Succubus Blues CHAPTER 11

Hospitals argon creepy places, cold and sterile. A true admonisher of the tenuous nature of mortality. The intellection of Hugh hither made me nauseous, just I squelched the feeling as best I could, sprinting through the halls to the agency Samantha had named.When I reached it, I found Hugh fictionalisation calmly in a bed, his large body clad in a gown, his skin bruised and bunchaged. A blond figure sat next to the bed with him, holding his hand. She dark in surprise when I burst into the room.Georgina, Hugh said, giving me a tripping smile. Nice of you to stop by.The blond woman, presumably Samantha, studied me uneasily. Slim and doe-eyed, she tightened her grasp on Hughs hand, and I figured this must be the twenty-year old from work. Her abnormal breasts verified as untold.Its all right, he told her reassuringly. This is my friend Georgina. Georgina, Samantha.Hi, I told her, oblation my hand. She took it. Hers was cold, and I realized then that her nervousness was non so much at meeting me as general concern over what had happened to Hugh. It was touching.Sweetie, would you exempt Georgina and me for a bout? by chance go hurt yourself a sop up from the cafeteria? He spoke gently and kindly to her, a t maven he rarely used with the rest of us on our pub nights.Samantha dark to Hugh anxiously. I dont want to leave you solely.I wont be alone. Georgina and I and ask to talk. Besides, shes a, uh, black belt nonhing will happen to me.I made a face at him behind her rear as she considered. I suppose thats all right youll call my cell if you need me, right? Ill come right back.Of course, he promised, kissing her hand.Ill send packing you.Ill miss you more.She rose, gave me another(prenominal) dubious research, and retreated come to the fore the door.I watched her go a moment before taking her chair beside Hugh. Very sweet. I retrieve Im getting cavities.No need to be bitter. well(p) because you stinkert form important attachments with m ortals.His jest hurt a lot more than it probably should have, but then, I still had Roman on the brain.Besides, he continued, shes a dinky upset ab forth what happened today.Yeah, I imagine so. Jesus. Look at you.I surveyed his wounds in greater detail. Hints of stitches appeared beneath about bandages, and dark blotchy bruises blos somed here and there.Could be worse.Could it? I wondered archly. Id never seen any immortal sustain so much injury.Sure. First, I could be dead, and Im not. Second, I heal just interchangeable you do. You should have seen me this afternoon when they brought me in. The trick now will be to get me out of here before someone notices just how fast Im recovering.Does Jerome get by about this?Of course. I called him earlier, but hed already felt it. I promise him to show up any term now. Did he call you? non exactly, I admitted, he ragant to bring up the differentiate quite yet. What happened? When you were attacked?I dont remember a lot of details. Hug h shrugged slightly, an awkward maneuver for one lying down. I suspected hed already gone through this story with a number of others. I rateped out for coffee. I was the only one in the parking lot, and while coming back to my car, this mortal, I guess, just jumped out and attacked me. No warning.You guess?He frowned. I never really got a good look. He was galactic, though, I could peg that much. And strong really strong. A lot stronger than I would have thought.Hugh himself was no weakling. True, he didnt work out or do much with his body, but he had a big frame and a lot of density to fill that frame out.why did he stop? I asked. Did someone find you guys?Nah, I dont come why he quit. It was all fudgeing and slashing one moment the next, hes gone. Took about fifteen minutes before someone else came along and assistanted me.You fall out saying he. You remember it was a guy?He attempted another shrug. I dont really pull ahead out. Just an impression I got. Could have bee n a hot blonde for all I know.Yeah? Should I school principal Samantha?You shouldnt be questioning anyone, according to Jerome. Did you ever talk to Erik?Yeah hes flavor into some things for me. He also reaffirmed that vampire hunting watchs cant kill you or me, nor has he ever heard of anything that can.Hugh move thoughtful. This person didnt kill me.Do you conceive he was trying?He was certainly trying to do something. Seems kindred if he could have killed me, he would have. however he couldnt, a theatrical role behind me pointed out, because, as Ive said, vampire hunters can only inconvenience you, not kill you.I turned, startled at hearing Jeromes voice. It startled me barely to see Carter with him.Leave it to Jerome to play devils advocate, joked the nonsuch.What are you doing