Succubus Blues CHAPTER 11

Hospitals are creepy dictates, cold and sterile. A true monitor of the tenuous nature of mortality. The thought of Hugh here made me nauseous, tho I squelched the feeling as best I could, sprinting through the halls to the room Samantha had named.When I reached it, I found Hugh lying calmly in a bed, his large body clad in a gown, his skin bruised and bandaged. A redheaded work sat next to the bed with him, holding his hand. She exploited in surprise when I burst into the room.Georgina, Hugh said, giving me a weak smile. Nice of you to stop by.The blond woman, presumably Samantha, studied me uneasily. Slim and doe-eyed, she tightened her grip on Hughs hand, and I figured this must be the twenty-year old from work. Her unnatural breasts verified as much.Its all right, he told her reassuringly. This is my friend Georgina. Georgina, Samantha.Hi, I told her, offering my hand. She took it. Hers was cold, and I realized then that her nervousness was not so much at meeting me as gener al tinct over what had happened to Hugh. It was touching.Sweetie, would you excuse Georgina and me for a bit? Maybe go get yourself a drink from the cafeteria? He spoke gently and kindly to her, a intone he rarely used with the rest of us on our pub wickednesss.Samantha morose to Hugh anxiously. I dont want to march on you alone.I wont be alone. Georgina and I only fool to talk. Besides, shes a, uh, black belt nothing will happen to me.I made a face at him behind her back 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 miss you.Ill miss you more.She rose, gave me another s angry look, and retreated out the door.I watched her go a moment before taking her chair beside Hugh. Very sweet. I think Im getting cavities.No need to be bitter. Just because you sternt form meaningful attachments with mortals.His jest hurt a lot more than it probably should confirm, but then, I sti ll had Roman on the brain.Besides, he continued, shes a little upset active what happened today.Yeah, I imagine so. Jesus. Look at you.I surveyed his wounds in greater detail. Hints of stitches appeared beneath somewhat bandages, and Stygian blotchy bruises blossomed 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 unspoiled equal 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 cognize almost this?Of course. I called him earlier, but hed already felt it. I expect him to show up any time now. Did he call you?Not exactly, I admitted, hesitant to bring up the note quite yet. What happened? When you were attacked?I dont remember a lot of details. Hugh shrugged middling, an awkward maneuver for one lying down. I guess hed already gone through this story with a number of others. I stepped out for coffee. I was the only one in the parking lot, and while glide slope back to my car, this psyche, I guess, just jumped out and attacked me. No warning.You guess?He frowned. I never really got a good look. He was big, though, I could flag 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 recognize wherefore he quit. It was all beating and slashing one minute the next, hes gone. Took about fifteen minutes before someone else came along and helped me.You encumber saying he. You think it was a guy?He tone-beginninged another shrug. I dont really know. Just an impression I got. Could have been a hot blonde for all I know.Yeah? Should I question Samantha?You shouldnt be questioning an yone, according to Jerome. Did you ever talk to Erik?Yeah hes looking into some things for me. He also reaffirmed that vampire hunters cant kill you or me, nor has he ever heard of anything that can.Hugh turned thoughtful. This person didnt kill me.Do you think he was trying?He was certainly trying to do something. Seems like if he could have killed me, he would have.But he couldnt, a voice 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 further to see Carter with him.Leave it to Jerome to play devils advocate, joked the angel.What are you doing here, Georgina? demanded the giant 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 looked like 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 stash of them on hand and No. Not that. I cant feel you cant sense you I could see Carter with my eyes, but I could not feel that powerful signature, aura, or whatever, that normally radiated from an immortal. Turning to Jerome suddenly, I realized he was the same. Or you. I cant sense both 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 switch 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. Why 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 handed 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 commove to your party line about this being a vampire hunter, I shot back.Jeromes dark eyes narrowed shrewdly at me. Why 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 knowing youre a succubus explains why he didnt attack you. He knew he couldnt kill you. He wasnt reliable about Hugh, however, so he took his chances.With a knife. Again, I rememb ered How do you know if a demon is lying? His lips are moving. I thought the story was that this was some incompetent 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. Even new vampire hunters wise up eventually.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 vampire.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 mean 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?Whatever cloaking Jerome had been doing vanished, and I suddenly became aware of the power crackling around 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 Jerom e, 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 swear 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 fixed on me, and I felt true fear for the first time in centuries in the tenseness 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 mortal. 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. Please stop going against me. Were doin g 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 struck me as more pressing. Why the we here? I assume you mean him. I nodded toward Carter. What could involve both a demon and an angel and ask them skulk around hiding their presence? Are you guys afraid of something?Skulking? Carter sounded jovially indignant.Please, Georgie, intoned Jerome, patience obviously at a breaking point, leave well-enough alone. If you really want to do something useful, you will avoid dangerous situations like I advised before. I cant make you stay in protected company, but if you persist in being a nuisance otherwise, I can find a convenient place to stash you until this all blows over. This is not about anyones side, and you only run the risk of muddling up matters you dont understand.I unconsciously squeezed Hughs hand for support. I did not want to think about what sort of convenient place Jerome had i n mind.Do we understand each other? the demon asked softly.I nodded.Good. You will be of most assistance to me by keeping yourself safe. I have too many things to worry about now without adding you to the list.I nodded again, not trusting myself to speak. His small 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 friendship 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 hunky-dory?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 clic k. 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 listening? 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 consequence shows you tend to go for showy, flirty guys anyway.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 closely walked out the door, but his co mment 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 scream 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 knowing 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 chilly 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 a nd left him there. I stormed out to my car and didnt even realize I was driving until I was halfway across the bridge, rupture leaking from the corners of my eyes.