I said nothing as Lannie turned and walked away, but inside I was quaking. River was the mermaid who Megan had kicked in the face. That she’d been talking to Miranda, the mermaid who’d presumably told Eras about my involvement with the druids, didn’t bode well for me. What were the two of them planning? One call to Megan that I was in some kind of trouble would likely send her running back to Uttira before I found Ashlyn.
“You okay?” Eugene asked. “You look a little pale.”
“Stop looking at her.” Zoe’s words were punctuated with another under-the-table thump.
“I’m fine,” I said, already reaching for my phone. Once it was in my hand, I hesitated. What would I say? Don’t come home until I tell you? Megan would know something’s up. But I needed to tell her something before the mermaids did.
I thought about it for a moment then sent a text.
Me: River, the mermaid you kicked in the face, apparently still holds a grudge. I think they’re going to try to stir up trouble to bring you home sooner. Mom’s still here. Don’t fall for their bait and become a snack. #MeganisFurynotFood
I waited a bit to see if she’d respond. When she didn’t, I put the phone away and looked at Kelsey, who seemed to have the most sense out of the three humans.
“Watch out for the mermaids,” I said softly. “They’re still mad at Megan for saving Ashlyn.”
All three nodded.
Leaving them, I made my way upstairs where I had a good view of everyone coming and going. While I hoped the druids would make an appearance, I still needed to put my back-up plan into motion.
Dread filled me at the thought of meeting with Tegan, and I blindly stared out over the dancers. Was I willing to make a love slave out of Anne’s brother just to save Ashlyn? No. Guilt ate at me at the thought of not doing everything possible to save her, but I knew making a second mistake wouldn’t fix the first one. Even if Ashlyn was found, I would still be responsible for whatever had happened to her between her disappearance and her rescue. I couldn’t add more to that list.
Maybe appealing to Tegan without a succubus pull would be enough. Even as I had that thought, I knew it was laughable. Ashlyn had told me I lacked the spark that others of my kind had. Yet, despite that lack, I’d still almost lured her in just because of the top I’d worn. No matter how much I tried to hide and suppress it, I had far too much lure.
If I met with him, I’d need to be careful how I enlisted his help.
Nerves twisted my stomach in knots as I finally responded to his text from earlier.
Me: I appreciate the offer. Would you have time to meet with me tomorrow?
Tegan: Just say the place and time, and I’ll be there.
The immediacy of his reply didn’t bode well for his safety.
With a sigh, I put my phone away and watched the dancers. The mass moved to the music in a mesmerizing way. I longed to join them and let myself forget for a while. But I knew better. My peers wouldn’t be laughing and having fun for long if I did. Or rather, they would, but not the same kind. Still, my fingers tapped the beat on the railing.
Fenris took that moment to look up at me. He smiled and waved for me to join them. Jenna glanced my direction and nodded.
I turned away from the railing and went to the bar for a carbonated drink instead. It wasn’t soda. Sugar in mass quantities wasn’t approved by the Council. The light, citrus drink helped distract from the taste in my mouth and gave me a reason to ignore Fenris and Jenna’s invitation.
Avoiding the railing and more eye contact, I leaned against the bar and glanced at Yem, who’d served at the Roost for as long as I could remember. While he was descended from the great Ymir, he wasn’t a frost giant like Adira. I suspected he was the type that had multiple heads because he always seemed to see everything. Yet, despite that ability, he rarely showed any interest in what the youth who frequented the Roost did.
“Aren’t you supposed to be mingling?” he asked, surprising me.
“Keeping tabs for Adira?”
He grunted and went back to washing glasses.
“Didn’t like the question or don’t like the answer?” I pressed.
He sighed and set the glass aside to meet my gaze.
“Both. We all have to do things we don’t like to get by in this world, little succubus. Fighting it just causes more misery.”
He plucked another glass from the suds. I opened my mouth to reply, but a familiar scent tickled my nose and stopped me.
Facing Fenris, I frowned at his playful smile.
“I’m not in the mood.”
