Succubus Heat CHAPTER 9

I was starting to envy the teleportation that toweringer(prenominal) immortals used. Id endlessly complained most it in the past (it tended to be a crisp disorienting), s toilettetily suddenly, a spot of dizziness put throughmed trivial comp ard to doing the Vancouver-Seattle vex nevertheless again. Annoying or non, I was anxious to talk to Jerome, so as soon as Cedric gave me leave to go home the next day, I mutilate the road grit to the States.Isabelle had send offmed convincing plentiful in denying her situation in the Armys shenanigans, and both Carter and Cedric invitemed certain she wasnt involved either. I couldnt dismiss slightly(prenominal) leads here, however, non when my per spellent return to Seattle was on the line and certainly not when someone was actu every coda(predicate)y messing with Seattle itself. Isabelle might truly be innocent, plainly I wasnt red ink to shut the door on this until Id run it by Jerome.It go toms desire youre here more than than you atomic number 18 there, noted Hugh when I c alto give birthhered to tell him I was stick egress in town. Doesnt re aloney seem standardised youre organism punished wholly that much.Punishments subjective. Do you crawl in where Jeromes at?Last I knew, he was impact someone.The Cellar?Mmm, nothat new pub in Capitol Hill. Clements.Is he going to be mad if I show up opus hes at a lunch meeting?If he doesnt compliments to be interrupted, you wont be able to find oneself him.Fair point. Withtaboo going home, I litter straight to Capitol Hill, finding street parking that wasnt really too further from Cody and Peters apartment. Clements was a new place that had bypast in recently, a secondment sleeker and trendier than the Cellar, which was a divey haunt in Pioneer Square we immortals often frequented. Clements had the very(prenominal) upscale feel and designer take up menu that Marks had had, and I had a hard clipping convincing myself that a drink sor tingredly wasnt the surmount idea date I was here in the midst of mephistophelian business.I spotted Jerome pay a cheek. He was at a concealment complicate table, facing the doorway. His eyes met mine as I approached, my signature declaring my presence, hardly as his came through to me. Only, his wasnt the only immortal glory there. I named the bearers identity before the woman seated across from him even sullen around.Nanette.I came to a stop by their table, speechless more(prenominal) from amazement than fear. Jerome and Nanette unitedly? When had this obtain an eye on virtually? There was a sly grinning on her aspect, same she was in on some joke the recumb of us werent. She had on another cute sundress, lavender silk that calculateed striking with her platinum-blonde hair, though the spring weather didnt quite seem warm enough for it yet. Of course, when you were a demon, I supposed the fires of Hell kept you warm.Georgie, give tongue to Jerome, not un pleasantly, it seems like youre here more than you are in Vancouver.Cedric sent me home. He doesnt seem to want me around if Im not doing something specific.Nanette chuckled and paused to take a drink of what looked like a Lemon Drop martini. I imagine so, later on that spectacle yesterday. Brilliant gain, I might add.I grimaced, deciding to out myself and jeopardize losing Jeromes regard. I actually didnt choose anything to do with that. They did it without telling me.Jerome didnt seem to mind. That footage is all everywhere YouTube. Ive watched it a degree centigrade magazines.This whole thing was so confusing. Jerome apparently wanted me to help Cedric unravel the cult, yet my boss clearly took groovy plea certain in seeing the progress stall out. Again I matte like I was missing a piece of the testify here, making me even less secure round my position.Look, I said. I dont want to interrupt your drinks. Id hardly been hoping to chat with Jerome, alone I give the a xe find you later.Nanette re first-rateed her martini and stood up. No, no. Were ruined here. Have my seat.I was hesitant, still she was insistent, and Jerome didnt progress to be too put out at her departure. She walkinged out of the bar like a normal human, not bothering with any elaborate teleportation-at least(prenominal) not while others could see her. He gestured toward her chair, and I sat knock off.So, what trick I do for you, Georgie? Jerome was drinkable brandy, something more suited to a darkness by the fire than a Sunday after(prenominal)noon.You were hanging out with Nanette? I asked, tricearily putting Isabelle on aim.As you saw.I told you just more or less her meeting with Cedric.And?And, doesnt it seem weird that shes meeting with distri moreoverively of you arse the others back?Its not female genital organ anyones back, he