by Melissa Haag
“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.
“I really do like that girl,” Mom said. “I wish I would have been less confrontational at our first meeting. And our second.”
Mom’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen and scowled.
“Are either of you going to tell me why Eliana looks like she’s been crying?” Dad asked. “Was it Adira again?”
With those questions, I realized Megan had somehow completely distracted me from what had prompted her spontaneous appearance in the first place.
Fenris.
The guilt returned, and I looked at Mom, meeting her sad gaze.
“I think I’ll leave you to explain it if that’s all right,” I said. “It’s late, and all I want to do is to go to bed.”
“Please don’t shut me out, Eliana.” Dad walked around the couch to sit next to Mom. “I promise I can listen, no matter what you have to say.”
My gaze darted between the two before I sighed and leaned back into the couch. Mom’s phone buzzed again, but she didn’t even look at the screen, letting me know she was focused entirely on me.
“I’m a succubus, a creature that survives by feeding on the sexual energy of others. I’m a virgin who’s been kissed twice. Once by Megan—she did it to prove that there’s nothing to be afraid of—and once by Fenris. Tonight. When he kissed me, I realized I’d been feeding on his energy in my sleep for weeks.
“I’d been starving myself, on purpose, so I wouldn’t ever do what Mom did to the people she fed on. I saw first-hand how that destroyed lives. The sleepless nights, the nightmares, the endless crying and begging for her to return.”
Dad swallowed hard and looked down at his hands.
“People waste away after a succubus feeding. Mrs. Quill was a temporary answer. Her complete devotion to Mr. Quill meant that I could feed from her without hurting her. She never pined for me. Still, I was afraid that if I ate too much, that would change. So, I went hungry and protected the people I cared about by staying away.
“At least, I thought I was protecting them. When Fenris asked me to be his girlfriend, I thought he saw me as a way to escape the pressure his pack has been putting on him to find a mate. I thought he was desperate for a reprieve, like me. I didn’t see his obsession for what it was until he kissed me, and I realized what I’d done. My tears were for his ruined life. Now, I just feel dead inside and want to go home.”
The quiet buzz of Mom’s phone didn’t distract Dad as he leaned forward.
“Forgive me for not being a better father. We’ve both been hiding from the truth for so long. But I’m done hiding from my responsibilities and from what you and your mother are. Please stop starving yourself because of the mistakes I’ve made since the moment your mother left us.”
I studied Dad, trying to understand what he was telling me. What responsibility was he hiding from? What mistake did he think he made when Mom left?
“You need to speak more plainly, Jason. Years of looking for double-meanings doesn’t go away overnight,” Mom said, reading me more accurately than I ever thought possible.
“I knew what your mother was from the beginning. She’s never lied about what she is. But it was easier to lie to myself than to face the truth that I would be spending the rest of my life without her unique and amazing presence. It was easier to embrace anger and guilt and pretend ignorance than it was to care for the beautiful daughter, the most precious piece of your mom, that she’d left in my care. When I say I’m done hiding from my responsibilities, I mean that I’m going to be a better father and husband. When I say stop starving yourself because of my mistakes, I’m telling you to eat like you’re meant to eat, Eliana. I don’t want you to die because I was a weak man, unable to cope with the truth of my existence.”
Mom held his hand and gave him a loving smile before looking at me.
“He’s right, Eliana. I know you’re hurting and feel like you’ve done something terrible, but are you sure you changed Fenris as you’ve said?”
“I met Fenris,” Dad said. “He didn’t strike me as a weak person, unable to deal with the truth.”
“I don’t know what to believe or think, anymore. I just wish I knew how this all started,” I said as I tried to remember back to what had happened first. My cake dreams or that night Mom found Fenris in my room? It seemed so long ago, but I felt certain that the dreams started before that night. That didn’t make any sense, though. How had I first accidentally fed on him? It was the first feeding that would have compelled him to return.
Mom’s phone buzzed yet again. I could feel her anger even though she didn’t look at the device. There was only one person who could get to Mom like that.
“Adira?” I asked.
I took it as a yes when Mom’s eyes flickered black, and she silenced her phone.
“Perhaps you should ask Fenris how the feedings started.”
“I really don’t want to talk to him.”
“Avoiding the truth doesn’t make it go away,” Dad said.
Mom studied him for a moment.
“You’re so right, my darling. Thank you for reminding us both.” She picked up her phone. “We’ll see what Adira has to say, and then you’ll give Fenris a chance to explain his side of what happened.”
She didn’t wait for me to respond but dialed Adira and put the call on speaker.
“Anwen informed me that you and Eliana left the club abruptly. What happened?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“It very much is since you left the human unprotected in your club.”
“Isn’t that what the wards are for? The ones I paid outrageous sums for at the Council's insistence?”
“Since you’re comfortable with untested wards, I expect to see your husband at the club opening night with all the other humans.”
Mom’s eyes went completely black.
