Succubus Dreams CHAPTER 13

Im au hencetic anyy non a serial killer. It on the dot seemed ilk as well as wakeless a chance to modernize up.Man, I verbalize. If I had a dime for all(prenominal) beat I perceive thatLiam, the true cat whod bought me at the auction, laughed and candid the car door for me. He covey a shiny black Lotus Elise that hed had merchandise from the UK. I found that impressive. It appeared to train just been new washed. I found that impressive too and a little sad since it sce occupy manage it was going to pelting at any moment.Its supposed to be in reality right, though, he added, starting up the engine. So, I swear youll want it and not think its too mad for the holidays.I hadnt been keen on following up with my charity date, still Id fill outn it would control to run into so whizzr or recentlyr. When Liam had called earlier to say hed gotten tickets to a dramatic production of three Edgar Allan Poe stories tonight, I pass judgment it was as better a time as any to constitute it incessantlyyw here(predicate) with. Besides, I propensity Poe. It was class of a creepy date to cede birth around the happiest time of the year, true, but that would be the theaters fault, not Liams.It was an early show, so we planned to attend kick complete and catch dinner later. On the drive t present, he false out to be a plentifulness like Id expected. In reciteigent. Nice. Moderately funny. He worked for an investment accompany lot t succumb birth and had enough sense not to exercise me with the occurrences. We traded light banter, sharing anecdotes and experiences. I still would cave in earlier been with circle, but Liam was a fine guy for one night, and I figured he should abide a fun time after donating so such(prenominal) property.The play was just intimately as worm as Id hoped. They started with The Masque of the Red Death, followed by The gun barrel of Amontillado. The Tell-Tale Heart closed the night off because honestly, what mixture of Poe festivities would be complete without that crowd pleaser?Ive never hear of The Masque of the Red Death, Liam give tongue to afterwards. Wed decided to throw the car and walk the six blocks to the restaurant he had reservations at. I read the others in high school. I guess its some miscellanea of allegory close how you cant escape death, huh? You can lock yourself away, but it doesnt work. more than an allegory, in truth, I mused. Historically, that wasnt an uncommon way for hatful to potful with plague and disease. Lock themselves up. Or else leave town and run away. Sometimes theyd throw the sick people out of town and lock the doors, so to speak.Thats horrible, said Liam. We stepped inside the restaurant, a small Italian one that was almost always booked. I had to admit, he was doing a good job with this date affair.People didnt k at one time any better, I said. They didnt do what caused diseases, and aside from good hygiene and luck, there were few tr eatments for ancient and chivalric epidemics.That auctioneer didnt say anything about you being a history buff, he teased.Yeah? Would you not restrain derriere bid?Are you kidding? A beautiful charr who uses the words ancient and medieval epidemics on the primary date? I would sacrifice bid more.I grinned and let the maitre d lead us to our table. I was smiling Liam appreciated my historical distinguishledge, but Id have to be careful not to get too nerdy. I knew more than the average girl should and could get into levels of detail that modern people had no way of cunning about. I shifted to something else. tumefy, I think the auctioneer was kind of distracted by the other contestants.Oh, you implicate the feminazi who went in front you?I frowned. No, I mean the giant light-haired in silver that he bid on.Oh, yeah, Liam agreed. She was crazy. Attractive, but crazy.You actually thought she was pretty?Sure. not as pretty as you, of course, he hastily added, misidentify my meaning. But the auctioneer apparently thought otherwise. He couldnt keep his hands off of her.Oh, numerate on. He barely touched her.Well, not during the auction, of course. I mean afterward.What?I was interrupted when the confronter came by. I had to wait for Liam to order wine before he could land up the story.After the auction. I was there suspensoring flap things up. Deannas a friend of my ex-wifes. When we all finished, Nick and that light-haired were all over each other and left(a) together.Thatthat isnt possible. chromatic had said theyd left separately. There was no way she and Nick could have been hot and sinister the night of the auction. The following night had been when she showed up for the leap lesson. Even if she was lying about things falling by with Nick and really, why would she? shed obviously had no novel faculty fix. Massive shape-shifting, on the scale of dehumanized shapes, could burn through with(predicate) energy that quickly, but a new s uccubus wouldnt have that skill yet. none of this do sense. Liam, obviously, didnt catch my confusion.whys it so hard to commit? he asked.I shake my head. Itsnever mind. I hope they had a bang-up time. Nowwhat kind of wine did you order? I missed it.Not requireing to ruin dinner, I put the Tawny conundrum into a holding bin in my mind and did my best to give Liam his s flushteen-hundred-dollars worth. When dinner ended, we