The Hunger

by Melissa Haag

  I stared after him with a heavy, sick feeling weighing in my chest. A thought burrowed into my head, but before I could focus on it, a high-pitched screech distracted me.

  From the reeds, a familiar hate-filled brownie flew at me.

  “You have no right to chase away a source of income,” Dewy yelled. Several yells, echoing her sentiment, came from the marshes.

  “Touch me, and I will retaliate,” I warned.

  She lifted her hands, curling her fingers into “claw your eyes out” mode, and flew faster toward my face. I swatted her from the air with the back of my hand. She tumbled before righting herself and coming at me again.

  My vision sharpened. I could see the smudge of her lipstick and a smear of last night’s eyeliner. Where did they even get tiny makeup?

  I lifted my hand again.

  “Please, don’t hurt her,” Merri said, rushing from the reeds toward her sister. The two collided, and Merri grappled with her sibling.

  “If she keeps trying to attack me, I’m going to make her eat her own wings.”

  Several more brownies appeared from the marshes and helped Merri subdue Dewy. The angry female brownie fought against them all.

  “Don’t side with this sparkle sponge,” she yelled. “She’ll steal your men next. She probably has another dozen pair of her nectar-scented panties to toss into our wetlands.”

  I made a face.

  “Stop talking, please. I’m going to throw up. I’m only here to check on the baby.”

  “You mean my baby. He’s no concern of yours.”

  “Giving birth to a child doesn’t make it yours. Loving and caring for it does.”

  Dewy surged forward again, pulling four brownies along a few inches before they managed to stop her.

  “The baby’s here, Eliana,” Piepen said, emerging from the marshes with the child in his arms. It wore an adorable brown shirt and tan pants, and its alert, brown eyes watched me as Piepen approached.

  Dewy started screaming obscenities at me. I turned my dark gaze on her once more.

  “Speak civilly in front of children or lose your tongue.”

  Her eyes went wide, and she fell quiet.

  The baby burbled, drawing my attention. I was aware of the more than one hundred sets of brownie eyes on me as I smiled at the infant.

  “He’s okay,” Piepen said. “I couldn’t take him where you said, though.” His gaze shifted to Dewy briefly. “But I have help. I’m keeping him safe like you asked.”

  “He’s not your baby,” Dewy screeched. “You have no right. I want my baby back.”

  “Will you love him and care for him? Will you keep him safe? That means his wings stay attached until he’s old enough to have babies of his own. Speak only the truth.”

  Dewy opened her mouth, but no words came out.

  “That’s what I thought,” I said.

  “You have no right to tell us how to raise our children or what to do with our wings,” a voice called from the reeds.

  My gaze swept over the outlying marshes, and I saw hundreds of brownies clinging to the stalks they’d climbed. Wingless, they couldn’t join the brownies buzzing around me. And they weren’t all older like Piepen. I saw children, too. So many had already surrendered their wings, willingly or not.

  I ached for them.

  “Our wings are ours to do with what we want. If we need to sell them so we can eat, then we will,” a woman yelled. “It’s spiteful and foolish for me to say I’d rather watch my child starve than surrender her wings.”

  “That’s exactly what this tuft-hugging petal-pusher wants us to do.” Dewy glared at me. “You might have tricked Piepen with your fancy house and ginormous underwear, but you can’t trick all of us. We know how many brownies live in fancy houses. None! Get your lying, cheating, man-stealing milk-makers—”

  One of the brownies holding Dewy clapped a hand over her mouth, but it was too late.

  Anger rose, hot and furious, as I finally fully understood their situation. They were allowed to live in Uttira, forgotten and uncared for, while I’d had everything given to me once I’d come here. Food, clothes, a phone, a car, an education…

  Shaking with my hate of the Council, I dialed Megan.

  “I need your help,” I said when she answered.

  “What’s up?”

  I struggled for a moment, trying to find the right words.

  “Eliana?”

  “I’ve never been this angry before,” I said. “I’m shaking with it.”

  “What happened?”

