Succubus on Top CHAPTER 14

I wasnt prepared for Dana to answer Bastiens door the next day.Oh my God, I aspect. He at last slept with her.The truth turned bring out to be far less exciting. Bastien as Mitch was covered up to his elbows in flour, his hands busily kneading a medium-sized lump of dough.Hey brindled Cat, he express upon witnessing me and my startled expression. Danas coning me to bake bread.Wow, I said. Really, in that location was no other way to respond to a statement equal that.I had personally seen Bastien make bread in far more(prenominal) primitive conditions, tho when he apparently believed the old teacher-student routine was exhalation to surface the way to Danas bed for him now. It did have its merits, of course. Human nature ilkd showing superiority in areas of expertise, and a teaching relationship provided lots of alone sentence to hither. I suspected that even with that tactic, Dana might still be out of reach, but hey, maybe it was worth a shot. The fact that she act ually do eon for this struck me as odd. I figured shed be too busy bombing abortion clinics and handing out school uniforms.Speaking of alone time, I unbalanced that Id blundered into some meaningful opportunity for the incubus. I met his eyes.I weed come back later if its a bad time, I told him.No, no. Danas got to go to a meeting soon. You can keep me company once this babys in the oven.His tone was genuine. Hed probably already exhausted efforts to commove her to stay.Un voiced in her presence, I sit down on one of the stools by the counter and sipped the white-chocolate mocha Id picked up on my way over. Dana sat down beside me. I resisted the urge to move away. Glancing at his kitchen table, I saw stacks of CPFV pamphlets and brochures.Why the interest in cooking? I asked blandly when no one said anything.A bachelor cant live on fast food and frozen dinners forever, huh? He turned up the dial on his smile. And hey, Im always open to unsanded experiences. Next time shes g oing to teach me to make creme brulee.I grunted. You learn to makecreme brulee, and I might have to move in.Dana turned to me, elegantly crossing her legs, showing that oh-so-wholesome slip obtained during the infamous shopping trip. Id give up on slips a while ago. They just delayed the main event. I could show you too.Hell no. Id gotten roped into yard work by engage a similar vein of conversation with Jody. No more domestic vices for me. Besides, I knew Bastien wouldnt welcome my presence.Thanks, but Ill just leave it to Mitch. Hes the brilliant one in this family anyway.Bastien gave the bread a final pat. Okay, now what? like a shot we put it in the pan.She walked over to show him. As she did, he leaned in extra close, supposedly to larn a better look. He even reached out his hand to brush hers, following her motions as they transferred the bread. Perhaps it would have been polite to look away, but there was nothing overtly romantic going on, and besides, I tangle a professi onal interest in the matter. Histechniquewas good, I had to admit. Very subtle. Nothing that could be misconstrued as more than a polite accident. Yet, I saw Dana just as subtly stiffen and step away once the bread was in its pan.Now you just let it rise, she said, in a somewhat cooler tone. thus it goes in the oven.Interesting. She hadnt liked Bastiens proximity. That didnt bode well for him. I didnt think he noticed, however.I would have expected her to leave, but she sat down next to me again. I could never think of anything interesting to hypothecate some her she unnerved me too much. So I let the two of them talk, answering solo when spoken to and otherwise letting Bastien run the show. He positively glowed. Dana tried to draw me in a number of times, again asking me things about my life I really didnt expect to answer.When she finally rose to go, she commented, Im discharge to a board meeting to contrive our upcoming rally against gay marriage. You two should join us when it happens.Absolutely, said Bastien, who probably would have agreed to an anti-incubus rally at this point.She glanced over at me. My language suddenly felt thick, words again eluding me. ar you for gay marriage? she asked with surprise. I thought when we talked about this at the mall, you had implied you were more in regard of helping them see the error of their ways.Christ. Had we discussed this on the mall trip? I couldnt remember. The only thing I recalled clearly was the lingerie debacle.I wanted to consider right then that I didnt think homosexuality was a choice for all people, nor did I believe there should be laws about who people loved. Fortunately, my potency switch was fully operational. That, combined with Bastiens heavy gaze, made me redirect my answer and evade the question. Id love to go to the rally, I said flatly. Itll depend on my schedule.She smiled thinly, made a few parting remarks, and then left.I exhaled. Sorry about that, Bas. I nearly choked up on you.Not a problem. You recovered. Besides, I think things are turning around. I thought of it the last time she and Jody were over. This cooking thing is going to be what does it. He peered into the oven at his now-baking bread in the beginning sitting at the kitchen table happily. Cant you see it? Well be like, I dont know, baking a cake together, and Ill say, Why Dana, you have chocolate frosting on your cheek. Then shell say, Will you get it off for me? Then I will, only Ill lick it off Okay, just stop now, please. I get the picture. I really dont want to hear about you two rolling around in cake batter.Youll have to once its on the evening news.I smiled, relieved to see him