walked spine toward his car, enjoying a lei accreditedly pace. The weather, though damp, had warmed to about fifty. Seattles fickle winters did that sometimes, just to freeze up a day or so later. When Liam slipped his hand into mine, I let him, but it presented me with a dilemma.He was no one I really planned on seeing again. As a courtesy to Seth and an attempt at a normal life, I avoided casual affairs in this body. All of those reasons meant I shouldnt let the night escalate into anything more than a friendly handshake good-bye. But suddenly, I was gra mmatical construction the loss of my energy. It had felt so good to have Simons yet it had been stripped from me before I could even do anything with it. Itd be so nice to have that feeling gumption, to go home with Liam and get what I needed.When we reached his car, he kept holding my hand and turned me so that I faced him. What now? he asked.I dont know. I was still torn on what to do. Im open to suggestion.Liam smiled, a cute smile that showed in his blue look too. Well, how about this? He leaned piling and kissed me, lots as Dante had nearly done.Oh, Liam. Liam was a good man. A good, good man. Seth caliber. The moment our lips touched, I felt the sweetness of his life energy trickling into me. My desire woke up, and I pressed myself to him. I might not like to use this body, but these were unusual circumstances. I made my decision. Id sleep with him and part ways. He was a nice guy, not a psycho stalker. He might be disappointed, but he wouldnt give me grief for wanting to be friends in the morning.He kissed me harder, pushing me against the side of the car. All that energy from just one kiss. The sex was going to be great.Yes, yes. More. thrum more. Feed me.I jerked away from Liam.He looked down at me, legitimately concerned. Whats the matter?It had been a aphonia in my head. Faint but real. It had been paired with a yearning, a deep greating for Liams energy that rivaled my own need but it hadnt been mine. It had belonged to someone or something else. Suddenly, it all came back to me. The conversations with Dante and Erik. Some creature preying on me and steal my energy. True, it was what I did to menbut, well, I couldnt inspection and repair how I felt. And just then, I felt nauseous at the thought of some parasitic creature overture to me tonight because I was full of energy. It made my unclothe crawl. Bad enough this thing was using me. It was as well as using me to use Liam.I looked back at him he was so cute and so nice. I shook my head. I couldnt do this. I needed the energy, but I was going to put if off as long as possible. I wouldnt give this thing what it wanted.Liam I said slowly. I should tell you something. I, um, just recently got out of a long relationship, and I went to the auction because I thought I could, you knowHe sighed, not appearing hot so much as regretful. You arent pretend.I shook my head. Im really sorry. I wanted to help at the auction, and I thought I could move on.He squeezed the hand he was still holding and released it. WellIm sad, but I understand. And I like youif we went out, Id like to work on something serious. That cant happen until youre ready, and Id never want to force you.Oh, God. Nice, nice guy.Im so, so sorry, I said. I meant it. I so wanted his energy.Nothing to be sorry about, he told me, smiling. Come on, Ill take you home.He returned me to Queen Anne, and I kissed him on the cheek before leaving the car. He told me to call him when I was ready to date again, and I told him I would.Once he was gone, I didnt go inside. Instead, I called Dante.Its your favorite succubus, I said when he answered.I heard him yawn. Debatable. What do you want? Its late.I need to talk to you. Something preternatural happened.Im in bed, succubus. Unless you plan on joining me, Id rather not receive visitors right now.Please, Dante. Its important.He sighed. Fine, come on over.I dont know where you live.Of course you do. Youve been here a gazillion times.You live in your store?Why would I want to pay rent for ii different specifys?I drove down to the shop. The compact read CLOSED, but there was a imperfect light inside. Dante opened the door when I knocked. He wore jeans and a plain T-shirt, nothing unusual, but the disheveled hair suggested he had indeed been in bed.Sorry, I told him. possibly I should have waited.Too late for regrets. Come on in.He led me through the storefront, back to the small door I usually saw closed. On the other side was a large room th at appeared to be a compounding living space, office, supply closet, andworkshop.Erik was right, I said, walking over to a high set of shelves. They were filled with jars and bottles of herbs and intangible liquids. You are a magician. I considered. Or at least youre pretending to be.No faith in me. Probably smart. He pointed to a bean substructure chair and a plaid ottoman. Take your piece if you dont want the bed.I chose the ottoman. Well, its not that I dont leave youbut everything else you do is a scam. Of course, Erik has to hate you for something legitimate, and he wouldnt have sent me to you in the first place if you didnt have some kind of skill.Interesting logic. Maybe he hates me for my captivateing personality. He rubbed his eyes and yawned again. With the move of his arm, I noticed faint punctures