Page 22 of The Hunger
“I think it will. If you get to the caves first, he won’t be able to smell you.”
“Not in the caves, but he’ll smell me outside the caves.”
“That’s why you’re here. You can wear my clothes.”
“As soon as he sees it’s me, he’ll take off.”
“Then don’t let him see. The caves are dark. Take the torches. Be clever. He needs your help, Jenna.”
She exhaled heavily. “Okay. I’ll do it.”
We found something of mine that would fit her. Then she used my shower while I danced my heart out in the clothes. It was the only effective way I knew of to ensure the clothes would smell more like me and less like Jenna.
Smelling like my soaps and wearing my sweaty clothes, she gave me a nervous smile before I used the intercom to page Mrs. Quill.
“Are you sure she’ll be okay with this?” Jenna asked. “What if she asks why?”
“Then I’ll tell her why. She’ll understand.”
“But will she go to Adira? You weren’t there when Raiden talked my mom into allowing me to go shopping with you and your mom. Raiden might be against you and Fenris, but he made it sound like Adira is very for it. I don’t think she’ll like that you’re giving up on Fenris.”
“I’m not giving up on him. I’m fighting for him harder than anyone else in his life will fight for him. He doesn’t deserve what Adira, Mom, and I have done to him. If they hadn’t messed with his schedule and forced him to spend so much time with me, I might not have ever fed on him. He didn’t ask for any of this.”
“I know you’re trying to help him. What I meant is that if Adira finds out what we’re trying to do, she’s going to stop it and throw him at you even harder.”
Mrs. Quill knocked on the door and came in before I could answer.
“Are you hungry?” she asked, concern lacing her emotions.
“Can I trust you?” I asked bluntly.
I felt her sorrow and guilt.
“Yes. You can.”
“I want you to portal Jenna to the hot spring caves and not tell Adira as soon as you’re done.”
Her hurt wasn’t just tangible but visible on her face.
“I won’t. I swear.”
She held her hand out to Jenna.
“Text me when you’re ready,” I said to Jenna.
She nodded, and they disappeared. Mrs. Quill reappeared a moment later.
“Would you like me to pick up anything for dinner?” she asked.
I knew exactly what kind of takeout she was referring to.
“No, thank you. I haven’t decided what my plans are for dinner tonight.” Mostly, I wasn’t sure if I’d be here or if I’d need to run to Mom’s if this plan backfired.
After Mrs. Quill left, I picked up my phone to check on Jenna and saw several messages from Fenris.
Fenris: Your stop pushing me cards expired when we kissed. And staying apart is what will make things worse.
I briefly closed my eyes against the pain and guilt and wished I would have kept them closed when I read the next two.
