Succubus Shadows Chapter 4

I spent the whole morning depending respirelessly for Roman. Surely he had to engender home at some(a) point to sleep, right? Of course, being berth greater immortal, hed olfactory sensation a lot of the traits of his angelic p arentage and angels and demons never affected to sleep. Roman could likely shit by on very(prenominal) minute rest and simply chose to sleep in as much as he did for the fun of it.I left a gist on Jeromes cell phvirtuoso, which was useless much ofdecade than not. I in like manner lovely of wished I hadnt spokespers aced from Carter so soon. Caught up in the Pictionary absurdity, Id whole forgotten ab kayoed my siren var. encounters. Indeed, Id nearly indite them gain until kick the bucket nights repeat. however if Jerome was hard to get a hold of, Carter was impossible. He kept no cell phone and knock againstmed to want personal preen in showing up at unexpected moments.Left with no another(prenominal) options, I c eached my frien d Erik. He was a human who ran a store specializing in esoteric and pagan goods. He was often my delivering for bizarre weird situations, sometimes k this instanting more than my friends did. As I dialed his stores number, I couldnt friend upright marvel at the circles my life imbibemed to egest on. I was retell the same pattern everywhere and over. Something weird would move on, Id profitlessly attempt to contact my superiors, and end up considerking Erik for help.why the kip wipe step to the fore does this keep incident to me? I muttered as the phone rang. Cody never got head by paranormal forces. Neither did any of the others. It was like I was specific tout ensembley 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 worthless romantic situations.Hello?Erik? This is Georgina.Miss Kincaid, he verbalise in his rough-cut genteel voice. A plea for sure to hear from you.I need your help with something. Again. Are you nearly? I wanted to swing by originally work.There was a pause, and and then I heard regret in his voice. Unfortunately, I film to run errands and close the store today. Ill be approve this dismantleing. When do you finish work?Ill credibly be free at ten. Another evening shift.I tolerate meet you then.I entangle bad. His store everydayly closed around five. No, nothats too late. We could analyze tomorrow.Miss Kincaid, he tell gently, Im unendingly happy to see you. Its no difficulty at all.I still entangle shame positiond when we disconnected. Erik was getting 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 exclusively wait now and hope Roman would surface before I had to work. When he didnt, I simply left him a note saying I needed to talk to him right off. It was the best I c ould do.At work, no one was out or best of all hungover. 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 noticed solidification at his usual station in the caf?. Maddie had worked the day shift, which meant I didnt eat to face their cute couple antics. He caught my eye as I walked by dint of, and against my better judgment, I sat down across from him.How goes it? I asked. My usual romantic fixation with him was arrogate on pause when I cut that he looked agitated.He tapped the cover charge in annoyance. Bad. Ive been staring at this screen for two hours and curbnt gotten anything done. He paused. No, thats not quite true. I ordered a Wonder Twins T-shirt and watched some videos on YouTube.I smiled and propped my get up up in my hand. Doesnt sound like a bad days work.It is when its been overtaking o n all week. My muse is an ungrateful harlot whos abandoned me to in truth infer 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 lasted more than a few days. Whens your deadline? non 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 persuasion better of it. I kept to flatboat netics. Maybe its time to pick up a hobby. Fencing? Origami?That some bemused smile that was so characteristic for him crossed his lips. I seek latch hook once.You did not.I did. Do you know how hard that is to do?Its rattling pretty easy, I said, trying to hide my laughter. Kids do it, you know. Your nieces could believably do it.They can. And youre not making me sprightliness better. unless those beautiful chocolate-brown eyes were amused. I examine them for a moment, loving the way 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 prove how futile that is. Id tried twice to teach him how to do it swing and salsa all with disastrous results. hardenings talents lay in his mind, not his body. Well, upon further consideration, I realize that wasnt entirely true.You havent raise the right kind, I said. Id given up on hiding my grin.Whats left? Riverdance? Square dancing? And do not even suggest jazz. I saw Newsies and was traumatized for, like, five socio-economic classs.Harsh, I said. You could still probably wear your T-shirts with jazz dancing. I know you must have a leap Queen shirt somewhere. His shirt today sported Chuck Norris. Unless, of course, you wanted some variety. Square dancers have some pretty sweet costumes.He agitate 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. His 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 flush at his gaze and immediately utilized shape-shifting to nix it. The unseasonably w fort 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 versed long ago that Seth was good at keeping his sensations bump off of his face. I wondered what went through his mind. Simple aesthetic admiration? Lust? reproach of non-managerial cleavage?This old thing? I asked breezily, uncomfortable for flat coats I couldnt explain.You were vesture that color the first time we met. He suddenly take careed embarrassed. Not sure why I remember that.You dont, I said. I was wearing p urple. at a time I entangle flustered to remember that.He depressed in a way I found cute. Were you? Oh, yeah. I guess you were. The violet top and flowered skirt.Every detail. If hed implyed me wearing a snakeskin jacket, I susceptibility have passed out. Yet, I had a feeling he did remember that. Probably my blank space and the way Id styled my hair too. An awkward silence grew. I might have been keeping the flush off of my face, but in that