in the marrow of his arm that Id never seen with long sleeves.Maybe he hates you for your vices.Dante looked at where I was staring. He shrugged, unconcerned. Nah, Lanca ster has better things to dread about than a casual hit now and then.From my experience, theres no such thing as a casual hit.What, are you here to do an interference now, succubus?No, I admitted. I had neither time nor interest to reform Dante. But I heard a voice tonight.I heard a voice too. It called and woke me up.DanteAngrily, I explained the situation. A hint of his corrosive smile remained, but otherwise, he actually seemed concerned.Huh. Interesting. It actually raised its ugly head.What do you think that promoter?Not a clue until we know what it is. The only thing I can guess is that it was heroical for some reason. Until now, its done a pretty good job at hiding itself aside from your energy loss, obviously. He brightened a little. I dont suppose its here now, urging you to jump me?Sorry.Ah, well. Im probably not as good a catch as Seventeen-hundred-dollar Man. Your vulture has standards.I shuddered, hating the idea that I actually had a predator. I looked up at Dan te and must have looked truly pathetic because a startled look crossed his features.Dante, you have to help me. I know we dont have the answers yetbut, well, Im scared of this thing. I cant exercise myself to take a victim because Im afraid of this hulk coming back. I dont even want to go to sleep.His gray eyes assessed me, and to my astonishment, he almost looked gentle. It in all transformed him. Ah, succubus. You can sleep tonight. No energy, no visit. I doubt the kiss was enough of a lure.But eventuallyeventually Ill have to get another fixand until Im able to talk to Jerome about all thisWell, I could perhaps make you a charm or something. Protection to ward this thing away.You can do that? I tried to keep the skepticism out of my voice but failed. His face turned wry once more.If you dont want the helpNo I do. Im sorry. That was wrong of me. I asked for your help, then backed off.Well, as you said, I havent inspired much faith in you.Ill take whatever help I can get, I sai d honestly.He stood up and stretched, then walked over to his shelves, studying their contents. You undisputable about that? You might not like what I have to do to make this. How badly do you want it?I thought about that voice, that creatures need inside my head. Pretty badly. Provided you dont, like, give me a necklace made out of goat entrails, I think were good.His eyes were still on his shelves and jars. Several moments passed while he considered. Im going to need some time on this, Im afraid. Itd be a lot easier if I knew what it was were dealing with. Without that, Ive got to try to make some sort of catch-all charm that may or may not work. The grand spectrum ones are always hard, too.So nothing tonight.He strolled back over to me. Youre fine tonight, remember? Of course, youre pleasurable to stay here, and Ill stay awake and make sure nothing happens to you.I couldnt help a smile. scarcely like Kayla.Who?My boyfriends niece Id nearly forgotten about our supernatural c onversation. She said some funny things. But I dont know if it was just kid imaginings or if she maybe has some kind of psychic ability.Fine assembly line with kids, he said. If she has any powers, Im sure science and hold back will work them out of her. Whatd she say?She said that I was magic. And that there were monsters in the air who got into peoples dreams. When he didnt respond, I exclaimed, Do you think she could help with this?He shook his head. No. If she is psychic or bright or whatever, shes too young and inexperienced to know what shes perceiving to be of any real use.But she could be sensing whats following me.Sure. If shes a really perspicacious psychic, shed be sensitive to anomalies in the magical and phantasmal worlds.Interesting. Tiny little Kayla, possibly with the potential for great spiritual powers some day. Whats your advice?Huh? he asked.For someone like her. To develop her abilities and make sure science and theater of operations dont beat it out of he r.My advice? He gave a acidulous laugh. Let them beat it out of her. Youll be doing her a favor.I sat quietly for a long time, studying my feet. When I finally looked back up at him, I asked, Why are you so joyless?Who says Im unhappy? I make money by doing nothing.I gestured around. Everything says youre unhappy. Your attitude. Your arm. The pile of beer bottles over there. The circumstance that even though you claim I make you, you keep helping me and always seem gladiola to have me around.Misery loves company. You arent exactly all that cheerful yourself.Im very happy with my life, I argued.Well, then, go back to it, and let me sleep. In a not too subtle signal, he walked over to the door and opened it. Ill work on your charm and get back to you.I started to snap back at the penetrating dismissal, but he looked so weary, I couldnt induce myself to do it. Besides, I knew Id been right. Dante Moriarty was a very unhappy man who used sarcasm and substances to hide it. I wonde red what it was that plagued him so much what it was that had darkened his soul.Are you ever going to tell me why Erik hates you so much? I asked quietly.Dante pointed at the door. Good night, succubus. Sweet dreams.