Page 65 of Feral Touch
“You're the girl who worked with Ren from Feral Silence on this song, correct?” The woman asked abruptly, no small talk. I was slightly taken aback, but answered as best I could.
“Yes, that's me.”
“How did you come to start working with him?”
“We're friends.”
They both raised their eyebrows. I hurried to explain. I didn't want them thinking Ren had just done his most recent conquest a favor, although that's sort of what had happened.
“Ren and I knew each other growing up. We recently reunited."”
“And what is your relationship with him now?” The man asked. “Are you really just friends?”
“Um.” I looked around wildly, trying to catch Ren's eye. What should I say?
“No personal questions, please.” Ailey interrupted briskly. “This is strictly a professional interview.”
The man scowled, but the woman took it in stride. “Why did you and Ren decide to compose a classical piece together?”
I couldn't saybecause I'm poor and needed the money. “Both our backgrounds are in classical music. I know Jayce does acoustic versions. I think that's what gave Ren the idea.”
“Who decided which song to remake?”
“That was me.”
“And what made you decide to choose this particular song to work on?”
“I guess—” I stopped, thinking for a moment. “I guess because it was one of the first Feral Silence songs that resonated with me. It made me feel something inside. I don't know much about rock music, but this song touched me.”
“Are you not a fan of Feral Silence?” The man asked.
“Not really.”
He looked frustrated again. Was he hoping I was actually some sort of groupie? I didn't like the idea of the media twisting my words to make up a sordid story.
“How long have you been playing cello?” The woman asked, continuing her questions.
“More than a decade.”
“And what do you do? Professionally, I mean.”
“I'm still a student. I go to the Academy of Orchestral Performance Studies.”
The man didn't blink, but the woman looked impressed, giving me a careful look up and down as if really seeing me for the first time. She must have been more aware of the music scene than her colleague. I got the impression he was some kind of tabloid reporter.
“I'll have to cut this short,” Ailey interrupted. “I need to introduce Ivy to some other guests.” She herded me away with a hand on her arm.
“I didn't like the feeling I was getting from that guy,” she murmured.
“Me either.”
“He was probably looking to start up some juicy gossip about you and Ren.”
“Thanks for saving me.”
“It wasn't a total lie. There are some people I want you to meet.” She nodded her head toward the entrance.
“Ivy!”
