The Hunt (By Kiss and Claw #2) - Melissa Haag Page 0,57

they remained clear and focused on me.

“Right. I apologize. I forgot. Tell me more about school. How are your grades?” He went to the fridge.

“Remember, it’s not a typical school. They don’t grade anything. They test on aptitude and skills, instead. Either the students know the materials or they don’t.”

“And do you know the materials?”

“For the most part. I’m finishing up some math and am hoping to graduate after that.”

“You’re so young yet.”

“I’m turning seventeen soon, remember? And I know it seems young by the standards you’re used to, but trust me that it’s not young here. People younger than me have already graduated.” I brought him the chopped onion for the salad he was fixing.

“Well, it seems your mom was right to bring you here, then. Even though it broke my heart to let you go, I’m glad you’re excelling.”

I leaned against the counter and studied Dad’s face. The only reason it had broken his heart was that I’d been his remaining tie to Mom. It had nothing to do with his love for me.

“I love you, Dad. I’m sorry your life didn’t go the direction you planned.”

“I’m not. I have you and your mother. I couldn’t want anything more.”

I managed a smile and asked what else I could do to help. Over the next hour, we talked about Mom and her club and how people were holding him back from being truly useful to her. When I couldn’t take any more, I excused myself, letting him know I still had an assignment from Adira to complete.

“Be careful around her. I wouldn’t trust her with my worst enemy’s soul.”

“Since when do you have enemies?” I asked, putting on my jacket.

“It’s just a saying. But if I had one, I think it would be her.”

I chuckled.

“You and just about every other resident in Uttira.”

“It makes me wonder why the people here put up with her.”

“That’s a really good question, Dad.” And something I’d wondered often during my stay here. I hugged him goodbye and left.

My mind dwelled on our conversation and his dislike of Adira. The residents with their mark, who were free to come and go as they pleased, never seemed to mind her. The people she acted as a gatekeeper for definitely didn’t like her. Not that our dislike changed anything.

I sighed, thinking of how she’d portaled me to Mom’s club that morning. Adira always seemed to get her way in the end. And, that was why, as much as I didn’t want to go to the Roost, I drove there anyway.

Parked in front, I stared at the double doors and wished I was anywhere else. I didn’t want to spend another evening staring at my phone and pretending not to hear music that made me want to get up and dance. I hated Adira’s games. And Piepen’s. And Mom’s. Even Fenris pushed too far sometimes.

Leaning my head against the steering wheel, I thought of tomorrow’s spell removal. After that, I could escape to Fenris’s cabin or the caves or anywhere I wanted. For tonight, I was stuck though. I thought of how I’d been stuck in the red room with Fenris, too, and smiled. Fenris was right. If I had to do something, why not do it my way?

I grabbed my phone and sent a quick text to Fenris, asking if he was already at the Roost. His reply that they were leaving in a few minutes was almost immediate.

Me: Bring games.

Fenris: I’m on it.

Hopefully, with the games, tonight wouldn’t drag like the last time. Giving in to the inevitable, I left my car and went inside.

Twenty minutes later, Fenris strode in with his her-herd. They all carried a stack of games in their arms.

I wasn’t the only one to stare in wide-eyed shock. Several of the dancers stopped and watched the group as they approached the back booths where I sat.

“Um, that’s a lot of games. Where did you get them all?”

“Humans aren’t the only ones who like to have fun,” he said as he deposited his pile on the table. “These are everything we could scrape together from our pack. We have to return them tonight, but I think they’ll serve their purpose. Ready to cause some trouble?”

“Trouble?” I echoed, confused.

The music cut out, and Fenris faced the room, cupping his hands around his mouth.

“Game Night,” he shouted. “Pick your partners! Pick your opponents! Pick your game!”

I looked at Jenna. “What is he doing?”

She set her stack of games on the table and slid into