here, Georgina? demanded the demon icily.My mouth gaped, and it took me a moment to speak. How how did you do that?Carter stood there dressed as disreputably as ever. Whereas Doug and Bruce looke d corresponding they were in a grunge band, the angel looked like the band had kicked him out. He gave me a lopsided grin. Do what? Come up with a clever pun referencing Jeromes demonic status? The truth is, I usually keep a save up of them on hand and No. non that. I cant feel you cant sense you I could see Carter with my eyes, but I could not feel that creatorful signature, aura, or any(prenominal), that normally radiated from an immortal. Turning to Jerome suddenly, I realized he was the same. Or you. I cant sense either of you. I couldnt the other night either.Angel and demon exchanged glances over my head. We can mask it, said Carter at last.What, like a light transformationing or something? You can turn it on and off?Its a bit more complicated than that.Well, this is news to me. Can we do it? Hugh and I?No, both Jerome and Carter answered together. Jerome elaborated, Only higher immortals can do it.Hugh weakly attempted to sit up. wherefore are you doing it?You never answered my question, Georgie, Jerome pointed out, obviously avoiding the subject. He glanced at the imp. I told you not to contact the others.I didnt. She just came.Jerome turned his gaze back on me, and I fished the mysterious note out of my purse. I turn over it to him, and the demon read it expressionlessly before handing it over to Carter. When the angel finished, he and Jerome looked at each other again in that annoying way of theirs. Jerome deposited the note into an inner pocket of his suit jacket.Hey, thats mine.Not anymore.Dont tell me youre going to lodge to your party line about this being a vampire hunter, I shot back.Jeromes dark eyes narrowed shrewdly at me. wherefore wouldnt I? This person mistook Hugh for a vampire, but as youve already observed, Nancy Drew, Hugh could not be killed. I think this person knew Hugh wasnt a vampire.Oh? Why do you say that?The note. The person who wrote it mentions my shape-shifting. He knows Im a succubus. He probably knows Hughs an imp.His lettered youre a succubus explains why he didnt attack you. He knew he couldnt kill you. He wasnt sure about Hugh, however, so he took his chances.With a knife. Again, I remembered How do you know if a demon is lying? His lips are moving. I thought the story was that this was some amateur vampire hunter arbitrarily going after people with a stake because he didnt know any better. Instead, this person somehow knows about me and took on Hugh with a knife.Carter stifled a yawn and joined in on Jeromes game. Maybe this persons learning. You know, expanding their choice of weapons. After all, no one stays an amateur for long. level off new vampire hunters wise up dismantletually.I jumped on the one detail here no one had addressed yet. And even children know that vampires dont come out in daylight. What time were you attacked, Hugh?A strange look crossed the imps face. Late this afternoon. When the sun was up.I looked exultantly at Jerome. This person knew Hugh wasnt a vampir e.Jerome leaned against a wall, appearing unfazed as he picked nonexistent pieces of lint from his slacks. He looked more like John Cusack than ever today. So? Mortals get delusions of grandeur. He kills one vampire and decides to do his part against the rest of the evil forces inhabiting this city. That changes nothing.I dont think it was a mortal.Both Jerome and Carter, looking at other things in the room, now snapped their heads toward me. Oh?I swallowed, slightly flustered under that scrutiny. I involve you guys prove higher immortals can go around without being sensed, and no ones been able to sense anything from this guy. Plus, look at Hughs damage. Erik said mortals cant really do substantial I bit off my words, realizing my error.Carter laughed softly.Damn it, Georgie. Jerome straightened like a whip. I told you to let us handle this. Who else have you talked to?W nauseatever cloaking Jerome had been doing vanished, and I suddenly became aware of the power crackling aroun d him. It reminded me of one of those sci-fi movies when a door opens into outer space, and all the debris gets sucked out as a result of the vacuum. Everything in the room seemed to be drawn into Jerome, toward his swelling power and might. To my immortal perceptions, he became a glowing bonfire of terror and energy.I cringed against Hughs bed, resisting the urge to shade my eyes. The imp put a hand on my arm, though whether it was for my comfort or his own, I didnt know. No one. I anathemize it, no one else. I just asked Erik some questionsCarter took a step toward the furious demon, face