Succubus Shadows Chapter 23

Whereve you been? asked popish.I hadnt landed in Seattle until later the next day. Turns sur hardiness getting f get outs from Mexico to the Pacific n whizzthwest prat take support a little longer than immortal teleportation, particularly on short nonice.To the edge of the know orbit and hindquarters, I state, f spotlesslying onto the couch. Both cats came to me, which I excessivelyk with some smugness, proposeing as they usually fawned all oer papist.So, what, S step to the foreh Dakota?I do a face and c everyplaceed my eyes with one arm. My trip to make up curing had plainly taken twenty-four hours, still accreditedly, that was a address to endure in so short a time. I erect Seth.Oh. Romans enthusiasm dimmed considerably. I guess his disappearance wasnt as milk carton?Cworthy as Maddie made it sound. sanitary, I had to literally call in a diabolic favor to hunt him down.And? Are you guys running into the sunset together now that hes free?The mention of suns et made me flinch, recalling how Seth and I had held each other on the beach. non sort of. I go out-of-door him.Whats that look upon exactly?I essay to explain all that had gone down with Seth, except it wasnt easy. It was close to too a great deal for my brain to wade through, let alone articulate to someone else. When I finished, I tangle even so much than exhausted than before.So thats it? Youre neer passing play to see each other everyplace again? Romans function was skeptical.He said hes not coming back, and I didnt stick around. So, yeah.I have a hard time believing that. Is he reasonable going to live at that hotel permanently? steady he cant make that much money.No, he mentioned at dinner that hed be settling down somewhere else. He just hasnt decided where.All was quiet between us for a minute or so. The only sounds were the merchandise outside and Aubrey purring near my ear. At last, Roman asked, Are you okay?I glanced over at him in surprise. What do y ou mean?Exactly what I said. This cant be easy on you. I mean, you havent even had some(prenominal) downtime since the sen sit downionroi.I dont know why his words caught me by surprise. I guess it was because amidst all the woes that were always going on in my life, few pot ever asked if I was okay. Maybe theyd given over up asking because depressing things were so commonplace for me. How supernatural, I imagination, that Roman had swung from sociopathic to compassionate spot Seth had fallen down a darker path. Of course, I had no hard evidence that Roman wasnt in truth a compassionate sociopath. Still, I gave him a grinning of gratitude.I am okay or lead be eventually. Thanks. in that location must have been something in my smile that gave him hope or just made him feel inspired because his own smile grew radiant. Id forgotten just how beautiful it was, the way it could light up his face. We left dangerous topics alone after that but spent the rest of the night hanging o ut together. I wasnt totally okay by any means, but it was nice to simply be fair for a while and free of drama. I wondered if thats what my life would be deal now and what role Roman would play.Still, adjusting to a world without Seth wasnt easy over the next few days. Even when hed been with Maddie, even when the battle array of him had caused me pain, hed still been there. And Id known he was there. Now, the knowledge that he was gone and that he wasnt coming back left a strange emptiness in my heart, even as the rest of my life began to stabilize.I re dour to work, a good thing for the terminus because Maddie had taken some much- wanted time off. I checked on her via Doug and offered to go to her if needed, despite knowledgeable I wouldnt enjoy listening to her mourn for Seth. Of course, since I was doing the same thing, maybe I shouldnt have been so quick to turn down commiseration.She just motivations to be alone right now, Doug said, proclivity in my aditway. He had no joke today, none of his usual wackiness. Still upset but shes a trouper. Ill let you know when shes ready to see anyone.Okay. My heart went out to her. Keep me posted.It was nearing closing time, and I went out to the stores main part to help with some of the evening tasks. A few of the staff members were already going home base. unrivaled of them was Gabrielle. And she was leaving with Cody.Whats going on? I whispered to him while she went to get her purse. He wasnt even wearing black.Weve gone out a couple times since rise, while youve been distracted. He sounded apologetic for his happiness.Thats fantastic, I said. Love was managing to survive somewhere in this world. What changed her approximation? The concert?A little. I think that unresolved the door. Shes really excited that Ill only hang out at night. And that I can show her real vampires.What? You managed to convince her Peter was a vampire? To the average human, that would be even less likely than Cody beingness a vampire.No, of course not. His lovesick expression hardened a little. unless Milton you know that vampire from Eugene? hes been in town this week. Claims hes visiting friends. Vampires were very territorial about their hunting grounds, even ones like Peter and Cody who rargonly took victims and didnt kill when they did. He hasnt caused any trouble, but I dont buy that vacation thing. Its as ridiculous as Simone just visiting.She is gone, right? That had been the rumor, and seeing as thered been no wacky mishaps with two Georginas, I had to believe it was true. Id never know what her motivation had been.Yup, as outlying(prenominal) as I know. Anyway. Milton. He sure does look like a vampire. Have you seen him? Hes like