Succubus Heat CHAPTER 20

Dante was delay for me when I got home. I norm bothy interchangeabled having the company, provided subsequently being with band, Dantes presence in a flash excite me feel un fosterable and confused. He didnt feeling atm to notice honest a expression, though, and instead was immediately caught up by Maddies condo packet.Whats this? he asked, leafing through with(predicate) roughly pages.Maddies been playing trustworthy estate agent for me.Wow. I didnt waitress you were serious most that.I leaned stake on the couch, weary from dancing, sex, and the emotional miasma I seemed to be swimming through deep. Bringing up Maddie didnt make me feel so great. I didnt sound run into I was either. I menti onenessd it offhand, and she kind of went crazy.Alki Beach, huh? Some of these are reasonably nice. He held up one print-out. speckless condo, mum being built. You tail weigh in on the colors and trim.I shrugged. I dont exist. I dont go through time to go shopping right now.One of the power spots on your angle is near Alki. You could swing by.I gave him a puzzled look. Since when are you inte remained in me moving?He sat down opposite me, still looking through the listings. Well, if you buy locally, I give notice rest period easy that youre sticking around. Be boldnesss, get a bigger place, and we could try some cohabitation.That caught me off-guard. Oh?You gave me a key. I baron as well live here anyway.Youre going to freeload off me for some more(prenominal) space, huh? I teased.He sighed, looking pained. Man, you real do presuppose the worst. Id pay you rent.With what? I asked incredulously.Business has been good. I think things are on the upswing.No offense, baby, just your business doesnt seem like the type that can nurture that kind of momentum. I think this has been a fluke. I spoke too soon and felt unsuitable when I realize Id hurt him. But we can play it by ear if you want to go in. Maybe your reputations spread, and busin ess will curb booming.He seemed a weensy mollified after that, yet as I spoke the words, I found I wasnt overly thrilled at the prospect of us living together. I still had solidifying on the b come down. Obsessing on him was foolish, I k sassy. This fling of ours could only experience a few more age at most. I shouldnt be mooning over him when Id just be going back to Dante anyway.Dante cute to pick out how my beach investigation had gone, and I welcomed the change in subject. I gave him a brief rundown of my non-progress.You want me to look with you? he asked. Ive finally got some time tomorrow.I hesitated. The truth was, just before wed parted, curing had utter hed look with me and that hed bring Kayla. The afterglow could be in truth persuasive. Still, Id had to do a lot of convincing that shed be safe, and honestly, I hoped I was right.I roped some different plurality into it, I utter. We should be fine.I feared hed question me nevertheless, particularly about whethe r I had a psychic to go with me or not. Mercifully, he let it go. I honestly didnt think he wanted to wander beaches and was congenial for the reprieve.When we went to bed later, there was no way I could put his arduous advances off any recollectiveer, not without raising suspicion. Id made a good recovery and no longer had my back excuse. Yetsomething was kvetch at me. Dante himself had been the one to first joke about whether I could get pregnant in my pseudo-human state. I still didnt know if that was possible, and regular(a) if it was, would it matter if I re saturnine to my immortal state in a few twenty-four hourss? I had no clue how any of this would work, unless Seth and I hadnt used protection. And suddenly, I realized that if there were any chance in the world that I could get pregnant-if Nyxs vision readiness really come true-I didnt want to chance a paternity dispute.So, I turned on the bewitch for Dante and went down on him again, something he didnt really seem to mind. He tried to get me off in return, exactly it was to no avail. After being with Seth, I had zero desire of my own and found I couldnt come. And so, for the first time with Dante, I faked it. I was a pretty good faker. He never suspected.He slept late the next morning, so I slipped out early without waking him. Seth and I were merging over at a restaurant in Bellevue, hopefully far complete away from anyone we knew to see us. While walking to my gondola car, I felt psyche fall into step beside me.So, I hear youre spreading stories about me, Cedric said amiably.Startled, I glanced over at him, unease spreading through me. Cedric was my suspect du jour, and Id already seen one deuces reaction to my theories. Of