“And will you be there opening night?” she asked smoothly.
“I go where I’m needed as I please.”
Adira’s answer brought a smile to Mom’s lips.
“Perfect. I believe you’ll be needed opening night. Someone’s looking for you.”
“So I’ve heard. Does Eliana have a ride home, or should Anwen pick her up?”
Mom arched a brow at me.
“Please send Mrs. Quill,” I said.
“We’ll speak when you get here, Eliana,” Adira said before hanging up.
“Jason, darling. It seems that I’ll be going out again tonight.”
“Good. Eliana shouldn’t have to face that woman alone.”
The air beside us shimmered, and Mrs. Quill appeared.
“Was it necessary to tell Adira that we left the club, Anwen?” Mom asked, her eyes still dark.
“I only verified that you were both safe at home after she spoke with both Eliana and Megan. She already knew they weren’t at the club since she wasn’t receiving panicked calls from the minors present. And she discovered your absence when she went to retrieve Eugene.” Mrs. Quill’s gaze met mine. “I swear I only told her where you were so she would leave you in peace.”
Mom exhaled slowly and stood.
“Would you be so kind as to portal us both to your home? Adira would like to speak to Eliana, and I will be present for whatever discussion she plans to have with my daughter.”
Mrs. Quill paled
slightly and offered her hands to us.
Chapter Three
We appeared in the foyer. Thankfully, this time, our arrival was far less nauseating.
Voices rang out from Mr. Quill’s study on the second floor, and I heard Megan’s name mentioned. As we moved up the stairs, the conversation became clear, and my anger on Megan’s behalf grew.
“She can’t stay in Uttira indefinitely. We’ll lose too many young through their own foolishness,” Adira said.
“What do you propose?” Raiden asked.
“Oanen is not opposed to doing his part as an enforcer. With the recent banshee songs, we should send him to investigate a few leads. We only need to convince him it’s a worthy cause that will save lives. Megan will follow Oanen.”
“Do we have new leads?” Mr. Quill asked.
We reached the door before Adira could answer.
“Nicolette,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“You should have after summoning my daughter like she’s some errant child. Or, have you forgotten that she’s my daughter?” As Mom spoke, she strolled farther into the room.
I could feel the extra lure she was using and saw how it affected everyone even though they tried their best to hide it.
“I haven’t forgotten,” Adira said. Her gaze shifted to me. “I only wanted to ask what you thought of your mother’s club.”
“I highly doubt that. But since it’s a question you’ve asked me repeatedly, why don’t you just tell me what answer you’re looking for so I can tell you the opposite and leave?” I asked, my annoyance getting the better of me.
Mom laughed, not even remotely upset about my disrespect, which only fueled my words.
“Don’t insult Megan’s intelligence by trying to use the banshee’s song to send her from Uttira. Not only will she see through that excuse, but she’s already been researching leads for the last several days. It would be smarter to meet with her about what she’s discovered.”
Mr. and Mrs. Quill shared a look, but Adira kept her scrutinizing gaze locked on me.
“Do you understand what will happen if Megan stays in Uttira? This place may not be as old as the furies, but it is still old enough to have history, Eliana. Furies have raised their young here for centuries. We know what happens when a fury stays too long.”
“Death,” Raiden said. “More than you can imagine.”
“Possibly more than our kind can recover from,” Mr. Quill added.
I shook my head slowly, looking at all the adults who were supposed to be our leaders. People who were supposed to have the experience and knowledge to guide us.
“Age doesn’t give wisdom. Experience does. But only if we learn from it. Megan might be young, but she’s taken the time to question things. To learn from her mistakes and the mistakes of the people around her.
“She’s too smart to ever be your puppet. The fact that her Great Grandma is still alive proves that.”
Adira smiled, stunning me.
“Who said we wanted puppets?”
Raiden shifted restlessly. “I believe Eliana’s correct, and there’s little we can do about Megan’s presence. Now, unless there’s anything more to discuss tonight, I’d like to go look for my son.”
Mr. Quill shook his head. “I think we’ve covered everything.”
“Eliana, would you mind walking Raiden to the door?” Mrs. Quill asked.
I nodded reluctantly and, without looking at Fenris’s father, started for the door.
With each step, guilt grew heavier in my middle. I’d been so hurt by Raiden’s request to leave Fenris alone. It still hurt a little, but I saw his request with more clarity now, after my talk with Mom. Every decision she’d made when it came to me was made out of love. Granted, not every decision had turned out as she’d hoped, but each one had been made with my best interest in mind. How many times had she stood up to Adira to protect me? Just as I couldn’t fault my mom for her love, I couldn’t fault Raiden’s for Fenris.
I swallowed hard when we reached the bottom of the steps.
“You should invite Jenna to stay the night again,” I said.
“Not sure that would do any good. Fenris hasn’t been coming home lately. He’s taken to the woods.”
I stopped walking and looked at Raiden.
