“First, you’re not keeping the secret from the Council now. I am. And, if the adults you’re rude to include Adira or anyone else on the Council, then it’s allowed. As for Piepen, bless your sweet southern soul for having the level of restraint you do. If I’d been the one, he’d be dead already. So I hardly think your efforts fall into the bad category. And it’s not your job to watch over the humans. That’s Adira’s job.”
There was a long moment of silence.
“Saying nothing about that last bit is probably going to kill me, but I don’t want my phone taken away from me just yet. I can tell you still need to talk. I’m here to listen.”
“It was an accident. I always pay attention. I thought I was keeping it all under control.” I rubbed my forehead. “I didn’t see it until it was already done. But I’m working on a fix. Fenris should be fine by the time you get back.”
“Come on, Oanen. Just five words of friendly advice.”
“Stay out of it,” I heard him warn in the background.
“Fine. Eliana, I love you, and I will never consider you putting your hoo-doo on anyone a black mark against your soul. Do you know why? Because you are what the gods made you. You’re fighting so hard against your nature. More than anyone else I know. And if that effort doesn’t tip the scales in your favor, I don’t know what will. So breathe easy. I don’t have a one-way ticket to hell with your name on it. I’m sure of it.”
“I’d still feel better if we could put off seeing each other for a little longer. At least until Fenris is better?”
“I’m not sure I’m willing to wait that long.”
“At least three more days?”
“I’ll try.”
“Any chance you could avoid the Fifth Avenue area of Manhattan today, too? Mom’s taking me shopping for her club’s opening night tonight.”
“Mmm. Sounds interesting. I expect pictures of all the dress options and a picture before you leave the house. No friend of mine is going to show up to Nicolette’s grand opening looking like a frump.”
I grinned.
“I believe I said hobo,” I said, remembering the text I’d sent Oanen. “But, yes, I’ll send you pictures.”
“Good. And make sure your up does what it’s supposed to do. And wear those killer earrings. Seriously, those things were huge. Thanks for loaning them to me.”
The door to the house opened, and Jenna stepped out. She looked slightly dazed, and her lips were swollen.
“Jenna’s back. I better go.”
“Pictures!” Megan yelled before hanging up.
Jenna stood on Kelsey’s stoop for a full minute before she took a deep breath and stripped. Her shape shimmered, and a wolf sprinted out of Kelsey’s yard.
I started the car, listened to two songs, then got out to get her clothes. The scent of her lust clung to the material. Everything went into the trunk, and I grabbed another chocolate bar.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“There,” I said, stepping back from Jenna. “You can look now.”
She gracefully stood and turned toward the full-length mirror, the sleek dress she wore glittering as she moved. The blue and emerald sequins covering her breasts and hips and the sheer mesh teal panels that connected those pieces together, hugged her trim figure and drew the eyes. As did the extreme side slits that allowed movement.
The stunning dress highlighted the elegant waterfall of hair I’d styled in soft curls over one of her shoulders. But the true beauty was Jenna, herself. The natural makeup I’d artfully applied had transformed her. And I knew she saw it when she stared at herself in the mirror for a long, shocked moment.
“You’re a magician, Eliana.”
“Not at all. That’s all you, Jenna. The makeup and dress only accentuates what you already had.”
She smiled softly at herself then fixed her gaze on me.
“I can’t go walking into the club like this alone. Do you need help?”
I gave her a weak smile.
“I’ll be fine. Give me a few minutes to get ready.”
I closed myself in the bathroom with a dress I knew would make Adira and Mrs. Quill happy. It was a beautiful dress. However, I wouldn’t be getting dressed up for a small dinner this time. I would be dressing for a night in a club filled with my very susceptible peers. And wearing something so provocative while there terrified me to the core.
With a sigh, I unzipped the garment bag.
Getting ready was a careful balance between looking like I’d made an effort without doing so much that I called attention away from Jenna. I’d purposely chosen the brightly colored dress for her and a muted grey one for myself, hoping that would help. Yet, despite its color, my dress was far from drab. The silken sheath hugged every curve, and the plunging neckline was positively indecent, exposing me from my neck to my navel in one long, narrow strip.
Mom had taken one look at my face when I’d tried it on and told Mrs. Quill we needed to find matching grey body paint to cover “that brownie’s” mar on my perfection. Since I knew she’d never consider any sexual mark an imperfection, her suggestion had been to make me more comfortable in a dress she knew I didn’t want to wear in public. I could have hugged her.
Piepen’s mark of shame glowed brightly until I covered it with the matching grey body paint and a healthy dusting of glitter. The exposed strip of grey skin helped me feel more covered even though my cleavage was saying hello to the world.
To humor Megan, I went with a messy updo. Instead of the stud earrings she’d suggested, I chose diamond strands that the hairstyle and neckline demanded.
It didn’t take me long to dab on some eyeshadow and lip gloss. When I emerged, Jenna was still staring at herself in the mirror. Hearing me, she turned. Her mouth dropped open into a little ‘o’ that would have made me laugh if not for the hint of lust that clouded the air.
“That dress is so hot on you,” she whispered.
My hunger stirred, and my vision sharpened. I quickly closed my eyes.
“Jenna, stop.”
“Oh. Sorry.”
“Go open the window, please.”
A moment later, a cool breeze caressed my skin. I focused on my hunger as I breathed, willing it to go back to sleep. It didn’t surprise me when it refused to listen this time. Its cooperation had slowly decreased throughout the day. My bag of chocolate was already gone, and Mom had spent a fortune feeding me desserts while in the city. She hadn’t batted an eye, but I knew Mrs. Quill had been watching me closely.
“Are you okay?” Jenna asked.
I was far from okay, and we both knew it. The knock that sounded on my door would have been a convenient save from answering. However, I knew it could only be one of two people and considered neither a “save,” given my current state.
“Come in.” I opened my eyes, defiantly letting my hunger show as the door opened.
Mrs. Quill’s gaze swept over us as she entered, lingering on Jenna instead of me.
“You’re both positively stunning,” she said with a wide smile.
“Eliana did my hair and makeup,” Jenna said from near the window.
The fresh air wasn’t helping. I could still smell her. The lust was barely there and no longer for me. Likely she was thinking of her upcoming kiss with Fenris. It didn’t matter. I could smell her, and my hunger was twisting dangerously inside of me.