“I know offering to get you something from the lunchroom won’t help. Any chance you’ll take me up on my previous offer?”
“Huh?” It wasn’t very articulate, but I wasn’t fully focused.
“Feed on me, Eliana. Please.”
My mouth watered at the thought, and I shook my head.
“You know I can’t.”
He sighed and sat.
“I know why you think you can’t, but haven’t we already poked enough holes in those fears? Your manipulation doesn’t work on me, which means you won’t turn me into a mindless slave. My scent is appealing, I think. Or overpowering. You weren’t clear on that, so I’m going with the former to protect my ego.”
I snorted. “Like your ego needs protection.”
“And Adira and your mom haven’t pushed anyone else at you like you thought they would.”
“It’s only been three days, Fenris.”
“Four, but you’re right. The number doesn’t matter. What matters is that it hasn’t happened. So how do you want me? Lying down? Tied down? Naked?”
“I don’t want you at all, Fenris. Now, stop it.” I fisted my hands at my sides, willing myself not to react to his words.
“Ouch. That’s just hurtful. I thought we were friends.” The ever-present humor faded from his expression and his tone.
“You know we are. That’s why I’m saying no.”
“What if I said I have a more selfish reason for the offer.”
“Like what?”
“Feeding on me will help me.”
“In what world?”
“In mine. If I’m yours, I can’t be anyone else’s. I’m tired of being paraded around and shown to every single werewolf alive. I’m at the end of my patience. Spending time with you is the only thing keeping me sane. I’m done, Eliana. Please. Just 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.”
Something flashed in his eyes, but 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.