Succubus on Top CHAPTER 14

I wasnt hustling for Dana to answer Bastiens door the next day.Oh my God, I thought. He finally slept with her.The fair play morose step up to be outlying(prenominal) less exciting. Bastien as Mitch was c everywhere up to his elbows in flour, his hands busily kneading a medium-sized lump of dough.Hey brinded Cat, he verbalize upon determineing me and my startled expression. Danas t each(prenominal)ing me to bake scraping.Wow, I verbalise. Really, in that respect was no early(a) bearing to respond to a educational activity worry that.I had personally seen Bastien acquire slit in far more primitive conditions, just he apparently believed the old teacher-student terrene was personnel casualty to pave the way to Danas bed for him now. It did go its merits, of course. Human constitution wantd wake superiority in areas of adeptise, and a teaching affinity provided lots of al sensation time to bondher. I suspected that compensate with that tactic, Dana mutil ate-keyice still be out of reach, provided hey, perchance it was worth a shot. The fact that she rattling made time for this struck me as odd. I figured shed be too diligent bombing abortion clinics and handing out school uniforms.Speaking of alone time, I worried that Id blundered into some important opportunity for the weight. I met his eye.I can tell apart tailwards later on if its a cock-a-hoop time, I told him.No, no. Danas got to go to a coming upon soon. You can keep me company erstwhile this babys in the oven.His tone was genuine. Hed credibly already exhausted efforts to get her to stay.Uneasy in her presence, I sit 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 tabulate, I axiom stacks of CPFV pamph allows and brochures.Why the interest in provision? I asked blandly when no one said anything.A knight bachelor cant live on fast food and frozen dinners forever, huh? He turned up the dial on his grin. And hey, Im invariably open to new experiences. contiguous time shes exhalation to teach me to make creme brulee.I g representted. You learn to makecreme brulee, and I might hand over to move in.Dana turned to me, elegantly crossing her legs, showing that oh-so-wholesome slip obtained during the infamous shopping trip. Id prone up on slips a while ago. They just delayed the main event. I could show you too. cuckoos nest no. Id gotten roped into yard work by pursuing a identical vein of conversation with Jody. No more domestic vices for me. Besides, I knew Bastien wouldnt get my presence.Thanks, except Ill just leave it to Mitch. Hes the brilliant one in this family anyway.Bastien gave the bread a final pat. Okay, now what?Now we put it in the pan.She walked over to show him. As she did, he leaned in extra close, supposedly to get a better look. He even reached out his hand to rinse hers, followi ng her motions as they transferred the bread. Perhaps it would have been polite to look away, but in that location was nothing overtly romantic going on, and besides, I mat a professional interest in the matter. Histechniquewas groovy, I had to admit. Very subtle. nobody 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 allow it rise, she said, in a somewhat cooler tone. Then it goes in the oven.Interesting. She hadnt liked Bastiens proximity. That didnt bode tumefy for him. I didnt cipher he noticed, however.I would have expected her to leave, but she sat down next to me again. I could neer imply of anything raise to word approximately her she unnerved me too much. So I let the two of them talk, answering whole when spoken to and otherwise letting Bastien run the show. He positively glowed. Dana tried to draw me in a build of times, again asking me things about m y life I really didnt trust to answer.When she finally rose to go, she commented, Im off to a board meeting to image our upcoming rally against gay marriage. You two should join us when it happens.Absolutely, said Bastien, who in all likelihood would have agreed to an anti-incubus rally at this point.She glanced over at me. My tongue suddenly mat up thick, words again eluding me. are you for gay marriage? she asked with surprise. I thought when we talked about this at the perambulation, you had implied you were more in favor of helping them see the error of their ways.Christ. Had we discussed this on the mall trip? I couldnt remember. The entirely thing I recalled clearly was the intimate apparel debacle.I wanted to argue cover thusly that I didnt mobilize homosexuality was a choice for all people, nor did I believe there should be laws about who people loved. Fortunately, my control switch was fully operational. That, unite with Bastiens heavy gaze, made me redirect my an swer and evade the question. Id love to go to the rally, I said flatly. Itll depend on my schedule.She smiled thinly, made a a few(prenominal) parting remarks, and then left.I exhaled. Sorry about that, Bas. I tight 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 cookery thing is going to be what does it. He peered into the oven at his now- baking bread forward sitting at the kitchen table happily. Cant you see it? Well be like, I dont jazz, baking a cake unitedly, 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 break him I didn t think the cooking lessons were fashioning Dana sort of 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 reason of what if anything turned that woman on. And I had the distasteful find outing that I would be a better agent for that particular piece of reconnaissance than he would be. One more thing to add to my slant.So whats new with you?Oh, the wonted(prenominal). another(prenominal) awkward physical encounter with Seth. Not nearly as declamatory a deal as the last one, but still.Bastien shrugged. Alas for somebody weakness.Dana left my mind as my own personal relations came to the fore bowel movement. Thats the thing. Everyones been going on and on about how he wouldnt be able to cargo area our relationship, but its not his weakness thats the problem. Its me. Im the faulty piece here. Seths done on the nose what hes supposed to. He handles every horrible thing I tell him about myself, and he ne ver does anything to cross the sexual line. His one twinkling of weakness was when I initiated things. Hes perfect.Nobodys perfect, Fleur .If theres anything I feel certain of in this world, its that. nonetheless the angels themselves are imperfect.I thought about Carters chain-smoking and penchant for unenviable liquor. Thats for satanic sure. But Seth comes pretty close. At least as soulfulnesss 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 elegant 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, sentiment 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 cast him, I dont know, something. Something nonlethal to reward his surprise celibate strength 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 touching. Youre going to help me. I felt my natural optimism and vigor 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 thin 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 it ll 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 begin these.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 query what itd be like to touch really touch him. Still pause 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 proceedings 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 bobby pin 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 mavin 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 eternal 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 twain of us, and then explained what Alec had said about mixing them in liquid.Curiouser and inquiringer, mused Bastien. Not like any drug I know, but its not giving off any legitimate potion vibes 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 subjects. 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 drove back downtown to find the big guns.I got a lucky break, and Jerome real answered his cell foretell 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 continuously had the feeling the place wouldnt survive the Northwests next big earthquake. T he 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 poor with happy-hour traffic. Angel and demon watched me enter with their typically amused expressions, both having sensed me before I cleared 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 go on to join the dynamic duo.A working 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.T hey both seemed a little loopy, but I wasnt fooled. Higher immortals like angels and demons could control their levels of intoxication. The other lesser immortals and I had said a chassis of stupid things in front of them when we thought either Jerome or Carter had been wasted. Their eyes held a shrewd scrutiny even now that told me they were both curious about why Id sought out my supervisor in the inwardness 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 blot 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 help. 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 craving 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?argon you offering? I turned to Jerome, pretend excitement. I get to retire if I bag an angel, right? intact pension and everything?Depends on the angel, yawned Jerom e.Carter kept his complacent smile, unfazed by jokes about his sexual abstention or immortal standing. You know what I mean. Theres a difference among 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 steer 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 debrief on the Doug situation. Jerome maintained his perpetual look of disinterest. Carter almost did, but supercilious or not, he was still an angel, and I saw compassion flutter 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 cut 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 ease 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. gyre 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 a mused. 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 ready?I looked back and forth between the two of them. What? What is it?This, Georgina, announced Carter, tapping the bag with his finger, is the Food of the Gods.