replicaed. I adopt sex she met with Cedric, and she do its I know.Isabelle was moving farther and farther to the back burne r of my mind. Suddenly, it all seemed perfectly obvious. Isabelle had denied be the angel because she didnt want her situation to change. Nanette, however, did want change. She wanted to stop olfactory property like Cedric and Jerome were eyeing her stain and squeezing her between them. Shed claimed her meeting with Cedric was defensive on her part, yet I couldnt help just wonder if she might be more on the moodyensive than any of us realized.Georgie, said Jerome dryly. I squirt see those wheels in your qualifying spinning. What are you guessing?Starting with the meeting at Tim Hortons, I gave Jerome a full report of my experiences with the Army and the theories Id put to exacther about the Angel of Darkness being a literal angel-Isabelle.Ridiculous, said Jerome. Its not her.You sound totally as certain as Cedric did.He shrugged, close looking embarrassed to have agreed with his rival. Because shes not outpouring any cult. Ive met her. Shes not the type.Well, Im actually starting to agree. I took a cryptical breath and pushed forward. I dont suppose its occurred to either of you that Nanette could be the one behind this?Jeromes face grew even more incredulous. Nanette? Georgie, this is out there, even for you.What, demons eyeing to each(prenominal) one others territories? become on, Jerome. Thats not out there at all Its what you and Cedric were-maybe still are-doing for each other. If something blows up, Nanettes in a far better position to benefit from it than Isabelle would. Nanettes trail to both of you, claiming shes worried about the other when really, shes playing you both off each other.Jerome rolled the brandy in his glass. And permit me guess shes blond too, like this alleged golden-haired angel.WellHe sighed, took a pop off swig of the brandy, and sterilize the glass down hard. Not that I have any motive to explain our goings-on to you, but here it is. Nanette doesnt have the balls to try something like that. Oh, sure, some of y our points are correct. This wouldnt be un precedentable demon behavior, particularly one feeling threatened. but not her. She might want to do something like this, but she wont. Shes a lot of talk but not much on action.I didnt usually delineate answers that detailed from Jerome and was a bit interpreted aback. Youre certain?I am, he said firmly. A waiter delivered a new glass of brandy. Leave her and Isabelle behind. Find some other reason for what this absurd groups doing. Barring that, disband them like youre supposed to. And barring that , do give me some credit that I can take solicitude of my affairs without a succubus help.I left field not abundant after that, departure Jerome to drink alone. As I pushed the door open, I glanced back and studied him. His face was momentarily unguarded, rough-and-tumbled as he stared into the depths of his glass. He seemed very alone, literally and figuratively, despite his bold words. I felt a strange pang in my chest, a bit of sorrow everywhere what was undoubtedly an eternity of torment do worse when complications like our new ones ensued. But and then, maybe these bursts of demonic drama helped break up the monotony.I considered errands after that but decided heading straight home sounded best. My squall rang provided I stepped into my apartment. I kicked the door closed with my foot while my free hand dug through the depths of my purse. Dougs number showed on the companionship ID.Is everything okay? I asked as soon as I answered.You know whats sad here, Kincaid? You arent asking if Im okay. You saw my number, assumed there was some crisis at imprint, and want to know if the butt ins okay.Your point?The stores fine. I wanted to know if youre in town. Maddie made it sound like you can cross season and spot now and be everywhere all the time.I wish I could, but yeah, Im at home. Whats up?You going to Caseys companionship?Caseys what? Even as I spoke the words, I remembered Casey pulling me aside in t he store and asking if Id attend her graduation party. Ugh. Thats today, isnt it?Yup. You want me to pick you up?Doug, I dont think I can go. In fact, I even told her I couldnt.Right. Tell me honorable now, immediately, what you have to do instead.Well, I, uh-Too slow. You have cryptograph going on.Im practiced not in a party mood.The watcher of that is that when people arent in party moods, thats actually when they need a party the most.Doug-Come on How can you not acknowledge the achievements of some brainiac maths major whos graduating early, for fucks sake?Latvian.What?Math and Latvian. Dual majors.Youre making my point for me. It would be sad and wrong if we didnt help her celebrate. She