The Hunt (By Kiss and Claw #2) - Melissa Haag Page 0,12
saw your reaction. I know you would never intentionally feed on him. Is that why you’re upset? Because you thought I wouldn’t believe you?”
I sniffled as the tears gave way.
“The taste won’t go away. It’s so bad.”
She made soothing noises and listened to me cry until I calmed to sniffles.
“I’m so sorry that happened to you. I can only imagine how awful that tasted. I promise it will go away, though, baby,” she said.
“How? When?”
“One good feeding will cleanse your palate.” She paused then added, “Why didn’t you feed at school?”
“Because it’s school, Mom. I’m not going to feed in public.”
I cringed as soon as the words were out of my mouth.
“I didn’t mean—”
“You did, and it’s okay. Understanding why will only help me help you.”
“Please, no more help.”
She chuckled.
“It won’t be forceful. You have my word. Would you like to come over for breakfast tomorrow morning? I have some exciting news, and your father said he’d make us chocolate waffles.”
It was a breakfast favorite of mine. One I’d often made for myself during my youth because Dad had been too despondent to leave his bed most mornings.
“Dad’s still with you?”
“Of course your father is still with me. I’ll send you the address,” Mom added as her phone cut out, indicating she had another call. “I have to go, baby. I love you and hope we’ll see you tomorrow.” She hung up before I could respond.
Dad was still with Mom, and she had exciting news. Neither boded well for me, Uttira, or Dad.
“Can’t one thing go right in my life?”
Tossing the phone aside, I wiped my face and looked up at the school building.
Fenris leaned against the wall beside the door. My stomach gave a weird flip at his sad expression, and I hurried to start my car. It wasn’t until I was backing out that I realized he wasn’t alone. Jenna and the rest of his her-herd stood with him. They were all watching me with pity.
Perfect, I thought.
Rather than go to the Quills’, where I was obviously being monitored closely, I headed for Megan’s to feed Elbner.
The whole way there, Piepen’s taste seemed to grow more pronounced. I knew the buildup was probably a trick of my subconscious, but that didn’t soothe my increasing irritation. Mom had to be wrong about the taste only going away with another feeding. She’d probably never waited long enough between feedings to see how long it took for flavors to fade. As much as I hoped that was the case, the increasing notes of skunk in my mouth filled me with doubt, which further soured my mood.
Megan’s resident goblin stood on the back stoop and glared at me as I parked. I reminded myself to be polite and forced a smile to my lips as I exited the car.
“I apologize if I’m interrupting. I’m here to feed you, but if there’s a better time, I can come back later.”
“Now is fine. Hurry up about it.”
Elbner’s surly attitude grated at me, but I kept my smile in place. Barely. Thankfully, he stayed where he was while I headed inside.
I quickly made his meal and set the bowl on the table. After making sure he wasn’t watching, I tipped the honey bottle into my mouth. Sweetness coated my tongue, and for a few glorious seconds, I tasted nothing else. However, the moment I swallowed, Piepen’s ugly flavor hit me twice as hard.
The uninhibited brownie would be the death of me.
In an attempt to distract myself, I wandered Megan’s first floor. The last time I’d checked things out, the floors had gleamed and the rooms had been free of dirt and webs. It was all still that meticulously clean. Now, though, the bits of chipped paint that had been on the walls were patched and painted so well I couldn’t see where they’d been.
Tipping my head, I studied the ceiling. Not a crack remained. It looked like new. I couldn’t even imagine how Elbner had managed to get up there.
“Are you done inspecting my work?” he asked from behind me.
I turned to find him with his arms crossed and a shoe in his hand. Had I tried to relax somewhere, I had no doubt he would have lobbed it at my head.
Instead of letting that provoke me, I smiled.
He tilted his head up and sniffed the air. My already strained mood turned brittle. If he said I smelled like brownie, I was going to beat the goblin with his own shoe.