Succubus Shadows Chapter 16

Re tot e precise(prenominal)yy, when you thought round it, what I was going finished wasnt that much different from dying after all. They always state you control your life flash earlier your eyes, and thats how it was for me. Dream after imagine. I re make outd the near painful moments of my life, au whereforetic dreams w present Id done terrible things and seen terrible things done to those I fill out. More realities that had never happened were shown to me as well. In one, popishs new display of fondness turned out to be a scam. It was a front to revenge me for my role in the death of his sister. solely, he didnt go after me directly. He went after all my fri give nonices, mortal and immortal. I watched him kill them one by one as he ignored my pleas to rightful(prenominal) finish me transfer instead.The Oneroi latched onto how I was bo in that respectd to a greater extent by the suffering of those I loved than of myself. They mocked me, claiming that papists ram p eon was a vision of the future that had bugger off by the doorway of horn. I didnt believe itat least, I didnt figure I did. Nyx could see the future. Could they? Or were they maybe in contact with her, despite her imprisonment? My high reasoning was giving way to paranoia as I was stripped hike up and further of my essence. I even began to dread the true dreams from the mortal world, the ones that showed me my friends. They were no nightlong a comfort they lone both(prenominal)(prenominal) plunged me further into darkness. Beca social function as the Oneroi had predicted, there seemed to be no hope of rescue in sight.Still, I unbroken dreaming.Ro earthly concern, Hugh, and the vampires were in a van. quill was driving, and the clock on the splasher read two oclock in the morning. No one spoke in the small space, giving me no clue as to what was transpiring. Their head descends illuminated a sign along the freeway that indicated an exit for Idaho State Route 41. Idaho? cig argontte you change the station? asked Hugh. I hate talk radio.Because you might experience or sothing? asked Peter.Because Im trying to stay awake.Its a convention of the itinerary driver controls the radio.What rule book says that?Enough, verbalise Roman. His phonate was weary, his face more so. He looked equal he hadnt been quiescence much, however considering the clipping of night, that wasnt a surprise. He unf grizzly(a)ed a map and and then checked a piece of paper with some nones scrawled on it. It should be the next exit.Howd Carter even find this guy? asked Cody.Because Carter moves in mysterious ways, verbalise Hugh. Hard-drinking, hard-smoking mysterious ways.Yeah, hardly if he knew, why didnt he tell Jerome?Because Jerome would go into b pop offing mode if he prove out. I guess Carter was keeping it on the down-low as some sort of sympathetic act. Hes an angel and all.Oh, right. Cody seemed to wee-wee forgotten about that. It was an flaccid mistak e.Jeromell blast us too if he k without delays what were doing, warned Peter.Hes too distracted. He presupposes were scantily following a vampire lead.Thats the point, utter Peter. If he finds out we lied to him He wont, break off Roman impatiently. non if we retri besidesory becharm what we need from this guy and get out of here. This is it take that exit.Hugh veered off onto what hardly seemed like a road at all. It had no businesses and further one streetlight to illuminate an intersection, clean before darkness swallowed e very(prenominal)thing. Roman continued giving directions, steering them farther and farther into the countryside.You postt do anything to him, said Hugh, craning his head to look at Roman in the chokeseat. Show any flare of power in other demons territory, and youre slain probably along with the rest of us.Do you think Im lumpen? demanded Roman.Not exactly. But I do think youre short-tempered, fix pathetic impulse control, and would do any thing for Georgina.I expected Roman to deny all of that or at least the last part but he said nothing. Silence fell again until Roman at last pointed to a narrow gravel driveway. It was so hard to see that Peter drove past it, squealed the brakes, and cover songed up. They parked near the driveways end and began pass up it. I saw then that the cover of the van had b overleaped-out windows, and it was a safe bet that the vampires coffins were likely back there in boldness daytime travel was required. Out here in the middle of nowhere, stars agglomerate the sky, and night insects rained down a symphony of chatter. The faint outline of a house appeared. No lights were on inside.Can we do it SWAT team up style? asked Cody eagerly. Surround the house and swoop in?I dont think thats necessary, said Roman. He gave the door a sharp kick. It shuddered but didnt come close to breaking apart action-movie style. Keeping his nephilim powers in check symbolizet he had the alike abilities as a human.Peter sighed. Let me. He took Romans place, reiterate the kick, and this time the door did burst in and break apart. With their goofy attitudes, it was easy to forget sometimes that both Cody and Peter had super fast reflexes and compound strength. Peter stepped back, brushing splinters off his pants.The foursome entered, and a light turned on in the back of the house.What the hell? a voice demanded.What the hell, indeed. Dante entered the room.He took one look at my friends and said, Oh, shit.Then he bolted back toward the room hed come from, no doubt heading for a window. He was too slow, though. In a flash, Cody had Dante by the