The image of Jenna and Eugene rose in my mind, and the dark thing inside me stirred with an intensity that took me by surprise.
“Would you mind going downstairs and asking Mrs. Quill for the bag of chocolate bars? They’re for you.”
Jenna was quiet for a moment then left the room without a word. I took a calming breath, and my hunger immediately settled. It never worked like that before. My hunger ate at me once it stirred. Frowning, I focused on how I felt.
Not hungry.
I was so used to telling everyone, including myself, that I wasn’t hungry that it was odd to actually feel that way. Odd and concerning. I tried to remember the last time I’d fed. It’d been that wreck of a dinner with Adira. How many days ago had that been? Three days? As much as I wanted to believe my lack of appetite was due to that feeding, I knew better. I remembered the hunger clawing at my middle only a day after that feeding. What did it mean that I couldn’t feel it now?
Standing, I went to get my phone from the dresser. I didn’t feel weak when I moved. That meant I was fine, didn’t it?
Too afraid to dig any deeper, I focused on sending a text to Eugene.
Me: I have a huge favor to ask of you. Are you still at Zoey and Kelsey’s?
Eugene: Yep. Still hanging out to keep from going crazy. If the favor involves leaving the house, I’m in.
Me: Sorry. It wouldn’t. But it would involve inviting Jenna in for a few minutes.
Eugene: I’ll ask the girls if they’re okay with that. It might help if they know why.
Me: Jenna’s never been kissed and needs practice. I can’t be the one to show her how.
My hunger stirred again even at the thought of it.
Eugene: I need you to spell out what you’re asking. I don’t want to make any assumptions.
Me: I’m asking if you’ll show Jenna how to properly French kiss the heck out of a guy.
Eugene: Will I live?
The thing inside of me seemed to curl up and go right to sleep. That was definitely not right. It usually took more work than that. Or copious amounts of chocolate and dancing. How long had it been since I needed chocolate? Shaking my head, I pushed the thoughts from my mind.
Me: Yes. But you should know that werewolves don’t date. So don’t let the kiss mean anything. Okay?
Eugene: When is this kissing lesson going to take place?
Me: As soon as you get permission from Kelsey and Zoe.
Someone knocked on my door.
“Come in.”
Jenna peeked in. “Everything okay?”
I nodded. “It’s fine. I’m texting Eugene now. I’m sorry about before.”
“Don’t be. It’s no big deal.”
The phone in my hand buzzed with a new message.
Kelsey: Eugene is insane for even thinking about saying yes. Ashlyn said no eye contact. If we’re not even supposed to look at your kind, why should Eugene kiss one? It didn’t end well for Zoey.
Me: You’re smart to question the motivation. Jenna is nothing like Eras or me, though. I accidentally put someone under my thrall like I did to Eugene. Jenna needs to know how to kiss to break that thrall.
Kelsey: Will we be safe?
Me: With Eugene? Probably. With Jenna? Absolutely.
Kelsey: Then I give my permission.
Me: We’ll see you in fifteen minutes.
“Do you trust me?” I asked Jenna.
“With my life.”
“That’s a bit extreme. I’d settle for enough trust to go with me somewhere without asking any questions about where we’re going.”
“I can manage that.” She lifted the bag of chocolate. “Should we bring this?”
Ten minutes later, I parked outside Kelsey and Zoe’s house. I reached into the bag Jenna had brought with us and broke into a chocolate bar. The rich sweetness coated my tongue. I hoped it would be enough to keep my hunger at bay while I talked Jenna through this.
“Eugene is in there and agreed to show you how to kiss. There are rules, though.”
Jenna nodded and waited for me to finish another bite.
“Clothes stay on. Both of you.” Despite the chocolate, my imagination kicked in, and my hunger stirred. I tipped my head back against the seat and closed my eyes. “He can touch you over your clothes if you want him to. But, don’t touch him. No shifting while you’re inside. Be careful with him. Remember you’re stronger. When you think you’ve learned enough, leave the house, but don’t get into this car. Go for a run. A really, really long one until you’re no longer thinking about what you learned or how you’re going to use it on Fenris.”
Jenna’s hand settled over mine, and I jumped.
“Why don’t I just meet you back at the Quills’?”
“Thank you,” I whispered. “I’ll grab your clothes.”
She released me and left the car. Once she was gone, I opened my eyes and watched Kelsey answer the door. The girl kept her eyes down even as she spoke to Jenna. After a moment, she nodded and stepped aside.
I felt bad for asking Kelsey to open her home, but I trusted Jenna. She wasn’t Aubrey. Jenna didn’t have a mean bone in her body.
Minutes ticked by. While I waited, I called Megan.
“Hello, Eliana,” Oanen answered.
“You haven’t given Megan back her phone yet, have you?”
“No. She’s still trying to meddle in your life.”
I grinned. Even hundreds of miles away and newly mated, Oanen was still trying to protect me.
“I love you and miss you, too. But, can I talk to her anyway? I promise to hang up on her if she gets heavy-handed in her meddling.”
There was a rustle of noise then Megan came on the line.
“Please tell me that Adira is still shaking in her boots somewhere.”
“When I saw her last night, she was too busy being a pain in my backside to shake.”
“I’m so ready to come home.”
“Any luck with your lead for Ashlyn?”
“Zayn is being particularly difficult to find. However, I’m positive he’ll show up soon to help. According to his sister, he’s on an extended leave of absence. She couldn’t say where or why. And I mean that literally. He spelled her for her protection.”
I sighed.
“I hate all the time that’s passing. What if—”
“Don’t. Those what-if’s will mess with your head. Now, tell me what good you’ve been up to.”
“Well, I tried saving an infant brownie’s life. I’m not sure that worked, though. I’m having Eugene give Jenna kissing lessons if that counts. I’m sure Eugene thinks it’s an act of goodwill.”
Megan laughed.
“I’m sure you’re right. Why does Jenna need lessons?”
“To counter all the bad I’ve been doing.”
“Uh-oh. Talk.”
I glanced at the house. There was still no sign of Jenna. Given Eugene’s age, I’d assumed he knew how to kiss. What if Ashlyn, the human who’d been stuck in Uttira her entire life, had been his first kiss? The likelihood of Ashlyn not knowing how to kiss was extremely high.
“Silence isn’t talking,” Megan said. “What bad do you think you’ve been doing?”
“Keeping the reason behind Ashlyn’s disappearance secret from the Council. Being rude to just about every adult in my life. Almost killing Piepen at least three times because he keeps sneaking into my room. Letting my own life drama get in the way of watching after the humans like I should be.” I took a big breath and admitted my worst sin. “Enthralling Fenris.”