  “I’m at the marshes. I wanted to check on the baby.”

  “Is it okay?”

  My gaze went to the infant, and I started to tear up.

  “For now.”

  “What’s going on? Are you in trouble?”

  “No. But the brownies are. They’re selling their wings and their children’s wings because that’s all they have for currency in order to survive. Humans aren’t the only mistreated species in Uttira, Megan. Are you serious about righting wrongs?”

  “I am.”

  “Then, we need to right this, Megan.”

  “Okay. We will. Since Adira is avoiding me, I’ll speak with Oanen’s dad. What do the brownies need?”

  “A chance to provide for themselves and for the Council to ensure none of their children go hungry, just like they ensure the wellbeing of all the other young in Uttira.”

  “On it. Do you want me to come out there?”

  “Not unless you have bushels of fresh fruits and vegetables.”

  “We don’t need your handouts,” Dewy yelled, having shaken her hand-muzzle.

  “You’d rather sell your kid’s wings than take help? You’re ridiculous.”

  That was the wrong thing to say. Her rage flared and fueled her strength, and she broke free of her captors. Instead of flying toward me, she raced toward Piepen. His eyes widened. Clutching the baby, he turned and fled into the reeds.

  “You cheating flit! Get back here with my child!”

  The visible brownies scattered. And just like that, I was alone in the parking lot with Merri fluttering near my head.

  “Don’t worry. Piepen will keep Piewhistle safe.”

  “Merri!” Dewy yelled shrilly. “Help me find him.”

  Merri gave me a small smile before yelling, “He’s this way,” and zipping in the opposite direction of Piepen’s retreat.

  The reeds went crazy with bird calls after that.

  “Piewhistle? Sounds like you have your hands full there,” Megan said.

  “You have no idea.” I started walking toward the car. “I want to keep the baby safe, but there’s just so much I’m fighting against. The brownies will continue to sell their own and each other’s wings until we give them a real means to provide for themselves.”

  “I thought they took care of houses, like Elbner.”

  “No. The goblins have some kind of magical knack for home repair that the brownies lack. And given a brownie’s lusty appetites, they’re not fun to have around. You should see what Piepen and Wetwhistle did to Oanen’s favorite couch. Come to think of it, when you visit the Quills’, stick to the family rooms. I’m not sure if Mrs. Quill had his room or our rec room deep cleaned yet.”

  “I don’t even want to know how two brownies ruined that much space.”

  “No,” I agreed. “You don’t. When do you think you’ll talk to the Quills?”

  I started the engine and transferred the call to hands-free.

  “Oanen and I are already in the car on the way to his parents. After chasing you out this morning, we want to apologize. Plus, I want to know what the Council is doing about the banshee singing and its progress on finding Ashlyn. I’ll add brownie mistreatment to the list. I really need to learn more about all the species here. If brownies are being neglected, what other species are suffering in silence?”

  “Probably more than we think. Mr. Quill is a good one to talk to first. Don’t forget that he’s a griffin and his insti
ncts are to protect. With Adira avoiding you, you might actually make headway.”

  “Oanen wants to know if you’ll be home soon. I think he wants a family lunch.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “I swear we have no problem taking turns being in the same room with you, Eliana. Whatever it takes.”

  Their love for me made everything I was already struggling with that much harder.

  “It’s not you two. I’m avoiding Fenris. He was already there this morning. That’s part of the reason I went to the marsh.”

  There was a long moment of silence.

  “It’s killing me not to ask questions. But if you want to talk to me about anything, I’m here to listen.”

  I grinned.

  “Oanen’s scowling at you, isn’t he?”

  “You know it. I think he’s struggling with the idea that you might have a romantic interest in someone or vice versa.”

  “He can’t possibly be struggling with it more than me,” I said.

  “Talk, Eliana. I can hear you’re upset. Do you still think you broke Fenris?”

  “Yes. His desperation is clear in every text he sends me. Avoiding him will help break the thrall...if it even can be broken. Redirecting his infatuation should have worked even better. But that failed epically.”

