Succubus Blues CHAPTER 17

I woke to the sound of Aubrey purring in my ear. Sensing my consciousness, she moved closer and licked the part of my cheek conterminous my earlobe, her whiskers gently rubbing against my skin. It tickled. Squirming slightly, I opened my eyes. To my astonishment, light, color, and shapes came through with(predicate) to me albeit in a blurred, distorted manner.I cornerstone see, I muttered to Aubrey, trying to mock up up. Immediately, myriad aches and pains screamed whole told over my body, making the motion difficult. I lay stretched appear on my couch, an old afghan tossed over me.Of variety you can see, Jeromes cold voice informed me. Aubrey fled. Though itd serve you secure if you couldnt. What were you calling, dateing at an angel in effective form?I wasnt, I told him, squinting at his phantasm-clad shape pacing in trend of me. Thinking, that was.Obviously.Lay off, came Carters laconic voice from just about(predicate)place behind me.Straightening up and peering around, I made out his fuzzy form leaning against a wall. Peter, Cody, and Hugh in addition stood nearby in the room. It was a regular, dysfunctional family reunion. I couldnt help only when laugh.And you were there, and you were thereCody sat down beside me, his features materializing into sharp focus as he leaned in to study my face closer. Gently, he ran a finger on iodine of my cheekb iodins, frowning. What happened?I sobered up. Is it that bad?no(prenominal) he lied. Hugh was worse. The imp made a nondistinct noise across the room.I al administer k immediately what happened, snapped Jerome. I didnt strike to see the monstrositys face in detail to know he was evident at me. What I dont generalize is why it happened. Did you actually try to gain up with the most dangerous situation possible? Hmm, allows see dark alley, no one around That sort of thing?No, I cock bum. I wasnt thinking of that. I wasnt thinking of what perpetuallything except getting home. I related the flushings events to the best of my ability, be gin rummyning with the footsteps, ending with Carter.When Id finished, Hugh sat down in an armchair across from me, pensive. Pauses, huh?What?The way you tell what happened you got hit, pause, therefore opposite one, pause, then a nonher one. Right?Yeah, so? I dont know. Isnt that how fights work? Punch, draw back, get skimy for a nonher? Besides, were talking about breaks of, inter potpourriable, a second or so. not real breathing time.There was nothing ilk that for me. I had cut too. It was an onslaught. A stream of blows, continuously. It defied understanding or ability. Definitely supernatural.Well, so was this, I countered. Believe me, I couldnt fight against it. It wasnt some someone mugging, if thats what youre suggesting. Hugh simply shrugged. tranquillize fell, and I gave the imp a sidelong glance to the best of my special(a) visions ability. Theyre looking meaningfully at each other, arent they?Who?Carter and J erome. I can aroma it. I turned to Carter, suddenly wondering if my trip last dark had been for naught. I dont suppose you salvaged the shopping bag I had on me? manner of walking over to my kitchen counter, the angel produced a bag and tossed it to me. My depth perception mum off, I missed, and the bag bounced off the couch onto the floor. The book slipped out. Jerome snatched it up in an instant and read the title.Fuck me, Georgie. Is this why you were out skulking in dark corners? This is what you nearly got killed for? I told you to lay off the vampire huntsman investigating Oh come on, cried Cody, jumping up in my defense. None of us believe that anyto a greater extent. We know theres an angel doing this An angel? I heard unfathomed amusement and even a scoff in the demons devises.No mortal did that to me, I agreed hotly. Or to Hugh. Or to Lucinda. Or to Duane. It was a nephilim.A nephi -what? dealed Hugh, startled.Isnt that a character on Se alike Street? Peter round up for the firstly time.Jerome stared silently at me for a moment, then in the long run demanded, Who told you about that? Not waiting for an answer, he turned toward the angel. You know youre not supposed to It wasnt me, retorted Carter mildly. Im guessing she figured it out on her own. You dont put plentiful faith in your own people.I did find out on my own, though I had help.I briefly detailed my string of leads, how one had led to another, from Erik to the book at Krystal Starz.Shit, muttered Jerome, after listening to my spiel. Fucking Nancy Drew.Okay, say Peter, compelling chase or no, you be quiet fuck offnt told us what a nephilopogus is. Nephilim, I corrected. Hesitantly, I looked at Jerome. Can I?Youre asking me for permission? How quaint. fetching that as acquiescence, I began uncertainly, Nephilimare the offspring of angels and humans. Like in that passage in Genesis. Where the angels fell and took human wives? Nephilim are the result. They have certain abilitie s I dont know all of them strength and origin like Greek heroesOr like major nuisances, added Jerome human activityterly. Dont forget that.How so? Hugh asked.I continued when Jerome didnt. Well what I read said they used to cause strife and slaughter among humans.Yeah, tho this ones not going after humans, pointed out Peter.Carter shrugged. Theyre unpredictable. They dont play by anyones rules, and honestly, were not in truth sure what this ones spirits are. Its playing a game, thats for sure, what with its attacks on random immortals and that someoneal line of credit it sent Georgina.Two notes, I corrected. I got another one scarce before Lucinda died, only when I was with Seth all dark and didnt read it until the next day.Hugh and the vampires turned to stare at me.You were with Seth all night? asked Cody, astonished.Which ones he again? Hugh asked.The writer, provided Peter.The imp regarded me with new inte reprieve. Whatd you do all night then?Can we not discuss Georgi nas love life right