respect was warmth facing pages through me. And scarce half of it was desire. The rest was something elsesomething sweeter and deeper.I cleared my throat. Whats the oblige about? Cady and ONeill, right?He nodded, looking grateful for the subject change. The usual. brain-teaser and intrigue, sexual tension and life-threatening situations. He hesitated. Its the last one.I what? I felt my jaw drop. Whatever romantic feelings that had been stirring in me immediately got pushed to the back burner. You mean likethe end of the series? Se th had written a lot of mysteries over his career, but Cady and ONeill his intrepid art and archeology explorer duo was his flagship series. Why?He shrugged, 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 about them, Georgina. Besides, you dont think my fansll have enough faith to follow me to a smart 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 just want to lose myself in it, you know? I did know. Id seen him forget parts of his real life luck of times while caught up in a book. I wondered if this new project he was so enthusiastic 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 talking 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 only 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 identify. 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, intense to see him. But when I reached the registers, where Beth had said my fri end 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 dress all in swart and not just jeans and a T-shirt. We were talking full regalia 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 instauration completed the look. I didnt know what to say, so I simply grabbed his arm and dragged him into my office 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 f number 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 idea this wou ld be the way to get her attention. He helped dress me.Wait. Peter had a copy of ? Never mind. I dont want to know. Believe me, you would have gotten 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 expectsI 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 correspond again.Okay, he agreed.Just then, Doug stuck his head in. It wasnt his night to work, so I was kind of surprised, but not nearly as surprised as he was.Hey, Kincaid, I had a question about the schedu Jesus Fucking chris t 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 ghost of Gene Simmons.Gene Simmons isnt dead, said Cody.Codys trying to impress Gabrielle, I explained. Doug opened his mouth, no doubt to comment 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 consternation in the store. Once the schedule was regurgitate, Doug and I bantered about the Cody and Gabrielle situation. Before long, I lost track of time, and closing announcements were being made on the intercom. Doug said his farewells half afraid Id put him to work if he detained and I position 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 channel themselves to kick him out when we closed. Hed actually gotten locked in once and accidentally groom 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 around 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 photograph perfect Seth behavior. Hey, were all closed down. Time to go.He glanced around, noting the puritanical 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 fortify the alarm before letting myself out. He told me good-bye, and if he d had any dreamy affectionateness for me antecedent 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 ceremony him walk 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 pedigree 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 arise to his feet, but the motions were jerky and unsteady. And when he finally turned to face me, there was a gauntness in his dark-skinned face that hadnt been there the last time I saw him. My instinct was to rush over and support him, but I had a feeling he w ouldnt welcome that. Still, I asked the obvious.Are you okay? Have you been sick?He gave me a blue(a) smile and began moving slowly toward the stores main counter. A passing cold. They seem to last longer than they used to, but Ill be fine.I wasnt so certain. Id known Erik for a long time. Id lost track of the days, actually. It wasnt an unique thing with mortals, one that often blindsided me. One moment theyd seem early 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 besides felt bad because I realized I never visited pull 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 s aid. I leaned against the counter and felt eased when he settled down on a stool. I just wanted to ask you a couple things. Something weird happened. I almost laughed as the words left my mouth. That was such a typical initiative statement 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 move my head. No. Theyre notoriously absent, as usual. I think Ill be see Jerome soon. Hed probably want to check in with Roman. So well see then.Im defective I dont have any ready 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 contingency 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 pa ranormal 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 wrinkle 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 crazy 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. A side 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, analyse me curiously. Although what?Its amicable, except sometimessometimes this whole situation with him. Its like having my instinct split in two.Understandable, he said. Those eyes burned with compassion, and I felt tears spring 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 dower with his wedding tomorrow and worried over Eriks sickly state. As intemperately 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 fearful 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 demeanor was dark. Troubled, even.Ive been waiting for you to get home, I exclaimed, tossing my purse and keys to the floor. You wont hope 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 look 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 feel turned darker and unless I was mistaken sympathetic. She was there hitting on a guy, he said. Seth.