  “What failed?”

  “He wanted me to meet him at the hot spring caves. I sent Jenna in my place. She kissed him, but instead of breaking the thrall like it did for Eugene, I think he saw it as a challenge. He sent me a message saying that I was the one causing trouble, and he would see me soon.”

  “So you’re hiding from him? For how long?”

  “Until the thrall wears off.”

  “And if it doesn’t?”

  “Then I guess we have another wrong to right.”

  “Hey, no being hard on yourself. Oanen’s head is going to explode if I have to suddenly leave this car to give you a fury hug.”

  “I’m fine. Or I will be. Go talk to the Quills. Let me know how it goes.”

  “Where are you going to be?”

  “Wherever I think Fenris won’t find me.”

  After we hung up, I drove toward town and parked at Ashlyn’s. It seemed cruel to use her driveway, but it was the only thing I could think of that might throw off Fenris. Wherever he looked, he would be watching for my car. Hopefully, by leaving it here, he wouldn’t know what to think. If I was lucky, he’d think I was inside.

  Me: Can you meet me at Ashlyn’s in three minutes?

  Mrs. Quill: Is everything all right?

  Me: Yes.

  When she appeared a few minutes later, I had most of the driveway cleared. She quietly watched as I hurried to finish and stashed the shovel in the trunk once more.

  When I faced her, I was suitably flushed.

  “Are Megan and Oanen at the house?”

  “Is that why you don’t want to go home?” she asked.

  “Last night wasn’t the best, and this morning hasn’t been great either. A little bit of peace and quiet would be a welcome change. Could we go inside?”

  Mrs. Quill’s expression shifted from surprise to confusion to worry.

  “Eliana, it wouldn’t be right to—”

  “I’m hungry and don’t want to go home.”

  Her expression immediately changed. She scanned the neighboring houses then nodded.

  “Of course we can go inside.”

  “Thank you.”

  She left me on the porch to portal inside, a perk of being a Council member, and opened the door for me. The warmth of Ashlyn’s home enveloped me. I glanced at the living room and the book still open on the coffee table and felt a pang of regret.

  “Do you want to sit?” Mrs. Quill asked.

  I glanced back at her. “No, thank you.”

  Without waiting or asking, I forced myself to push my hunger at her. Mrs. Quill responded with a surge of lust. I allowed myself three quick pulls. The whole feeding took less than a minute.

  Mrs. Quill blinked at me in surprise; then a smile lit her face.

  “That was lovely, Eliana. I wasn’t aware you’d advance to that level.”

  “In Adira’s world, it’s advance or suffer. Would you mind portaling me to Mom’s house? I’ll pick up my car later.”

  “Of course, darling.”

  I took her proffered hand and stepped into the portal with her. Several moments later, we appeared at Mom’s door.

  “Please don’t tell anyone where I am,” I said to Mrs. Quill. “A day without harassment in any form sounds really nice.”

  She agreed, kissed my forehead, and left me to knock on Mom’s door.

  If Mom and Dad were surprised to see me again, so soon after I left, they didn’t mention it. Dad did ask about my missing car as we made lunch, though.

  “I’m trying not to be found. My car in your driveway would be a giveaway.”

  I caught Mom studying me far too shrewdly and smoothly redirected the conversation to Dad’s new exercise regimen. We’d managed a few minutes of conversation before my phone rang. When I saw it was Megan, I excused myself to the guest bedroom.

  “Mrs. Quill said that you didn’t want to come home because we’re here? Is that true?” she demanded.

  I wrinkled my nose.

  “Are you alone?” I asked.

  There was a moment of silence.

  “I am now. Why? What are you up to?”

  “I’m being crafty. Or, at least, I’m trying to. Fenris makes it look a lot easier than it is.”

  “Do I want to know what you’re up to?”

  “Probably, but I’m not going to tell you. I do promise, though, that it has nothing to do with avoiding you.”

  She huffed a sigh. “Fine. I’ll let you keep this secret short-term if you agree to hang out with us soon. I thought we’d spend time together non-stop once I got back.”

