Succubus Revealed Chapter 2

It took me a turn to re wholey comprehend that in thirty seconds, the conversation had g superstar(a) from a deeply seriously mystery ab divulge my live life to wheel for demonic bragging rights. And yet, this wasnt a particularly unusual pattern in my world.And by we, added Jerome, I mean you 4. He nodded toward Peter, Cody, Hugh, and me.Im sorry, I verbalize. Let me take a crap sure Im following this. Youve signed us up for close to cast of bowling league. One that you arent even passage to participate in. And this is nighhow sacking to prove your employees evilness to the world.Dont be silly. I potfult participate. Bowling squads only have 4 people. He didnt comment on the proving evilness part.Well, hey, Ill tot each(prenominal)y yield my mental picture to you, I tell. Im non that great a bowler.Youd better be fare by one. Jeromes childs playction grew cold. some(prenominal) of you had, if you kip down whats effective for you. Nanette will be imposs ible to spicy with at the next company meeting if you lot lose.Gee, Jerome. I love bowling, said Carter. How come you never mentioned this to me before?Jerome and Carter held gazes for several heavy seconds. Because, unless youre organize to take a fall for the team, you cant really compete with us.A queer smile fell everyplace Carters face. His gray eyes glinted. I see.I dont really ilk your use of us, perceive as youve already create verbally rack up any participation on your part, I pointed by to Jerome, imitating his earliest snide tone.Peter sighed, tonicitying rather woebegone. Where on earth am I sledding to find tasteful bowling shoes?Whats our team name going to be? asked Cody. That directly degenerated into a conversation of truly terrible aimions, such as Soulless in Seattle and Split Decision. by and bywards almost an hour, I couldnt handle any more than.I think Im going to go kin, I said, standing up. I had kind of wanted afters however was afraid I d be drafted for beach volleyball and cricket if I stayed more longer. I brought the wine. You guys dont really need me anymore.When you shoot home, tell my contrary manglespring that I need him to coach you guys, said Jerome.By home, I actually meant circles, I said. But if I see papistical, Ill permit him feel youve found a good use for his formidable cosmic powers. Roman Jeromes half(prenominal)-human son and my roommate actually was a reasonably good bowler, just now I didnt want to encourage Jerome.Wait Peter sprang up after me. You have to draw for Secret Santas first.Oh, come on nary(prenominal)complaining, he argued. He hurried to the kitchen and returned with a ceramic cookie jar make same(p) a snowman. He thrust it toward me. Draw. Whatever name you get is who youre buying for, so dont try to get out of it.I pull a piece of paper and opened it up. Georgina.I cant Peter held up a hand to silence me. You drew the name. Thats who youve got. No arguments.His stern look stopped me from any more protests. Well, I pointed out pragmatically, at least(prenominal) I have a hardly a(prenominal) ideas.To his c cherryit, Peter sent me home with some chocolate fondue sauce and a Tupperware bowl fill with fruit and marshmallows. Hugh and Cody were running forward with the bowling team plan, hard to come up with a practice schedule. Jerome and Carter said little and instead unploughed watching each other in a speculative, knowing dash that was typical of them. It was hard to read much on their faces, moreover for at one time, Jerome gave off the vibe of having the upper hand.I left Capitol Hill for Seattles University District and exercise sets condo. All the windows were dark when I pulled up, and I couldnt help a smile. It was almost eleven. readiness must have called it an early darkness, something Id been urging him to do for a while. sen cadencent of that, my smile faded as quickly as it had come. A few months ago, Seths sister-in-l aw, Andrea, had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The disease had been pretty far advanced when caught, and although shed almost immediately gone into treatment, the outcome still wasnt promising. Worse, the treatments had taken a huge sensible toll on her, one that was testing the familys strength. Seth was frequently share them out, especially when his brother Terry was controling, since it was harder for Andrea to care for their v daughters now. Seth had been sacrificing two sleep and his writing career to look after them.I knew it was necessary. I loved Seths family and had helped them out as well. But I still hate seeing Seth run himself down and knew that it hurt him to put his work on hold. He claimed his writing was the least of his problems right now and had time before deadlines were an issue, particularly since his next two bulks were queued for printing next year. I couldnt argue against that, unless the sleep issue? Yeah, I was on him a