Succubus Shadows Chapter 2

I tossed and turned the simpleness of the night. Being visited by a weird supernatural impression impart do that to you. Be berths, I had neer intacty rec everyw hereed from the metre an ber-powerful entity of chaos had merged with me in my calm and sucked onward my energy. Her name was Nyx, and last Id perceive, she was imprisoned. Still, what shed done to me and what shed shown me had left a tenacious impression. The fact that roman letters couldnt identify what had happened tonight was a little unnerving.So, I woke up bleary-eyed, sporting a massive psycheache that was probably fair to middling parts hangover and sleep deprivation. Succubi had the rapid healing that all idols possessed, which meant I must have seriously screwed myself up to have these lingering effects. I knew the headache would pass soon, but I took close to ibuprofen to divine service the process.The condo was quiet when I shuffled into the kitchen, and despite my efforts to clean up the nutri ent last night, I was unagitated surrounded in the tattered and worn feel that followed most parties. Godiva, curled up on the indorse of the couch, upraised her head at my arrival, but Aubrey continued sleeping undisturbed in her spot on an armchair. I started some c withdrawee and past wandered over to my patio, staring out at the sunny day and the Seattle skyline on the other side of the gray-blue water stretching moody before me.A familiar sensation suddenly swept me, like brimstone and voluptuary needles. I sighed.Kind of early for you, isnt it? I ingested, not needing to turn round to know Jerome, arch teras of the greater Seattle area and my hellish boss, stood behind me.Its noon, Georgie, he replied dryly. The rest of the world is up and nearly.Its Saturday. The laws of cartridge holder and space are diffe take up today. noon qualifies as early.I turned around at last, largely because Id heard the hot chocolate-maker finish. Jerome was leaning against my kitchen wall, immaculately typeseted as always in a black designer suit. Also, like always, the demon looked exactly like a circa 1990s version of John Cusack. He could appear as anything or anyone he wanted in this world, but for reasons he kept vague, Mr. Cusack was his favorite(a)(a) shape. Id gotten so used to it that whenever Say Anything or Grosse Pointe Blank came on TV, I always had to pause and ask myself, Whats Jerome doing in this movie?I poured a cup of coffee and held up the pot by way of invitation. Jerome shake his head. I suppose, he said, your roommate is likewise being a indolence and isnt actually out stockning errands?Thatd be my guess. I doused my coffee liberally with vanilla creamer. I used to kind of hope that when he wasnt around, it meant he was out looking for a job. Turns out I was just prospect myself up for disappointment.Honestly, I was glad it was papist that Jerome had succeed to see. When Jerome was looking for me, no nigh(a) ever came of it. It always tended to result in some traumatic, world-threatening resolution in the immortal underground.I trudged back across the living room, noting that the cats had disappeared upon Jeromes arrival. umber still in hand, I headed to papists room, knocking once before break the door. I figured as landlady, I had that right. Also, Id ensnare Roman had a remark equal to(p) energy to foreshorten knocking for large amounts of time.He was sprawled across his bed, wearing completely a pair of navy blue underdrawers that gave me pause. As Id noted before, he was terribly good-looking, despite the prickly stead hed had since moving in. Seeing him half-dressed always gave me a weird flashback to the one time wed slept together. Then, Id have to re legal opinion myself that he was probably plotting how to kill me. It went a ache way to stifle any residual lust.Romans arm covered his eye against the sun weightlessness streaming through his window. He shifted, moving the arm slightly, a nd peered at me with one eye. Its early, he said.Not according to your exalted sire.A few seconds passed, and then he grimaced as he too sensed Jeromes immortal signature. With a sigh, Roman sat up, pausing to rub his eyes. He looked about as exhausted as I felt, but if there was one force in this world that could drag him out of bed after a late night, it was my boss no matter Romans bold claims from last night. He staggered to his feet and moved past me in the doorway.Arent you going to get dressed? I exclaimed.Romans only answer was a disinterested wave of his hand as he headed depressedwards the hall. I followed him back and discovered Jerome pouring himself a mug of some vodka leftover from last night. Well, it was five oclock somewhere. He bowlegged an eyebrow when he saw Romans scantily clad state.Nice of you to dress up.Roman made a beeline for the coffee. Only the best for you, Pop. Besides, Georgina likes it.A mo of heavy silence followed as Jeromes dark eyes studied Roman. I knew goose egg about Romans mother, but Jerome was the demon who had fathered him thousands of years ago. Technically, Jerome had been an angel at the time, but making the moves on a human had got him fired from heaven and sent off to work for those down below. No severance package.Roman occasionally made snide comments about their familial relationship, but Jerome never acknowledged it. In fact, according to both Heaven and Hells rules, Jerome should have blest Roman from the earth ages ago. Angels and demons considered nephilim unnatural and wrong and continually attempted to escape them to extinction. It was kind of harsh, even with the sociopathic tendencies nephilim tended to have. Roman had been instrumental in save Jerome recently, however, and the two had struck a deal that brooked Roman to live peacefully