Page 9 of The Hunger
She then turned to meet Megan’s gaze.
“Adira’s misguided efforts to help Eliana have done nothing but cause more misery. Attempting to use me to distract you from righting those wrongs is unforgivable, Megan. I propose you continue your efforts to find Adira since you need to wait for whoever this Zayn is to find Ashlyn. Make Adira answer for the pain she’s caused.”
Megan glanced at me.
“Your mom has a valid point, Eliana. While we’re in a holding pattern for Ashlyn, we should continue to put pressure on Adira. I can’t think of a better bigger wrong to right than her.”
“But Adira typically fights pressure with more pressure. Since she doesn’t run from me like she does for you and Mom, who do you think she’ll go after?”
“Not you. Not with both your mom and me in town. Even Adira isn’t that reckless.”
The response I was about to give died when Oanen and Dad emerged from the back of the house. Dad was wearing gym shorts, and that was it. From his sweat-soaked hair to his only attire, he barely resembled the man I knew. He wasn’t as wasted as I remembered.
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
“Just finished my workout,” he said. “Oanen said your mother needed some time with you. Was that long enough?”
“It was plenty, Jason,” Mom said smoothly.
“Since when do you work out at night?” I asked.
“Eliana, don’t be judgmental,” Mom said sharply.
I looked at her in surprise.
“It’s okay, my love,” Dad said, coming to rest a hand on Mom’s shoulder before looking at me. “I’m trying to undo all the damage I’ve done. And it gives me something else to do besides cook for your mother.”
“I think it’s time Oanen and I head home.” Megan grabbed her phone and playfully grinned at me. “Tomorrow’s ass-kickings are going to start early. When she least expects it.”
“She?” Dad asked.
“Adira,” Mom said, covering his hand with hers. “This is Megan, Eliana’s best friend.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Megan.”
Megan smiled at my dad then gave me a look.
“No more avoiding me, got it? My house is your house.”
I nodded then remembered her resident goblin.
“What are you going to do with Elbner? He hasn’t gotten any more pleasant since he arrived here, and his pandering for wings at the brownie marshes has probably made him even less endearing.”
“His what?” Megan’s eyes flickered orange.
“According to Merrifolds, Glistening Dewcup’s little sister, Elbner’s been showing up at the marshes around dawn, asking to buy brownie wings. That’s why Dewy tried passing off the baby as Piepen’s. She wanted to guilt him into selling his wings for the money. And she still has her wings.” I shook my head. “I can’t decide what’s worse. The fact that Adira doesn’t care or the fact that it’s socially acceptable for the brownies to sell each other out like that.”
“Hold up. I’m still trying to figure out their names. Did you say Merrifolds and Glistening Dewcup?”
“Their names typically reflect their very sexual natures,” Mom said with a smirk. “A few have tried for more human names, but those aren’t nearly as descriptively interesting.”
“Wait. What? Glistening Dewcup means…”
I shook my head at Megan. “Don’t dwell on it. If you do, you’ll have to deal with mental images that will have you wanting to bleach your brain.”
“Got it. And on that note, we’re going to leave. Thanks for the warning about Elbner.”
Oanen joined her, and I watched them disappear in a burst of flaming wings.