“He was there tonight. At the club. He isn’t spending his free time in the woods. He’s been hanging around here. Outside. If you can’t find him here, he’s probably at the cabin.” I clasped my hands, fighting the pain eating me alive from the inside. “He needs help, Raiden.”
Soft brown eyes, so similar to Fenris’s, held mine for a moment before he surprised me with a lung-crushing hug.
“Thank you for doing the right thing, Eliana.” He released me. “For the record, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you. I only want what’s best for Fenris and think that being mateless for so long is confusing him.”
I nodded even though I wasn’t entirely sure how that meant there was nothing wrong with me.
With a heavy heart, I closed the door behind Raiden and went back upstairs.
“Be reasonable, Nicolette,” Adira said before I reached the door.
“I’m being very reasonable.”
Hurrying into Mr. Quill’s office, I arrived in time to see Mom rise from the chair she occupied. She looked two seconds away from killing Adira while Mr. and Mrs. Quill exchanged wary glances.
“That’s an odd request, isn’t it?” I asked. “Given your predisposition to the concept.”
Both women looked at me.
“What do you mean?” Adira asked.
“When have you ever been reasonable? You push, you order, and you deliver veiled threats when you can’t get your way.”
“What would you have me do?”
“Ask politely for whatever it is you want. And if you’re not given the response you want, do what the rest of the population does. Pout for a bit, then move on.”
Adira gave me a long look. I could feel the level of her annoyance rise then fade away.
“Very well. Will you use your friendship with Megan to find out how long she intends to stay, please? If her answer is uncertain, can you ask what she plans to do while she’s here?”
I stared at Adira in disbelief.
“Prepare to pout, Adira,” Mom said.
“Perhaps, instead of goading your daughter to disregard the welfare of her peers, you would like to add your considerable influence to sway her,” Adira said with noticeable irritation.
“I will not betray Eliana’s trust.”
“I am beginning to regret several of the choices that have led us to this point.”
“I doubt that very much, Adira,” Mom said. “But I think you will before long. The next generation will see to that.”
I almost grinned at how fully Mom had embraced supporting Megan.
“It is far too soon to make that prediction. Perhaps if we knew what Megan planned to do about the missing human, we could—”
“Her name is Ashlyn, Adira. Ashlyn. She’s a person. She has thoughts and feelings and dreams just like you do. If you want Megan to believe you actually care about the humans who live here, use their names.”
“Fine. Ashlyn. If you ever hope to see her again, you will help me determine what Megan intends to do. If the fury can’t be controlled, she will be removed.”
Mrs. Quill’s softly spoken, “Adira,” was almost drowned out by Mom’s throaty chuckle.
“That threat is as transparent as my lingerie. If you could keep the fury out, you would have already ejected her.”
Adira turned to me. “Does the human, Ashlyn, mean anything to you?”
“Adira, enough,” Mrs. Quill said sharply.
“I think we’re done here,” Mom said to Adira. “Now, unless you’d like to share your sister’s mate, I suggest you take us home. I’m hungry.”
Adira’s gaze shifted to me.
“You wish to go with your mother?”
I wasn
’t simple and knew a power struggle when I saw one.
“Yes.”
“I’ll take them,” Mrs. Quill said, leaving Mr. Quill’s side.
I gave her hand a grateful squeeze before we left the study and reappeared in Mom’s living room.
“Thank you,” Mom said.
“Of course. Would you mind if I had a private word with Eliana?”
Mom waited for me to indicate I was fine with it before excusing herself. Mrs. Quill didn’t speak until Mom closed her bedroom door.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
I didn’t answer right away, giving myself a moment to let her question settle in. Was I all right? Not really. So many upsetting things had happened since the earthquake ripped me from my cake-filled dreams. Discovering Fenris had been stalking me, Piepen’s baby-daddy drama, kissing Fenris and discovering I’d been feeding on him for weeks…
“It’s been a long day on very little sleep. I’m so tired that I’m not sure I know the answer.”
“It has been an exhausting day. But I enjoyed every moment, shopping for your dress. Thank you for including me.
“You are a beautiful person, Eliana. Inside and out. And I hope, whatever the cause of your tears tonight, you remember your worth. Don’t stop protecting those who can’t protect themselves.” She kissed my forehead. “I’m only a call away if you change your mind and want to sleep in your own bed.”
She disappeared without another word, leaving me alone to think about what she’d said. While I knew she’d probably meant Ashlyn when she mentioned protecting others, my mind fixated on Fenris. I’d betrayed his trust by telling his father where to find him. Hopefully, when he was himself again, he would forgive me.
Only, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to forgive myself.
Mom reemerged from her bedroom. The gossamer wrap she wore did nothing to hide her idea of pajamas. She held out a folded square of white as she approached.
“The guest room is yours for as long as you’d like. Since you didn’t have a chance to pack anything, I thought you might like one of your father’s t-shirts to sleep in.”
