of the Mantirum Councils.”