so cheered up after our last encounter. I couldnt bring myself to split up him I didnt think the cooking lessons were making Dana quite as hot and heavy as he would have liked. If we were going to save Bastien from demonic wrath, I believed we needed a better understanding of what if anything turned that woman on. And I had the distasteful tactile sensation that I would be a better agent for that particular piece of reconnaissance than he would be. One more thing to add to my count.So whats new with you?Oh, the usual. Another awkward physical encounter with Seth. Not nearly as big a deal as the last one, but still.Bastien shrugged. Alas for finite weakness.Dana left my mind as my own personal relations came to the fore summit. Thats the thing. Everyones been going on and on about how he wouldnt be able to handle our relationship, but its not his weakness thats the problem. Its me. Im the faulty piece here. Seths through with(p) exactly what hes supposed to. He handles every horrible thing I tell him about myself, and he never does anything to cross the sexual line. His one moment of weakness was when I initiated things. Hes perfect.Nobodys perfect, Fleur .If theres anything I feel certain of in this world, its that. Even the angels themselves are imperfect.I thought about Carter s chain-smoking and penchant for hard liquor. Thats for damned sure. yet Seth comes pretty close. At least as deadlys go. Whereas meI dont know. I feel so useless in our relationship.He stood up and drew me to him. What is this, your day to feel melodramatic and depressed? Look. No way are you useless not if youve been with him this long. Hes in it for more than sex. Hes in it for you. For that delightful wit and charm that manages to cheer even grumpy bastards like me up. What I cant figure out is what the hell youre getting out of it.Plenty, I said, thinking of Seths humor and intelligence, his serious and steady nature. And I suppose hes happy with what hes got, but he must still, you know, feel unfulfilled. Hes a man, right? I see him looking at me sometimes, and I know what hes thinkingwhat he wants. I thought about my toe-teasing. I dont think I really make it easy on him either. I flirt without thinking about it. I wish I could give him, I dont know, something. Something nonlethal to reward his amazing celibate intensity and overall amazingness with everything thats happened so far. Nonlethals going to be hard for you. Youre the ultimate look-dont-touch girl.My slumping head shot up. Thats it.Whats it?Looking without touch modality. Youre going to help me. I felt my natural optimism and aught seizing me as I flashed the incubus a saucy grin. Youre going to be my photographer.His eyebrows rose, but I think he already knew where I was going with this. And pray tell, what will I be photographing, my dear?Me. In a bevy of alluring poses and skimpy underwear. Or nothing at all. Well do a whole spread.His smile twitched at the word spread. And you think this will help him? All itll do is drive him into the bathroom alone for ten hours.Hey, he can do whatever he wants with them, but its a great idea. Itll be a treat. A safe way of having me without having me. I poked the incubus in the arm. Youll help, wont you? Youre the only person I trust to take th ese.Of course Ill help you. Whyd you even ask?I sighed happily, like a great load had been taken off of me. Of course, even if this is good for Seth, it doesnt solve the problem of me being a weak-willed strumpet. Ill still be thinking about him all the time. Still wondering what itd be like to touch really touch him. Still breaking down with him in moments of weakness. I sighed again, this time with frustration. Theres no helping me, I guess. Pictures of him wont do it. Hey, said Bastien, touching my chin. Smile again. Youll figure out something. And if not, I promise you I will. The brother you never had, remember? Were here for each other, n,est-ce pas ?I smiled and leaned my head against his chest. Oui.We stayed like that for a few pleasant minutes until I remembered far less sentimental issues. I sat up.Oh, hey, you have got to check something out.I picked up my purse and pulled out the bag of crystals Alec had given me. Bastien recoiled when I held them out to him.What the hell are those?Thats the million-dollar question. These are whats causing my friend at the bookstore to act so weird.Regaining his composure, he leaned in to look closer but wouldnt touch the bag. Theyre strange, he said slowly. They give off somethingLike an immortal signature, I agreed. But Ive never felt an inanimate object that did this. Its not the same as an enchantment.It doesnt feel bad exactlyjust not right.I asked Seth about it. Mortals dont feel anything, only us. Ever come across anything like this?No, but then Im the novice next to you, right?I slid the crystals back into my purse, to the relief of both of us, and then explained what Alec had said about mixing them in liquid.Curiouser and curiouser, mused Bastien. Not like any drug I know, but its not giving off any legitimate potion vibraharp either. If you want to know what this is, Fleur ,youre going to have to break out the big guns.I knew he was right. We hung out together a while longer, moving on to less weird s ubjects. The bread smelled so good cooking that there was no way I could leave until Id tried a piece. Upon tasting it, I decided that whatever her other faults, Dana knew what she was doing with food. I ended up getting away with a good half loaf of the bread and then operate back downtown to find the big guns.I got a lucky break, and Jerome actually answered his cell phone and