I silently opened the door to my room, impressed that I’d made it home so quickly and without being seen.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked again, holding the phone to my ear.
Megan let out a shaky exhale.
“I’m fine. You would have sounded breathless and shaky, too, if you’d inhaled a whiff of four-day-old dead dragon. It’s a smell I’m never going to forget. I don’t know how Oanen is still down there. He’s going to need a shower after this.”
“I like showers!” Piepen squealed, zooming from his drawer.
I sighed and tried to ignore him.
“Please tell me you’re getting closer to figuring out who really did this.”
“I wish I could. It would have been great if this dragon was freshly dead.”
“Uh?”
“The death would have been clear evidence that your mom wasn’t responsible.”
“Oh, yeah. Well, not that I’m wishing for any fresh deaths, but you’re right. It would have been convenient.”
“How’s it going? Is she being a good mom?”
“Absolutely. She’s the perfect succubus mom. She brought me an assortment of toys yesterday. And I’m not talking teddy bears. Also, she assures me she’ll get me a teddy immediately. Not the stuffed kind.” I lowered my voice. “I’m afraid I…”
There was so much I was afraid of that I didn’t even know where to start. Mostly, I was scared that having Mom here and her well-meaning methods of encouragement were eroding my control. If Megan hadn’t called when she had, I dreaded the thought of what might have happened with Fenris. Thankfully, I hadn’t just fled from the classroom but from the Academy altogether. I hadn’t been sure how far Fenris might follow me.
“I’m sure the Council would understand matricide in these circumstances,” Megan said after a lengthy silence.
I tried to laugh at her joke, but nothing about my life was very funny at the moment.
“I better go check on Elbner. The less I’m at home being showered by my mother’s affection and sage advice, the better.”
“Let me know if either he or Piepen has anything useful to say.”
“I will.”
After I hung up, I refilled Piepen’s bowl of fruit then risked peeking in the entertainment room. I regretted it the moment I saw a guy stripped down to his boxers and tied to Oanen’s favorite gaming chair. Dressed in her robe, Mom stood in front of him, her back to me. I was about to retreat when the man’s gaze met mine.
He made a desperate sound behind his gag, and Mom turned.
“Hi, baby.” She tapped the whip in her hand against her leg. “Skipping school or checking in on Megan’s friend?”
“Uh, Megan’s friend,” I said. “And you. Everything okay in here?”
The guy’s eyes quickly shifted from Mom to me.
“Yep. Gabe’s never been dominated before. It’s on his bucket list. I offered to help out.” She winked at me.
Gabe’s eyes were wide, and he was frantically shaking his head.
“Mom, you know how I feel about being forced to do things. And, you know I feel that way because I see so many people being forced. Please don’t do anything he doesn’t want.”
She gave me an indulgent look.
“Of course I won’t. You just happened to catch us before I finished my offer.”
She turned back to him and opened her robe wide.
“Would you like Anwen to return you to your home, or would you like to stay and play for a while? I believe Anwen mentioned paying you five hundred dollars as well,” she said.
The man’s gaze grew a little more vacant the longer he stared at her until he began to slowly nod. She closed her robe before facing me again.
“There you go. Willing.” She gave me a bright smile. “Would you like to sit and watch? I’m sure there’s plenty for both of us.”
Poor Gabe’s eyes rounded in panic.
“Thanks, but I need to get back to school. I’ll see you at dinner.”
“Perfect. Anwen should have a new batch of humans for us by then.”
“Actually, I might head for the Roost. You know, my own age and all of that.”
She nodded and waved me off. I fled, wondering what the heck I was going to do with myself for the rest of the day. My answer came via a text from Adira just before I made it to the garage.
Your absence is noted. Is there a particular reason you needed to rush from Self-Discovery?
I wanted to kick my tire. Instead, I stopped and asked myself how Mom would respond to the text. I decided she wouldn’t. Any reply she thought Adira worthy of she would deliver in person.
