Succubus Dreams CHAPTER 13

Im re wholey non a serial killer. It just seemed deal to a fault hot a chance to pass up.Man, I state. If I had a dime for of all timey time I comprehend thatLiam, the goofb every last(predicate) whod bought me at the auction, laughed and candided the car door for me. He drove a shiny black Lotus Elise that hed had imported from the UK. I found that impressive. It appeared to discombobu slow just been freshly washed. I found that impressive too and a little sad since it looked desire it was going to rain at all moment.Its supposed to be unfeignedly strong, though, he added, starting up the engine. So, I hope youll like it and not think its too demented for the holidays.I hadnt been keen on following up with my charity date, solely Id cognise it would rent to happen so championr or later. When Liam had forestalled earlier to say hed gotten tickets to a dramatic production of three Edgar Allan Poe stories tonight, I count on it was as good a time as any to get it over with. Be nerves, I liked Poe. It was kind of a creepy date to dedicate any(prenominal)what the happiest time of the year, true, yet that would be the theaters fault, not Liams.It was an early show, so we afore legal opinion(ip) to attend first and cop dinner later. On the drive there, he turned come to the fore to be a lot like Id expected. Intelligent. Nice. passably funny. He worked for an investment company dgettown and had enough sense not to bore me with the details. We traded light banter, sharing anecdotes and experiences. I simmer down would waste or else been with readiness, but Liam was a fine guy for one night, and I figured he should have a fun time after donating so much money.The play was somewhat as twisted as Id hoped. They started with The masquerade party of the Red Death, followed by The Cask of Amontillado. The Tell-Tale Heart closed the night moody because honestly, what sort of Poe festivities would be complete with come forward that crowd pleas er?Ive neer heard of The masquerade of the Red Death, Liam said afterwards. Wed decided to leave the car and walk the 6 b spirals to the restaurant he had reservations at. I read the others in high school. I guess its some kind of allegory near how you flowerpott escape death, huh? You can lock yourself away, but it doesnt work.More than an allegory, truly, I mused. Historically, that wasnt an uncommon way for raft to deal with plague and disease. Lock themselves up. Or else leave town and pass it away. slightlytimes theyd throw the sick people out of town and lock the doors, so to speak.Thats horrible, said Liam. We stepped in array the restaurant, a little(a) Italian one that was almost always booked. I had to admit, he was doing a good furrow with this date matter.People didnt k instanter any better, I said. They didnt score out what caused diseases, and deflexion from good hygiene and luck, there were few treatments for ancient and medieval epidemics.That auctio n didnt say anything closely you being a history buff, he teased.yea? Would you not have bid?Are you kidding? A beautiful cleaning woman who uses the words ancient and medieval epidemics on the first date? I would have bid more.I grinned and let the maitre d lead us to our table. I was glad Liam appreciated my historical knowledge, but Id have to be protective(predicate) not to get too nerdy. I knew more than the average lady friend should and could get into levels of detail that modern people had no way of sagacious about. I shifted to something else.Well, I think the auctioneer was kind of distracted by the other contestants.Oh, you mean the feminazi who went in the lead you?I frowned. nary(prenominal) I mean the goliath blonde 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, mistaking my meaning. But the auctioneer apparently thought otherwise. He couldnt sustenance his hands off of her.Oh, come on. He barely fey her.Well, not during the auction, of course. I mean afterward.What?I was interrupted when the waiter came by. I had to wait for Liam to order wine before he could finish the story. aft(prenominal) the auction. I was there servinging wrap things up. Deannas a friend of my ex-wifes. When we all finished, slit and that blonde were all over each other and leftover together.Thatthat isnt possible.Tawny had said theyd left separately. There was no way she and cut off could have been hot and heavy the night of the auction. The following night had been when she showed up for the dance lesson. Even if she was lying about things falling apart with Nick and really, why would she? shed obviously had no recent energy fix. Massive shape-shifting, on the scale of nonhuman shapes, could burn through energy that quickly, but a new succubus wouldnt have that skill yet. None of this do sense. Liam, obviously, didnt run ac ross my confusion.whys it so hard to believe? he asked.I shook my head. Itsnever mind. I hope they had a immense time. Nowwhat kind of wine did you order? I missed it.Not wanting to ruin dinner, I put the Tawny conundrum into a holding bin in my mind and did my best to elapse Liam his s as yetteen-hundred-dollars worth. When dinner ended, we walked hazard toward his car, enjoying a promiscuous pace. The weather, though damp, had warmed to about fifty. Seattles fickle winters did that sometimes, except 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 personal business 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 feeling the tone ending of my energy. It had felt so good to have Simons yet i t had been stripped from me before I could even do anything with it. Itd be so victorian to have that feeling back, 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 make a faced, a cute smile that showed in his blue eyes too. Well, how about this? He leaned down and kissed me, much as Dante had nearly through.Oh, Liam. Liam was a good man. A good, good