With guilt, I thought of Adira’s lack of effort to find Ashlyn. There was nothing to say about that without damning myself, though.
“No, nothing.”
“Sorry, babe. Hey, how’s the goblin doing? I met a few here who were doing some insane-level upkeep.”
“Your house is amazing. He keeps it spotless and is working on repairing the outside. It’s going to look like a new house when you see it.”
“I can’t wait to settle back in and start raising some more hell there. Adira needs the tables turned.”
“And I can’t wait to watch you do it.”
The tables would do more than turn when Megan found out about Adira’s inaction. They would spin in Megan’s fury.
I couldn’t help but wonder, though, if Megan would be dragging me to hell along with Adira.
Chapter Eight
With nowhere else to go, I decided to head for the Roost. However, when I reached the entrance, the heavy beat of music within reminded me of dancing with the dryads.
While I hesitated, trying to think of somewhere else to go, the door opened, and two mermaids walked out.
“Well, look who it is,” the first one said. “The druid lover. You’re going to regret ever walking into our domain.”
“If you want to claim a bathroom as your domain, fine. Enjoy the toilets.”
The second mermaid lunged for me, but the first one stopped her as I hurried into the Roost. I had enough on my mental plate without adding a mermaid fight to the list.
Sighing, I made my way toward the booths.
“Hey, Eliana,” Jenna called from the dance floor.
I looked over and saw the her-herd dancing with Fenris. He was still wearing Oanen’s shirt, which made my pulse race a little. His gaze met mine, and he smiled at me. It was his usual smile, nothing different. Yet, it felt different.
Hesitantly smiling in return, I said hello.
“Join us?” Jenna asked.
I shook my head and continued toward the back booths where I tried to watch an old horror movie on my phone in an attempt to distract myself from my thoughts and Fenris. It wasn’t easy with the sound off, though. I gave up after thirty minutes and texted Mom.
Me: Adira mentioned the name of your club. How set are you on that?
Mom: Not at all. I only told her a name to shut her up. Do you have ideas?
I grinned at her answer.
Me: It depends on the type of club. If you’re thinking male dancers, what about No Boundaries? If you’re thinking upscale dining for every palate, what about The Portal?
Mom: Baby, you are exquisite in every possible way. What type of club would you prefer?
Me: Dancing “food” sounds distasteful. I’d rather go the upscale route.
She sent me a heart emoji.
Me: What kinds of human food will you offer?
Mom: I hadn’t considered offering any.
Me: I think you should. If the humans are there to be fed on, they’ll need something to keep up their energy.
Mom: Rich, upscale foods. I like how you think. Any special requests from you? I know how you like desserts.
I thought about it for a moment.
Me: I keep dreaming about lava cake and death by chocolate cake. I tried making them, but my attempts weren’t as good as the ones in my dreams. If you can find someone who can make those, but really, really well, I’d be happy.
Mom: I’ll make it happen. What are you up to today? Want to come help at the club? We could design the layout together.
Me: I’m hanging out at the Roost. Maybe next time?
Mom: You have fun. Love you.
I smiled at the message and reopened the movie window. A glass slid across the table before I turned the horror on again. I looked up at Fenris as he sat opposite me.
“You look like you’re settling in for a while. I thought you might want something to drink.”
“Thank you.”
“You sure you don’t want to dance? There aren’t many people here.”
“I don’t think I’ll be up for dancing for a while.”
He considered me for a moment.
“No new marks?”
I shook my head.
“Then you shouldn’t let that experience taint what you love.”
“How do you know I love dancing?”
“I have eyes, Eliana.” He smirked at me. “Eventually, I’ll get you out there.”
I almost smiled back at him but couldn’t quite manage it.
“About the woods.”
His hand covered mine and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“You overthink things, Eliana. If something upsets me, I promise I will use words to tell you. I understand you’re struggling, and the last thing I want you to believe is that I’m part of the problem. I’m not. I’m trying to help you find the solution. Always.”
I nodded and gave him a wan smile. He released my hand and left me to rejoin his pack. I felt lighter as I went back to my silent horror flick.
Hours later, I stood and stretched. Body to body dancers crowded the floor in front of the stage. They writhed in rhythm to the music. It would have looked fun hours ago. Now, I just wanted feeling to return to my backside so I could drive myself home and go to bed.
Picking up my jacket, I headed for the door.
Fenris blocked my path before I made it halfway there.
“Dance time?” he asked with an eyebrow wriggle.
“No, bedtime.”
“Yeah, I’m up for that too. Your place or mine?”
My vision sharpened, and I immediately ducked my head and looked at the floor.
“Not funny, Fenris.”
His arms wrapped around me.
“Sorry. No one saw. I promise.”
Instead of pulling away, I returned the hug and buried my head further.
“Want to go outside?” he asked.
After my nod, he lifted me just enough so my feet didn’t touch the floor and walked us out the doors. With relief, I breathed in the crisp winter air.
“Thank you.”
He lowered me to my feet and licked the tip of my nose as I backed away.
“Your forms of affection are weird. By the way, I warned Megan and Oanen you’re going to be hugging them. Good luck trying to get Oanen again.”
“Challenge accepted. He won’t see me coming.”
I laughed, unable to help myself. Months ago, I’d been witness to the spontaneous hug that Oanen had given Fenris. While it’d been done to throw off Aubrey—Fenris’s crazy, she-wolf stalker—from smelling Megan on Fenris, I could still remember Fenris’s shocked expression. Fenris might like hugging, but Oanen was far from a hugger.
“I bet you don’t even get close to him,” I said without thinking.
A gleam lit Fenris’s gaze.
“Two minutes of scratching if I win.”
“I don’t care what you want scratched; I’m not doing it.”
He stared at me a moment, his grin slowly widening.
“You’re thinking about where to scratch me, aren’t you?”
“I’m thinking about how I want to go home.”
He huffed a pouty sigh then opened his arms.
“Fine. You can go. I’ll just collect my payment before you do.”
I took one step toward him before I stopped myself.