“And I’m pretty sure fried griffin doesn’t taste like fried chicken, Megan,” I mumbled.
At the sound of Oanen’s chuckle, I whirled to face the door.
“You talk to yourself a lot.”
“All the sane people do.”
“People talk to themselves about how much they want to taste their boyfriends?”
My insides exploded with heat.
“It’s okay, Megan,” he said with a slow smile. “I want to taste you again, too.”
The heat grew worse, and I could smell the wood under my feet.
“New rule. You can’t sleep in my bed unless I’m already sleeping.” I lifted my arm and pointed to the hall. “You’re in the guest room until you hear me snoring.”
“You don’t snore.”
“Then you’ll be waiting a long time.”
He grinned, pulled me close to give me a quick kiss, then left the room.
“You’re hot, Megan. But, nothing I can’t handle,” he called.
I shook my head and crawled under my covers. The smell of smoldering fabric surrounded me as I tried to calm my breathing.
“Sleeping yet?” Oanen asked from the other room.
“Go to sleep, Oanen.”
Fifteen
A note and a packed lunch waited for me on the table when I came downstairs. Although his thoughtfulness warmed me, I would have rather had him present. Waking up alone in the bed had been a relief and a disappointment at the same time. But, the dual dents in my pillow and lack of charred sheets had helped ease some of the disappointment.
Grabbing the lunch, I headed out the door. I had no plans to spend the day stuck inside the library like Adira wanted. The time for patience was done. I wanted answers, and I wanted them now. The school was full of people who had grown up in Uttira. One of them was bound to know something about oracles. I should have asked Oanen last night, but the drama of us had gotten in the way.
Eliana was waiting for me when I pulled into the parking lot.
“Just the girl I wanted to see,” I said, opening the door.
“Me too. Oanen said that he wouldn’t be here today. I’m excited he’s finally giving me a turn.”
“You know you can hang out with us, too, right?”
“No way. Eew.” She scrunched up her nose at me.
“Why not?”
“With what you two are giving off each time you look at each other, do you really want me to turn into a black-eyed crush muncher and start feeding off my pseudo brother?”
“Point taken. Sorry I didn’t think of that sooner. You should come over tonight. I’ll tell Oanen to take a hike.”
Eliana laughed.
“Like he’d ever listen. You’re officially in bonded-male griffin territory. There’s no way he’s going to let you alone for any significant amount of time.”
“He’s gone now,” I said with a wry grin.
“He is. And I’m betting you have something planned that will probably upset him when he’s back.”
“Not really. I just want to find an oracle.”
Eliana shook her head.
“Do you even know what an oracle is?” she asked.
“Yes. Someone with answers. Who do you think would know anything about oracles? Like are oracles still alive? Where do they live? Is there one in Uttira?
“Well, Fenris was a good place to start last time,” she said.
A thread of annoyance wormed its way up my spine a moment before a laugh interrupted our conversation.
“Like wolf boy would know anything about an oracle.”
I turned to look at the girl. Her hair was a familiar mermaid green, which I tried not to hold against her.
“And you do?” I asked.
She smiled, showing a sharp row of small teeth.
“I do. I know a lot actually.”
I let my doubt show on my face.
“Okay. What do you know?”
A hard light came into her eyes.
“Oh, it’s not going to work like that, sweet fish. You want information; I want something in return.”
Her attitude was starting to annoy me.
“You took what was mine,” she said. “I want it back.”
I frowned. Confused.
“I haven’t taken anything.”
Any hint of humor left her expression.
“You took my human and kicked me in the face.”
Anger lit inside of me. This was the same mermaid? The one who’d tried to kill Ashlyn, and the one who’d watched Oanen and me at the pool? I fisted my hand.
Eliana’s fingers immediately closed over mine, and some of the building rage left me.
“What exactly are you saying?” I asked. “That you want Ashlyn back in exchange for information that you may or may not have?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“You’re sick in the head. There’s no way I’m handing over a human. Ever.”
“Suit yourself.” She smirked and continued on into the school.
I glanced at Eliana.
“Are you going to need to wear me like a backpack today?” she asked.
“Maybe. How much do you weigh?”
She grinned but didn’t let go of my hand as we started toward the school.
The loud rev of an engine and the spray of gravel had us both turning in time to see Fenris pull up. He was missing his usual her-herd. He spotted us before he even turned off the car and waved for us to wait.
His easy jog in our direction caught the eye of just about every female still lingering in the parking lot.
“Ladies. This is a sight. Tell me there’s more after the hand holding.”
I rolled my eyes, and Eliana released my hand.
“There might be. Someone trashed my car again last night.” I pointed at the long scratches.
Fenris frowned and went over to inspect the paint. He sniffed a few times and shook his head in disgust.
“It’s not the same person. I’ll find out who it is, though.”
“Thanks. This time let me do some talking, will you?”
He grinned widely. “Only if I get a hug.”
I opened my arms and wasn’t surprised to find myself pressed chest to chest with him before I could blink. He stuck his nose in my hair, breathed deeply, and made a quiet sound of disappointment before pulling away.
I tried not to smirk as he took my hand and lifted it to his mouth for an old-fashioned back-of-the-hand knuckle kiss.
“You need to work on your hugging skills,” he told me.
“Thanks for the tip. I’m sure Eliana will be happy to help me today, though. You just get me a name.”
“I’m on it, my wrath goddess.”
I grinned and watched him jog away. When I looked at Eliana, I found her watching me.
“What?” I asked.
“I think he’s trying to cause trouble between you and Oanen. Oanen’s going to smell him on you.”
“As you pointed out, Oanen’s not here today.”
She shook her head, and we walked inside, joining the masses in the halls.
“So why do you need to know about oracles?” she asked.
“Because I’m tired of bullshit answers.”
Eliana laughed.
“That’s all everyone here does. Why do you think an oracle would be any different?”
She had me there. But that didn’t change my plan. I asked everyone during our first session. Some gave me looks like I’d dropped a silent bomb in class. Some sniggered and smirked but said nothing. The second session wasn’t much different. I even asked Professor Flavian.
“Megan, oracles are dangerous creatures. It would be a better use of your time here if you returned to your studies in the library.”
“Nope. It wouldn’t. Been there. Read that. I need answers, and no one here wants to give them.”
“I’m sorry, Megan. I can’t help you.”
“You won’t help me. There’s a difference.”
I walked out of the room and straight into Eliana.
“I heard,” she said.
“It’s really starting to piss me off. You want lunch?”
She gave me a startled look then quickly hugged me. I laughed and hugged her back. My frustration immediately faded.
“That’s not what I meant, but I’ll take it.”
“Oh, you meant–”
“Now this is what I like to see,” Fenris said from behind Eliana. “Can I get in on that?”
Eliana pulled away and gave Fenris a scolding look. “I think you’ve hugged Megan enough. She’s with Oanen, and you know it. Stop trying to cause trouble.”
He gave her his best boyish smile.
“Does that mean you’ll give me a hug instead?”
Eliana shook her head and turned to me.
“Ready for lunch?”