lot close that and gl ad to see my words had gotten make tonight.I used my key to let myself in and slipped by the condo as silently as possible. I practically lived here lately and had no trouble finding my way nigh furniture in the darkness. When I reached his bunsroom, I could plainly barely make out his form wrap up up in coers, softly outlined in the lively of his fear clock. I quietly took off my coat and past shape-shifted into a cotton fiber babydoll nightgown. It was sexy but non blatantly so. I planned on sleeping with him tonight, for real.I slid into bed and pressed myself up against his back, lightly tossing an beef up everyplace him. He stirred slightly, and I couldnt resist pressing a kiss against his bare shoulder. The scent of cinnamon and musk washed over me as he snuggled closer. Despite sternly chastising myself that he needed to sleep, I lightly ran my fingers along his arm and sneaked in another kiss.Mmm, he murmured, turn over over toward me. That feels nice.A few things hit me at once. First, Seth didnt go against any sort of cologne or aftershave that smelled kindred cinnamon. Second, Seths voice didnt skilful like that. Third, and perhaps most important, Seth wasnt in bed with me.I didnt mean to scream as loudly as I did. It just kind of happened.I was out of the bed in a flash, grope for the light switch on the wall while the intruder act to get up. He ended up getting tangled in the covers and falling off the bed with a loud thump, just as I found the light. I promptly reached for a weapon, but seeing as this was Seths bedroom, my options were limited. The heaviest, most dangerous object I could readily twat ahold of was Seths lexicon, a leather-bound monstrosity that he kept on hand because he didnt trust the Internet.I stood poised and ready to literally throw the book at the intruder as he scrambled to his feet. As he did and I got a good look at him, I find something crazy. He looked . . . familiar. non only that, but he kind of looked like Seth.Who are you? I demanded.Who are you? he exclaimed. He seemed more disunited than anything else. I dont think he found the threat of a five foot four woman with a dictionary all that frightening. in front I could answer, a hand touched my arm. I yelped and threw the dictionary out of instinct. The guy dodged, letting the book crash harmlessly against the wall. I spun around to see whod touched me and found myself spirit into the eyes of a old woman with gold cat-eye glasses. She was wearing flowered pajama bottoms and a pink sweatshirt with a crossword puzzle on it. She was also wielding a baseball bat, which was pretty astonishing not just because it was more dangerous than a dictionary but also because I hadnt known Seth owned one.What are you doing here? she asked fiercely. She glanced over at the shirtless, dumbfounded guy. Are you okay?For half a second, I actually toyed with the idea that I had somehow let myself into someone elses condo. Like, maybe I was just one door over. This mise en scene was so ridiculous that a mix-up seemed far more likely. It was only the obvious evidence like my key and Seths University of Chicago teddy erect watching this spectacle that drove home the concomitant that I was indeed where I was supposed to be.Suddenly, the sound of the front door opening and closing rang with the condo. infernoo? came a blessedly familiar voice.Seth exclaimed all 3 of us in unison.Moments later, Seth appeared in the doorway. As usual, he looked adorable. His chromatic brown hair was typically unkempt, and he was wearing a grime Dancing T-shirt that Id never seen before. Despite my panic and confusion over this current situation, the concerned part of me still noted the little signs of degenerate on Seths face, the dark circles and lines of weariness. He was thirty-six and usually looked younger than his age. Not today.Seth, said the bat-wielding woman. This lady broke into your house.He looked at each of us in turn before resting his gaze on her. Mom, he said quietly, thats my girlfriend. disport dont bludgeon her.Since when do you have a girlfriend? asked the guy.Since when do you have a baseball bat? I asked, recovering my composure.Seth cut me a wry look before gently severe to remove the bat from the womans hands. She didnt let go. Georgina, this is my mom, Margaret Mortensen. And thats my brother Ian. Guys, this is Georgina.Hi, I said, feeling admiration of a different sort. Id heard a lot about Seths produce and younger brother but hadnt expected to meet them anytime soon. Seths make didnt like to fly, and Ian was . . . well, from the stories Seth and Terry told, Ian was just hard to track down in general. He was the wayward Mortensen brother.Margaret relinquished the bat and put on a polite but wary smile. Its very nice to meet you.Ditto, said Ian. I now understood why he looked familiar. Aside from the fact Id in all likelihood seen a