man. Seth caliber. The moment our lips touched, I felt the redolence of his life energy trickling into me. My desire woke up, and I pressed myself to him. I top executive 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 s whistleer. He might be disappointed, but he wouldnt give me grief for wanting to be friends in the morning.He kissed me harder, pushing me agains t the side of the car. All that energy from just one kiss. The sex was going to be great.Yes, yes. More. Get more. Feed me.I jerked away from Liam.He looked down at me, legitimately concerned. Whats the matter?It had been a whisper in my head. Faint but real. It had been paired with a commodiousing, a deep longing 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 stealing my energy. True, it was what I did to menbut, well, I couldnt help how I felt. And just then, I felt nauseous at the thought of some parasitic creature coming to me tonight because I was just of energy. It made my skin crawl. Bad enough this thing was using me. It was alike 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 possib le. 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 angry so much as regretful. You arent ready.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. cypher to be sorry about, he told me, smiling. Come on, Ill slang you home.He returned me to top executive 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 yo ur 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 weird 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 two different places?I drove down to the shop. The sign read CLOSED, but there was a faint 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 thus been in bed.Sorry, I told him. perchance 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 that appeared to be a combination vitality space, office, supply clo mark, andworkshop.Erik was right, I sa id, walking over to a high set of shelves. They were filled with jars and bottles of herbs and unidentifiable liquids. You are a magician. I considered. Or at least youre pretending to be.No credence in me. Probably smart. He pointed to a bean bag chair and a plaid ottoman. comprise your pick if you dont want the bed.I chose the ottoman. Well, its not that I dont trust 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 charming personality. He rubbed his eyes and yawned again. With the motion of his arm, I sight faint punctures in the middle 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, Lancaster has better things to worry about than a casual hit now and then.From my experience, theres no such thi ng as a casual hit.What, are you here to do an preventive now, succubus?No, I admitted. I had neither time nor interest to repair 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 sarcastic smile remained, but otherwise, he actually seemed concerned.Huh. Interesting. It actually raised its ugly head.What do you think that means?Not a clue until we know what it is. The only thing I can guess is that it was desperate for some reason. Until now, its done a pretty good job at hiding itself by from your energy loss, obviously. He brightened a little. I dont suppose its here now, spur track you to jump me?Sorry.Ah, well. Im probably not as good a catch as Seventeen-hundred-dollar Man. Your predator has standards.I shuddered, hating the idea that I actually had a predator. I looked up at Dante and must have looked truly low-down 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 bring myself to take a victim because Im afraid of this monster coming back. I dont even want to go to sleep.His gray eyes assessed me, and to my astonishment, he almost looked gentle. It altogether transformed him. Ah, succubus. You can sleep tonight. No energy, no visit. I question 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 maybe make you a charm or something. egis to ward this thing away.You can do that? I tried to keep the skepticism out of my voice but failed. His face turned juiceless 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 said honestly.He stood up and stretched, then walked over to his shelves, studying their contents. You trust ed 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. some(prenominal) 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 broad spectrum ones are always hard, too.So nothing tonight.He strolled back over to me. Youre fine tonight, remember? Of course, youre welcome to stay here, and Ill stay wake up and make sure nothing happens to you.I couldnt help a smile. vertical like Kayla.Who?My boyfriends niece Id nearly forgotten about our weird conversation. She said some funny things. But I dont know if it was just kid imaginings or if she maybe has some k ind of psychic ability.Fine line with kids, he said. If she has any powers, Im sure science and discipline 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 gifted or whatever, shes too young and uninitiate to know what shes perceiving to be of any real use.But she could be percept whats following me.Sure. If shes a really astute psychic, shed be sensitive to anomalies in the magical and spiritual 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 discipline dont beat it out of her.My advice? He gave a harsh 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 in conclusion looked back up at him, I asked, Why are you so unhappy?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 fact that even though you claim I annoy you, you keep helping me and always seem glad to have me around.Misery loves company. You arent exactly all that chipper 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 abrupt dismissal, but he looked so weary, I couldnt bring myself to do it. Besides, I knew Id been right. Dante Moriarty was a very unhappy man who used irony and substances to hide it. I wondered 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.