a modern-day Nosferatu. I took Gabrielle when I went to spy on him at a dance club, and she got really excited. She thinks I have some special knack for finding vampires at least wannabe ones.Huh, I said. Thats somehow bizarre, funny, and cute all at the same ti me. Maybe a little disturbing. He grinned at that, showing his fangs. Whats she think of the teeth? You cant hide those if youre up close and in-person all the time.T aging her I had them cosmetically done. He looked very pleased. She thinks its hot.His new romance left me in a good mood when I finally took off. I stepped outside into the chilly night, surprised I didnt mind it so much. Something about the clean, brisk air seemed refreshing to me, and for the first time in a while, I regretted moving out of Queen Anne. It would have been nice to walk home on this early spend evening, instead of climbing into the plastic and metal of my car.There was nothing to be done for it, though. I turned the ignition and checked my cell phone before heading out of the parking lot. I a great deal left the ringer off while working, and three calls had accompany in for me. I had a voice mail for each. The first was from a few hours ago, from Erik. He spoke in his usual genteel tones, but I cou ld hear some urgency underneath. He told me hed come up with some theories about my study and wanted to chat to me soon.The next message was from Roman, from about an hour ago. He knew my work schedule suddenly and was calling to see what kind of takeout I wanted. If I called as I was leaving, he said, hed probably have food by the time I walked in. I felt my lips turn into a smile at that one that promptly dropped when I perceive the last message. It had come in five legal proceeding ago and was from Erik again.Georgina That was it. Just my name, tense and strangled. After that came static, what sounded like the phone dropping, and then the voice mail ended. I stared at my phone as though it were a totally foreign object.I had never, ever heard Erik call me by my first name.My car was already headed toward his store when I dialed him back. It was too late for the store to be forthright, but that was the number my cell phone had logged. No answer came. I tried his home numb er, just to be safe, and received no answer there either. My fear increased, as did my speed. Easy traffic moved me along, but I still felt like his store might as well be hundreds of miles away.I made it there in fifteen minutes, which was actually pretty remarkable. The stores lights were on, though everything else in the strip mall and its lot was dark. I parked right in front, in a disabled spot, and tore out of my car, nearly coming to a halt at what I found.The glass of the door and window were smashed, with glittering shards covering the sidewalk. Even if the door had been locked, I could have reached right in to open it. I pushed through, stepping inside to find more destruction. Fountains still tinkled, music still played, but everything else was in shambles. Bookshelves knocked over. statuary in pieces. Jewelry cases broken and empty.Erik? I called, hurrying through the store. There was no answer. I passed the register, truism the drawer hanging open, and suspected Id f ind it as empty as the cases.I was heading for the stores back room when I heard a small noise. Turning, I peered around wildly and caught a glimpse of a hand, behind the checkout counter. There, I found Erik sprawled on the floor, pale despite his dusky skin. A hand lay over his stomach, which was a pool of dark bank line. His eyes were glassy, and for a moment, I thought he was dead. Then the lids twitched, and his eyes focused on me.Miss KincaidI dialed 911 while simultaneously essay to rip my coat off. I screamed at them to send an ambulance and pressed the light fabric of the trench coat into his stomach. The effort was futile. A red strain promptly began spreading through the cloth.Dont say anything, I pleaded when I saw his lips move. They were blue-tinged. Someones coming. Youll be okay.I wanted to ask a hundred questions what had happened, who had done this. None mattered. unless saving him did and besides, the scenario seemed painfully tripping. A outwear-in, one in which he must have interfered. Two roll of tobacco holes on the wall revealed what had happened to his stomach. The third shot had hit.Miss Kincaid His voice was so small, barely a croak.Shh. Well talk later, after the paramedics come. Save your strength.There wont be a later, he gasped. I swear, he tried to smile. NotformeTheyll be here in, like, five minutes, I countered.Doesnt matter. Too weak. Too much blood.No, I said desperately. No. Even as I begged, my hysteria growing, I knew he was right. He had lost too much blood. He was only alive now because this was a slow-killing wound. Even if paramedics walked in right now, they wouldnt get him away in time to save him. With his age and recent illness, he wouldnt come back from this. Still, I denied it. Youll be okay. Listen You listen. There was no real force behind the command, but I shut up. 1 of his hands clung to me. Its notyour beat.I was confused, my mind still on his condition and the store. Then, I caught the context. Let the contract go. Well worry about it later.His grip tightened. There must be another. Two contracts.Therewhat? No. Thats not how it works. I know that for sure. One contract per soul. I signed one. Now, please. Dont say anything else.Find it, he coughed. There was blood on his lips. Findit.I will, I will. I would have agreed to anything, though what he was saying made no sense. My words must have comforted him because he relaxed ever so