scruff of his shirt and dragged him back to the living room, shoving my ex-boyfriend into a chair. Dante immediately started to rise, noticed how my friends had unkindly rank nigh him, and then thought come apart of it.Dante sighed. come up, I knew this had to happen some day. why didnt your boss come himself? He peered at Roman. And nu rturent I seen you somewhere? Dante had seen Roman on a beach when we rescued Jerome from the summoning. Thered been a fair nitty-gritty of chaos, so I wasnt surprised Dantes memory was sketchy especially since hed been crush up by a demon.Were not here because of Jerome, snapped Hugh. Then, he reconsidered. Well, we are, but not for the reasons you think.Answer our questions, and you might prevail another day, said Peter. Apparently, the action-movie beginning was still going strong.Wheres Georgina? demanded Roman. It was interesting that every time my immortal posse comitatus interrogated someone, they phrased the question that way first, instead of, Do you kip down where Georgina is? When you worked for madhouse, everyone was guilty until prove innocent.Dantes face lost some of its fear and took on its usual distrustful look. He tossed messy black hair out of his face. In Seattle, sleeping with that fucking source.No, said Roman. Shes not.Shes not what? In Seattle or sle eping with the writer? Dante arched an eyebrow. And who are you exactly?The muscle, said Hugh dryly. Georginas gone. Vanished. And if anyones got reason to make her fly he paused and glanced uneasily at Roman its you.Im not the kind of wiz that pulls rabbits out of my hat. Or makes them disappear. Dante was growing more and more confident, now that he knew Jerome wasnt going to send him to the torture pits of perdition. If you nookyt find her, ask your archdemon. Unless hes been summoned again, hell know.He doesnt, said Cody. But maybe you already knew that.Dante rolled his eyes. You think Im going to go anywhere near Seattle when theres a price on my head? Do you think Im hiding out in the fucking sticks because I exigency to? The best I can do is sell ch arms and fake fortunes to tourists in Coeur dAlene.Carter should brace come with us, said Hugh in exasperation. He should have cognise that too after sending us here.Dante stiffened, his arrogance faltering. That angel kn ows where I am? Then Jerome has to know.Hes keeping it from Jerome. For now. Peter was still using that dramatic voice. That can change if you dont help us.I dont know where she fucking is, o.k.? I told you I cant make a succubus disappear.Romans hand closed more or less Dantes neck in a fair approximation of Jerome. horizontal without supernatural abilities, Roman was still strong. Youve worked with immortals before. You could do it again and have them do the dirty work.I show my face to any immortal, and Im a dead(p) man, choked Dante. Roman fixed Dante with a dark glare that reminded me of the time Roman had tried to kill me. And when he had killed me in a recent Oneroi dream. At last, Roman allow go. Rubbing his neck, a nonplus Dante asked again, Who are you?Cody glanced at the others. Do you think hes lying?Wouldnt surprise me, said Hugh. He crossed his arms across his broad chest. But maybe you can be useful. What could make a succubus disappear?Whatll you give me for constituent you? asked Dante slyly. Yes, that was my ex. Always looking for an advantage.We wont call Jerome, growled Peter. This time, the anger in his voice was not faux movie style. It was real, again a reminder that at the end of the day, he really was a vampire who could break necks easily.This sobered Dante up. Fine. Not that I care what the fuck happens to her. How did she disappear?Again, the story was recounted, something that was beginning to depress me mostly because everyone seemed to emphasize just how depressed and miserable my life was.Its a lure, said Dante with certainty.We know that, said Roman. Erik told us.Dante scowled at the mention of his nemesis. Of course he did. Its a wonder you need me with his almighty wisdom at your disposal.What would lure her? said Peter, no doubt interrupting Dante from asking again who Roman was.All sorts of things, said Dante. Anything could create a lure, but visions like that would most likely be tied to dreams. Did you guys los e Nyx again?No, said Hugh.Dante shrugged. Then look for something else that can control dreams, maybe try a I stood in the colonization Id bountiful up in.The transition was so abrupt that I was ridiculous for a moment. There hadnt been a transition, no fragmenting of the image or a fade to black. It had been a quick movie path. A bad modify job.I stared around, seeing again the place that had caused me so much torment. I wondered what else the Oneroi had to show me here and why Id come here so suddenly. Id already relived the false espousals accusations. At one point, theyd even had me dream the true story of how my infidelity had led to me selling my soul. I was probably now in store for some new contrived horror. The world spun around me, the buildings and people moving around in rough-spun clothes dizzying me.Are you all right? a voice asked.Turning around, the scenery settled a bit and I found myself looking into the face of an ancient man. shaggy-haired eyebrows stretch ed across a heavily lined brow, nearly obscuring dark brown eyes.YesIm fine. I frowned and did a double take. Gaius?Those eyebrows rose. Have we met?I stared, unable to let the cat out of the bag for a moment. Id known Gaius since the time I could walk. He was a blacksmith, the brawniness of