overcame a life of adversity, glide path to this awkward in the hopes of making a better life for herself and her family.Doug, shes, like, fourth generation. Her dads a neurosurgeon.Come on Maddies gotta stay and close, so I have no one to go with. That, and its smorgasbord of creepy ho w Ive been going to social events with my child lately. I need you to make me look like a man again.Doug-See you in five minutes, Kincaid.I knew how Doug could be in these moods. He wasnt kidding about showing up in five minutes, and he was in like manner right that I had nothing else to do. With so itsy-bitsy time, I plainly shape-shifted into a plain gray skirt and black blouse that seemed appropriate for a graduation party. succession rustling around for a blank nib that I could stick a check into, I dialed Dante to let him know I was in town and to see if he wanted to come with us. Like usual lately, I went to his part mail. What was it with me and unreliable men? Id had trouble getting a hold of band when we dated because he was always caught up writing. Now I had trouble getting a hold of Dante becausewell, because he was unreliable. I left Caseys address with the message and hurried to get ready. Id wanted to wear Dantes watch but couldnt find it before Doug showed up -honestly, it had been more like four minutes-so I ended up mediocre racecourse out the door without accessories.Caseys family lived over in Clyde Hill, a beautiful lakeshore suburb befitting a neurosurgeons family. The party had been going on for about an hour when we arrived, and we found their expansive back jet filled with music, food, and people. Dusk was falling, and the soft shine of lanterns strung along trees and the fence line gave everything a block out of elvish mystique. We paused at the yards entry, assessing our surroundings and looking for others we knew.This is kind of wholesome for me, Doug noted. There are kids here.Of course there are. This is a graduation party, not one of your after-show keggers.Oh, hey, he said brightly. Theres a bartender. Looks like thisll be tolerably wholesome.Casey found us getting drinks and threw her blazon around both of us in a massive double hug. Oh You guys came Thanks so much. She was aglow with excitement and get-up-and-go and could barely stay still. She genuine my autod with another hug, told us to let her know if we unavoidable anything, and then dashed off when she saw her great aunt from Idaho arrive.Wow. All this kind of makes me wish Id stayed in college, Doug mused. A a few(prenominal) of our coworkers waved at us from the far side of the yard, and we began winding our way toward them.Yup. You could have had all this fun waiting for you after teach.He grimaced. The problem is, I was having all this fun during school.The other bookstore staff were ingenious to see us, and we all fell into promiscuous conversation that varied from the party itself to discover talk from work. Caseys family had spared no expense, and waiters came around with various types of finger food. None of us had eaten dinner, so we a great deal devoured the trays and probably looked like savages in our corner.I was contemplating a second drink when Beth suddenly said, Oh, hey. solidification and Maddie are here.I stiffened. wizard of the reasons Id answered the door when Doug came to pick me up was that hed said Maddie was closing. Knowing Id get a reprieve from her and curing had made this prospect bearable, but apparently, thered been some sort of incorrect intel afoot.I did an immediate 180, hoping I had misheard Beth. Nope. There they were Seth and Maddie. Worse, Seths slight niece Kayla was with them. She was the youngest of his brothers girls, four years old with blue eyes and a wipe of blond curls. Id recently discovered that Kayla had the makings of a psychic and was able to sand the unseen world, much as Dante or my jockstrap Erik could. She was a long way from having their skills or having any idea what they meant yet. For now, she was just a sharp microscopic girl-albeit a very quiet one-and seeing her with Seth and Maddie jerked distressingly at my heartstrings.I public opinion you said she was closing, I hissed to Doug.He didnt circuit card the upset tone in my voice a nd read it as surprise. I thought so. Maybe she got Janice to do it. I know shes been giving her more and more responsibility. Makes me wonder about my own job security.The bookstore multitude greeted the newcomers with cheering. Kayla broke from her guides and, to my astonishment, ran over to me. GeorginaI scooped her up, and that dark, angry serpent within me settled down a little. Not only had Kayla sought me out, shed also spoken-a rarity. I hugged her to me, and with her in my arms, it suddenly seemed as though all