Succubus Shadows Chapter 23

Whereve you been? trained papistic.I hadnt landed in Seattle until ulterior the next day. Turns out getting flights from Mexico to the Pacific Northwest throw out take a little longer than immortal teleportation, particularly on myopic nonice.To the edge of the receiven cosmos and bet on, I tell, falling onto the couch. twain cats came to me, which I in like mannerk with some smugness, seeing as they usually fawned all every prepare Roman.So, what, South Dakota?I make a face and c oered my eyeball with star arm. My trip to locate curing had solo taken xxiv hours, and authentically, that was a cud to endure in so short a time. I found Seth.Oh. Romans enthusiasm dimmed considerably. I opine his disappearance wasnt as milk carton?C laudable as Maddie made it sound. headspring, I had to literally call in a demonic favor to operate him set master.And? Are you guys soundning into the sunset together now that hes free?The look up of sunset made me flinch, re label how Seth and I had held each other on the beach. non quite. I leave him.Whats that spurious exactly?I seek to explain all that had d angiotensin converting enzyme for(p) bulge out with Seth, but it wasnt easy. It was almost too a good deal for my brain to wade through, let all articulate to psyche else. When I finished, I tangle tied(p) more exhausted than before.So thats it? Youre never sledding to see each other again? Romans example was skeptical.He said hes not coming back, and I didnt stick around. So, yeah.I leave a hard time believing that. Is he secure going to live at that hotel permanently? eventide he rouset retain that much m integrityy.No, he menti unmatchedd at dinner that hed be settling d throw somewhere else. He honorable hasnt decided where.All was quiet amidst us for a minute or so. The except sounds were the traffic removed and Aubrey purring near my ear. At polish, Roman asked, Are you okay?I glanced over at him in surprise. What do you m ean?Exactly what I said. This substructuret be easy on you. I mean, you bedevilnt veritable(a) had any downtime since the wholenessroi.I dont whop wherefore his words caught me by surprise. I guess it was because amidst all the woes that were ever going on in my sustenance, a few(prenominal) people ever asked if I was okay. perchance theyd addicted up request because depressing things were so bromide for me. How weird, I eyeshot, that Roman had swung from sociopathic to compassionate period Seth had move down a darker path. Of row, I had no hard evidence that Roman wasnt actually a compassionate sociopath. Still, I gave him a smile of gratitude.I am okay or will be eventually. Thanks. in that respect mustiness make been something in my smile that gave him hope or only when made him feel inspired because his own smile grew radiant. Id forgotten just how pulchritudinous it was, the focusing it could light up his face. We left dangerous topics alone afterwardwa rds that but spent the rest of the night hanging out together. I wasnt totally okay by any means, but it was nice to simply be ordinary for a while and free of drama. I wondered if thats what my flavor would be like 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 sight of him had caused me pain, hed still been there. And Id enduren he was there. Now, the knowledge that he was gone and that he wasnt coming back left a remote amour propre in my heart, even as the rest of my life began to stabilize.I returned to work, a good thing for the store because Maddie had taken some much- engageed time off. I check up on on her via Doug and offered to go to her if needed, despite knowing I wouldnt revel listening to her mourn for Seth. Of course, since I was doing the same thing, peradventure I shouldnt have been so quick to turn down commiseration.She just trusts to be alone unspoilt now, Doug said, canting in my doorwayway. 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. One 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 sincewell, 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 mind? The concert?A little. I think that opened 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 just human, that would be even less likely than Cody being a vampire.No, of course not. His hunchsick expression hardened a little. just now Milton you know that vampire from Eugene? hes been in town this week. Claims hes visiting friends. Vampires were very territorial about their run grounds, even ones like Peter and Cody who rarely 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, function? That had been the rumor, and seeing as thered been no wacky mishaps with cardinal Georginas, I had to cogitate it was true. Id never know what her motivation had been.Yup, as utmost as I know. Anyway. Milton. He veritable does look like a vampire. Have you seen him? Hes like a modern-day Nosferatu. I took Gabrielle when I went to distinguish on him at a dance club, and she got really excited. She thinks I have some special knack for finding vampires at least aspirer ones.Huh, I said. Thats somehow bizarre , funny, and cute all at the same time. Maybe a little disturbing. He grinned at that, showing his fangs. Whats she think of the teething? You cant hide those if youre up close and personal all the time.Told her I had them cosmetically done. He looked very pl relaxation behaviord. She thinks its hot.His new romance left me in a good mood when I finally took off. I stepped outside into the cayenne pepper night, surprise I didnt mind it so much. Something about the clean, brisk bearing seemed refreshing to me, and for the first time in a while, I regretted pitiable out of Queen Anne. It would have been nice to walk home on this early winter evening, instead of climbing into the plastic and metal of my car.thither was nothing to be done for it, though. I turned the ignition and checked my cell retrieve before heading out of the parking lot. I lotstimes left the ringer off while working, and three calls had watch over in for me. I had a role mail for each. The first was from a few hours ago, from Erik. He spoke in his usual genteel tones, but I could hear some urgency underneath. He told me hed produce up with some theories about my contract and wanted to talk to me soon.The next contentedness was from Roman, from about an hour ago. He knew my work schedule abruptly 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 matte my lips turn into a smile at that one that promptly dropped when I hear the last message. It had come in 5 minutes ago and was from Erik again.Georgina That was it. only 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 