The Hunt (By Kiss and Claw #2) - Melissa Haag Page 0,56
feed on me.”
I stared at him for a long moment and saw the desperation in his serious gaze. He’d been there for me in so many ways, and I hated that I couldn’t give him the one thing he was asking for in return.
“I’m sorry, Fenris. But I care about you too much to hurt you.”
“What happened to unconditional trust?”
“I trust you, Fenris. I just don’t trust me.”
He crouched in front of me, tilting his head to study my face.
“Every time you get hungry enough to pounce on me, you stop yourself. What’s not to trust?”
“I stop because you always do something to help me find the strength. If I purposely feed on you, I won’t stop, Fenris. I know you think that I’m harmless and that you’re resistant, but you’ve never seen what happens when a succubus feeds deeply from a single person. It’s not pretty.”
“Your dad.”
“My dad and so many others,” I said.
Fenris looked down at his hands. The defeated droop in his shoulders nearly broke my restraint to stay away from him. I desperately wanted to hug him and keep apologizing, but I’d been honest about my self-trust and wasn’t sure I’d stop at just hugging.
“If Adira comes looking for me, let her know I…” I didn’t know what to tell her that would actually get her to leave me alone.
“Don’t worry. I’ll cover for you. Go. Maybe I’ll see you tonight?”
I nodded, grabbed my bag, and left him alone in the red room.
“Don’t do it. You’re going to die.”
I shook my head at the stupid girl on the TV and let another square of chocolate melt in my mouth as the monster in the basement chewed her face off.
“Told you not to do it. Everyone knows that basements are instant death.”
My phone buzzed beside me, and I paused the horror flick. Since leaving the Academy three hours ago, I hadn’t heard a peep from Adira or the Quills and had used my reprieve wisely by binging on horror movies and chocolate. However, I knew it wouldn’t last. Peace, when living in Uttira, rarely lasted long.
I glanced at my phone and gave a quick sigh of relief when I saw it was Dad and not Adira.
Dad: Would you like to come over and keep me company after school? We could make dinner together like we used to.
Me: I’d love to. I’ll be right there.
Happy for the distraction, I cleaned up any evidence of my afternoon activities and hurried out the door before anyone showed up to stop me.
Dad was on the front stoop, waiting for me when I pulled into their driveway.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” he said as soon as I opened my door.
“Me too. School was rough today.”
“Why? What happened?” Genuine concern lit his face and made my chest ache. When I reached him, he pulled me in for a quick hug.
“Nothing important. Just typical school stuff.”
He pulled back. “I promise I won’t make you kneel and pray like last time. I’d rather hear the truth, no matter what happened. You can tell me.”
I met his clear gaze, unsure what it meant or how long it’d last. He released me and ushered me inside.
“It was Adira again,” I admitted, taking off my jacket. “She’s trying to manipulate me into making choices I don’t want to make. I understand she’s an adult, and I’ve tried being respectfully obedient, but—”
“Respect is for god-fearing people, not that horrible woman. She fears nothing.”
“I think she fears Mom.”
I followed him to the kitchen where he had already started fixing several things for dinner.
“I find that hard to believe. Your mother told me what Adira is doing. She’s not only manipulating you. Did you know that woman is controlling access to the new club? I can’t even bring your mother any food because I’m not allowed inside.” He gestured to all the dishes then looked at me again. “You got in. Do you know the code for the door?”
“It’s not a code, Dad. Access is tied to your DNA.”
He looked impressed as he handed me an onion to chop.
“I knew your mom was working on some important stuff but DNA encoded security? That’s big. I still wish that I could check in on her. I think she’s getting better. She doesn’t bring lovers home anymore or return from work smelling like sex. That’s a good sign, right?”
“Dad, I really don’t think that’s my place to say. Your relationship is something you need to discuss with Mom.”