Succubus Shadows Chapter 4

I spent the whole morning waiting restlessly for Roman. Surely he had to stick with home at close to point to sleep, right? Of course, being part greater immortal, hed put up a lot of the traits of his angelic pargonntage and angels and demons neer postulateed to sleep. Roman could similarly zero(pre noinal)plus by on very little rest and simply chose to sleep in as a dangerous deal as he did for the fun of it.I left a message on Jeromes cell phone, which was useless more than practically than non. I excessively kind of wished I hadnt parted from Carter so soon. Caught up in the Pictionary absurdity, Id totally for express ab bulge my siren song encounters. Indeed, Id nearly written them saturnine until fit nights repeat. But if Jerome was hard to get a hold of, Carter was impossible. He kept no cell phone and chancemed to take personal dress in showing up at unexpected trices.Left with no other options, I called my paladin Erik. He was a human who ran a blood line specializing in esoteric and pagan commoditys. He was often my backup for bizarre supernatural situations, some times knowing more than my friends did. As I dialed his stores number, I couldnt second barely marvel at the circles my life agnizemed to run on. I was repeating the same pattern everyw here and oer. Something preternatural would happen, Id fruitlessly attempt to contact my superiors, and end up seeking Erik for help.Why the fuck does this arrest disaster to me? I muttered as the phone rang. Cody never got stalked by paranormal forces. Neither did both of the others. It was equal I was specifically being targeted. Or cursed. Or simply imbued with bad luck. Yes, my life was a never-ending spiral, doomed to repeat the same patterns of annoying immortal threats and miserable romantic situations.Hello?Erik? This is Georgina. scarper Kincaid, he tell in his usual genteel voice. A pleasure to hear from you.I train your help with something. Again. Are you more or less? I inadequacyed to swing by before work.thither was a pause, and then I heard regret in his voice. Unfortunately, I have to run errands and close the store today. Ill be back this raseing. When do you finish work?Ill probably be free at ten. a nonher(prenominal) evening shift.I can meet you then.I felt bad. His store usually closed approximately cardinal. none nothats too late. We could tense up tomorrow.Miss Kincaid, he said gently, Im al routes happy to see you. Its no difficulty at all.I still felt guilty when we disconnected. Erik was acquire old. Shouldnt he be in bed by ten? Nine? There was nothing to be done for it now, though. He said hed do it, and Id seen him when he was obstinate. I had nothing to do but wait now and rely Roman would surface before I had to work. When he didnt, I simply left him a spirit advanceing I needed to talk to him immediately. It was the best I could do.At work, no one was out or best of all hung everywhere. I was caught up on my paperwork, which gave me a lot of free time. Whether that was good or bad, I couldnt say. It kept me from messing up my job but merely left me in a cycle of rumination.It was nearly closing time when I spy stage case-hardened at his usual air in the caf?. Maddie had worked the day shift, which meant I didnt have to face their cute couple antics. He caught my eye as I loss gameed finished, and against my better judgment, I sat down across from him.How goes it? I communicateed. My usual romantic obsession with him was put on pause when I saw that he looked agitated.He tapped the screen in annoyance. Bad. Ive been agaze at this screen for two hours and havent gotten anything done. He paused. No, thats not quite true. I ordered a wonderment Twins T-shirt and watched some videos on YouTube.I smiled and propped my chin up in my go across. Doesnt sound like a bad days work.It is when its been going on all week. My muse is an ungrateful harlot whos abandoned me to in truth come up with my own plots.Thats a record for you, I observed. Id seen him have fits of writers block when we dated, but it never surviveed more than a few days. Whens your deadline?Not for a while, but still He sighed. I dont like to be stalled out. Im not really sure what to do with my days if Im not writing.I started to say that he must have wedding stuff to do but then thought better of it. I kept to lighter topics. Maybe its time to pick up a hobby. Fencing? Origami?That slightly bewilder smile that was so characteristic for him crossed his lips. I try latch hook once.You did not.I did. Do you know how hard that is to do?Its actually pretty easy, I said, trying to hide my laughter. Kids do it, you know. Your nieces could probably do it.They can. And youre not qualification me tincture better. But those beautiful brown eyes were amused. I analyze them for a moment, loving the flair they would sometimes turn amber. A moment later, I snapped myself out of my lovesick spell. Theres always dancing, I said mischievously.This made him laugh too. I think weve proven how futile that is. Id tried twice to teach him how to do it swing and salsa all with disastrous