Succubus on Top CHAPTER 17

Should I put up Lorelei Biljans posters now? Or wait until after E. J. Putnams g peerless?I exploreed up from the invoices on my desk. Id exclusively reread the same line of numbers virtu every(prenominal)y five times with reveal comprehending any of it, and I was having solely a brusk fall apart luck parsing Tammis question.I rubbed my eyes. Whywould we wait?She shrugged. Dunno. retri hardlyive collarms soma of rude to be advertising one author during a nonher ones signing.My chief moved slowly, probably beca practice session only 5 percent of it was rattling here(predicate) at the bookstore. The rest of my brainpower attempted to muddle through the casualty that was my life.Umno, it doesnt matter. Put them both up. Theyre only a week apart, and we motivation Biljan to narrow a fair shot at publicity besides. Besides, I dont count authors very come forthsmart worked up everyplace competition same(p) that. Theyre handsome low-key.Tammi ran a hand through her sho rt red hair. I dont know. Theyre famed and artistic. Seems resembling thats a bad combination. Temperamental and stuff. non all writers provoke be like circle. In fact, I bet when he abridges maddened enough roughly something, he could really permit someone urinate it.Anything else? I asked, a sharp note of dismissal in my voice. Otherwise, true(p) put up all the posters, authorize?She gave me a startled look and left the dourice. When the door fill upd, I put my head d take in on the desk and groaned. Tammi, in her blissful adolescent na?te, had no idea how close to topographic point she had hit. Like her, I too believed hardening could display a stilt of anger if arrestn enough cause.Like, say, his girlfriend cheating on him.True, Bastien had been bonnyifiedly in saying curing and I had loose definitions of cheating, solely even I knew what did and did not qualify. There was no gray range here. No mutability. I had liveed up hard-core.Id known it too, lying there in that unholy union with Bastien. After my sleepless night, Id left him around break of day and took a cab bear to Queen Anne, my body close up aching. I hadnt valued to talk to him. Hed slept so heavily, he hadnt heard me leave. No evil weighed him down.But me? My cup of guilt was runnething over. Not only that, I still had to make the next decision in this mess to enjoin or not to tell? That was what had really bothered me all day at work. The past was over I could only worry about it for so large. My attention now focused on how to proceed with the future.Fortunately, Seth had worked from home today, which helped a little. He and I eventually had plans to meet up in the evening, simply until that happened, I still had time to come up with something. Anything. nonetheless when I walked home at the end of my shift, I was no adpressed to an answer than I had been at the beginning of the day.Miserable, I pulled up a chair at my kitchen table and sat down with pen and paper. Aubrey jumped up on the tables flat sur facial gesture and lay down to watch me, fractional of her sprawling on the page. I slid her off and made the following heelDONT TELL curingPros status quo resumes, he wont be upsetCons my own gnawing guilt, totally blowing the honesty thingI considered the proclivity for a moment, impress that neither the pro nor con side had more(prenominal) items. It was just that simple. mournful farther down the paper, I wrote up the reciprocal list.TELL SETHPros beneficial thing to doCons admitting Im an idiot, painfully emotional blowout, inevitable breakup, a literal eternity of heart-wrenching sorrow and regretI held the pen and looked back and forth between both lists.This isnt really clearing things up, Aubrey. In an parturiency to relieve my frustration, I hurled the pen somewhere into my living dwell. She watched it sail off with interest and then darted off to confirm the kill.What do you need to tell Seth?Jesus I yelled, practic ally jumping ten feet in the air. Carter had appeared out of nowhere and now stood beside the table, tone casual and laconic. He wore a black T- enclothe over a gray thermal shirt and the same jeans I swear hed had on for the go bad couple decades. Dont do that, okay? Knocking isnt a lost art.Sorry. He pulled a chair out and straddled it, so his long arms draped lazily over the back. Flipping his stringy blond hair out of the way, he gestured toward my list. Didnt mean to interrupt.Youre not, I muttered, crumpling up the paper. I tossed that into the living room too, so Aubrey could defecate more to hunt.Anything you want to talk about? he offered.I hesitated. Of all the raft I knew, only Carter had been a stead degraded believer in Seth and me having a serious relationship. He was the only one who hadnt treated it as a joke. In some ways, that talent have made him a good confidante, yet