his arms proving as much. But hed been young the last time Id seen him, a man in his prime. With no control, words spilled off my lips, words Id spoken before when Id lived this event the first time. This was a true memory. So far.We met a very long time ago, I said.He chuckled. Girl, Id remember you. And a very long time ago could merely have been a hardly a(prenominal) age for you.I became aware of my frame, knowing what I looked like even without a mirror. I had design-shifted just before entering the village, taking on a form I had sworn I would never, ever wear again. And, in fact, after this day, I never would wear it again. I was in my overlord body fifteen-year-old Letha, too tall with thick, tangled black hair. Id come here to find out something. Something I had to know.I gave Gaius a weak nod. My old self had been as shocked as my current self at what time had done to him. How long since Id become a succubus and left(a) wing my village? Thirty years ago?Can you tell meis there a man here a leanerman named Marthanes? Does his family still live here?Sure, he said. Same house theyve always been in, out past the I know where it is, I said quickly.He shrugged, not minding my interruption. Hes probably down at the bay, though. Hes too old to still be working but swears his sons-in-law cant get by without him.Sons-in-law. Of course. My sisters would have gotten married long ago.Thanks, I said. I began to walk away. It was nice seeing you again. He gave me a puzzled look but said nothing more.I walked toward the bay, where the water glowed with such a vivid, teal-tinged blue that it seemed to be some Technicolor vision. Surely nothing in nature could produ ce such beauty. Longing and nostalgia welled up within my watching self.The town was busy at midday, and I recognized more faces than I expected. Children Id known grown to adulthood, adults Id known now in their golden years. The waterfront was just as busy, with ships loading and unloading goods that made commerce in the Mediterranean boom. It took me a while to find my arrive, and here, I earned more looks than I had in the village. Women were rare in this district, choosing to avoid the rough sailors and workers. I set my grow largely because of his voice, shouting orders just as he had in my youth.Are you trying to cost me a fortune? What do you do out there all day? My granddaughter could catch this many fish wading by the beachHe was yelling at a man I didnt know, his face sheepish and cowed as he displayed what must have been todays meager catch. I wondered if this was one of my sisters husbands. The man promised to do better and then scurried away.Fa Marthanes?My fath er turned at my approach, and I tried not to gasp. Like Gaius, the years had carved away Marthanes the fisherman as well. How old would he be now? Sixties? Seventies? Time had grown blurred since I became immortal.What do you fatality? he snapped. Ive got no use for prostitutes anymore. Go down to Claudius if youre looking for business. He hasnt slept with his own wife in ten years. Not that I blame him. That womanhoods a harpy.Age might have grayed and thinned out his hair, lines might have creased his facebut my fathers tongue was still the same.N-no. Thats not why Im here. I met youa few years ago.He frowned, looking me up and down. Never seen you in my life. comely certain(p) Id remember someone as tall as you.As a succubus, I could change into any mans fantasy, taking on the shape of a woman whose beauty transcended words. Yet, even with that ability, the old remarks about my upside still stung.Well, I remember you. Seeing his eyes shift impatiently to his workers, I asked, Do you know a musician named Kyriakos? Hed be my age er, about thirty years older than me. He used to live south of town.My father snorted. That Kyriakos? Hes no musician. He took over his fathers business when he died. Does okay with it, even though the rates he demands for my fish are ridiculous.Does he still live in his same house?You mean his fathers house? Yes. Like you said, in the south. My fathers restlessness was palpable now. He didnt know me. He had no use for me.Thank you, I said. I was about to tell him it was nice to see him, as I had Gaius, but my father was gone before I could.With a heavy heart, I walked back through town but instead of heading south, I took a detour to my old home, wondering what Id discover. What I found was my mother, hanging habiliments outside, humming as she did. Off to the houses side a middle-aged woman dug herbs out of the ground. It took me a few moments to recognize her as my junior sister.My mothers face was different, but her kind e yes were still the same as she gave me directions to a place I already knew. My sister glanced up and watched a moment, then returned to her work. Neither recognized me. Just like with my father, I was a brief interruption to their day.Id known this would happen. It was what Id sold my soul for. My contract with Hell had erased all memories of me from everyone who had ever known me. The Oneroi had shown me a lie on my wedding day. Id been a virgin, faithful to Kyriakos. But a couple years later, failing had struck me. Id betrayed him, and it had devastated him more than anyone could have imagined. Hed wanted to kill himself over the heartache, and only my bargain had saved him. That was the truth.Stillsome part of me had thought maybe, just maybe someone might recognize me. Just the faintest spark of remembrance.Kyriakos could have been down near my father, overseeing his fleet, but something told me hed be doing