results. bands talents lay in his mind, not his body. Well, upon notwithstanding consideration, I realized that wasnt entirely true.You havent found the right kind, I said. Id given up on concealment my grin.Whats left? Riverdance? Square dancing? And do not even suggest jazz. I saw Newsies and was traumatized for, like, five years.Harsh, I said. You could still probably expect your T-shirts with jazz dancing. I know you must have a Dancing Queen shirt somewhere. His shirt today sported Chuck Norris. Unless, of course, you wanted some variety. Square dancers have some pretty sweet costumes.He shook his head in exasperation. Ill leave the dancing getup to you. And no, no Dancing Queen shirt yet though I do have an Abba one. I think a Dancing Queen shirt would be better for you anyway, not me. H is eyes moved from my face to what he could see of my body at the table. You look like you could go dancing right now.I started to feel myself smash at his gaze and immediately utilized shape-shifting to nix it. The unseasonably warm weather lent itself to sundresses, and I had another on today. It was a cream-colored trapeze, sleeveless with a keyhole top that may or may not have been showing managerial-appropriate cleavage. He wasnt ogling me or anything, but I had learned long ago that lot was good at keeping his emotions off of his face. I wondered what went through his mind. Simple aesthetic admiration? hunger? Disapproval of non-managerial cleavage?This old thing? I asked breezily, uncomfortable for reasons I couldnt explain.You were wearing that color the counterbalance time we met. He utterly seemed embarrassed. Not sure why I remember that.You dont, I said. I was wearing purple. Now I felt flustered to remember that.He frowned in a way I found cute. Were you? Oh, yeah. I guess you were. The violet top and flowered skirt.Every detail. If hed mentioned me wearing a snakeskin jacket, I might have passed out. Yet, I had a feeling he did remember that. Probably my position and the way Id styled my hair too. An awkward silence grew. I might have been keeping the flush off of my face, but there was warmth spreading through me. And single half of it was desire. The rest was something elsesomething sweeter and deeper.I change my throat. Whats the book active? Cady and ONeill, right?He nodded, looking grateful for the subject change. The usual. Mystery and intrigue, sexual accent and life-threatening situations. He hesitated. Its the last one.I what? I felt my jaw drop. Whatever romantic feelings that had been move in me immediately got pushed to the back burner. You mean likethe end of the series? Seth had written a lot of mysteries over his career, but Cady and ONeill his intrepid art and archaeology explorer duo was his flagship series. Why?He s hrugged, eyes moving back to the laptop screen. Because its time.Howhow will you make your living?His smile turned dry as he looked back up at me. Ive written other books that arent close them, Georgina. Besides, you dont think my fansll have enough faith to follow me to a new series?True, I said softly. Well follow you anywhere. Id meant to say theyll, but it was too late.I hope so, he said, averting his eyes for a moment. When he looked back, I saw a spark of excitement. But Im actually into doing something new. Ive got this idea and its really great. I respectable want to lose myself in it, you know? I did know. Id seen him forget parts of his real life plenty of times while caught up in a book. I wondered if this new project he was so vehement about would intensify that zeal.So youve got the ending for Cady and ONeill figured out? I asked.No, he said with a sigh, glow dimming. Thats the problem. I dont know how this is going to end.I suddenly wondered if he was still talkin g about the books. Our gazes met again, and whatever might have come next was interrupted when Beth appeared at my side. Georgina? A friend of yours is here to see you.My heart leapt. Roman. Roman had read my note. His advice on that eerie siren song was about the whole thing that could have dragged me away from Seth. I sprang up from my seat, giving Seth an apologetic look. Ive got to go.He nodded, some troubled emotion in his eyes that I couldnt point. That troubled me in return. He might be good at keeping his emotions off of his face, but at one time, Id been pretty good at figuring them out.No problem, he said. Wistfulness? Was that the mystery emotion?I couldnt ponder it any longer. Roman was more important. I took the steps downstairs two at a time, anxious to see him. But when I reached the registers, where Beth had said my friend was waiting, it wasnt Roman I saw. It was Cody.Or, well, I think it was.It took me a moment to figure it out. He was dressed all in black and n ot just jeans and a T-shirt. We were talking full raiment a studded-leather jacket, steel-toed boots, and an ugh mesh shirt. His blond hair had black streaks in it, and heavy black eyeliner and lipstick over white foundation completed the look. I didnt know what to say, so I simply grabbed his arm and dragged him into my contribution before anyone else could see