The silence in the study grew to deafening proportions in my mind. What was the council going to do with Trammer? No one seemed overly upset that he’d been killing his own kind. Why not? And, why was no one talking? Was it because of my presence or because their son was sitting right next to me with his thumb giving my back a discreet and occasional caress? I hoped they weren’t noticing that. I hoped they were instead speculating about why Trammer had killed those humans. They had to be at least a little curious, right? I sure the hell was.
When the shimmer finally returned, Oanen’s stroke paused and I exhaled in relief.
Trammer stepped through first, dressed in full uniform. The shirt was a bit wrinkled, and his hair wasn’t as neat as usual. The sight of him made my blood boil, and only Oanen’s restraining hand on my shoulder kept me in my seat.
Trammer’s gaze swept over us all before settling on Oanen’s father.
“Mr. Quill,” he said. “What seems to be the problem?”
“Oanen and Megan witnessed what you did to Mr. Ryan tonight.”
Trammer’s whole demeanor changed. He didn’t look worried; he looked pissed.
“Mr. Ryan? That shitbag gets a fancy ‘Mr.’ for selling drugs in your town while plain ‘ol Trammer is burning bodies to clean up your messes? Your standards are screwed up. You treat me like I’m inferior, but I’m not a parasite that only exists to feed off of others.”
His gaze went straight to Eliana. She made a small, hurt noise; and I glared at Trammer while reaching for her hand. Her fingers shook in mine.
“Do you admit to killing Mr. Ryan?” Mr. Quill asked.
“Unbelievable,” Trammer said. “Yeah, I killed him.”
“Why? He’s your own kind.”
Finally, I thought.
Trammer laughed angrily.
“Neither of those men I killed was my kind any more than I’m your kind, you ignorant prick.”
“Those men? What about Camil?” I asked.
His accusatory gaze pinned me.
“Do you seriously still think I killed that girl? I had no reason to.”
He gave me a dismissive glare before facing Mr. Quill.
“Camil died from an overdose. The very man who you wanted to let go is responsible for her death.”
“Is that why you killed him?” Mr. Quill asked.
Trammer snorted angrily.
“You remove what you consider trash to keep Uttira safe, but you’re looking at it all wrong. Those men feed on humans just like you do. Do you even know what happens when you return them to their depraved lives? You claim to exist to protect humanity. But by letting the scum live, you’re condemning hundreds of innocents to death. You’re not protectors of anything but your self-interests.”
“Fine,” I said. “You killed those men to keep others safe and had nothing to do with Camil’s death. But why bring the bodies back here? Why put Camil in the dumpster?”
He barked out a laugh again.
“I brought the first guy back to prove you’re all just animals waiting to kill us humans. I don’t know who found the body, but they sure had a feast despite your no flesh law. Camil, I didn’t touch. I saw her after you did, and I only realized what happened when Mr. Ryan got a glance at her file in my car on the way here. I don’t know who cut her open and fed on her, but I hear, once a wolf gets a taste of human flesh, they can’t stop craving it. Bringing Mr. Ryan back inside the barrier and leaving him in the clearing was to prove that. We all know I’m not the monster here. Or, at least, not the worst monster.”
He was talking about all of them. Us, actually. But, in my mind, I only saw Aubrey’s face the night I’d discovered Camil’s body. Aubrey had tried to get me to leave Ashlyn’s table, and I’d sent her on a wild goose chase looking for Fenris. She would have had the time and opportunity to discover Camil’s body before I did. Aubrey also would have already had her first taste of flesh and the motive to try to set me up for the kill. All of that just because of jealousy?
My head was starting to hurt. When I tried to see past the fury-anger, I wasn’t sure what to think. Aubrey lost to her jealousy and instincts. But, what about Trammer? Yes, Trammer had killed people but only ones who were hurting other people. He wasn’t just some vigilante; he wore the town badge.
“Given your statement, we no longer believe you hold the best interest for all humans in your position. As such, we find you no longer suitable as human liaison.”
Trammer snorted.
“We sentence you to a memory wipe and removal.”
So they were going to make him forget about Uttira and just send him back out in the real world?
“Wait,” I said. “What about Ashlyn?”
“Was she involved with your actions?” Mr. Quill asked.
“Of course not!” Trammer said angrily.
“That wasn’t what I meant,” I said. “What happens to her when his memory is wiped?”
“She continues with her responsibilities.”
“She doesn’t get a choice to go with him? He’s her uncle. From what I understand, she has no parents. No one else.”
“Haven’t you been listening?” Trammer said. “They only pretend to care about humans. But they don’t.”
“That is untrue, Trammer. The council will continue to provide for her like it has always done,” Adira said.
“So she has no choice?” I asked.
“If she would want to leave, her memory would need to be wiped as well,” Adira explained. “Since she has been here for three years, that would be a traumatic experience.”
“But shouldn’t it be her decision? And if she does choose to stay, shouldn’t you get her so she can talk to her uncle and at least say goodbye?”
Some of Trammer’s anger faded from his expression.
“Megan, maybe living in the real world helped you become more human. Don’t let them kill that part of you.”