gave me his location. Even if he hadnt, it would have been on my list of places to try. The Cellar was an old, dark pub in Pioneer Square, Seattles historic district. You had to take a flight of stairs down to get to the Cellar, and I always had the judgement the place wouldnt survive the Northwests next big earthquake. The Cellar was one of Jerome and Carters favorite haunts.I found them both there in their usual corner. The place was dark, as always, and was starting to pick up a little with happy-hour traffic. Angel and demon watched me enter with their typically amused expressions, both having sensed m e before I clean-cut the door. Jerome always gave the impression over the phone that I was taking up his time, but neither seemed particularly busy now. I ordered a gimlet at the bar, smiling at the two guys who made conversation while I waited, and then moved on to join the dynamic duo.A working(a) lunch? I asked, inclining my head at the empty shot glasses in front of them. The two practically sat side by side, so the only other chair was across from them, like I was at an interview.Carter picked up one of the empty glasses and offered me a mock toast. I clinked my glass with his. Dont question the divine workings of the universe, Daughter of Lilith. The Lords work is never done, added Jerome solemnly.They both seemed a little loopy, but I wasnt fooled. Higher immortals like angels and demons could throw their levels of intoxication. The other lesser immortals and I had said a number of stupid things in front of them when we thought either Jerome or Carter had been wasted. The ir eyes held a discriminating scrutiny even now that told me they were both curious about why Id sought out my supervisor in the middle of the day.Been to see the incubus? Jerome asked a moment later.I nodded. He thinks hes making progress.Thinks? asked the demon, raising one eyebrow. I wondered if John Cusack could actually do that. Is there a doubt?I didnt say that.But you also didnt say that he is making progress.A slip of the tongue. I misspoke.You dont misspeak often, Georgie. And Ive come to actually believe you do know something about seduction after all. And maybe even human nature.Something?Carter laughed at my incredulous tone.So, continued Jerome, in your expert opinion, is your friend going to be able to do this or not?I was about to say of course, but knew Carter would recognize the lie. Hell, even Jerome probably would. I dont know. Shes hard to read. Very strange woman. I pursed my lips, thinking. If anyone is capable of seducing her, though, itll be him. With my he lp. I hesitated before adding, You know about the Barton thing, dont you?Of course. Very foolish on Bastiens part.I guess. I didnt want to slam one of my best friends in this company. But its not like our side is really known for impulse control. And it seems kind of stupid for Barton to get so worked up over a woman who sleeps around all the time anyway. Whats one more person, immortal or not?Because the immortal meant something, said Carter seriously. You of all people should recognize the nuances here. What would Seth think if you slept with me?Are you offering? I turned to Jerome, feigning excitement. I get to retire if I bag an angel, right? Full pension and everything?Depends on the angel, yawned Jerome.Carter kept his content smile, unfazed by jokes about his celibacy or immortal standing. You know what I mean. Theres a difference between business and choice.I nodded. I did know what he meant, and he was right being with Seth made me especially cognizant of the subtleties. You know, I didnt come here to discuss this, I told them. Both had the tendency to address me off topic into subjects I didnt want to explore.Well, do enlighten us then, said the archdemon indulgently. Im dying to know what would draw you away from suburban conspiracy and mortal intrigue in the middle of the day.Actually, it involves mortal intrigue.I gave them a debriefing on the Doug situation. Jerome maintained his perpetual look of disinterest. Carter almost did, but snide or not, he was still an angel, and I saw compassion flicker in his eyes as I spoke. He couldnt help it.So, I finally managed to get Alec to give me the stuff, and now I need to know what it is. You two seemed like my best shots at identification. Jeromes disinterest turned to astonishment. This is what weve been reduced to? Drug identification? Do we look like the DEA?Carter stretched lazily. Remember the good old days when succubi used to want our help defending them from nephilim and other lethal creatures? This is a sign of the times, I tell you. I let them have a good laugh at my expense, forcing myself to stay calm and not say something that would get me into trouble.Are you guys done? I asked a minute later. Because Id really like to get moving on this.Are you going to share some of it with us if we can tell you what it is? asked Jerome.Rolling my eyes, I reached into my purse. With a flourish, I tossed the little bag out onto the table so it slid across the surface and came to rest just in front of both of them.Their smiles disappeared.They stared at the bag for a moment and then in almost perfect synchronization looked at each other and back to me.When Carter spoke, he was amused, but grimly amused. Maybe I shouldnt have been so quick to rule out supernatural monsters after all.How, exclaimed Jerome, nostrils flaring, do you always manage to get yourself mixed up in the middle of this shit?I looked back and forth between the two of them. What? What is it?This, Georgina, announ ced Carter, tapping the bag with his finger, is the Food of the Gods.