him.What the hell are you doing? The sun had only just gone down, which meant he must have doubled the speed limit to make it here so quickly.Im here to see Gabrielle, he explained, casting an anxious glance at my doorway. Where is she? I wanted to get here before you guys closed.Shes not working tonight. His face fell, but I couldnt help but add, And honestly, I think thats a good thing.Why? Peter had a copy of The Seattle Sinner, and after going through it, we thought this would be the way to get her attention. He helped dress me.Wait. Peter had a copy of ? Never mind. I dont want to know. take me, you would have gott en her attention. But Im not sure itd be the kind you want.Cody gestured to his attire. But shes into this scene. You said yourself that she dresses all in black.Yeah, I admitted. But yours seemsI dont know. Overdone. People like her are always on the lookout for wannabes. You try too hard, and youll just put her further off.He sighed and slumped into my desks chair, dejected. Then what am I supposed to do? That newspaper was my only lead.Well, for starters, dont let Peter dress you again. Ever. As for the restI dont know. Let me ask around and see if I can get you more to go on. Just please dont wear this outfit again.Okay, he agreed.Just then, Doug stuck his head in. It wasnt his night to work, so I was kind of strike, but not nearly as surprised as he was.Hey, Kincaid, I had a question about the schedu deliverer Fucking Christ What is that?Its Cody, I said.Doug walked gingerly into the office and peered at Codys face. Well, Ill be damned. It is. I thought it was the speck of G ene Simmons.Gene Simmons isnt dead, said Cody.Codys trying to impress Gabrielle, I explained. Doug opened his mouth, no doubt to find on the impossibility of that, but I held up a hand to stop him. Yeah, yeah. I know. What did you need?Doug needed to switch some shifts, and without his ladylove around, Cody decided to leave. I let him out the back door, not wanting to cause a panic in the store. Once the schedule was set, Doug and I bantered about the Cody and Gabrielle situation. beforehand long, I lost track of time, and closing announcements were being made on the intercom. Doug said his farewells half acrophobic Id put him to work if he stayed and I set off to finish my own tasks. My meeting with Erik was getting closer, and I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension.An hour after the doors were locked, staff began to go home. I made one last sweep of the store and found Seth still sitting in the caf?. No surprise. My coworkers could never bring themselves to kick him out when we closed. Hed actually gotten locked in once and accidentally set off the alarm. I walked over to his table, noting the enraptured look on his face as his fingers danced along the laptops keys.Hey, Mortensen, I said. You dont have to go home, but you cant stay here.It took almost thirty seconds for him to look up, and even then, he seemed surprised to see me. Oh. Hey.I could feel a smile playing on my lips. This was picture perfect Seth behavior. Hey, were all closed down. Time to go.He glanced around, noting the dark windows and lack of people in the store. Oh, man. Sorry. I didnt even notice.I take it the muse came back?She did.So you know how its going to end now?No. Not yet.I walked Seth to the back door and armed the alarm before letting myself out. He told me good-bye, and if hed had any lackadaisical affection for me earlier in the night, it was gone now. His characters now consumed his heart. It was something Id had to accept when we were together, and watching him wa lk down the street, I decided that was how it should be. Seths writing was too much of his being.I let my own dreamy affection go and drove up north of the city to Eriks store. I still felt a little bad about him meeting me so late, but the lights in his windows gleamed out into the night. And inside, the usual music and incense were going strong, just as they would during business hours. Glancing around, I didnt see him right away. Then, I noticed him kneeling down in front of some palmistry books.Hey, Erik.Miss Kincaid.He rose to his feet, but the motions were jerky and unsteady. And when he finally turned to face me, there was a gauntness in his drab face that hadnt been there the last time I saw him. My instinct was to rush over and patronage him, but I had a feeling he wouldnt welcome that. Still, I asked the obvious.Are you okay? deplete you been sick?He gave me a gentle smile and began moving slowly toward the stores main counter. A passing cold. They seem to last longe r than they used to, but Ill be fine.I wasnt so certain. Id known Erik for a long time. Id lost track of the years, actually. It wasnt an uncommon thing with mortals, one that often blindsided me. One moment theyd seem young and healthythe next, they were old and dying. It never hurt any less, either. Part of the reason Seth had broken up with me was to spare me the pain of that loss because I began growing overly paranoid about his well-being.Now, watching Erik, I felt even worse for keeping him out so late. I also