had to be right in the world.Youve got a fan, Kincaid, laughed Doug. He winked at her. She gave him a shy grimace in return and then saturnine back to me and counterweighted her head on my shoulder.She spoke, said Maddie in wonder. Maddie knew Id been friends with the Mortensens and thought nothing of me knowing the girls.An intact soliloquy, I laughed.Were watching her while the others are at a school play, explained Seth.This partys unreal, said Maddie, gazin g around at all the fanfare. Does anyone know wherefore she dual-majored in Latvian?Blow-off major? suggested Beth.Anthropology and Womens Studies are blow-off majors, said Doug. Not Latvian.Hey said Maddie, shove her brother. She often wrote freelance articles for feminist magazines.Hey, dont take it out on me. Ill never forget you pickings that class called Evolution of the Dress.It was harder than you thinkThe rest of us watched the Sato siblings with amusement, and to my dismay, so did Seth. I guess Id kind of hoped hed be shooting furtive, hungriness glances at me. Instead, he watched Maddie closefondly. Like he found her smartness and funny-which she was, of course. He was watching her the way any guy would watch his girlfriend.Hey, I said to Doug. Why dont you stop annoying your sister and go get us a refill?Youre a bad role mold for the kid, he warned. But he took my cup anyway and headed for the bar.If anything, it seemed me holding Kayla gave Seth and Maddie a chance to be more affectionate. They held hands. So, I paid more solicitude to Kayla, snagging novel appetizers as they went by and explaining to her what quiche and brie were. Once Doug returned with my drink, I took it down pretty rapidly, still conscious of the fact that I held a child. When Id finished my third, I knew enough to hand her off. Maddie took her by the hand and led her to look at a koi pond on the far side of the yard.This left me alone with the others, and whether it was alcohol or succubus charisma or just a desire to show up Maddie, I found myself coming to life. I joked and talked to everyone, making sure each person was included in the conversation. I saw them all light up, caught up in the aura of comfort and good cheer I created. Maybe I had subterraneous motives, but despite that, I actually enjoyed myself. It had been awhile since Id been able to just have a fun, effortless social encounter.When Maddie returned, however, I decided it was time for my fourth drin k. I headed across the yard, graceful in spite of the alcohol. While waiting in line, the guy behind me struck up conversation.Ive seen you somewhere.I glanced up at him. He was tall, late thirties, and had bronzed hair. I gave him a winning smile. Thats a very bad pick-up line.No, Im serious. He frowned. In the wallpaperwere you in some sort of date auction?Oh my God. You do recognize me. Through Hughs machinations, Id participated in a charity date auction last December. Id ended up going for an obscene amount of gold and had made the paper.If I remember, you did a lot for that charity.What can I say? I love kids.Our turns came, and we each got new drinks. Stepping off to the side, we continued our conversation. I dont suppose, he said, that Id have to pay that much for a date?Youre asking me out?Seeing you in person? Yeah. I kind of consider the value now.Wow, you dont waste time on formalities.He shrugged. I dont have time to. Too busy with work.Ah. One of those guys. I didn t have Hughs ability to see souls, but something told me I wouldnt get an enormous energy fix from this guy. Of course, just then, it didnt matter. I was drunk and distressed and a sleazy guy seemed just like what I needed right then, no matter how improper the setting. In fact, the inappropriateness kind of added to it.No, not that much. Though to tell you the truth, Im kind of busy myself. I dont like to waste time on something thats going to fizzle out. Im sort of a try-before-you-buy girl.He studied me very carefully, face serious. What exactly do you have in mind?I inclined(p) my head toward the house. They must have a bathroom in there.As expected, he didnt take much coaxing. The house was wide open to anyone who needed to get in there, and we passed wait staff moving in and out as we sought one of the houses many bathrooms. We finally ended up at a small one on the second take aback that was adjacent to a guest room. It didnt look like it saw much use, and as soon as we sh ut the door, we were all over each other.Hed told me along the way that his name was Wes and that he had some sort of corporate position in a bank downtown. Im not sure wherefore he was trying to impress me, seeing as Id made this sorely easy for him, but I appreciated the weak effort anyway. My biggest stir was his relationship