OLEANDER
Hex's eyes widened, genuine surprise flickering across his face as they locked onto mine. He frowned, clearly not expecting me to ask that.
"I'll prepare some food for you, Oleander. I know you must be famished. That terrible boy nearly starved you to death," his grandmother said.
My cheeks flushed. I wanted to tell her not to trouble herself, but a deep, insistent growl from my stomach stopped me.
It rumbled loudly, echoing through the room, and I winced, clutching it. There was no time for embarrassment, the ache demanded attention. And she got it.
Hex chuckled lightly and I glared at him.
"Well, that is my cue to hurry," she added. "Feel at home, sweetheart. Oh, and my name is Clarice. You can call me that."
I nodded, watching her move to the door, surprisingly spry for her age.
Once she was gone, I turned to Hex.
"Are you ever going to give me answers to all my questions?"