  “I just saw you this morning.”

  “Yeah, but you ran out of the house like your ass was on fire. I’m worried, now that I’m with Oanen, you’re going to keep avoiding me.”

  “Not a chance. I promise daily visits if time allows.”

  “You got something else more pressing to do?”

  “Don’t be needy,” I said with a grin. “It’s a turn-off.”

  “Pfft. Nothing about me is a turn-off.”

  “I’ve seen the way you dress up, Megan. Trust me. There are a few turn-offs. But because I love you, I’ll help you through them.”

  She laughed and made me promise to keep her updated on whatever trouble I was up to before letting me go.

  When I returned to the kitchen, Dad had lunch ready. I skipped the main meal and dug into the triple-layer chocolate cake he’d made after I left this morning. Mom’s burning curiosity drifted in the air around me. But she didn’t say a word as she daintily ate her salad.

  “Jason, this was lovely. But if I want to make that meeting, we need to leave now.” She looked at me. “I’m interviewing for the kitchen staff today. Would you like to come with me?”

  “Will Adira be there?”

  “These interviews will be more personal than Adira would risk in my presence.”

  Considering the sensual purr that had crept into Mom’s voice when she said, “personal,” I didn’t really want to go but knew there was no better place than the club to hide.

  “You could stay with me,” Dad offered.

  I glanced between the two, torn for only a moment.

  “Or, maybe, Dad can come inside with us and see the club for himself.” I grinned at him. “We can bring your cake and eat it at the bar while Mom does her thing.”

  “Eliana, you know that could be dangerous,” Mom said.

  “So Adira was just pulling the wool over our eyes when she said that humans were safe there?” I asked.

  Mom exhaled heavily and looked at Dad.

  “Jason, do you understand what accompanying us means?”

  “Yes. I’ll sit at the bar with Eliana and meet
creatures I’ve probably never imagined while you feed yourself and our next son or daughter. I understand feeding doesn’t mean human food. It means sexual energy. The kind you most commonly consume during intercourse or around people having intercourse.”

  I looked at Dad in shock. I’d never heard him speak so perfectly clear, like his words and his mind were finally in sync.

  “Very well. But, I’m trusting you to ensure his safety in my absence, Eliana,” Mom said, standing.

  Dad hurried to get her coat, and I wondered what I’d just done.

  The car ride passed in a blur of uncertainty on my part and excitement on both Mom’s and Dad’s behalf.

  “Won’t Dad have trouble getting inside?” I asked when the building came into sight.

  “No, darling. I control your father’s access.” She reached across the seat to set a hand on his leg. “He knew that all along.”

  “Oh.”

  Dad cast me a sheepish look in the rearview mirror. I didn’t have much time to puzzle over what it meant, though. He pulled into the parking lot a moment later.

  The club wasn’t yet open, which meant there was no troll at the back door. But Ymir was already behind the bar with another giant.

  “Your first one is already here,” Ymir said. “I put him up in your office.”

  “Thank you, Ymir.” Mom faced Dad. “Tell me you’ll be fine down here.”

  He smiled and kissed her with more passion than I was comfortable with.

  “I’ll be fine, Nicolette. Go. Eat. I’ll be here when you’re done.”

  I sat down at the bar, and Dad joined me as Mom walked away.

  “What species are you?” Dad asked Ymir.

  “Dad, that’s rude. It’s not something we ask each other.”

  “Oh. I apologize, Ymir. This is all still new to me. Would you like to try a piece of cake? Can you eat cake?”

  Ymir chuckled. “I’m descended from Ymir, the father of all giants. I can eat cake.”

  Dad happily served him a piece while Ymir mixed Dad a drink.

  “Can you taste the hint of cinnamon and cayenne in it?” Dad asked after the giant swallowed his first bite. “Nicolette doesn’t like it, but I find that hint of kick exhilarating.”

  The first text from Fenris came when I was only two bites into my cake. It came with a picture of my empty spot in the Quills’ garage.