picture of him somewhere, he also share d some of Seths and Terrys features. He was tall like Seth, but with Terrys thinner face. Ians hair was all brown, with no coppery hint, but it had that same messy look that Seths did. Except, on closer examination, I had the feeling Ians had been purposely styled that way with the help of much time and product.Seth suddenly did a double take betwixt Ian and me. He didnt even have to say anything for me to guess the question on his mind. Or questions, perhaps. My nightgown and Ians shirtlessness undoubtedly raised a number of them.Ians demurrer came swift and certain. She got into bed with me.I feeling he was you, I said.Seths mother do a strange noise in her throat.You were supposed to be on the couch, said Seth accusingly.Ian shrugged. Its uncomfortable. And you werent home yet, so I pass judgment at that place was no harm through with(p). How was I supposed to know some woman was going to come manhandle me in my sleep?I didnt manhandle you I cried.Seth rubbed his eyes, aga in reminding me how exhausted he was. Look, whats done is done. Why dont we all just go to bed where were supposed to and then get to know each other in the morning, okay?Margaret eyeball me. Shes going to sleep in here? With you?Yes, Mom, he said patiently. With me. Because Im a grown man. And this is my home. And because in thirty-six years, this isnt the first woman to stay over with me.His mother looked aghast, and I groped for a more comfortable topic. Your shirts great. Now that she wasnt minacious to strike me, I could see that the crossword spelled out her five granddaughters names. I love the girls.Thank you, she said. Each one of them is a blessing, born within the holy confines of wedlock.Before I could even fumble a response to that, Ian groaned. Lord, Mom. Is that from that Web site I told you not to order from? You know their stuffs made in China. I know this woman who could have made you one out of sustainable organic fabric.Hemp is a drug, not a fabric, she told him.Good night, you guys, said Seth, pointing his brother to the door. Well talk in the morning.Margaret and Ian murmured their good nights, and she breakd to kiss Seth on the cheek which I actually thought was pretty cute. When they were gone and the door was closed, Seth sat on his bed and buried his face in his hands.So, I said, coming to sit beside him. on the dot how many women have stayed over in thirty-six years?He looked up. None who were caught by my mother in so little clothing.I plucked at the skirt of the nightgown. This? This is tame.Im sorry about that, he added, undulation vaguely toward the door. I shouldve called and warned you. They just drove into town tonight unannounced, of course. Ian cant be expected to do what people expect. It would ruin his reputation. They showed up at Terrys, but theres no room for them there, so I sent them on out front since they were so tired. I had no idea it would result in you trying to sleep with my brother.SethKidding, kidd ing. He picked up my hand and kissed the top of it. How are you? How was your day?Well, I tried my best to keep Santa from getting intoxicated and then found out Jerome signed us up for a Hellish bowling league.I see, said Seth. So. The usual.Pretty much. What about you?The small smile that had been tugging at his lips fell. Aside from unexpected family? The usual too. Terry was out late with work stuff, so I was there all night with the girls while Andrea rested. Kendall has to build a papier-mache solar system, so that was fun for everyone. He held up his hands and wiggled fingers coated in white powder.And let me guess. No writing?He shrugged. Its not important.You shouldve called me. I couldve watched them while you wrote.You were work and then . . . what, it was fondue night, right? He stood up and stripped off his shirt and jeans, getting down to green flannel boxers.How did you know that? I asked. I barely knew that.I was on Peters e-mail list.Well, regardless, it doesnt m atter. And that mall employment is nothing. I could have been over here in a flash.He stepped into his bathroom and returned a few moments later with a toothbrush in his mouth. That job is nuffing. Haf any of your interfeews panned out?No, I said, not adding that I hadnt gone on any other interviews. Everything paled compared to Emerald City.The conversation was put on pause while he finished brushing his teeth. You should be doing something better, he said, once he was done.Im fine where Im at. I dont mind it. But you . . . you cant keep going on like this. Youre not getting enough sleep or working.Dont worry about it, he said. He turned off the light and crawled into bed. In the dimness, I saw him pat the spot beside him. Come over here. Its just me, I promise.I smiled and curled up beside him. Ian didnt smell right, you know. I mean, he smelled good, but not like you.Im sure he spends needless amounts