With speed I couldn’t have anticipated, he grabbed his gun from his holster and put it to his temple.
“Keep an eye on her,” he said.
The sudden explosion of noise and brain matter made me jump. Trammer crumpled to the ground. I stared at the heap as Eliana leaned into me and started to cry. Absently petting her hair, I looked at the adults. They shared a look, but none of them seemed overly upset that yet another human had met his end in their town.
Keep an eye on her.
He’d said it while looking at me. I knew he meant Ashlyn. How could he leave her like that? So much like my mom had left me.
“Children,” Mrs. Quill said. “I think it’s time for you to sleep. We will talk more in the morning.”
I couldn’t believe they were telling us to go to bed with Trammer still twitching on the floor.
“What about Aubrey?” I asked.
“We will let Raiden know Trammer’s confession, and she will be dealt with accordingly. Now go. Help Eliana to bed.”
Eliana shook against me. Maybe leaving was for the best. I pulled Eliana to her feet and looked at Mr. Quill.
“I think Aubrey sent me a text from Camil’s phone to get me into the alley that night. Have Raiden ask her about that.” In my heart, I knew my mom hadn’t come back, but I needed it confirmed.
Mr. Quill nodded, and with Eliana’s face buried in my shoulder, I led her past Trammer’s fallen body.
“Let me take her,” Oanen said.
He scooped Eliana up in his arms and headed out the door. I followed slowly, pausing in the doorway to look back. I couldn’t stop thinking about Trammer’s last words.
“What about Ashlyn?” I asked.
“I will tell her in the morning,” Adira said. “She will be given a choice, as you suggested.”
“Let us know what she decides. I’d like to say goodbye if she chooses to leave.”
Adira nodded, and I left to catch up with Oanen.
They weren’t more than a few steps from the door.
“Oanen, put me down,” Eliana said. “I just didn’t want to see him.”
Oanen set Eliana on her feet. She looked at me with sad eyes.
“At least everyone will believe you, now, that you’re not the killer.”
“I couldn’t care less about that. Well, maybe not being the center of everyone’s attention will be nice. But, I’m more worried about Ashlyn now.”
“What he said in there wasn’t true. They do care,” Oanen said. “But we don’t understand humans the way the two of you do. Like he did. That’s why a liaison is necessary.” He gave a troubled exhale. “Why would he kill himself like that?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “Maybe shame. He was angry and defiant until I brought up Ashlyn. Maybe he didn’t want her to know what he’d done. Whether justified or not, he was killing people in secret. That’s not something rational humans do.”
“And now Ashlyn’s all alone,” Eliana said.
“No. She’ll have us if she wants. We’ll keep an eye on her.”
Eliana rubbed her brow.
“I’m never going to unsee that. I’m tired, but I know I won’t be able to sleep.”
“Want to come to my house? Maybe a change of scenery will help?”
“I don’t think so. Let’s watch a movie in our living room,” she said, looking at Oanen.
“You guys have your own living room?”
She smiled slightly and grabbed my hand.
“Come see.”
She led me to a spacious room on the third floor. It wasn’t just a living room. It had a kitchenette with a full-sized fridge, a pool table, two large TVs at the back of the room attached to every gaming console known to man, and a TV toward the front surrounded by a full sofa and two loveseats.
“Holy crap. Why have we been hanging out at my house?”
I sat on the sofa while Eliana browsed the paid movie selection. Oanen brought me a bottle of water and a bag of snacks before sitting next to me. Eliana sat on the other side of me.
The movie started to play. I munched on my chips and stared at the screen, not really seeing it. I was tired. So was Eliana, because she fell asleep on my shoulder within minutes. Oanen sat beside me, seemingly unbothered by the need for sleep.
As soon as I finished my last chip, he took the wrapper and empty bottle from me. I leaned back and closed my eyes as I listened to him throw away my trash. I was glad I wasn’t alone because behind my closed eyes all I saw was red.
I felt hot. Way too hot. I wasn’t sweaty, though. All the heat was inside me, building in size and making me uncomfortable. It had nothing to do with my temper and everything to do with using Oanen as the best body pillow ever.
His hand rested on the middle of my back as if holding me in place against his muscled chest. My cheek lay on his shirt, right over his heart. The steady beat skipped when I lifted my hand to brush some hair from my face. Knowing that he was awake made the heat worse. As did the sensation of his other hand smoothing over my hair.
I lifted my head and looked for Eliana but didn’t see her. Oanen and I lay on the long couch together. Alone.
“How did this happen?” I asked, finally meeting Oanen’s gaze.
“Mom would say Freya answered my prayers. Dad would say Hera.”
His prayers? Heat spread to my cheeks.
“What would you say?” I asked.
“That I only care how you answer them. You know what your anger’s for now, and you know I’m not afraid of it. Stop hiding from life and start living it.”
His steady gaze held mine.
“Say yes to me,” he said softly.
He was asking me to let him in. I knew I should get up. That I should make up some excuse for why this wouldn’t work and just walk away. But I couldn’t.
“And if I hurt you?”
