Succubus Dreams CHAPTER 13

Im historically not a serial killer. It just seemed equal too good a chance to pass up.Man, I said. If I had a dime for every time I heard thatLiam, the guy whod bought me at the auction, laughed and opened the car access for me. He drove a shiny sinister Lotus Elise that hed had imported from the UK. I found that impressive. It appeared to concord just been freshly washed. I found that impressive too and a little sad since it looked like it was going to rain at any moment.Its supposed to be really good, though, he added, starting up the engine. So, I hope youll like it and not have in mind its too demented for the holidays.I hadnt been keen on following up with my charity learn, just Id known it would have to happen sooner or later. When Liam had as for sureed introductory to say hed gotten tickets to a dramatic production of three Edgar Allan Poe stories tonight, I figured it was as good a time as any to get it all over with. Besides, I liked Poe. It was kind of a cree py date to have around the happiest time of the year, true, but that would be the theaters fault, not Liams.It was an early show, so we aforethought(ip) to attend first and catch dinner later. On the drive in that location, he turned out to be a lot like Id expected. Intelligent. Nice. Moderately merry. He worked for an investment company downtown and had enough sense not to bore me with the details. We traded light banter, sharing anecdotes and experiences. I still would have rather been with Seth, 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 any(prenominal)what as twisted as Id hoped. They started with The Masque of the Red Death, followed by The Cask of Amontillado. The Tell-Tale Heart closed the night off because honestly, what sort of Poe festivities would be complete without that mob pleaser?Ive never heard of The Masque of the Red Death, Liam said afterwards. Wed decided to leave the car and wal k the six b engrosss to the restaurant he had reservations at. I read the another(prenominal)s in high school. I guess its some kind of allegory near how you cant escape death, huh? You can lock yourself a delegacy, but it doesnt work.More than an allegory, actually, I mused. Historically, that wasnt an uncommon way for people to deal with plague and disease. Lock themselves up. Or else leave town and run away. Sometimes theyd throw the sick people out of town and lock the doors, so to speak.Thats horrible, said Liam. We stepped inside the restaurant, a small Italian one that was almost always booked. I had to admit, he was doing a good job with this date thing.People didnt know any better, I said. They didnt know what caused diseases, and aside from good hygiene and luck, thither were few treatments for ancient and gothic epidemics.That auctioneer didnt say anything close to you being a history buff, he teased.Yeah? Would you not have bid?Are you kidding? A beautiful 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 careful not to get too nerdy. I knew more than the average girl should and could get into levels of detail that modern people had no way of knowing about(predicate). I shifted to something else.Well, I designate the auctioneer was kind of distracted by the other contestants.Oh, you pixilated the feminazi who went before you?I frowned. No, I mean the giant 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. provided the auctioneer apparently thought otherwise. He couldnt keep his hands off of her.Oh, come on. He barely touched 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.After the auction. I was there helping wrap things up. Deannas a friend of my ex-wifes. When we all finished, Nick and that blonde were all over each other and unexpended together.Thatthat isnt possible.Tawny had said theyd left separately. There was no way she and Nick 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 a lot with Nick and really, why would she? shed obviously had no recent sinew 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 made sense. Liam, obviously, didnt catch my confusion.Whys it so hard to believe? he asked.I shake my head. Itsnever mind. I hope they had a great time. Nowwhat kind of wine did you order? I missed it.Not wanting to ruin dinne r, I put the Tawny conundrum into a holding bin in my mind and did my best to happen Liam his seventeen-hundred-dollars worth. When dinner ended, we walked back toward his car, enjoying a leisurely pace. The weather, though damp, had warmed to about fifty. Seattles fickle winters did that sometimes, only 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-time, I avoided casual affairs 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 loss of my energy. It had felt so good to have Simons yet it had been stripped from me before I could even do anything with it. Itd be so nice 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 s o that I confront him. What now? he asked.I dont know. I was still torn on what to do. Im open to suggestion.Liam smiled, a wily smile that showed in his blue eyes too. Well, how about this? He leaned down and kissed me, much as Dante had nearly done.Oh, Liam. Liam was a good man. A good, good man. Seth caliber. The moment our lips touched, I felt the sweetness of his life energy trickling into me. My desire woke up, and I pressed myself to him. I might 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 stalker. He might be disappointed, but he wouldnt give me grief for wanting to be friends in the morning.He kissed me harder, pushing me against 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 c at one timerned. Whats the matter?It had been a whisper in my head. Faint but real. It had been paired with a proclivity, 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 full phase of the moon of energy. It made my skin crawl. Bad enough this thing was using me. It was also 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 possible. I wouldnt give this thing what it precious.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 precious 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.Nothing to be sorry about, he told me, smiling. Come on, Ill reappearance you home.He returned me to Queen 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 your 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 receiv e visitors full 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 reconcile 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 indeed been in bed.Sorry, I told him. Maybe 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 living space, office, supply clo get, andworkshop.Erik was right, I said, 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 faith in me. Probably smart. He pointed to a bean bag chair and a plaid ottoman. Take 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 noticed 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 thing as a casual hit.What, are you here to do an intervention now, succubus?No, I admitted. I had neither time nor interest to reform Dante. But I heard a voice tonight.I heard a voice too. It called and woke me up.DanteAngrily, I exp lained 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 aside from your energy loss, obviously. He brightened a little. I dont suppose its here now, urging you to jump me?Sorry.Ah, well. Im believably 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 pathetic because a startled look crossed his features.Dante, you have to help me. I know we dont have the answers yetbut, well, Im shake 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 astonis hment, he almost looked gentle. It completely transformed him. Ah, succubus. You can sleep tonight. No energy, no visit. I doubt the kiss was enough of a lure.But at lasteventually 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. apology to ward this thing away.You can do that? I tried to keep the skepticism out of my voice but failed. His face turned wry 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 sure 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 thin k were good.His eyes were still on his shelves and jars. Several 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 wakeful and make sure nothing happens to you.I couldnt help a smile. Just 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 kind 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 res pond, 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 inexperienced to know what shes perceiving to be of any real use.But she could be sensing 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, mayhap 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 eventually 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 good deal 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 barely 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 sarcasm and substances to hide it. I wondered what it was that plagued him so much what it was that had change 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.