slightly. There was still no question that he must be in agonizing pain, though. I glanced up at the front of the store, willing myself to hear sirens. Theyll be here, I said.Toolate. Youyou can intercept the pain.He was so hard to hear now, I had to lean close. Even then, I didnt fully dissect his words until a few moments later. Im trying. I shifted the coat a little, which was proving totally ineffectual.A kissone kissI My eyes went wide. No. No. Itll kill you Even as I said the words, I realized how stupid they were. This gunshot was alrea dy going to kill him. He was going to die. One kiss. He wanted a kiss to speed his dying, just as Id given Luc. Id never performed that accomplishment again, nor had I wanted to. Maybe it had been mercy, but Id felt like a killer. And yet, just like I had then, I knew it would ease the passing.I shook my head. No.Nyxshowed me. Showed me my death you.He coughed again and could direct no more. Still, he clung to life, with pain on his face and pleading in his eyes.Nyx? Nyx had shown him his death.In the far reaches of my mind, I remembered finding him one day, right after Nyx had visited him and shown him a vision. Hed recoiled from me at first and then later shrugged it off, laughing it away as the remnants of a nightmare. But I understood now. Hed seen his death seen me causing it. Hed been shitless of me in those moments. My man in the dream had been a lie, but all the other visions shed shown had been true. My role in Eriks death had been destinedjust not in any malicious way. That was how her dreams often worked. Never quite what you turn outed.And so, for the second time, I became an angel of mercyan angel of deathwhatever. I hunched down and kissed him, ignoring the blood on his mouth. Just like with Luc, there was only a breath of life left. Five more minutes, and Erik would have been gone without me. That tiny bit of life was as pure and good as Id known it would be. Erik would be rewarded in the afterlife.As I lifted my head and watched peace settle over his features, lite feelings flitted through me, as sometimes happened when I took energy. There was affection for me. It wasnt romantic love. More like paternal love. Friendship. Fondness. And underneath it was a warning, a warning for me he never got to convey. I was so caught up in those last bursts of life, that I was only distantly aware when the lights and sirens came.Someone lifted me away, and I saw people huddling around him too late. I stared at the commotion that followed paramedics, police. I saw it without seeing it, answered questions without even knowing what I said. A policeman with kind eyes took it all down and spoke to me gently, often repetition himself. I dont know how long it all took. Maybe an hour, maybe more. I only remember secure them over and over that I was okay, that I was going home, and that I would answer any other questions that came up.But when I drove away, still in shock, still barely grasping what had happened, I didnt go to atomic number 74 Seattle. I went to Pioneer Square, parking in a lucky street spot and then idle words my way through the partying crowds. A few people gave me curious looks when I walked into the Cellar, looks I gave no circumspection to as I honed in on Jeromes table. He drank alone tonight, his dark eyes watching me intently as I approached.Georgie, he said when I came to a cloture in front of him, whats the stop of shape-shifting if youre going to walk around with blood on you?I looked down, only then r egistering the stains on my shirt. I turned back to him, ignoring the shape-shifting suggestion.Eriks dead, I told him, my voice flat.Jeromes face displayed no reaction. How?A break-in. Somebody shot him.Jerome sipped his bourbon and remained silent.Well? Dont you have anything to say?He scowled. What do you expect me to say? Should I cry? Put on sackcloth and ashes? Humans die all the time, Georgie. Youre the one who mourns them not me. I have no sentiment for any of them. You know that. And certainly not for him.I did know that. When Duane one of Jeromes former employees had been killed, the colossuss only reaction had been annoyance.Whats weird I paused, putting to words what had been coalescing in the back of my mind this whole time. Whats weird is that someone would break into a New Age store at all. Its not a good place for a robbery.If it has money, its a good place for a robbery. If its in a deserted strip mall, with only an old man there, its even a better place for a r obbery. Were the valuables gone?Yes, I admitted.Then why are you here wasting my time?The glass.The glass?The glass was broken from the inside, I said. The pieces were scattered on the sidewalk. Whoever did it didnt break the glass to get in. It just looked that way.Jerome sighed irritably. After everything youve seen, can you honestly question the behaviors of humans?It just seems strange that someone like Erik someone who deals in the supernatural and who had I hesitated, about to say that hed been mull my contract. Instead, I said, Who had just been involved with a big immortal blowout would be the victim of this by coincidence.Coincidences happen.I dont believe in coincidences anymore.Then replay your own words. Your big immortal blowout is the answer. They might not live in our world, but do you think dream creatures dont have connections here?I frowned. What are you saying?That I thought it was too convenient for the Onerois overlord to walk away. He knew he couldnt call forth me or any other immortal. But a human? One who had been actively involved with foil him? Jerome shrugged. Its revenge. He could arrange for that. We cant prove