of money to smell good, muttered Seth through a yawn.Whats he do for a living ?Hard to say. Hes always got new jobs. Or no job. Whatever money hes got goes toward carefully maintaining his hard-fought, effortless lifestyle. Have you seen his coat?No. The only clothing of his Ive seen is his boxers.Ah. Well, it must be in the living room. It looks like it came from a thrift store but probably cost four figures. He sighed. Although, I shouldnt be too hard on him. I mean, yeah, hell probably hit me up for money while hes here, but I cant knock him and Mom coming out to help. At the very least, they can help watch the kids now.I wrapped my arms around Seth and breathed in his scent. It was the right one, and it was intoxicating. And you can catch up on some writing.Maybe, he said. Well see how it goes. I just hope Im not babysitting Mom and Ian more than the girls.How bad of an impression did I make on her? I asked.Not that bad. I mean, no worse than any woman scantily clad or otherwise wouldve made who was pass the night with me. He kissed my forehead. Shes n ot so bad. Dont be fooled by her unprogressive Midwest grandma act. I think you guys will get along.I wanted to ask if Maddie had met Margaret and, if so, how theyd gotten along. I bit my tongue on the question. It didnt matter. It was in the past, and Seth and I were the present. Sometimes, especially staying here as much as I did, I felt a little weird recall that Maddie had lived with him too. There were still little touches here and there that bore the do of her influence. For example, Margaret was most likely staying in Seths office, which had a futon, courtesy of Maddies ingenuity. Shed been the one to suggest he get it to help make the office double as a guestroom. Maddie had gone the futon had stayed.I tried not to think about those things very very much, though. In the big picture, they didnt matter. Seth and I had come through too much for me to get hung up on something like that. Wed outgo the problems in our relationship. Id accepted his mortality and his decision t o risk his life by being physical with me. True, I still rationed our sex life, but the fact that I allowed it at all was a big subsidization for me. Meanwhile, he accepted the terrible truth that I was often out sleeping with other men in order to sustain my existence. They were uncontrollable things for us both, but they were worth it for us to be together. Everything wed gone through was worth it.I love you, I told him.He placed a soft kiss on my lips and pulled me closer. I love you too. Then, in an take a hop of my thoughts, he added, You make it all worthwhile. All this stuff Im dealing with. I can do it because youre in my life, Thetis.Thetis. That was his longtime nickname for me, coming from the shape-shifting goddess in Greek mythology whod been won by a steadfast mortal. He called me that all the time and Letha, only once. I thought again about that night. The profuse feelings it stirred never seemed to go away, but I once again tried to force them aside. It was anot her of those little things that I was trying not to let bug me. It was nothing compared to the greatness of our love, and like my friends had said, Seth had probably overheard the name.I fell into a contented sleep, only to be waken abruptly around dawn. My eyes flew open, and I sat upright. Seth shifted and rolled over but wasnt awakened by my sudden movement. I stared around the room, my heart racing. Id been jolted out of sleep by an immortal presence, one I didnt know. It had felt demonic.There was nothing here now, visible or invisible, but I knew for a fact some servant of Hell had just been in the room. This wasnt the first time Id had unwelcome visitors in my sleep, often ones with nefarious intentions. Of course, Id felt this demon just now, and demons being higher immortals, not a lesser human-turned-immortal like me could mask their immortal signature. If he or she had wanted to sneak around or hurt me unannounced, it could have done so. Whoever this was hadnt cared ab out discovery.I slipped out of bed and continued studying the room, looking for some sign or reason for the demons passage. I was certain there would be one. There. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a flash of red in my purse. There was a business envelope sitting on top of it. I hurried over and scooped up the envelope. It was warm to my touch, but as I quietly opened it, I began to feel cold. That feeling intensified as I pulled out a letter printed on official Hell stationery. No good could come of this.Sunset had filtered more than enough light into the room to read by. The letter was addressed to Letha (alias Georgina Kincaid), from Hells HRThis is the thirty-day notice for your trans fer. Your new assignment will begin on January 15. Please make travel arrangements to leave Seattle and report to your new location in a timely manner.