now, bewitching though it may be? Jerome gave me a speculative look. Unless, of course, this Seth person is someone of strong moral character and principle whose life pushing you plan on stealing soon in support of the greater cause of evil and its goals.Right on the first, not on the rest. anathemize it. I need a drink.Help yourself.Jerome wandered over to my liquor cabinet and sifted through its contents.So how can we spot this nephilim ? asked Cody, getting us back on track.I glanced uncertainly at Carter and Jerome. I didnt know any of the technicalities.You cant, the angel announced cheerfully.They can hide their signature too, then. Like higher(prenominal) immortals. He nodded back at me. Yes, they have the worst characteristics of both their parents. huge power and pseudo- sweet-scented abilities, mixed with rebelliousness, a love of the physical world, and poor disposition control.How much power? I lossed to know. Theyre fractional-human, right? So half the power?Thats the clincher. Jerome looked much more cheerful with a glass of gin in afford. It varies wildly, nevertheless as each angel has a unlike level of power. One thing is clear Nephilim inherit a locoweed more than half their parents power, though they can never exceed it. Its still plenty which is why Ive been trying to knock horse soul into all of you to bind clear. A nephilim could easily blow one of you out of the water. except not one of you. Peter spoke the words more as a statement than a question, despite the uncertain note lacing his voice.neither angel nor demon responded, and another piece clicked into place for me.Thats why you guys are going around with your signatures masked. Youre hiding from it too.Were merely pickings appropriate precautions, Jerome protested.It ran from you, I reminded Carter. You must have been stronger than it.Probably, he agreed. I was more c one timerned with you, so I didnt get a good sense. An angel in full form will fr eak most beings out itll kill a mortal so I could have been stronger than it or not. Hard to say.I didnt like that answer, not at all. What were you doing there anyway?The angels trademark saturnine smile appeared. What do you think? I was following you around.I started. What? then I was right that day at EriksAfraid so. My God, said Peter, amazed. You really were on to something, Georgina. At least about him stalking you.I mat semivindicated, even if Carter obviously didnt seem to be the culprit anymore. Hugh had been right in accusing me of bias. I had really wanted Carter to be the responsible caller for all these attacks, as a sort of payback for all the measure hed mocked me. His timely intervention in the alley only muddled my cerebration of him now.Carter explained, After realizing that first note was probably from this nephilim, I vox populi itd be prudent to pop in once in a dapple since our friend here seems to have an especial interest in you. My intention was t o catch him or her off-guard, not to help you, though Im happy to have been able to. Plus, that day at EriksHe looked over at Jerome. The demon threw his arms in the air. Sure? wherefore not? check them. Tell them everything. They already know too much.Erik? I prompted.This thing, this nephilim Carter paused thoughtfully. This being knows a move amount about us and about the immortal community.Well its like you said, right? asked Peter. This nephilim would find one of us and follow him or her around.No. I mean, yes, thats possible, but evidence indicates this one knows much more than aboveboard surveillance might give itFor Chrissake, Jerome snapped, if youre going to tell them, tell them. taking into custody speaking in riddles. The demon turned to us. Hes saying this nephilim is working with a leak. Someones feeding it information about the immortal community here.Cody caught the insinuation on the button as I did. You think Eriks doing it.Hes the strongest suspect, admitted Carter apologetically. Hes been here for decades, and he has the talent to sense immortals.And to think, he spoke so well of you, I murmured, determineing aghast. Well, youre wrong. Its not him. Not Erik.Dont get huffy about it now, Georgie. Hes not our only lead, just the most likely.And I dont like it any more than you, the angel added. But we cant dismiss any possibilities. We need to neutralize this nephilim threat soon. Its out of hand well get outside involvement before long, and thats always a pain. hence why arent you letting us help you? I cried. why all the secrecy?Are you deaf? Its for your own protection. This thing could blast you to Armageddon Jerome downed the rest of his gin in a flurry.I didnt buy it. There was more than just our safety at s use up here. Jerome still hadnt come clean. Yes, but The committee meeting is over, he interrupted me icily. Would the rest of you excuse Georgina and me?Oh shit. I looked desperately at my friends, hoping they might stay and defend me, but they all scurried out. Cowards, I thought. None of them would cross Jerome when he spoke like that. Okay, I wouldnt have either in their shoes.Carter, I noticed, did not leave. The directive on the face of it did not apply to him.Georgie, began Jerome carefully, once the others were gone, you and I seem to be face off more often than not lately. I dont like it.Its not on the button facing off, I noted, squirming uneasily, recalling his display of power at the infirmary and threat to stash me somewhere. Were just having differences of opinion lately.Differences that can get you killed.Jerome, this cant possibly just be about No more.A wall of power slammed into me, throwing me back against the couch. It was like one of those carnival rides where people stand along the sides of a round room that spins faster and faster until inertia pins everyones limbs to the walls. wretched became agony. Even breathing was a struggle. I felt like Atlas, direction the brunt of the worlds weight.Jeromes voice boomed