name that were the worst. The pleading tone was too real. During those times, I’d curl into a ball and cover my ears and hum. When it was over, I’d get back up and pace some more. No matter what, I didn’t lay on the bed. I couldn’t fall asleep. I wouldn’t.
Dawn’s early light was a relief. Exhausted but determined, I once again left my room in search of something that would help me.
I asked every fey I found if they had anything for me to drink or if they would be willing to find me something. Each and every damn one of them told me no. I pleaded with most of them, crying for a few and seducing any I’d thought might be receptive to it, but nothing worked. Not even when I started snarling threats to rip off their sacs and watch them choke on their own testicles.
Word seemed to spread after that, and the fey made themselves scarce. Good. I was tired of their hovering presences anyway.
Tor found me when the sun had almost reached its zenith.
“Hey, Hannah,” he said amiably. “I don’t have any alcohol for you, but I know where you can get some.”
“I’m listening.”
“Mary and Emily are looking for volunteers to test their dating game meals. The first one is now, but no girls are showing up. Emily promised there would be a drink.”
“Yes. A thousand times, yes. Will you give me a lift?”
He nodded and picked me up, taking off running before I could bury my face. We were in front of Mary and James’s place in seconds.
“Thank you, Tor. I owe you for this,” I said as he put me down.
“You’re helping me,” he said. “I cannot have my turn until the rest have theirs. And they cannot have theirs until Mary and Emily know that this will work.”
“Fair enough.” I patted his arm then moved up the sidewalk, glad he wasn’t going to try to call in a favor later.
My two knocks on the door were immediately answered by James, in person, instead of a shout from his usual place in his chair.
“This is a surprise,” I said, looking at his neat button-down shirt and crisply ironed pants.
His gaze swept over me as he stepped aside and helped me out of my coat.
“A surprise in equal measure,” he murmured. “Do you want to go home and change first?”
I looked down at myself. Yesterday’s clothes looked a bit rumpled. Or were these the clothes from two days ago? I couldn’t remember anymore. My gaze caught on the dribble marks going down my front. Vomit? Maybe.
“No, I’m good. I know Mary probably already has the meal ready and doesn’t want it to get cold.”
He nodded slowly, still watching me closely. He took a breath like he was going to say more, then hesitated.
Finally, he stepped aside and said, “Your dining companion is already here.”
I smiled my thousand-watt smile and lifted my gaze to take in the room, fully prepared to drink myself silly at their dumb test run of the dating game.
I wasn’t prepared for the sight of Merdon standing next to a candlelit table.
“Fate fucking hates me.”
Chapter Nine
“Hannah, behave,” James warned. “Merdon is our guest.”
I exhaled through my nose and mentally braced myself. I could do this. My gaze shifted to the bottle on the table. Brandy. The good stuff. Yep, I could definitely sit through a mock dinner date with Merdon.
“All right. Tell me what to do.”
“You’ve never been on a date before?” James asked.
“Of course I have.”
“Then you know what to do.”
I rolled my eyes and headed toward the table.
“Merdon, it’s so nice to see you.” Not even a little. “I’m glad Emily talked you into this.” I’d rather spoon my eye out. “Are you ready to start?”
I delivered each word with flawless sincerity and a perfect smile, keeping my internal jabs all to myself. It was easy to play nice when my goal was seductively singing to me from the table’s top.
“You smell,” Merdon said flatly.
The smile almost slipped.
“Thank you for noticing,” I said brightly. “It’s a new scent I’m trying, called ‘Life in Hell.’ It’s very easy to obtain now. Would you like some?”
“Hannah,” James said warningly.
I cut him a look.
“Merdon started it.”
“He doesn’t know any better.”
I snorted and looked at Merdon.
“He knows very well what he said was offensive. That’s why he said it, James.”
Merdon remained quiet, his almost angry gaze locked on me. His lack of denial proved my words correct.