Page 79 of The Hunger
Fenris laughed and nuzzled my hair while inhaling deeply.
“This is much better than secondhand.”
A shiver ran through me, and my hunger stirred with more insistence.
Megan’s annoyance faded, and she grinned at me.
“You two are so adorable.”
I wrinkled my nose at her. “Turn around before Oanen scolds you. I can feel his frustration over your improper use of that seatbelt.”
She gave an aggrieved sigh but returned to the correct position.
“At what point are you going to stop obsessing over my safety?” she asked him, pouting.
“When you start taking it seriously and stop disappearing from my side in a poof of flames.”
“Poof? Please. What I do is more impressive than a poof. Apparently, I need to do it again so you can describe it better.”
Oanen looked away from the road, an indication of how not funny he found Megan. Beside me, Fenris started to shake with his silent laughter.
“Okay, okay,” Megan said quickly. “No repeat performance. Got it.”
The driveway at the Quills’ was once again packed with cars.
“I didn’t think the Council was that big,” Megan said.
“It’s not,” Oanen said, pulling around to the garage. “I imagine there are a lot of people who want answers, though.”
He wasn’t wrong. When we entered the kitchen, we could hear the raised voices coming from the front entry.
“Those earthquakes aren’t natural,” a voice said. “It’s not just where they’re happening. It’s how they’re happening. Some of us could feel the power behind it.”
“The Council understands your concerns and shares them. We’ve been working diligently to follow every lead. The furies are even helping us by making inquiries around the world.”
Megan snorted and strode forward. Adira stood on the stairs with Mr. Quill and Raiden flanking her. They all faced the dozen Uttira residents that gathered before them.
“Hold up,” Megan said. “Do not make it sound like I’m acting on the Council’s behalf.”
Only a few steps behind Megan, I could see the way everyone’s attention shifted from Adira to her. I also saw the worry that erupted in Adira’s expression before she composed herself again.
“Of course not, Fury. You are a separate entity who answers to no one but the gods,” Adira said quickly. “And the Council is in your debt for caring enough to look into the matter of the earthquakes.” She addressed the crowd of people once more. “If any of you have any information that can help us, please step forward now. We’re all tired of living under the strain of fear and want answers.”
The people gathered began to shuffle uncomfortably in the silence, and Adira looked at them in disappointment.
“I see. Well, I thank you for your interest in this matter. Please allow the Council to reconvene so we might determine our next course of action.”
“And what will that be?” a man demanded.
“It’s hard to say when we have as little information to go on as you do. But we will strive to do our best and prove that you have not misplaced your trust in us to lead this stronghold.”
There were some grumbles as the people started to leave. Once the entry was empty, Raiden turned his attention to Fenris.
“Fenris, it’s time for you to go home.”
Hurt and shame welled up within me. It was obvious Raiden was sending Fenris away because I was there. Based on the swell of anger from Fenris, he knew it too.
“I’m pretty sure it’s not past my bedtime,” he said.