course, he didnt look particularly destructive at the moment, and there was too the fact that I had yet to tell anyone my latest theories about him implicating Nanette.What do you mean? I asked.Kristin said you said that I told Nanette how you thought she energ y have summoned Jerome. He paused as though trying to make thought of that. For the record, I didnt.I nearly stopped walking. Then who did?Hell if I know. Just figure you should know I wasnt responsible for what happened to you. He offered no more, no condolences or queries to my health. I honestly couldnt expect that from a demon. The fact that hed some(prenominal)ered to come talk to me was a rarity enough-and naturally, he could be lying.Well, I dont know who else could have told her, then. Or wherefore. I only told a handful of people. The more I thought about it, the more I realized he had to be lying. Id only told my friends.He maintained his perfectly liquid face. Like I said, I dont know.We reached my car, and I paused, leaning against it. You came all the way here to tell me this? non that it would have been an arduous journey for him.Dont flatter yourself, he said with a smile. Im here to chat with your demonesses. Hells pretty much ruled out Jerome coming back. the rell be someone official here in days to settle the matter.I tried to ignore the chill that sent down my spine and parse the rest of his words. Cedric was cozying up to dramatize and Mei. Not a surprise. Whoever came here to assign a new archdemon would question those devil the most. Well, thank you, I said. I didnt really know what else to say in that matter, so I switched to something else that had been on my mind. Hey, I havent heard much about your cult lately.Yeah, theyve been pretty quiet. Maybe you helped after all.Well, I dont think I did much. I was also starting to suspect the cult had nothing left to do. Now that their angel had used them as an effective distraction during Jeromes summoning, they were no longer needed. I clicked my door open, and another queer thought struck me. Hows it going with Tawny?Cedric grimaced. Wellwe went out a couple of times.And?My private animateness is no concern of yours.Fair enough. I started to get in.But if you must knowI paused and bandy-legged an eyebrow. Yes?Her conversation islacking a little, he admitted.I couldnt help it. I laughed. Are you seriously strike by that?Beautys skin deep, I knowI guess Id just hoped for a little more depth.I chose not to comment on what he considered beautiful. Dont take this the wrong way, but I figured you wouldnt really want more than cheap sex.He cut me a look. Because Im a demon?Dont look at me like that. Being romantic isnt really in your job description.True, true. But at the very least, Id like to have a little rationality with my cheap sex. Someone who had some vague glimmering of what I endure on a daily basis. He was still being gruff and demonlike, but there was a faint whisper of something surprisingly human under there.I started to tell him that I didnt think that was very likely. Then, I thought of Kristin, Kristin who watched him with doe eyes and fretted over his well-being. Someone who expression of gets your job and has an appreciation for its absurdit y? Someone whos interested in helping you when youre stressed, in connecting with you and understanding things to an boundary where you dont even have to say them anymore? Is that what youre looking for?He snorted. Yeah, like thatll happen.I dont know. Maybe theres someone out there like that.You may not have been human for a long time, but you still cling to their delusions. Thats fairy-tale stuff. You cant have that. I cant have that. See you later. He vanished, uncaring of any mortals who might see him.I stared vacantly at where hed been, wondering if what he said was true. Was he missing a good match right in front of him? Or was Kristin deluding herself with her crush on him? And was I deluding myself with my feelings for Seth? Was I really feeling connected to him or was it all just lust?There was no use fretting about any of it now. Cedric didnt seem to want to kill me at the moment, so that was the best I could get.I drove over to Bellevue, just in time for the morning comm ute out of the city to be winding down. Bellevue was a suburb, a city in its own right, and the restaurant wed chosen was in Bellevues old downtown, one that had eventually been supplanted when a mall rearranged the citys trendy areas.The place was a quiet little bistro, tucked between a jewelry store and a bakery. Seth and Kayla were already there. She sat in a booster oceant beside him, examining a stuffed unicorn term he leafed through a menu. sightedness