Getting into my car, I headed for the Academy. Rather than scurrying to the fourth session like Adira anticipated me doing, I went to her office. However, there was no answer to my knock after several minutes.
Curious, I sent a text to my mom.
Has Adira talked to you yet?
Mom’s reply was immediate.
No. Why?
She just sent me a text asking why I left school.
That woman is atrocious. I’ll deal with her. You have a good day, sweetie. Do what you want.
I grinned. I had no idea why Mom disliked Adira, but Mom’s feelings were clearly strong. If Adira didn’t watch herself, she’d end up taking a nap in a ditch soon.
Tucking my phone into my purse, I considered what to do. I really didn’t want to go to class. Despite my mom’s encouragement to do whatever I wanted, I couldn’t help but agree with Fenris’s assessment of Adira. The more I ran, the more she would push. Where did that leave me besides stuck and unsure what to do?
The worst part was that the classes were nothing more than a joke with how Adira was making me dress now. When I’d worn my own clothes and people ignored me, I’d actually learned stuff. I missed just quietly sitting there, taking it all in.
An idea took hold, and I smiled before setting off down the hall. It didn’t take me long to reach the pools. Instead of hiding in the bathroom, I sat at the table just beside the water. A few of the mermaids hissed at me, but I ignored them and focused on the siren song filling the air. The melody soothed me, and I relaxed for the first time in days.
A head popped up from the water, rising just enough for her eyes to clear the edge of the pool.
“Why are you here?”
“Because Adira is having control issues.”
The vertical slit of the mermaid’s pupils narrowed.
“She’s not the only one, is she?”
“What do you mean?”
She dived under the water instead of answering.
“It would be better if you left,” another girl said, sitting beside me. Even though she had legs, I could tell she was a mermaid by the undertones of green in her hair.
“Where else am I supposed to go?”
“Not my problem,” she said.
“I’m starting to think all mermaids are mean.”
“What did you expect? Cute and cuddly? We’re cousins with piranhas and sharks. Go give one of them a hug and see what happens.”
She flashed her sharp teeth at me, stood, then stripped at the edge of the pool and dived into it.
I’d never had a problem with a specific group of creatures before and didn’t immediately understand the animosity of the mermaids. Then it clicked. I’d stolen their meal. Something else tickled my mind, but I pushed it away, refusing to acknowledge there was any more to their dislike than me robbing them of their fun with Eugene.
When the bell rang for lunch, I went to my car and ate my sandwich alone.
School sucked.
Ignoring the open solicitations for a good time that guaranteed to feed my hunger, I left the Academy grateful that I would get a few days of freedom now.
“Eliana!”
I paused at the sound of my name and turned to see Fenris jogging toward me. I briefly considered running.
“Don’t do it,” he mouthed.
I rolled my eyes and waited. His scent hit me hard before he even reached me. Why did he have to smell so good?
“What do you want?” I said with more irritability than I intended.
“I just wanted to extend an invitation to hang out at the Roost. As a friend.”
“I don’t know, Fenris. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“What? Why not?”
It was like he was daring me to bring up what happened during Self-Discovery.
“Because I have other plans.”
“Eating chocolate and watching the latest action flick until you pass out at eleven?”
His assessment of my evening was eerily accurate.
“Nine, actually,” I said primly. “My mom will probably be using the TV room.” Even as I said it, I knew I couldn’t go home. Not until really late. Where in the heck was I supposed to go?
“Suit yourself,” he said, tucking his hands into his pockets. “If you change your mind, we’ll be there past nine.”
He smirked and walked away.
I got into my car before anyone else stopped me and followed the line of vehicles from the Academy grounds. Rather than turning to go home, I headed for Megan’s.
The goblin was less creepy in the daylight but not any more welcoming.
“Hi, Elbner. If it’s okay with you, I’ll feed you a little early today.”
He silently watched me prepare his meal. When I was done, I walked through the house, looking at his work. I didn’t try to compliment him again, but what he’d done was impressive. Everything looked fresh and clean.