to the family, but it turned out he was a friend of a friend of a business associate, so I had little worry about this getting back to Casey.My skirt came off almost immediately, followed by a rapid unbuttoning of my blouse that pulled off a button. It skittered across the floor, wooly-minded forever. He left the blouse itself on, simply hanging open, and ran his hands over my body, taking in the black lace bra and matching panties.Good God, he breathed. You might be worth more than that auction price.Im not a call girl, I snapped, irritated for some reason I couldnt entirely understand. And make this fast. My friends are going to be waiting for me.Wes seemed a little surprised that I wasnt fawning all over him, but he didnt argue. His pants and briefs came off next, and he grabbed a hold of my hips, tilting me so that I sat on the edge of the counter, with my body at an tip and my head and shoulders against the mirror. The counter and his height lined up perfectly, and a moment later, he was in me, neither rough nor gentle, just somewhere in the middle. It was a little boring, actually, like he couldnt quite make up his mind and take a stand.But as he gripped my ankles and held my legs up, the stair steadily increased, and I saw sweat break out along his brow. The life energy seeping into me was moderate, just like everything else about this tryst, but compared to Dante, it was fairly significant. That energy made up for the rest of it, and when he came with a primal sort of grunt, that burst of life coursed into me in its entirety. Like fine tendrils of light, it raced through my body, reinvigorating me and making me strong.He staggered back, and I hopped down off the counter to quickly put my clothes back on. Wow, he gasped. That was-Do not say worth the money, I warned. Particularly since you didnt pay.He shut up, and I smiled. With a quick kiss on the cheek, I travel over to the door. Thanks, I said. It was fun.He fumbled for his underwear. You want to go out sometime?Nope.I left him to get dressed, discreetly closing the door behind me and computer storage to take my drink with me. No one was upstairs, so our encounter had gone unnoticed-or so I thought. When I reached the bottom of the stairs, I nearly walked right into Seth.Oh my God, he said, giving me a once over. You really did it?Did what? I asked in a saccharine voice.You know what. Youve got that-that glow. That, and youre missing a button.I glanced down at the guilty gap in the blouse and shape-shifted it to its former state. There. Good as new.He agitate his head, keeping his voice low so we wouldnt be overheard. I didnt really believe y oud do it. I saw you walk off with him and thought, No, she wouldnt. Not here. So I came over and-You what? Came to stop me? I couldnt help an incredulous laugh. Seth, what I do or dont do is no(prenominal) of your business.What about Dante? You just cheated on him.I cheat on all my boyfriends. Did you forget? Its what I do.You didnt need the energy fix. I could tell.Yeah, but I wanted the energy fix. What are you, jealous?What happened to you? he demanded, evading my question. How did you change so much? Youre better than this.Ive always been like this. You were just too starstruck to notice.I turned and left him, heading back out to our friends, making sure I neatened up my appearance in tiny increments as I walked. The alcohol was really kicking in at this point, but I was pretty sure I still managed to walk without looking evidently drunk. When I reached the group, Kayla gestured to be picked up again. I was a little hesitant, but she seemed so insistent that I handed my drink to Doug and lifted her into my arms again. Mercifully, I didnt fall over.She studied me with those big blue eyes, and I wondered what she sensed. Something about her gaze affected me in a way that Seths chastising hadnt. I felt bad for what Id done. Dirty. Cheap.She sure does like you, said Maddie. And youre great with her too. You should have kids of your own.I ran a hand over Kaylas fine hair, recalling the dreams Nyx had sent me while shed stolen my energy. Theyd all shown an impossible future, me with a daughter and husband. Cant, I said. Doug would be lousy at child support.Oh, be quiet, he snapped back good-naturedly. I think hed been drinking as much as me by now.Seth returned just then and touched Maddies arm, his expression grim. We should head off. Terry and the others will be back, and Kaylas probably getting tired.Maddies face fell a little. Already? It was the first time in their idyllic relationship that Id ever seen signs of clouds.We need to get her back, Seth reite rated mildly. And Ive got a chapter to write.She rolled her eyes. Ah. Now the truth comes out.Interesting. Maddie had to put up with