The Hunt (By Kiss and Claw #2) - Melissa Haag Page 0,121
my face.
“The name,” I bit out.
She kicked me in the nose. My control snapped.
“Who is the father?” I yelled in her face.
“I am,” Wetwhistle said. “Dewy’s glistening petals lured me in, but I was smart enough to fly after I sparkled. Like Merri said, Elbner isn’t the first creature who’s come around to buy some wings, and I didn’t like the way Dewy kept petting mine while I was drinking her dew.”
I gagged at the imagery of his words, and my anger evaporated with the renewed lust wafting off Wetwhistle.
“Spare me the details.” I looked at Dewy. “And put your chest away. Now the truth is out, and you can go home.”
I released her. Instead of flying for the door, she flew at my eye. I flicked her away and watched her tumble in the air for a moment before she righted herself.
“The Council will hear of this mistreatment,” she railed.
“It looked like self-defense to me,” Adira said from the doorway.
I withered inside. Why me?
Merri shot me a worried look. “Is she going to eat our wings?”
“No, I am not interested in your wings, but I’m very interested in why a succubus is mediating what appears to be drama fit for daytime television.”
Since I refused to side with Adira even though she was completely right in this case, I ignored her question and addressed Dewy.
“I don’t trust you not to sell your child’s wings when it’s old enough. Because of that, I’m going to recommend to the Council that the child stays with Madeline and Marshal. If they accept, Wetwhistle, you’re going to get a job and pay them a reasonable amount to help support the child you made. And for the love of the gods, can you all please stop sneaking into my bedroom at night?”
Dewy crossed her arms. “You have no authority to make those decisions. That’s my baby, not yours.”
Yet, the accuracy of my assessment was reflected in Merri’s gaze before she ducked her head and tenderly checked on the baby.
“The Council does not support Eliana’s suggestion,” Adira said. “It is not the Council’s concern if you devalue yourself, your wings, or the wings of those in your care. Take your child and leave.”
Anger blinded me to the sight of Merri and the baby still in my hand.
Adira could meddle in my life and obsess over my eating habits but couldn’t be concerned with the life of a tiny, brownie newborn?
I lifted my black gaze to Piepen, who’d been quiet since Dewy appeared.
“For once, do what’s right.”
His gaze flicked to Dewy, Wetwhistle, then Merri. Almost faster than I could see, he zipped forward and snatched the baby from Merri’s hold. Dewy screeched and raced after him, followed closely by Wetwhistle and Merri.
I turned to look at Adira. Mrs. Quill stood a step behind her now. I focused on her.
“We need a druid to ward the windows against brownies.”
“They are warded,” Mrs. Quill said. “Against everything.”
“Then the wards are failing and need to be checked because the brownies continue to interrupt my sleep with their nasty lust, which has now destroyed Oanen’s favorite couch.”
“You seem exceptionally irritable, Eliana. Are you hungry?”
A calming breath wasn’t enough to curb the words that came out of my mouth.
“Given what just transpired and your complete lack of concern for the child, I suggest you tread carefully with any ridiculous displays of concern for me.” That dark thing writhed in my middle, demanding to be released, begging Adira to give me a reason to completely lose control. However, she dipped her head in acknowledgment of my warning.
“I see. Were you able to deliver the book?”
“The book was delivered to Eugene by Jenna. I’m not interested in him as a meal, and I suggest you stop trying to force-feed me.” I took several steps closer to her. “You remember how well that went last time, don’t you? Consider carefully before rejecting these suggestions.”
“What about Fenris?” Mrs. Quill asked gently.
“What about him?”
“Were you able to spend more time with him today?” Adira asked.
“I spent my day avoiding him, and I will continue to do so as I see fit. Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to go back to bed. Don’t bother waking me if there’s another earthquake. If the gods decide to shake this world to ruins, it would be an improvement.”
Just outside the window, I heard Dewy’s shrill voice.
“Where did he go?”
“Please close the window,” I said, addressing Mrs. Quill as I brushed past the pair.