felt bad because I realized I never visited except when I needed something. When had I last seen him? Months ago, when Jerome had been summoned. Id sought Eriks help then and hadnt been by since.Tea? he offered, just like always.No, no. I dont want to delay you, I said. I leaned against the counter and felt relieved when he settled down on a stool. I just wanted to ask you a couple things. Something unearthly happened. I almost laughed as the words left my mouth. That was such a typical opening contention for me. Again, that earlier thought returned my life was one big circle, repeating and repeating.I gave him the rundown on my weird encounters with the unknown and for the large part indescribable force. He listened carefully, bushy gray eyebrows knit into a frown.I hate to tell you this, he said when I finished, but there are probably a number of things that could describe.Surprise, surprise, I murmured. That was more a commentary on my life, not his abilities.The fact that youruh, friend couldnt identify it is intriguing. Erik was one of the handful of people who knew Roman was in Seattle. Erik had no interest in Heaven and Hells policies and wouldnt be tattling anytime soon. Of course, he lacks the full skill set his relatives have. I dont suppose youve spoken to any greater immortals?I shook my head. No. Theyre notoriously absent, as usual. I think Ill be seeing Jerome soon. Hed probably want to check in with Roman. So well see then.Im so rry I dont have any micturate answers. I never seem to.Not in the beginning, I said. But you always come through in the end. More patterns.Hmm?Nothing, I said with a small sigh. Sometimes I just feel like the same things are happening to me over and over. Like, even this siren thing. Why me? In the last year, Ive been targeted over and over. What are the odds? Why does this keep happening?Eriks eyes studied me for several moments. There are some people around whom the powers and supernatural beings of the world will always circle. You appear to be one of them.But why? I asked, surprised at the childish tone in my voice. Im just another succubus. There are tons of us out there. And why recently? Why only in the last year? It had to be the cruelest joke in the world that all these paranormal mishaps had started happening right when my romantic ones had. Apparently, one source of pain just wasnt enough.I dont know, Erik admitted. Things change. Forces move that we cant see. He paused and coughed, making me wince. How sick was he? Again, I feel like Im useless to you.I reached out and gently squeezed his shoulder. No, no. Youre invaluable to me. I dont know how I would have gotten by all these years without you. This earned me a smile.Wanting him to go to bed, I picked up my purse to leave. As I was heading to the door, he suddenly said, Miss Kincaid?I glanced back. Yeah?Do you still talk to Mr. Mortensen?The question caught me by surprise. Erik had been intrigued when Seth and I were dating, marveling at the connection between a human and a succubus, though he didnt have the barbarian obsession that Carter used to.Sure. Sometimes. My earlier conversation with Seth came back to me, the ease and warmth that had surrounded us.And things are amicable?More or less. Aside from his impending marriage, of course.Thats good. It doesnt always happen in these situations.Yeah, I know. Although I bit off my words.Erik tilted his head, studying me curiously. Although what? Its amicable, except sometimessometimes this whole situation with him. Its like having my soul split in two.Understandable, he said. Those eyes burned with compassion, and I felt tears restrict up in my own. Im sorry I brought it up. I was just curious.I assured him it was okay and said good-bye again. The mention of Seth and the recollection of being with him earlier had made my mood go melancholy. I drove back to West Seattle, miserable that Id be helping with his wedding tomorrow and worried over Eriks sickly state. As heavily as those thoughts weighed on me, they immediately flew from my mind as soon as I walked into my living room.RomanHe sat on the couch as he had last time, now eating a microwavable chicken pot pie. The TV was on, but he didnt seem to be watching it. When he looked up at me, he didnt wear that amused, teasing look. His expression was dark. Troubled, even.Ive been waiting for you to get home, I exclaimed, tossing my purse and keys to the floor. You wont belie ve what happened.Roman sighed. No, you wont believe what happened.Yeah, but this is He held up a hand to interrupt me. Let me get this out first. Its been driving me crazy.I swallowed my impatience. Okay. Ill bite. Does it have something to do with Simone?He nodded. Yeah. I followed her tonight to this twenty-four-hour coffee shop called Bird of Paradise. He eyed me carefully. Do you know it?Now I felt a frown creeping over my face. Yeahits in Queen Anne, right around the corner from Emerald City. What was she doing there? I mean, aside from getting coffee?Romans expression turned darker and unless I was mistaken sympathetic. She was there hitting on a guy, he said. Seth.