“Did you paint?” I asked.
“No.”
I touched the couch. The cushions looked fluffier, and the material lighter. I was dying to ask how he did it. Instead, I sat with a sigh. This would be a perfect place to—
A shoe hit the side of my head.
“Ow!”
I turned to glare at Elbner, who was watching me suspiciously from the living room opening.
“This isn’t your house,” he said. “Out.”
“Megan doesn’t mind if I stay here.”
“I mind. Leave.”
He reached down and plucked off his other shoe.
“Okay, okay,” I said, standing. “I’m going.”
The goblin glared at me as I retraced my steps to the kitchen.
“Can you speak your old master’s name yet?” I asked hopefully.
The goblin tried and choked on it.
“Never mind.”
Leaving Megan’s, I headed back to the Quills’. The house was huge. I’d just find somewhere else to hide out and fall asleep. No big deal.
I could hear the music pouring from the main part of the house as the garage door closed behind me. Reluctantly leaving the car, I continued to hold onto my hope that I’d find a quiet corner somewhere. The moment I opened the kitchen door, I knew that wasn’t going to happen. Naked people were in the kitchen.
“Hey, do you know where the wine is?” a woman asked. “Nicolette said there was wine down in the kitchen somewhere.”
I pointed to the panel that hid the wine fridge.
“Thanks.”
I quickly averted my gaze as she bent over to read the labels on the bottles on the lower racks of the cooler.
“Would you happen to know where the chips are?” a man asked.
“We’re out of chips. Help yourself to what’s in the fridge.”
I left before anyone could ask me anything else. A man and woman were making out near the entry. Another pair was in the shadows behind the stairs Mom was descending.
“Sweetie, how was school?”
“Fine, Mom. Um, should these people be wandering the house?”
She smiled at me.
“It’s more fun when they find their own little corners to play.” She opened her mouth and pulled in some of the lust just floating around us. The couple by the stairs started moaning, their petting growing more frantic.
“Do you want some?” Mom asked.
“No, thanks.”
Her gaze grew concerned.
“When was the last time you ate?”
It was on the tip of my tongue to say I had a sandwich for lunch, but I knew that would only worry her more.
“Last night, after I left the restaurant.”
The worry remained in her gaze.
“Nothing since then? And you’re not hungry?”
Her words were almost drowned out by the couple’s kissing sounds. The collective scent of lust grew, and my hunger stirred.
“Is this normal for you?” I asked, struggling to contain my growing panic. “Feeding off this many people at once? Is this why everyone thinks there’s something wrong with me?”
I didn’t want to host a group orgy to feed myself, not when I couldn’t even manage one person at a time.
“Oh, sweetie, no.” Mom hurried down the remainder of the stairs and hugged me tightly. “I’m hungrier than usual because I’m pregnant.”
My breath whooshed out of me, and I jerked back to look at her in shock.
“Pregnant?”
She smiled and smoothed a hand over my cheek.
“You will have a new brother or sister in a few months. But that doesn’t mean I’ll love you any less. I’ll always be here for you. And as for what’s wrong with you? There’s nothing wrong, sweetie. Does a succubus your age eat more often? Yes. But that might just mean you’re a late bloomer. You’ll see. You’ll be feeding three times a day in no time.”
Three times a day? My mind went a little numb with that news.
“And I want you to know this baby isn’t your dad’s. I’ve respected your wishes and have had no contact with him. I learned my lesson, too. I didn’t stay with this baby’s father after I learned I was carrying his child.”
She hugged me again.
“You look shocked. Let’s go upstairs and sit for a bit. We can watch a movie together. There are several new couples up there whose collective lust is delicious. I think they’re close to switching partners. That always adds extra notes of sweetness. Anwen did a lovely job selecting them all. This batch will last for hours.”
My stomach did a weird happy flip that scared me.
“Thanks for the offer, Mom, but I think I’ll hang out with my friends at the Roost.”
She released me with a smile.