it likewise disqualified him. I could not oink to the one person who had believed in me ju st how seriously I had messed things up in a weak moment.No, I give tongue to brusquely. But I assume you have something to talk about.He eyed me a moment, like he might push me on what I clearly held back, but then he let the matter go. I have something for you.He extended a balled fist. When he opened it, I found a small pouch lying on his palm. I picked it up and stroked the material. I had no idea what it was, but the cloths smooth texture felt like a flower petal. I started to open it.Dont, he warned. His commanding lineament instantly made me stop. Youll break the spell.What spell?The one that masks whats in spite of appearance the pouch. And the one that masks your divinity fudge signature. I nodded with down the stairsstanding. I might not know what to do with my own bed life, but immortal conspiracies I could follow. To hide me and this from Alecs supplier.The nonsuch nodded in return.I held up the pouch and waggled it at him. So do I get to know whats in there?Its a He paused, not from a reluctance to tell me but to search for the right word. Its a dart, I guess. Or maybelike, an arrowhead. But that sounds weird. Nah, lets call it a dart. Its only about an inch long. A dart that looks like a small wooden arrowhead.Um. Okay. Got it. And what do I do with this darting arrowhead thing?You squeeze the other immortals heart with it.Whoa. Likestaking a vampire?Uh, not entirely. Youll manakin of have to see when the time comes. The key is to move fast. As currently as you open the pouch, hell know what you are and whats in there. You dont want to give him time to react because it wont be pretty if he does. Act fast, and dont outguess yourself.How is a small piece of wood passing to solve all our problems?Its special wood, he replied with a grin.Oh, yeah, that explains everything.Are you close to meeting him? awfully close, actually. I probably could have met him yesterday if Id wanted. Alec was very keen on introducing us.Carter frowned, turning this over in his mind. Hmm. Odd.Should I be worried?No more worried than you already should be at the intellection process of assail an immortal.But Ill be fine if I just act fast and dont overthink it, huh?Right. I imagine thats pretty common for you anyway.Anything else I should know? easilylets see. Yeah. One thing. Dont actually do it until theres provocation.What? I stared. Being a doodly-squat who pushes addictive substances that destroy mortals isnt provocation enough?Oddly, no. You have to be threatened in some way.Annoyed, I tossed the pouch onto the table. This was so true of Carter and Jerome. A bizarrely complex scheme with ridiculous nuances and loopholes. Threatened? How can he threaten me? He cant unlesswait, hes not an immortal who could kill me, is he?No, of persist not. But he could make things veryun facilitateable for you. Anyway, theres a lot of ways to threaten a person. If he hurts youor you feel indefensiblelike he could abuse his power over you, then thatll work. Hes a stronger immortal than you. Preying on you especially when you belong to Jerome, so to speak is a big no-no. You would be justified in protecting yourself. But, if you attack wantonly, youll get in trouble from the powers that be for targeting other immortals. Youll alike get us in trouble for arming you.This sounds kind of like entrapment.Thats an ugly word. lets just guard it in terms of self-defense.So, you think things are breathing out to get rough enough that Ill actually need self-defense?He hesitated. I dont know. I just dont know.Yeah, but then, if this guys perfectly nice and just sells me a stash of ambrosia, I cant do anything? Weve wasted the trip?Like I said, I dont know. Really. But honestlyif theyre making it this easy to find him, I have to think something weird is going on. Just be careful, okay? His face was all seriousness now. Youre smart. You can pull this off.And I dont suppose, at any point in this, youre going to tell me who this guy actually is?I believe ignorance is bliss.I threw my hands up, not knowing what else to say. Carter traded a a few(prenominal) more jokes with me and then rose to go. Hesitating, he gave me a particular(a) look.You sure you dont want to talk? Youve obviously got something bugging you. I do. But Ive got to commode with it on my own.Fair enough. See ya. An eyeblink later, the angel disappeared.Seth showed up about an hour later, a little blue paint smudged on his face. terry cloth and Andrea are movie the kitchen now.I smiled at him, swallowing all the churning emotions inwardly me. How can you get so messy when you dont even do the painting?I found a washcloth and dabbed at his face in a fruitless effort to clean him up. Standing so close, I suddenly had a flashback to last night. His hands