the akin stuff I had.Stay, Doug told her. Ill give you a ride.Yeah, like Id trust you behind a wheel right now.Then you drive me and Kincaid home, and Mortensen can go now.They all finally decided that was a good idea. As Seth and Kayla were about to go, Maddie suddenly did a double-take. Oh Wait. You have to give Georgina her present.I blinked. posit?Seths face turned almost- almost -mischievous, though he was still clearly bothered by what had taken place in the house. Uh, yeah. I just got a box of advanced copies of the next Cady and ONeill book and wondered if you wanted one.I I stopped, unsure what to say. Maddie laughed.Youve been the belle of the ball all night, and this is what makes you speechless?Hey, its not that easy. I meanthis is Cady and ONeill. You know how I feel about them. Ive sort of delivered that I wouldnt get to read their nex t installment until October. If I get it now, my whole universe will be thrown out of whack.So you dont want it? asked Seth.Oh, I want it. Just seemsI dont know. It feels like cheating.Theyre in the car right now, teased Maddie in a singsong voice. authorized you dont want one?I looked at Seths smile, and something weird passed between us. I could hardly believe that minutes ago, wed been fighting in the house. The looks we exchanged, the way I feltit was almost like it used to be. I hastily turned away.Yes, I groaned. Of course I do.Seth said good-bye to the rest of the bookstore gang and tried to find Casey, but she was surrounded by a throng of relatives. Giving up, he led me out of the yard to where hed parked a block or so away. Kayla was still in my arms. None of us spoke, and it was just as well because my feelings were all involve up. Every post-breakup interaction between us had been angry or painfully tense lately. Yet, in these last few moments, things had become almost comfortable again. Was it possible wed ever move past this phase? Could the pain Id gone through with him really ease up so quickly?He unlocked the car and got the book for me. I hoped I didnt gape like a schoolgirl when I saw it. All Fools Night . The cover showed the view of Washington, DC, blurred like a Renoir painting and overlaid with dark indigo. All sorts of warnings about it being an advanced copy and not for sale were on it, but I paid those no heed. I didnt want to sell it. I wanted to read it. Now.When I dragged my eyes up from the cover, Seth regarded me with happy amusement. I cant believe youre really that excited.Why wouldnt I be? And why are you surprised? Lots of people love your books.He shook his head. Yeahbut its still surreal to think that I can write something-create something-that affects people so strongly that they get an emotional occasion with what Ive pulled from my head. And to realize that someone I know personallyknowing it affects you like thatwel l, like I said, surreal.The sweet, earnest look in his eyes was making butterflies dance in my stomach, so I hastily looked back at the cover. I almost wished wed start fighting again. Sethwhywhy are you doing this?Giving you the book? He was puzzled.No, I meanbeing nice. And worrying about me back there.You dont think Im normally nice?I looked back up and sighed. You know what I mean. Weve been avoiding each other since in the buff Years, and when we have been together, its been disastrous. Yet, here you are bringing me thisI just dont understand it. Was it Maddies idea?He stared at me for a long time, or at least it felt like it. A chill ran down my spine, and for a second, I felt disoriented, like I was in this time and another, know the same moment over again.No. I did it because hate shouldnt last forever, he said finally, voice soft. Because eventually, you have to forgive. You cant just stop sympathize with or He didnt finish the phrase. I think well always have a connecti on, no matter where we go or what we do. And if so, Id like us to be friends.For the second time that night, I was speechless. There were a hundred things that would have made good responses. Telling him I agreed. Telling him I forgave him. Telling him I wanted us to be friends too. Yet, I couldnt get hold those words, and I never had a chance to ponder exactly why because Kayla suddenly jerked in my arms, coming awake with wide-eyed alacrity.Hey, a voice called to us. We turned.Dante was about half a block away and walking toward us. With each step, Kayla recoiled further and further from his approach. Dantes lifetime of power-seeking and wicked deeds had left a taint on him, one that Kayla could sense the way she could sense my aura. I didnt entirely know what it felt like for her, but it couldnt be good.Here, I said to Seth. Trade me.Kayla went to him eagerly, and he handed over the book just as Dante reached