“I completely understand. Age makes a world of difference. Go have fun with your friends. Be sure to grab a jacket, though. It’s getting too cold outside to go without one.”
“I, uh. Adira made me give mine to a boy so I wouldn’t hide the shirts she’s making me wear.”
Mom’s eyes turned black.
“I’m done being patient with that woman.” Mom went to the coat closet and took one of Oanen’s spare jackets. “Wear this. I’ll deal with Adira tonight.”
She kissed my cheek and practically pushed me out the door. The cold hit me hard, punctuating her worry over the weather. I hurried to the garage as I shrugged into Oanen’s oversized jacket.
In the car, I set my head on the steering wheel and tried to process what I’d just learned with what I knew. A pregnant succubus was volatile. The Council was a bunch of fools for bringing Mom here. Adira doubly so for continuing her manipulations. What were they thinking?
The question repeated in my mind all the way to the Roost.
Parked on the side of the road, I took a moment to collect myself. My hunger, which had stirred so aggressively in the presence of that much lust, was silent again. I hoped it would stay that way. Yet, a bit of despair rose as I remembered Mom’s comment about how often I should be feeding. Three times a day? I’d be hungry all the time. I hoped it never happened. Maybe because of always feeding less, it meant I now needed to eat less. Holding onto that hopeful thought, I got out of the car.
Despite the early hour, music already thumped loudly from the closed red doors of the Roost. I welcomed the noise and the warmth that wrapped around me as soon as I stepped inside. A few people were already on the floor, dancing. The back table was empty, though.
I debated what to do for only a moment before tossing Oanen’s jacket to the nearest couch. The heels quickly followed. Barefoot, I moved to the dance floor, closed my eyes, and lost myself to the music. I didn’t know how long I swayed to the changing rhythms, but it was long enough that I began to feel lighter. Freer. I wished I could dance forever.
However, the scent of a certain someone’s familiar lust pulled me from my happy place. I opened my eyes and looked around the crowded floor for Fenris. He wasn’t in the immediate vicinity, though. I turned a slow circle and found him sitting on the couch, Oanen’s jacket beside him.
Fenris’s brown eyes locked with mine, and he wasn’t smiling. My heart did an odd stutter. The corner of Fenris’s mouth lifted. He stood and walked toward me. I slid my foot back, already trying to think where I should run. He slowly shook his head. My pulse picked up speed, and his smile grew.
When he reached me, he offered his hand. The beat of the music called to me. I knew he could dance. I’d watched him with his girls plenty of times. I also knew how dangerous it would be to dance with him.
I shook my head ever so slightly.
“You know you’d like it,” he said.
My insides went hot and cold. I turned around, ready to head to the back table.
“Chicken.”
The word was spoken right next to my ear. The caress of his exhale against my skin sent a shudder through me. He didn’t understand that he was playing with a fire that would damage him for life.
I turned my head. He was so close, I could have licked his lips. The thought brought forth my hunger and changed my eyes. His smile deepened.
“I’m not afraid of you, Eliana,” he said.
“You should be. Together, we’d burn so brightly that I’d leave behind nothing but a blackened husk for your future mate. Don’t toy with me, Fenris. My kind doesn’t play well with others.”
He sighed, his gaze shifting between my eyes.
“We’ll dance some other time. Let’s go say hi to the humans.”
He gestured toward the back of the room, my escape. Only, with him tagging along, I wasn’t really getting away from anything.
Trying to calm myself, I headed toward Ashlyn’s table. Eugene was there with her. Neither looked up from their books when we approached. I realized too late that I shouldn’t be talking to either of them and veered for the bathroom. I cringed as I walked into the room, shoeless, and stared at myself in the mirror. What the heck was I doing? Why was I even at the Roost? Nothing good could come of my presence. Yet, did I have anywhere else to go?
My frustration with my life mounted.
The door to the bathroom opened, and Jenna came in carrying my shoes.
“Hey, Eliana. Fenris thought you might want these.”