angelically calm. Easy there. Youre sending up a beacon to any immortal in a ten-mile radius.Jeromes eyes stayed stubborn on me, and I felt true fear for the first time in centuries in the focus of all that intensity. Then, like the light switch Id joked about earlier, it all vanished. Just like that, Jerome stood before me completely incognito for all arcane intents and purposes. Like a morta l. He exhaled heavily and rubbed a spot between his eyes.Georgina, he said at last. Contrary to whatever you believe, this is not all some elaborate attempt to vex you. gratify stop going against me. Were doing what were doing for a reason. Your best interests really are at heart here.My catty nature wanted to ask if demons had hearts, but something else soft on(p) me as more pressing. Why the we here? I assume you fuddled him. I nodded toward Carter. What could involve both a demon and an angel and make them skulk around hiding their presence? Are you guys afraid of something? hide? Carter sounded jovially indignant.Please, Georgie, intoned Jerome, patience obviously at a falling out point, leave well-enough alone. If you really want to do something useful, you will avoid stark situations like I advised before. I cant make you stay in protected company, but if you persist in being a abomination otherwise, I can find a convenient place to stash you until this all blows over. T his is not about anyones side, and you only run the risk of muddling up matters you dont find.I unconsciously squeezed Hughs hand for support. I did not want to think about what sort of convenient place Jerome had in mind.Do we understand each other? the demon asked softly.I nodded.Good. You will be of most(prenominal) assistance to me by keeping yourself safe. I have too umpteen things to worry about now without adding you to the list.I nodded again, not trusting myself to speak. His teeny display had had its intended effect on temporarily cowing me, though some niggling part of me knew I would be unable to leave well-enough alone once I walked out of here. It would be best to keep that knowledge to myself.That will be all, Georgie, Jerome added. I heard the dismissal.Ill walk you out, offered Carter.No thanks. But the angel followed in my wake anyway.So howd it go with Seth Mortensen?Okay.Just okay?Just okay.I hear hes living here now. And spends a lot of time at Emerald City .I eyed him askance. Whered you hear that?He only grinned. So? Tell me about it.Theres nothing to tell, I snapped, uncertain why I was even discussing this. Ive talked to him a few times, toured him around. We dont really click. We cant communicate.Why not? Carter wanted to know.Hes a hardcore introvert. Doesnt talk much. Just watches. Besides, I dont want to encourage him.So youre increasing his silence.I shrugged and pushed the button for an elevator.I think I know a book that might help you. Ill dig it out and let you borrow it.No thanks.Dont knock it. Itll improve your communication skills with Seth. I saw it on a talk show.Arent you sense of hearing? I dont want to improve things.Ah, said Carter sagely. You dont go for introverts.I no, thats not it. I dont have a problem with introverts. Then why dont you like Seth?I do like him Damn it, stop this.The angel quirked me a grin. Its all right to feel that way. I mean, past examine shows you tend to go for showy, flirty guys an yway.Whats that supposed to mean? I immediately thought of my attraction to Roman.Carters eyes flashed mischievously. We were at the hospitals exit now. I dont know. You tell me, Letha.I had nearly walked out the door, but his comment jerked me back. I spun around so fast, my hair whipped around and hit me in the face. Where did you hear that name?I have my sources.A great nebulous emotion swelled up in my chest, something I couldnt entirely identify. It fell somewhere on the continuum of hate and despair, not really subscribing to either one. Hotter and hotter it grew within me, making me want to visit at Carter and that smug, knowing look on his face. I wanted to beat my fists against him or shape-shift into something horrific. I didnt know where hed learned that name, but it woke up some sort of sleeping monster within me, something that had been tightly coiled up.He continued watching me coolly, undoubtedly reading my thoughts.Slowly, I became aware of my surroundings. The chi li corridors. The anxious visitors. The efficient staff. I calmed my breathing and fixed the angel with a scathing look.Dont you ever call me that again. Ever.He shrugged, still smiling. My mistake.I turned smartly on my heels and left him there. I stormed out to my car and didnt even realize I was driving until I was halfway across the bridge, separate leaking from the corners of my eyes.