inside my head, and some brave part of me cursed his front room tricks, even as the rest of me recoiled.I need you to listen to me for once without constantly interrupting. You cannot keep poking around here. Doing so calls attention to yourself, and you already have a lot more of it on you from this nephilim than I would like. I neither need nor want a new succubus. Ive grown habituated to you, Georgina. I do not want to lose you. I am more lenient with you than I should be, however. You get away with things no other archdemon would allow. I havent minded indulging you thus far, but things can change especially if you continue to be insubordinate. I can have you transferred somewhere else, away from this cozy delusion of a human life youve established. Or I can call Lilithin and report your behavior to her directly. Im sure shed he happy to do a little retraining with you.My heart stop at the mention of the Succubus Queen. I had met her on ly once, when I first joined the ranks. That encounter, rather like seeing Carter in all his angelic glory, was not an experience I wanted to repeat anytime soon.Do you understand?Y-yes.Are you sure?The pressure increased, and it was all I could do to neck a weak nod. The psychic cage abruptly dropped, and I slumped forward, taking in deep breaths. I could still feel where his power had affected me, rather like a tactile version of the afterimage one sees with a camera flash.Im glad you understand, and Im sure youll also understand if I dont entirely believe you. Its part of the nature of our side.Is this is this the part where you stash me somewhere?He chuckled softly. Menacingly. No. Not yet at least. Frankly, I think you just need a little supervision to stay out of trouble. Im also not entirely convinced you and the nephilim merely have a passing relationship.A retort was on my lips, but I bit it off, my skin still burning.Id have one of your friends do it, but I dont doubt you could wrap any of them around your smallest finger. No, you need babysitting by someone who wont bend, who wont fall for your tricks.Tricks? Who then? For a minute, I half thought he referred to himself until I noticed Carters smug smile. Oh man. You cant be serious.Itll ensure you walk the line, Georgie. Whats more, it will keep you alive.Youre practically our best lead at the moment, Carter explained. This nephilim has some interest in you, even though that interest seems to have shifted a bit from note-passing to assault.Carter will be ready if it tries to finish what he interrupted. He can also shield your apartment from prying eyes.But itll sense him when we go out I tried weakly.No more than you can now, Carter reminded me. And Ill be invisible. A ghost at your side. An angel on your shoulder, if you will. You wont even know Im around.Jerome, please, you cant do this I can, and I will. Unless, like I said, you want me to have a chat with Lilith ?Damn him. The threat of Li lith was stronger than any likely stashing, and he knew it.Good. If theres no further discussion then, Ill take my leave and let you two get situated. Jerome glanced between us, dark eyes resting on me a moment. Oh, by the way. Do check yourself out in a mirror at some point.I scowled, thinking of Codys scrutiny of my injuries. Thanks for reminding me.What Im reminding you of is that youre a succubus. Those bruises are a manifestation of believing youre human. You are not. You have to feel them, but you dont have to wear them.With that, the demon vanished in an eye blink, divergence a faint smell of brimstone in his wake that I suspected was pure showmanship.So, do I get the couch? Carter asked me cheerfully.Go to hell. I left the room to go check out my reflection. barely a nice way to treat your new roommate.I didnt ask for your I stopped halfway down the hallway. Id spent the last cope with of weeks suspecting Carter of murder and other terrible things Id spent the last half- century hating him as a person. Yet hed just saved my life, and I hadnt uttered one word of thanks.I turned toward him, dreading what I now had to say.Im sorry.He wore a look similar to the one Jerome had had when I asked his permission earlier. Really? For just now?For not thanking you earlier. For saving me out there. I mean, Im not happy about you shacking up here, but I am grateful for what you did then. And Im sorry, too, if I havent exactly been nice to you.The angels expression was unreadable. Glad to have helped.Not knowing what else to say, I turned and kept walking.What are you going to do now? he asked.I paused again. Look at the damage and then go to bed. Im tired. And I hurt.Aw, no slumber party games or popcorn? No makeovers?Dont take this personally, but you could use a makeover. You look like a refugee. Why I swallowed and rephrased my words as I studied him. When I maxim you out there, on the street, you were you were so beautiful. The most beautiful thing Ive ever seen. My voice came out as a whisper.Carters face turned grave. Jeromes the same way, you know. In his true form. Just as beautiful. Angels and demons come from the same stock. He asks that John Cusack wannabe shape by choice.Why? Why does he do that? And why do you choose to look like a junkie or a bum?The edges of the angels lips turned slightly upward. Why does a woman who claims she wants to avoid the attention of nice men choose a form that makes everyone around her do a double take and stare?I swallowed again, lost in the far reaches of his eyes, but not in the same way I had been lost in Romans or Seths eyes. It was more like the angel could see all the way through me, through all of my facades, down to my soul or what remained of it.With great effort, I broke that scrutiny, turning back toward my bedroom.No one is punished forever, he told me gently.Yeah? Thats not what I hear. Good night.I went into my bedroom, closing my limen behind me. Just before it clicked, I heard Carter call, So, whos making eat?