stroking my breasts. Feeling him inside of me, filling me up. Our bodies moving together. His lips parting slightly when he came.It wont come off, I said abruptly, jerking away.Oh. Okay.I sta yed moody and silent for the rest of the night, influenceed and distant at any sort of touching. Seth picked up on the vibe right away and let me have my space. We walked a few blocks down the street to a theater that only showed Oscar nominees and artsy, independent films. We proverb one of the latter, and I have to admit, it did take my mind off my love life, if only for two hours.Sitting at an Italian restaurant afterward, I let him draw me into a discussion of the films merits. It amazed me that my mouth could keep up with the discourse while the rest of me was in an entirely varied world.Over and over, I replayed what had happened last night and not just the call forth part. I analyzed everything, the events that had led up to it. Why had I do it? What had made me give in? Had it really been an altruistic attempt to fix Seth and me by removing the temptation? Had it been an aching desire to take comfort in Bastien? Or, most likely, had it been something selfish on my p art? A yearning desire to touch what I wasnt supposed to have not because it might help our relationship, but because I just wanted to do it. I had wanted that pleasure. I had craved his body and simply gave in to the hedonism I longed for. I was a creature of hell, after all. I had observed originally that we werent exactly known for our self-control.Yet none of that changed the fact that it had happened. It had happened, and I had to do something about it. Ordid I?Seth sat across from me, looking happy and content as we talked. Ignorance really is bliss sometimes. I thought back to the lists. If he never found out, the truth couldnt hurt him. We could go on as we had. The only problem would be that I knew the truth. I had to live with this betrayal, not only of our physical relationship but also of our attempts at honesty and openness. One more en endeavour on the list of dark and nasty secrets I already kept.You with me, Thetis? he asked suddenly.Huh?He gave me a small, sweet smile and moved his hand over to hold mine. I squeezed it back. You look like youre miles away. I gave him a half-smile in return. Apparently I wasnt as subtle as I thought. I looked at him, analyse those beloved features, and shook my head. I couldnt do it. I couldnt tell him. Not yet.Just tired, I lied.We shared a dish of gelato and then returned to my apartment. We had just set up the cacography board when I felt immortal signatures approaching.I groaned, not wanting to deal with this. Hail, hail, the gangs all here.Seth looked perplex until we heard the knock at the door. I opened it, letting in Hugh, Peter, Cody, and Bastien.You are alive, said Peter cheerfully, smothering me in a hug. We attempt calling you tonight.And Ive been trying to get a hold of you all day, added Bastien pointedly.I was perfectly aware that he had called me many times. I had purposely not answered my phone.Sorry, I said to all of them.Hey, Seth, said Cody, clapping the writer on the back. The vampire and the rest of the immortals spread themselves out around my living room like they lived there. I gave their giggling and careless behavior a withering glance.You guys been barhopping?Yup, said Hugh with pride. You both of you could have joined us.Fortunately, the night is still young, declared Bastien. He strolled around the living room, arching an appalled eyebrow at the Scrabble board. When you didnt answer, we decided to come issue an invitation in person.Were going to go fool away pool, explained Cody happily. Over at that place in Belltown. You guys should come along. He gave Seth a conspiratorial grin. Georginas a wicked pool player.Thetis is good at everything, Seth murmured automatically. I could tell by his body language he wasnt comfortable with a bunch of drunken immortals in the room. I also knew he didnt want to go out.Sorry, guys, I told them. Weve already been out. Were staying in.This earned uncomplimentary remarks and groans of disapproval.Oh come on, begged Hugh, trying to get Aubreys attention with a cat wreak on a string. She didnt fall for it and hissed at him instead. We always get better service when you go with us.Besides, said Bastien nastily. It doesnt look youre doing anything else exciting. You should be grateful we came along. Were bad you something. Something you couldnt otherwise get.I remained calm, but I think the others picked up on the sudden tension in the air. Sorry, I repeated. Were staying in. You guys can hang out for a little bit, but then Ive got to kick you out. Were doing our own thing. I wasnt aware you guys did anything at all, muttered Bastien in a voice only I heard. mayhap the vampires too, with their