Pine Tree Mary

Chapter 2-1

Chapter 2

Hush stared at the white walls of the room. He wasn’t entirely sure where he was or why, but if he didn’t get to feed soon, he’d fade away and be no longer. That man, he hadn’t given Hush his name, had ruined everything. At least Diamond had gotten away.

Tripping a human with his tail was not something he’d normally risk—too dangerous if they realized what he was. But, he’d had to do something, and he didn’t think the man understood what had happened.

The room was cold and bright enough to hurt his eyes. He needed to get back to the forest, he needed to feed, he needed—

The door opened and the blond man walking in smiled at him. Had he possessed the power, he’d move away from the chair he was seated on, but his legs failed him.

“Hello, I’m Detective Kyle Jacobs.” He smiled again and Hush sensed the falseness behind it. Petal often looked like the sweetest spirit out there, her smile melted hearts and loosened belts, but there was venom on her tongue. Hush didn’t have enough energy preserved to handle either venom or disappointment.

He didn’t have enough energy for anything.

The other man had stolen his last chance to feed. The slow trickle of arousal he’d sensed in the clearing was too faint and it wasn’t directed at him. Arousal focused elsewhere wasn’t enough to sustain him for more than the briefest time. It was why pine tree Marys caused misfortune and unhappiness to those men who changed their desires to someone else. Hush found his sisters to be on the harsh side when it came to punishment, but he understood. Loss of desire could lead to their death.

“I understand Detective Manning found you in a bit of a jam earlier.” The man smiled again. Solstice would’ve liked him, and he would’ve liked her. And if they met, he’d be caught for life. Hush wouldn’t wish that upon his worst enemy. The trapping ability was one he didn’t possess, another flaw, but even if he’d had it he doubted he could’ve used it. Stealing someone’s will wasn’t something he’d ever want to do.

The room spun, hunger pangs racked his body, and he swayed while still sitting down. His tail dropped down below the hem of the skirt. It didn’t take more than a fraction of a second for him to gain control over it, and he hoped the quick intake of breath coming from the man was a coincidence.

He steeled himself for what would come and looked into the man’s eyes.

“Are you all right?” The blond, Hush couldn’t remember his name, sent a worried look at the mirror. “Should I call a doctor?”

Doctor? Hush tried to remember what a doctor was. Human healer. He shook his head. Clover would have him in the pillory for a week if he exposed himself. That a few humans knew of hulders was bad enough, if the world learned there was such an abomination as a male hulder all hell would break loose. He’d never understood why, but it was what his sisters had told him. Pine tree Marys were female, end of story.

“Can I offer you a cup of coffee, or maybe you’d want something to eat?”

Hush ignored him.

With a sigh the man launched into a speech about how he was there to help him but how he couldn’t unless Hush told him what had happened. After each sentence he waited for a few seconds to see if Hush would answer—he didn’t. He didn’t have time for this, he needed away from here.

He needed North.

It had been months since Diamond had brought him, but he was the only one who gave him enough energy.

“North.”

The blond froze. “Justin North?”

Justin who? “Just North.” His body shook from the exhaustion of sitting upright.

“Dale Dace’s North.”

Hush closed his eyes. He would die here.

“Hey, buddy.” The man tapped his hands. “Diamond’s North?”

“Yes.” Hush nodded, hoping they would get him. There were many humans living in Fagerdal but surely they knew North. Diamond was a powerful man, and these men were powerful too. That they appeared to be enemies wasn’t good, but maybe they could bargain. Diamond always bargained.

“I’ll bless your gun if you give me North.”

The man blinked, looked at the mirror on the wall, and back at Hush. “What?”

“I’ll bless—” The door was yanked open and the man from the clearing stomped inside.