as I neared the house. I wondered if Uan had ever watched Pretty Woman.
I opened the door and took one step into the house before freezing. The faint sounds coming from Mom’s bedroom made my mouth drop. Her gasping squeals and Uan’s echoing grunts and groans had me backing up and carefully shutting the door again.
I stared at the dark panel in shock.
My mom was having sex. With Uan. Vigorously.
“You knew it was going to happen,” I said to myself.
But I hadn’t considered that I’d hear it. Ever.
Having the option of a day watching movies shockingly ripped away from me, I turned and wandered away from the house. Briefly, I wondered if my close call yesterday pushed Mom to rush into having sex with Uan. Just as quickly as the thought occurred, I brushed it away. Based on the sounds she’d been making, she was having a good time. A really good time. There wasn’t a lot of pleasure to be had in this world anymore, and I was glad she’d grabbed some for herself, no matter what the reason.
When was the last time I’d had that level of a good time? I struggled to remember. I’d had two boyfriends where the relationship had progressed far enough for sex, and I’d liked it well enough. Then Van had happened. Right now, the idea of sleeping with anyone didn’t spark any interest in me, and I doubted it ever would again.
I walked for several minutes before it dawned on me that I had nowhere to go. Stopping in the center of the street, I looked around at the houses, lost.
A crunch of snow behind me had me pivoting.
Thallirin was there, watching me. I studied his expression, wondering what was going through his head, and decided to ask.
“I can never tell what you’re thinking. Your expression doesn’t seem to change. Are you mad?”
“No.”
“So what are you thinking?”
“You look worried. Why?”
I found it kind of funny we were both speculating about each other’s thoughts. Since I sure as hell wasn’t going to tell him I just busted my mom and Uan having sex or that I was debating if I would ever have nice sex again, I settled for a safer topic.
“I…uh…how’s your bite? Did Cassie clean it up?”
“No. She is with her children.”
“You should really get it looked at. It could get infected. At least go home and take a shower?”
I tried to say it nicely so he didn’t feel like I was trying to get rid of him. But, I kind of was. As much as I appreciated what he’d done yesterday, I did not want to spend my day with him trailing behind me.
“I do not have a home.”
That brought my errant thoughts to a halt.
“Where do you sleep?”
“Outside.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“No.”
“Are you always this serious and literal?”
“Yes.”
I shook my head and knew what I needed to do even if I didn’t like it.
“Come on. Let’s find you a house where you can at least shower and wash that bite.”
I looked around at the houses, wondering who would be willing to let a fey in. Probably another fey.
“This way,” Thallirin said, taking charge before I could decide a direction.
I followed him to Hannah and Emily’s house. It was a choice that surprised me until I saw Merdon standing outside, leaning against a tree in Hannah’s front yard.
“Hey, Merdon,” I said. “Do you—”
The door opened.
“Brenna!” Hannah called. “Come in here. You can help me.”
I tore my gaze from Merdon’s scowl and looked at Hannah as she swayed on her feet.
“What do you need help with?” I asked.
“Finishing this.” She held up a bottle of tequila, and I smiled.
“That’s perfect. Thanks, Hannah.” I looked at Thallirin. “Come on.”
He followed me to the house, and Hannah frowned at him.
“Are you going to poop on my party?” she asked, blocking the door.
“He won’t,” I said. “But he does need to use your shower. Is that okay?”
She shrugged.
“Sure. Come on in.”
She swept her arm aside and gestured for us to enter. The house felt toasty warm as I stepped in. Taking off my shoes, I looked around the space. There was a dining room table set up in the middle of the room with a chair pushed aside near the TV, which was playing a movie.
“How much do you want?” Hannah asked, holding up the bottle.
“At least a half a glass,” I said, smiling at her. “Thanks so much for inviting us in. Where’s the bathroom?”
She waved a hand down the hall then wandered in