“Thanks.” I slipped the first one on as she watched me.
“So are you two a thing?” she asked finally.
“What? No. My kind doesn’t do relationships. You know that.”
She nodded, looking a little sad.
“I know. It’s just, he seems to really pay a lot of attention to you.”
I weighed my words carefully.
“I think he just likes paying attention to a girl who’s safe so that you guys know he’s not playing favorites with any of you.”
“Oh.” Her expression brightened a little. “I guess that makes sense. No one wants another Aubrey.”
I smiled and nodded. Aubrey had been a mean queen bee for sure. I’d seen what she’d done to Jenna.
“Do you want to dance?” Jenna asked. “I saw you say no to Fenris.”
“Thanks, but I think I’m going to go. It’s a little too crowded for me now.”
She nodded and left the bathroom.
I finished strapping on my shoes then checked my phone. It wasn’t even six yet. What was I supposed to do now? Hide in the bathroom for the next seven hours?
Lost in thought, trying to come up with a good place to go, I walked out of the bathroom and almost ran into Fenris as he was walking past.
“Ready to dance yet?” he asked, playfully.
“No. I’m going to head out.”
“Another dinner date with your mom?”
“Heck no. It’s just getting a little too crowded in here for me.”
He nodded and looked around the room, his gaze lingering on Jenna and her friends.
“I agree. Let’s go somewhere.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? Ashlyn says they’re fine.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him that I was leaving because of him when I heard a raised voice over the music.
“I know one of you assholes stole my meal, and I want to know who.”
I looked over at Eras, who stood near the stage, blocking three other incubi from leaving the dance floor.
“He’s pretty pissed,” Fenris said.
“Why? I mean, I understand it’s not polite to steal a meal, but he can just find another one.”
“It’s not that. I guess whoever fed did it so subtly that Eras didn’t even realize it until the energy was gone.”
I thought of the lust flowing into me as I stood outside the window. Nothing had felt subtle about it.
“Why do you think it was one of us?” one of the incubi asked. “There’s more than one kind of energy feeder.”
“Prove it’s not you. Pick someone and feed.”
Eras was making good on his threat. Fear motivated me.
“Fine,” I said, looking at Fenris. “Let’s go hang out somewhere.”
He grinned widely.
“Come on.”
He grabbed Oanen’s coat from the couch and handed it to me with a questioning look.
“Adira stole mine,” I said over the music.
He nodded and led the way out the door. Outside, the wind stole my breath for a moment, and I tugged the zipper up higher.
“Where to?” he asked.
I shrugged, looking up and down the street. There really wasn’t anywhere for us to go. My house was off-limits for obvious reasons. Megan’s house was guarded by an angry goblin. Eras was patrolling the Roost.
“I have no idea,” I said.
“We can go back to my place and make out if you want.”
My head snapped up to glare at him.
“Not helpful. Your scent is strong enough. I don’t need words, too.”
He tilted his head.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s like you’re baiting me. Trying to push my control into snapping. And I don’t like it. You know what? I changed my mind. I don’t think we should hang out. I think you should leave me alone, Fenris.”
I turned to leave, or at least tried to. My foot slipped out from under me. I started to tilt.
Fenris grabbed me, turning the fall into a dip. Bent over his arm, I stared up at him.
“Still want me to go away?”
I couldn’t answer. My heart was pounding as my hands clutched his biceps. My reaction had nothing to do with fear and everything to do with the tempting position.
“No touching,” I whispered.
His expression lost some of his smugness.
“I don’t know what I’m doing wrong, Eliana.” He gently righted me and released me. “I’m a friendly guy. Usually, people enjoy being around me. If you had the chance, I think you’d push me off a bridge.”
His hurt penetrated my hunger.
“I wouldn’t push you off a bridge, Fenris. I’d coax you to the edge and encourage you to jump. There’s a difference.”
He stared at me for a minute then threw his head back and laughed. When he was done, he held out his hand.
“Give me the keys. I know a place where we can go.”