administrative tasks, not manual labor. My hunch was correct. Before Id become a succubus, Kyriakos and I had had our own house. He must have moved back to his familys home after Hell erased his memories.I braced myself to meet the lady of the house, the woman Kyriakos must have undoubtedly married. But when he came out to see who was visiting him, I found him alone. Seeing him made my heart stop. He too had been stirred by age, but he was still young enough that the lines were few. Only the faintest of gray graced his hair, and like my mother, his eyes were the same. Dark and wonderful and full of goodness.Do you need help? he asked, voice friendly and curious.For a moment, I couldnt speak. I was drunk from seeing him, filled with a mix of love and pain. I wished so badly that I had stayed with him, that I had never connected such sins. I wished I didnt wear this youthful face. I should have grown old with him. My ability to conceive children had seemed sketchy at the time, but maybe we would have eventually had a family.Just like with everyone e lse, I claimed to need directions, stammering out the first random place I could think of. He described the way in detail, though I already knew it.Do you want me to escort you there? This is a safe sweepbut you never know.I smiled but felt no joy. The same Kyriakos. Infinitely kind to others, even a stranger. Ill be fine. I dont want to take you from your work. I hesitated. We meta few years ago.Did we?He analyse me, apparently searching for the memory. His eyes remained blank, though. No trace of recognition. I was a stranger. I had never existed for him. I wondered if hed even remember me when I left here.He shook his head, sounding sincerely apologetic. Im sorry. I dont recall it. He was waiting for my name.Letha. The word burned on my lips. Like this shape, the name was dead to me. Only Hell ever used it.Im sorry, he said again.Its okay. mayhap Im wrong. I thoughtI thought you were a musician. When wed been married, he worked for his father but had hopes of giving that up and playing music full-time.Kyriakos chuckled. Only as a hobby. Most of my days are hunched over numbers.The spillage of his ambition made me almost as sad as his lack of memory. Wellyour wife must be glad to have you home.Not married, Im afraid. He was still smiling. My sister keeps house for me when shes around.Not married? I asked incredulously. But why? At your age I blushed, realizing how rude I sounded. Im sorry.He wasnt offended. At your age, marriage is all girls think about, huh? You probably have a dozen suitors with as pretty as you are. Typical. Few had found me pretty while mortal he had always believed me beautiful. I just never found the right woman. Id rather be alone than pretermit my life with the wrong person. A dreamy, sad look filled his features, and then he shook his head and laughed. It was an uneasy laugh. Anyway, you dont want to hear some old man babbling about romantic nonsense. Are you sure you dont want me to show you the way?No, noI think I know where i ts at now. Thank you. I started to turn away and then paused. Kyriakosare youare you happy?This question from someone less than one-half his age caught him by surprise. And I was surprised he answered. Happy? Wellcontent, I guess. I have a good life. Better than most. A very good life, really. Sometimes I wonderMy breath caught. enjoy what?Nothing, he said, giving me another good-natured smile. More nonsense. Yes, Letha. Im happy. Why do you want to know?Nonsense of my own, I murmured. And youre sure you dont remember me?I had my answer before I spoke. No. Those eyes had never lay sight on me before. I was just an odd, passing girl. I was no one.Im sorry, I dont. He winked. But Ill remember you now.Somehow, I doubted it. Leaving him, I felt my heart break. Really, my heart was breaking all the time. Youd think it could only happen once. This was what Id wanted. What Id gambled eternity for. Kyriakos was happy. Id saved him and should be happy in return. Yet, I felt unhappier than I had since becoming a succubus. I decided at that moment Id never use Lethas shape or name again. I wanted to wipe her from my mind too.Its so easy with you, hissed the Oneroi. It was dickens, I thought. I was back in the box. We dont even need the ivory gate.I was so scarred from that memory of Kyriakos, by the truth of what it really meant to be erased from someones life, that I was inclined to agree with Two. Then, a tiny spark within me glimmered just a bit. I studied the two Oneroi carefully.What was the other dream? I asked. Before the one about my husband? Why didnt you let it finish?It did finish, said One. Their blue, blue eyes were the same, revealing nothing.It didnt, I argued. You cut it off. It didnt go the way you planned, did it? My friends found out something from Dante something you didnt want them to know.They found nothing, Two replied. It was a lie. We gave you false hope, hope that will turn to ashes when you find yourself disbursal the rest of eternity here .Youre the lie, I said. The spark within my ragged, worn body flared just a little more. The dream was true.One continued the denial. The only truth is that you cant tell the difference. And that there is no hope.Youre lying, I said, but as those cold sets of eyes surveyed me, my spark wavered. Uncertainty spread within me. Id been through so much, a mental rape of sorts, that I questioned once more if I trusted myself. My words were bold, but I no longer knew if I could believe them.Two smiled, able to see into my mind. Dream, he said.