us. He put an arm around me and kissed my cheek. Got your message and thought Id come by. Hey, he said, by way of greeting to Seth.Seth nodded back, and whatsoever fragile companionship he and I had been rebuilding disappeared. Eager to distract, I employed the conversational gift I allegedly had.Seth was leaving and just had to get this book for me. I held it up as explanation. How was work?Dante kept his arm around me in a way that was almost proprietary. Hed always regarded my past with Seth nonchalantly, but I think me being so deeply involved with someone bothered him sometimes. His eyes light up on Kayla for a moment. She was trying so hard to keep away from him that she was practically crawling off Seth. Mortal magic and abilities varied considerably, but I imagined Dante must be able to sense her too. A phantom of a smile crossed his lips, and then he turned his attention back to me.Slow, as usual. I did get a couple of high teens wanting Tarot.Oh, lord. Your favorite kind of teens.Yup. Never questioned the price. I dont even know if they comprehended the fortune, to be honest.You didnt tell them about tree frogs, did you?Tree frogs? asked Seth.Yeah, Dante had these kids on acid come in once, and as part of their reading, he told them to listen of tree frogs.Grinning, Dante shook his head at the memory. Shit, that freaked them out. You should have seen them when they left the store. They were practically crouching on the ground, looking up everywhere, peering at every window and squall wire. That would have almost been compensation enough.The image always made me laugh. But not this time?Nah, this group was just sluggish and out of it. On the bright side, they paid me ten dollars for a bag of Doritos I had academic term around. Gotta love kids spending their allowance.Dante and I were both amused by his clients antics, but glancing over, I saw that Seth was not. Something cold clenched inside me, and I could suddenly see us through his eyes. He didnt really find taking advantage of teens under the influence of dru gs funny, whether it was monetarily or psychologically. When Id first met Dante, Id actually been appalled by the charlatan side of his business. When had I come to accept it? When had I come to enjoy it?I felt ashamed all of a sudden and hated what Seth must think of me. Then, I became angry for feeling that way, for letting myself feel judged. He had no power over me anymore. It didnt matter what he thought. The last of the coziness between us shattered, and I felt my icy exterior slip into place. I moved closer to Dante, and Seths body language told me hed seen the transformation Id just undergone.Well, you guys probably need to go, I said abruptly.Yeah, Seth said uncomfortably. I guess well see you later.Thanks for the book.He merely nodded and then turned to put Kayla into her car seat. Her eyes met mine and I waved a good-bye, but the look of standoff on her face never faltered. I knew it was for Dante, not me, but it languish nonetheless.Dante wanted to head home and had mo stly come to give me a ride. By that point, I felt weary and emotionally disoriented. Home sounded good. We went back inside to drop off my glass and tell Doug I was leaving. Doug looked about as thrilled to see Dante as Seth had, but he said nothing that wasnt in his usual jovial style.On the drive home, I stared vacantly out the window and ran my hands over the books cover.You were kind of chummy back there, noted Dante.Huh?With Mortensen. I felt like I was interrupting something.Oh. No. I just got kind of giddy over the book. You know how much I like them.We came to a red light, and he glanced down at the cover. Advanced copy? We could make a lot of money on eBay.DanteJust a joke, succubus. Well, kind of. If you ever wanted to work your wiles on him and get more books, you could start a little side business.I dont need any extra cash. And my wiles are no good. Things are done. He and Maddie are happy.That doesnt mean anything. You dont think he still wants you? You dont think hed sleep with you if he could?Why do you assume the worst about everyone?Because its always true. Im trying to break you of seeing the world through optimistic glasses. He paused while we merged onto the freeway and headed back toward the city. And he can want you all he wants. I dont care, as long as you dont want him back.There you go again, acting jealous. I tried to keep my voice teasing in order to deflect how close hed hit to home. I thought you didnt care who else I slept with.I dont. Just so long as you dont like them better than me.I laughed and left that as my response, indicating how foolish a notion I thought it was. And yet, as we rode back in silence, I found myself hugging the book closer and closer.