“Then I’ll have probably deserved it.”
“What exactly would I be saying yes to? Dating? Being your girlfriend?”
“Sure. We can start with that.”
The heat whirled inside me, creating an uncomfortable ache.
“I’ll think about it,” I said before scrambling off of him.
“Perfect timing,” his mother said, walking into the room. “I was just about to wake you two. Eliana offered to make breakfast while we talk.”
Oanen stood and walked beside me as we passed through the halls. Although I should have been wondering what Mrs. Quill wanted to talk about, my mind wouldn’t let go of the conversation Oanen and I had been having. Was I truly going to date him? Was I ready to risk decking him again and see his eyes fill with hate or disgust? My insides went hot and cold just thinking about it. So I tried not to.
Adira and Oanen’s father were already in the study, waiting for our arrival.
“Good morning, Megan. Did you sleep well?” Adira asked as Mrs. Quill joined Mr. Quill on the sofa.
“Well enough. How’s Ashlyn?”
Oanen led me to a chair and perched on the arm after I took the seat. His nearness made it a little hard to focus on Adira’s answer.
“She is upset over the events that took place and her uncle’s death but chose to remain in Uttira. She is considering possible guardianship but will remain in the home she knows for now. I did let her know you are concerned about her.”
“Thank you. And what about Aubrey?”
I needed to know the Council had done something about her. She might not have killed any people yet, but her level of wicked probably meant she wasn’t far from it.
“Aubrey was the one to text you from Camil’s phone. She’d gotten your number from Fenris’ phone. Because Aubrey does not have the mark and did not kill her victims, the council didn’t sentence her to death. However, the pack did sentence her for reconditioning. She has been removed from Uttira and will not return until the pack deems her cured.”
“Is that enough?” I asked. Not that I wanted her put down, but I sure as hell didn’t want her back in Uttira being a pain in my ass, either.
“The pack believes so. The first incident was an accident. She was jealous and angry with you because of Fenris’ interest and sought to drag the body to your house so you would be accused of his death. However, she couldn’t resist the taste of human flesh after the first mile.”
“Ew. I’m so not going to eat breakfast now.”
“I apologize.”
“Okay, so Ashlyn’s good, and Aubrey’s still bad but dealt with. What’s next?”
“Next, we talk about this past week away from the Academy. You missed several sessions, but your online notes don’t reflect a negative change.”
“No offense, but all the sessions I’m in are pointless. I already know how to order a pizza and not kill the delivery guy. Blending with the human world isn’t going to be a problem for me. This world is. I don’t know anything about the creatures that exist or what they might be capable of. If I’m in this world, shouldn’t I know more about it?”
“I agree.” She looked at the Quills. “I’d like Megan to be given access to the Academy Library.”
“Granted,” Mrs. Quill said.
“What’s in the Academy Library?”
“The most extensive collection of written information on our creation and history. While the other students attend sessions, you may read whatever you choose in the library.”
“Your access comes at a price, Megan,” Mr. Quill said. “We want you to fill in as temporary human liaison until we can acquire a new one. The information you gain from the library will help you understand who you will be dealing with in your new role.”
“You want me to liaison? Why? I thought that was a human’s job?”
“It is, and it will be. However, after last night, you’ve proven that you also have the humans’ best interests in mind. You have the qualifications to fill in for the short term.”
“And, you will continue to report any flares in your temper to me,” Adira said.
All three adults watched me, waiting for some kind of response.
“Sure,” I said.
The Quills stood. “We hope you’ll join us for breakfast, Adira.”
“Thank you. I will.”
They left the room, but Adira didn’t move from her spot. Her gaze flicked between Oanen and me.
“Have you finally agreed to his protection?” she asked me.
“Protection?” I echoed, confused.
“Humans call it dating, Adira,” Oanen said.
“Ah. That’s good. None of us are meant to be solitary. Not even furies.” She started for the door then paused and looked back. “Oh, and don’t break into my office again. I will not forgive it a second time.”
My mouth dropped open as she left.
“I told you she’d find out,” Oanen said.
I closed my mouth and gave him a sour look.
“This relationship won’t work if you say ‘I told you so,’ every time I’m wrong.”
“Do you plan on being wrong often?” he asked with the corners of his mouth twitching.
“No.”
“Then let me have my moment.”
He tugged my hand, pulling me closer and threading his fingers through mine. My heart started to pound hard at the simple contact.
“You won’t regret saying yes,” he said.
“I didn’t say yes; I said I’d think about it.”
He smiled slightly.
“I’m optimistic.”
I snorted. “That’s not the word I’d use to describe you.”
“What word would you use?”
“Persistent.”
He laughed.
“Come on. Let’s feed you and find out what your liaison duties are for the day.”
“They’re going to give me duties already? I thought it would just be harassing delinquents.”
He grew slightly serious.
“Now that you know what you are, they’re going to want to use you to fill the role you were meant to fill.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re meant to find and punish the wicked. They’re going to want you on the Council.”
“What they want and what they get probably won’t be the same. I haven’t even graduated yet.”
“We’ll see.”