in Seattle for now. If any of Jeromes colleagues undercoat out about this illicit arrangement, there would literally be hell to pay for all of us. A goo d succubus would have told on her rule-breaking boss.So what brings you here? asked Roman, pulling up a chair. Want to toss the old football around?Jeromes brass section remained impassive. I have a job for you.Like one that pays the rent? I asked hopefully.Like one that ensures Ill continue to allow him to live in the lifestyle hes accustomed to, replied Jerome.Roman had an amused, devil-may-care smile on his gift that was typical of him, but I wasnt fooled. He knew the threat Jerome represented and also knew that part of their deal involved Roman doing errands for his father. Still, Roman made a good show of acting like he was the one doing Jerome a favor. The nephilim gave an unconcerned shrug.Sure. Ive got nothing else going on today. Whats up?We have a new immortal visitor in town, said Jerome. If Romans attitude crocked him, the demon was just as good at m enquire his feelings. A succubus.My removed, psychological study of father and son dynamics came to a shrieking halt. What? I exclaimed, straightening up so quickly that I nearly spilled my coffee. I thought we were set after Tawny.Id worked the succubus scene solo around here for years until Jerome had acquired another one several months ago. Her name was Tawny, and spell she was annoying and pretty inept as succubi went, there was still something sort of endearing about her. Fortunately, Jerome had sent her off to Bellingham, keeping her a easygoing hour-and-a-half drive from me.Not that its any of your business, Georgie, but this ones not here to work. Shes hereas a visitor. On vacation. Jeromes lips twisted with bitter amusement.Roman and I exchanged looks. Immortals could certainly take personal vacations, but clearly, there was to a greater extent than to this.And? asked Roman. Shes really here because?Because Im sure my superiors want to check up on me after the recentincident.His words were delicate, with a very subtle archetype not to elaborate on said incident. It was the one Roman a nd I had rescued him from a summoning that had imprisoned Jerome as part of a demonic power play. Letting yourself get summoned was embarrassing for a demon and could call his territorial control into question. Hell sending someone to play along the situation wasnt that crazy.You think shes spying to see if you can still express things? asked Roman.Im certain of it. I want you to follow her around and see who she reports back to. Id do it myself, but its better if I dont appear suspicious. So I need to stay visible.Lovely, said Roman, voice as dry as his fathers. thithers nothing I want to do more than trail a succubus around.From what I hear, youre pretty good at it, I piped in. It was true. Roman had stalked me invisibly a number of clock. Lesser immortals like me couldnt wipe out the telltale signature that wreathed all of us, but Roman had inherited that ability from Jerome, making him the perfect spy.Roman shot me a wry look, then turned back to Jerome. When do I start?Imm ediately. Her name is Simone, and shes staying down at the Four Seasons. Go there and see what she does. Mei will relieve you off and on. Mei was Jeromes second-in-command demon.The Four Seasons? I asked. Is Hell nonrecreational for that? I mean, were in a recession. Jerome sighed. Hells never in a recession. And I didnt think your droll commentary started until after youd finished your coffee.I showed him my cup. It was empty.Jerome sighed again and then vanished without warning. He apparently had no doubts that Roman would follow his orders.Roman and I stood there for several quiet seconds, during which both cats resurfaced. Aubrey rubbed against Romans bare leg, and he scratched her head.Guess I should consume and get dressed, he said at last, rising to his feet.Dont trouble yourself, I said. And wont you be invisible anyway?He turned his back to me and walked off down the hallway. I was thinking of dropping off some job applications when Mei gives me a break.Liar, I said. I do nt think he heard.It wasnt until the shower kicked on that I realized I should have asked Jerome about that weird sensation last night. It was so unusual I didnt even know how to describe it. The more I pondered it, the more I wondered if it had been alcohol-induced. Admittedly, Roman claimed hed sensed something, but hed drank as much as me.And speaking of jobsmy kitchen clock was telling me I needed to head off to mine. One thing about this condo was that the skyline view had have it away at the cost of work convenience. My old apartment had been in fagot Anne, the same neighborhood that Emerald City Books and Caf? resided in. I used to be fit to walk to work, but that was impossible from West Seattle, meaning I had to allow commuting time.Unlike Roman, I had no need to physically shower and change not that I wouldnt have liked to. I found human routines comforting. A brief burst of succubus shape-shifting cleaned me up, putting me in a work-appropriate peach sundress and arr anging my light brown hair into a loose bun. Roman didnt surface before I had to leave, so I grabbed another cup of coffee and left him a note asking if it would kill him to take out the garbage before he went off to play secret agent.My headache and the last effects of the hangover were gone by the time I walked into the store. It was abuzz with late afternoon shoppers, hatful out running Saturday errands and tourists who had wandered over from the Space Needle and Seattle Center down the street. I dropped my purse off in my office and then did a managerial sweep of the store, satisfied that everything was running smoothly until I observe we had a line of eight