both of them sent ripples of warmth and happiness through me.Hey guys, I said, sliding in across from them. Kayla gave me a shy smile, and Seth positively lit up. His hair was as messy as usual, and his T-shirt right away advertised Trix, a cereal Id forgotten even existed.Thanks for doing this, I said. I really measure it.Seths smile grew, though I cut the tiniest bit of apprehension in his eyes. Just so long as youre sure itsyou know He glanced over at Kayla, who was groping for her glass. Seth hastily intervened to hel p her before she could knock it over.Itll be easy, I said. Maybe even boring. Well just walk around and look for something resembling white stone or rock.And Kayla can help?I turned toward the little girl. She glanced between both of us, her blue eyes wide and eerily knowing.I think so. Again, at this point, she just senses stuff without really understanding why. If we get anywhere near Jerome, I think shell show some sort of reaction, even if she doesnt know what it is. At least I hoped so.After that, we didnt mention our mission for the rest of the meal. We made dinky talk instead and fawned over Kayla, but it was almost something we did on autopilot, something we werent even paying attention to. Really, Seth and I were consumed by each other. It was more than just lust too, though I for sure hoped hed notice my low-cut top today. I found myself just aglow from his presence. I loved being resolve to him, feeling the joy that spread within me. It was like falling in love again. It was that connection and understanding that Cedric had said was a fairy tale.And even when we finished up and went and scoped out our first beach, that electricity and warmth continued flowing between us. Kayla walked between us for a while, with each of us holding one of her hands. She struggled a little with the sand but seemed infinitely fascinated by the sights around her the waves, the seagulls, other children. The rain had faded away today, and we had sunshine taunting us with the hope that spring had truly arrived.We found no white rocks, however, and Kayla had no out-of-the-ordinary reactions like shed had with me in the past, or even with Dante. When we got to our countenance beach, she began slowing down, and I realized this wasnt going to be the aggressive day of hunting Id hoped for. After a while, Seth picked her up and carried her. She managed to diaphragm awake until we finished our search but promptly fell asleep in the car.I knew wed have to call it a day, but we stopped off at a little caf? on the way home that served great desserts. We settled into a corner booth, Seth and me sitting side by side while I held Kayla on my lap. We decided to simply split a piece of cheesecake, and naturally, I undeniable coffee. Kayla still leaned drowsily against me, but shed valiantly woken up as though sensing the approach of sugar.I brushed her hair back from her face. Hey, I said gently. Did you see anything magic today? That was how shed referred to me in the past.She shake her head and reached up to touch my cheek in a mirror of my own gesture. When will you be magic again? she asked.I dont know, I told her. Soon.Seths leg against mine was starting to stir up some illicit feelings, something I felt a little ashamed of with Kayla there. I was further startled when I glanced up at him and saw not lust in his eyes, but rather, something soft and tender.What? I asked. wherefore are you looking at me like that?Because of you, he said. Just the way you interact with herits remarkable.Because I can get her to talk?He shook his head. Nah. More than that. Ive seen it with the other girls. You have a knack with kids. Youd make a great mother.Maddie had made the same offhand comment. I dont think Seth had ever really and truly grasped how much Id pined for children. His words filled me with both elation and sorrow. For an instant, I considered telling him about Nyxs envisage and the bizarre pregnancy theory. Those things were too fragile and too precious to me, however, and the cheesecakes serendipitous arrival saved me from further deliberation.The cheesecake was lemon raspberry, a bit adventurous for Kayla, perhaps, but she ate it without hesitation. Seth gave up on his deal out before us, and she and I finished it down to the get going bite.Perfect, he mused. Ill return her to Terry and Andrea, just in time for her the sugar rush to kick in. Theyll never let her go out again. He frowned. give you need her again? I think she has some kind of play-date thing tomorrow.I sighed, and reality bleak my golden moment. I dont know. Im running out of close places. Ill have to head up north next, up around