it and we cant do anything. Make sure you understand that. Im not going to vindicate your friend, if thats what youre asking for.I hadnt expected him to. In fact, I really wasnt sure what Id expected of him at all. why had I come here? Because I was in shock. Because what had happened to Erik didnt make sense. Because Jerome often had answers for me.This time, he did toobut I wasnt sure that I believed them. The old adage came back How do you know if a demon is lying? His lips are moving.Okay, I said with a small nod. His eyes narrowed a little. I think he was surprised Id given in so quickly. Glancing down, I shape-shifted the blood away. Im going to go home andI dont know. I dont know what Im going to do.My confusion wasnt faked, and I hoped it would be enough to clear any suspicion. And really, what did he have to be suspicious of? I didnt even know. Two contracts.Jerome didnt try to stop me. I drove home with closely no realization of what I was doing until I pulled into the parking lot under my building. As soon as I opened my condos door, I caught the faint smell of Chinese food. It smelled delicious, yet at the same time, it had that slight twinge of food that had been sitting around for a while. Roman sprawled on the couch, staring at nothing as far as I could tell. The TV was off. The cats remained unpetted.Im drear I didnt call, I said. You wont believe what Ive got something for you, he said. Two somethings, actually.The odd tone of his voice was about the only thing that could have stopped me from gushing about what had gone down at Eriks tonight. Even now, the events in the store were so surreal that it hardly seemed like something that had happened to me. Surely it was something Id seen in a movie. I sat down in the armchair near Roman, the queasy feeling in my stomach growing as I wondered what else could possibly happen tonight.What is it?He handed me a piece of paper. This was under the door when I got back with the food. I didnt mean to read it, butwell, it wasnt in an envelope or anything.I took it wordlessly, immediately recognizing the scrawled writing. Seths. To a lot of people it would be undecipherable, but Id had a lot of practice in decoding his squishy penmanship.Georgina,When I woke up without you in Mazatln, I was so angry. I felt betrayed and abandoned and wondered if youd been playing me the entire time. Then, the more I thought about your words, the more my life began to come into focus. I still dont want to deal with the mess here in Seattle. I dont want to face Maddie. I dont want to face myself. But, I realized, I do want you to be proud of me.Maybe proud isnt the right word. assess? Like? Love? Im not sure, but the events at Eriks have still left an impression. Really, lying in your arms has left an impression. I meant what I said Id rather be alone than not be with you. Even apart, though, I cant stand the thought of you being disappointed in me. To regain your good opinion, I would risk almost anything. Id even come back here to face my demons.And I have come back here, despite how much I wish I could run away. Disappearing wont erase the unfit things around me, however. Maybe youre a messenger of some sort, some agent of destiny. If not for you, I almost certainly wouldnt have returned, but it turns out I needed to. Terry and Andrea received their results yesterday. She only has months to live, something that Id almost swear was the doctors joke. Only a few weeks ago, she seemed perfectly fine. I dont want to face that, any more than I want to face everything else. But they need me more than ever now, and I love them. I love them so much that I realize my own life and wants dont matter. As soon as I finish this book, Im putting everything else even the new series on hold. None of it matters. Only they d o. Theyll need me in the next few months. Theyll need me more in the months after that.I dont know when well see each other again though youll notice I say when and not if. Like I mentioned in Mexico, I know better than to think the universe will keep us apart. Regardless, I want you to be happy wherever your life takes you and I hope someday I can be worthy of your respect again.I also want you to know that in returning, I dont expect anything from you. I just wanted to make sure you understood what I didand how youve affected me. SethI looked up at Roman, who had been studying me while I read. I didnt know what astonished me more Seth returning because of me or the god-awful news about Andrea. Both were monumental in their own ways. One was a tragedy of epic proportions.I swallowed, afraid if I fully processed it all, Id start crying. Im not sure how much more I can handle tonight, I said in a small voice.Romans face was a mixture of sympathy and cynicism. Well, youve got one more thing.He handed me a magazine. It was a trashy notoriety gossip one that was a popular source of mockery over at the bookstore. I couldnt imagine why he was giving something so trivial to me, in light of everything else that had gone on. One page was marked with a Post-it, and I flipped to it.It was a spread of assorted celebrity shots, the kind of candids that paparazzi delighted in actors out with their children, pop stars spotted in Las Vegas nightclubs. I skimmed over the two pages, feeling a frown grow on my face as I tried to figure out why on earth Id care about this right now.Then, I found it. It was a small picture, shoved off to the side between much more interesting and larger ones of severely dressed actors. The caption read Best-selling author Seth Mortensen enjoys some natural beauty in Mazatln.And it showed Seth and me kissing on the beach.