people and only one cashier.why are you alone? I asked Beth. She was a long-time employee and a good one, reply my question without even looking up from her customers order.Gabrielles on break, and Doug isntfeeling well.Memories of the vodka rival came back to me. I grimaced, feeling both guilty and smug. Where is he? everywhere in erotica.I felt my eyebrows rise but said nothing as I turned away and walked across the store. Our small erotica section was bizarrely stuffed in in the midst of automotive and animals (amphibians, to be precise). And crammed in between the two shelves of the erotica section was Doug, sitting on the floor with his head resting facedown on his knees. I knelt beside him.Hair of the dog time? I asked.He lifted his head and brushed black hair out of his face. His conceptualisation was miserable. You cheated. Youre like half my size. How are you not in a swooning?Older and wiser, I said. If only he knew just how old. I took direct of his arm and tugged it. Come on. Lets go to the caf? and get you some water.For a moment, he looked like hed resist, but a valiant effort soon followed. He even managed not to stagger too much as I led him to the stores second floor, which was half books and half coffee shop.I grabbed a bottle of water, told the barista Id pay for it later, and started to drag Doug to a chair. As I scanned around, I nearly came to a halt, causing poor Doug to stumble. readiness was sitting at a table, laptop spread open in front of him. This was his favorite place to write, which had been nice when we dated and now wasawkward. Maddie sat with him, purse in hand and light coat on. I recalled that we started at the same time today. She must have just arrived.They waved us over, and she gave her brother a chastising look. Serves you right.Doug took a long gulp of water. Whatever happened to sisterly love?I still havent forgiven you for the time you shaved my dachshund.That was like twenty years ago. And that little peter had it coming.I smiled out of habit. Doug and Maddies bantering was usually must-see TV for me. Today, Seth held my oversight. It had been easier to ignore him last night while in the throes of alcohol, easy to pretend Id grudgingly accepted him moving on to Maddie. that now, in the cold light of sobriety, I felt tha t old ache stir within my chest. I swore I could smell the scent of his skin, his sweat mingled with the woodsy apple guck he used. Sunlight from the caf?s large windows infused his messy brown hair with copper, and I could perfectly recall what it had been like to stroke the lines of his face, the smooth skin of his focal ratio cheek and stubble on his chin.Looking up to his eyes, I was surprise to see his attention on me as the siblings continued their playful bickering. Id just about convinced myself last night that he only thought of me as a friend, but nownow I wasnt so sure. There was something warm there, something considering. Something I knew shouldnt be there. I suddenly had a pussyfoot suspicion that he might be remembering the handful of times wed had sex. I was thinking of it too. My powers had been shut off when Jerome disappeared, and Seth and I had been able to have safe by which I meant, no succubus side effects sex.Except for one. Hed still been dating Maddie at the time, and cheating on her had tainted his soul with sin. That was worse than if Id sucked his energy away. As of this moment, Seth was a Hell-bound soul. He didnt realize that, but regret for betraying her was part of what had spurred him to a precipitate engagement. He felt he owed her.The guilt forced me to look away from him, and I noticed then that Maddie and Doug had stopped their arguing. Maddie was glancing over at the coffee counter, but Dougs eyes were on me. They were bloodshot and weary, with heavy dark circles. But in the midst of that miserable, hungover lookthere was a glint of something baffle and surprised.Work time, said Maddie cheerfully, stand up up. She poked her brothers shoulder, making him wince and turn his attention from me. I was glad. You going to survive your last couple hours?Yeah, he muttered, drinking more water.Go count inventory in the back, I told him, standing as well. I dont want customers thinking our staff cant hold their liquor. The yd be over at the chain stores so fast, it wouldnt even be funny.Maddies lips quirked into a smile as her brother wearily rose to his feet. Hey, Georgina. Do you mind if Doug and I switch shifts on Tuesday? I need to go run some wedding errands during business hours.Doug cut her a look. When were you going to ask if I minded?Sure, I said, trying not to wince at the word wedding. You can work the night shift with me.You want to come along? she asked. You said you would.I did?Last night.I frowned. God only knew how many promises Id made and had now forgotten, thanks to vodka and weird magical forces. Vaguely, I recalled her showing me wedding pictures. I think I have some errands of my own to run.One of the places is right around the corner from you, she urged.Maddie, said Seth hastily, clearly as uncomfortable with this change of topic as I was. If shes busy You cant be busy all day, Maddie begged. Please?I knew it was disastrous, knew it would be courting heart-ache and trouble. Bu t Maddie was my friend, and the pleading look in her eyes did something to my insides. It was guilt, I realized. Guilt over how Seth and I had betrayed her. Her expression now was full of such faith and hope in me me, the best friend she had in Seattle and the only one she believed could help her plan this wedding.Which is why I found myself agreeing, just as I had last night. Only this time, I had no alcohol to blame. Okay.Guilt was probably the worst culprit of all when it came to dense behavior.