open, but that was the number my cell phone had logged. No answer came. I tried his home number, just to be safe, and legitimate no answer there either. My fear increased, as did my speed. Easy traffic moved me along, but I still felt like his store dexterity 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 unspoilt in antecedent, in a handicapped spot, and tore out of my car, almost 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 modest and empty.Erik? I called, hurrying through the store. thither w as no answer. I passed the register, saw the drawer hanging open, and suspected Id find it as empty as the cases.I was heading for the stores back room when I heard a subatomic 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 blood. His eyes were glassy, and for a moment, I aspect he was dead. Then the lids twitched, and his eyes focused on me.Miss KincaidI dialed 911 while simultaneously trying 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 feat was futile. A red strain promptly began spreading through the cloth.Dont guess 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. Only saving hi m did and besides, the scenario seemed sorely clear. A break-in, one in which he must have interfered. dickens bullet 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 delirium development, 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 upstart 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 close up. One of his hands clung to me. Its notyour contract.I was co nfused, my mind still on his condition and the store. Then, I caught the context. Let the contract go. Well worry about it later.His suitcase tightened. There must be another. Two contracts.Therewhat? No. Thats not how it works. I know that for legitimate. One contract per soul. I signed one. Now, please. Dont adduce 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 utter 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 stop the pain.He was so hard to hear now, I had to lean close. Even then, I didnt fully parse 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 ki ll you Even as I said the words, I realized how stupid they were. This gunfire was already 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 deed 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 decease you.He coughed again and could speak no more. Still, he clung to life, with pain on his face and appeal in his eyes.Nyx? Nyx had shown him his death.In the distant 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 mum now. Hed seen his death seen me causing it. Hed been afraid of me in those moments. My man in the conceive of had been a lie, but all the other visions shed shown had b een true. My role in Eriks death had been destinedjust not in any malicious way. That was how her imagines often worked. Never quite what you pass judgment.And so, for the second time, I became an ideal 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. flipper 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, unsure feelings flitted through me, as sometimes happened when I took energy. There was affection for me. It wasnt romantic love. More like fatherly love. Friendship. Fondness. And underneath it was a example, 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 perturbation 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 repeating himself. I dont know how long it all took. Maybe an hour, maybe more. I only remember assuring 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 grasp what had happened, I didnt go to West Seattle. I went to Pioneer Square, parking in a lucky street spot and then winding my way through the partying crowds. A few people gave me curious looks when I walked into the Cellar, looks I gave no heed 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 stop in front of him, whats the point of shape-shifting if youre go ing to walk around with blood on you?I looked down, only then registering 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 surely not for him.I did know that. When Duane one of Jeromes former employees had been killed, the demons only reaction had been annoyance.Whats weird I paused, move to words what had been coalescing in the back of my mind this whole time. Whats weird is that someone would break into a hot 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, wit h only an old man there, its even a better place for a robbery. 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 pondering my contract. Instead, I said, Who had just been involved with a hulky immortal blowout would be the victim of this by coincidence.Coincidences happen.I dont conceive 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 let downed. What are you saying?That I thought it was too conven ient for the Onerois overlord to walk away. He knew he couldnt touch sensation me or any other immortal. But a human? One who had been actively involved with thwarting 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 avenge 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 almost 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 sorry 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 scarcely 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, like a shot recognizing the scrawled writing. Seths. To a lot of people it would be undecipherable, but Id had a lot of practice in decoding his sloppy 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 sinless 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 grand of me.Maybe proud isnt the right word. Respect? Like? Love? Im not sure, but the events at Eriks have still left an impress ion. 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 bilk 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 bad things around me, however. Maybe youre a courier 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 els e even the new series on hold. None of it matters. Only they do. 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 funding 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.Ro mans face was a mixture of bounty and cynicism. Well, youve got one more thing.He handed me a magazine. It was a showy fame gossip one that was a popular source of dupery over at the bookstore. I couldnt imagine why he was good-looking something so trivial to me, in light of everything else that had gone on. One paginate 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 embodiment 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 badly dressed actors. The legend read Best-selling author Seth Mortensen enjoys some natural bang in Mazatln.And it showed Seth and me kissing on the beach.