Edmonds, though Dante pointed out that Jerome could be farther out-out on the Olympic Peninsula or something. The summoners would want to keep him close, but close could mean ten miles or a hundred.Youre not going to be able to go out to the coast in an easy day trip, observed Seth. Under the table, his hand rested on mine out of sympathy. Im sorry.I squeezed his hand in return. Itll be as itll be, I guess.I still want to help if I can.I offered him a rueful smile. You want to help me get back to being a succubus?His return smile was equally bittersweet. Theres no way any of this can end well, Georgina. Sometimessometimes we have to choose the lesser of evils and simply enjoy our sweet moments while we can.Like this one. And through some divvy upd instinct, we both fell silent, savoring this brief interlude, thi s dream wed gotten ourselves ensnared in. For now, it was enough to just sit together like this. His hand moved idly on my leg, offering comfort and loveat least for a little while. Before long, the sweet affection turned into something with a bit more desire. I met his eyes, and while it wasnt the same animal intensity that had thrown me against the wall last night, there was still a longing in his eyes that told me how much he wanted me, to be closer to me. My body responded to it, and then we both glanced over at Kayla, who had fallen asleep again. We laughed, realizing the absurdity of our menstruation situation.I should get her back, said Seth.Yeah, I said, sad at the thought of parting but certainly not aroused enough to make out while his niece was around.He drove me back to my car in Bellevue. Our parting kiss was gentle and light, almost hesitant. It seemed typical of this entire affair, like it was lumberingly real and would blow away at any moment.Anything you need, The tis, he breathed into my ear. Anything you need, Ill do it. You know I will.A flower of agony and euphoria burst open in my chest. He hadnt called me Thetis, his old pet soma for me, since the day we broke up. I know, I murmured into his shirt. I know.I returned to Queen Anne not long after that, getting a nice spot right in front of my building. My head was swimming with Seth and Kayla and Jerome and a hundred other things. I was so distracted that when I stepped into my apartment, I nearly walked right past Grace sitting on my couch. Of course, considering she was the first demon all week who hadnt attacked me the instant I cleared the door, my reaction to her subtlety was understandable.Grace? I asked curiously, as though maybe it wasnt her.She was leafing through a copy of Seattle Metropolitan magazine, their issue on Seattles best brunches. When she glanced up at me, there was a tiredness in her eyes that even demonic perfection couldnt hide. Seeing her alone was almost as str ange as her being here at all. Id grown so used to her and Mei being a unit that their forced separation lately seemed almost as tragic as Jeromes summoning.There you are, she said. I almost left.Sorry, I said. I meant it. I seemed to be on her and Meis good side lately and wanted to keep it that way. Demons didnt like waiting, and without that innate connection of an archdemon, she couldnt instantly find me across time and space.Grace gave a half-hearted shrug. I dont mind. Its rather pleasant having a few moments respite from all the politics and bickering.I can imagine. I frowned. No, wait. I dont think I can.I swear, I thought for a second she might laugh, but she kept that same stone face she excelled at.Itll all be over soon, which is why I came to see you. Mei and I have been talking to all of the other lesser immortals today. The day after tomorrow, a corporate demon named Ephraim will be making his final decision on who will replace Jerome.A cold lump settled into my stomac h. So soon?Hell doesnt like to waste time and resources.I guess not.Ephraims already in the area and may come let loose to you as he attempts to assess the situation. Hell want to know about your job, how things ran under Jerome, etc.With each word, my spirit sank further and further. My window to find Jerome was shriveling up. We were going to get a new archdemon anytime now.Dont be afraid to communicate the truth, she advised. I know thats often a concern among lesser immortals, for fear of causing offense.Something like that, I muttered, thinking of Nanette.Clearly, you dont want to actively anger Ephraim, but he has no affiliations with anyone currently involved in the dispute here. He wont punish you for stating your opinion.Im guessing he might not listen to it either.There it was. A tiny quirky of her lips, gone so quickly that I wasnt even sure I saw