superhuman hearing.You got anything to drink? asked Peter, gently nudging me toward being a good hostess.I was still locked in a battle of wills and eye extend to with the incubus. Yeah, I just bought a six-pack of Smirnoff Ice.Oh, said Cody. Score.He and Hugh raided my refrigerator, brief out bottles of prissy malted beverage to everyone except Seth and me. We abstained. Lounging around, conversation on silly topics soon ensued, although Bastien, Seth, and I did not participate. Seth stayed liquid because he always stayed unruffled in such settings. Bastien and I stayed quiet because we were pissed off at each other.I excused myself for the public convenience and found Bastien waiting remote the door for me when I finished.Alcohol runs right through you, huh? I asked, pushing past him.He blocked my way, substitute me up against the wall.What the hells wrong with you? he demanded in a low voice.Nothing. Let me go.Bullshit. I left you like a hundred messages. Youre avoiding me.So? Its my prerogative. Just like that song.He snorted. Let me guess. Youre having some sort of melodramatic clean crisis over what happened last night. Thats so typical of you lately.Dont talk to me about last night. You shouldnt have done what you did.Is houldnt have? My God, Fleur ,dont act like youre the victim here. zippo forced you. You more than consented. In fact, I daresay you enjoyed it.It was a mistake.And so avoiding me is going to fix it? Dont delude yourself. It wasnt a mistake. It was good for you. I helped you. I gave you something you would have never gotten otherwise. Youll remember it for the rest of your life.Gee, I said, dripping sarcasm. How kind of you. Because thats really all there was to it, wasnt there? You only did it to help me. Nothing more. You for certain didnt do it just because you could. Because I was beautiful and I was wonderful and you wanted me. Listen to me No. You listen to me. If I want to avoid you, let me avoid you. Dont show up at my house drunk and try to force your way into a dialogue. It makes you more of an asshole than youd be otherwise. I dont want to talk to you. Not anytime soon. Maybe not ever.Forevers a long time. He leaned closer, one hand on my arm. Dont you think youre overreacting to one fuck? Besides, you cant cut me of f. Youve got to help me with Dana.No, I declared icily. I do not. Youre on your own with that. And if you get sent to Guam, then its your own fucking fault. Maybe itll give you some time to think about your relations with women outside of business.Damn it Georgina?We both turned and saw Seth standing in the hallway. Bastien and I were close too close but not romantically close. Anyone with half a brain could tell we were locked in a dispute. Our postures radiated it, as did our expressions. The grip Bastien held on my arm was not friendly.Are you okay? Seth asked carefully. His words came out low and measured, but I saw something strange in his expression. Not anger, but something else kindling in his eyes. He had told me in one case he chose his battles carefully, and I wondered then what he would do if he thought the incubus was a real threat to me.Were fine, I said. I skint from Bastiens grasp, and he didnt fight it.Yes, he agreed with a cold smile. Were fine.He walked past m e but stopped when he was even with Seth.You should be flattered, Bastien told him. around women invoke God during sex, but Fleur yells your name. One would have thought you were a deity, considering how many times she paid homage to you last night.He go on on to the living room, and I didnt even stick around to see Seths reaction. I stormed after Bastien.Get out, I told him. I looked over at the other immortals. All of you, get out now.Peter, Cody, and Hugh stared at me in astonishment. Id kicked them out a number of times, but none of them had ever heard me use this voice on them. Consequently, they heeded it. They scrambled out the door in under a minute, Bastien shooting me a dark glance as he left.When they were gone, I took a deep breath and turned to Seth. Anger and discouragement boiled inside of me.Let me guess. You want to know what he meant.His face was unreadable. Honestly, I dont know. He suddenly sounded tired. I dont know if I want to.Yeah, well, Ill tell you anywa y.The words tore at me while coming out, but I really didnt want to hold onto the secret anymore. Not only because Bastien had given it away but also because I knew I wasnt going to be able to stand having it fester inside of me. It hurt too much. Talking to the incubus had made me realize that.So while I didnt mention the pictures, I told Seth everything else. Everything.When I finished, he didnt say anything. He stared at some nonexistent spot in the air, face sportsmanlike once more. After a couple of minutes of aching silence, he finally turned back to me.So. How was I?