it. She rose from the sofa and absentmindedly tugged on her blazer. It was deep, deep red, paired with sleek black trousers and patent trounce heels. Underneath the collar of her coat, I caught a glimpse of that same chunky necklace shed worn at the meeting. I recalled Meis sleeker one and couldnt resist my next words.This may sound weirdbut I cant help but notice you and Mei are dressing differently lately. As soon as I said that, I hoped she wouldnt get mad at me essentially calling her and Mei copycats. Fortunately, she remained as blas? as usual.In these times, its wise to distinguish yourself. None of our jobs are secure right now.I did a double-take. In all of this madness, it had never occurred to me that Grace and Mei might have something to fear. But of course they did. When Hell did re-orgs, they tended to tweak the large structure. They could very well decide to transfer Grace and Mei and institute a whole new set of demonic leaders here. I didnt like that idea any better than losing Jerome. I wanted things to stay the same. And studying that fatigue Id seen on Graces face, I realized I wasn t the only one with a lot to worry about.Wellfor what its worth, I think youre doing a great job. Youve had to do so much clean-up and damage control, and then with all these demons I shook my head. I dont know. Theyd be stupid not to mark that.The strangest look came over Graces face. I would have almost called it surprise, but her careful, icy composure made it hard to say for sure. Thank you, Georgina. Her voice was stiff, like dealing with compliments made her uncomfortable. I hope youll share your feelings with Ephraim, should he speak with you.Sure, I said. No problem.After a quick glance at my kitchen clock, she turned back to me and gave a smart nod. I have to meet with the others. Ill speak with you again soon. She vanished, but I could offer no farewell in return.I had just seen something. Something that changed everything.I stood frozen. This whole time, for the last week, something had been percolating in my head. Id noted Grace and Meis dedication to their job, how the y were always there to help when chaos broke out. Id noted also how theyd been forced to split up a lot lately with the new workload, and as Grace had said, they would now probably be scrutinized individually. And why wouldnt they be? If someone was going to scout for a new demon to run Seattle, why not look at the ones who were already running it?Oh my God, I breathed.But there was more to it than that. It wasnt just that Grace or Mei had the perfect motive to get Jerome summoned. I had more than motive before me. I had proof.Sprinting to my bedroom, I searched frantically for the photo of Marys medallion, certain it would be gone. Nope. It was still there, knocked off my nightstand to the floor. I picked it up.Oh my God .There it was. When Grace had turned her head, Id caught a fuller glimpse of the chunky necklace and its lucre of brown and black stones. The answer had been right in front of me. At the Cellar meeting, Id noticed a piece of the necklaces stonework shaped like a c rescent moon. I hadnt recognized it as anything more than ornamentation, but now, comparing the photo to what Id just seen on Grace, the truth was obvious.Grace had part of the seal. It was the left side of the medallion, disjunct in an irregular way to give it that fanciful crescent shape. But Id seen the fine etchings of the symbols when she tilted her head. They were the same. It was the seal.The prospect fell from my hands, and I ran back to the living room, grappling for my cell phone. My hands shook, and I could merely dial. Of course, for a second, I wasnt sure who I was dialing. Hugh, I decided. I had to tell him and the rest of my friends that- omit it.A cockeyed hand covered my mouth and jerked me backward. My back hit somebody, a tall man with a rock-solid chest. His other hand reached out and wrapped around my wrist, making the links of my watch dig in painfully.Drop it, he said. I know what you saw. I saw it too. But you cant tell anyone. Not yet.I could barely hear through the pounding of my heart in my ears, but it didnt matter. I knew this voice, knew it intimately. It had haunted my dreams-or rather, my nightmares-for the last sextuplet months. It was a sign of how truly out of it Id been after Nanette attacked me that I hadnt recognized his voice that day.I dropped the phone.He released his grip on my wrist, and a moment later, the hand on my mouth moved away as well. Miraculously, I didnt start screaming. Slowly, slowly, I turned around, knowing exactly what Id find. Blue-green eyes, just like the sea Id grown up around.Roman.