Succubus Shadows Chapter 14

I was never entirely sure how much of that breathing in was true and how much was a lie. That it was a mix, I felt certain. I couldnt think of any snappyilage the Oneroi would show me Kayla noticing my absence when no one else did. That had to be true. Yet, I also couldnt imagine Seth and Maddie slandering me so much. I especially couldnt imagine him breaking a confidence. Surely that was a lieright? And as for the rest of the dreamwell, it didnt matter.The Oneroi offered no answers. And as more than and more dreams came to me, the fate theyd foretold began to come true I could no longer tell what was real and what wasnt. Often, I tried to tell myself that it was all a lie. That was easier than animated with the doubt. No matter how hard I tried, though, I couldnt shake the feel of truth that some had. So, I was unendingly challenge allthing, and it grew maddening after a while. It was do worse by the fact that the Oneroi were everlastingly feeding off of those dreams, whic h consequently sucked up my energy. A succubus needed that energy to function. It gave me the ability to live in the world, to think clearly, to shape-shift. Draining me of it wouldnt kill me I was still immortal, after all precisely it made me use little. Not that it mattered in my prison. I still had the sensation of being crammed inside a box in the dark, and what little awareness of my form I had left was plainly showing me trouble oneself and weakness. Had I been released, I would come had trouble walking. I would also likely be in my true shape.Since I was more often than not suspended consciousness now, the physical aspects became irrelevant. My mind became the true liability, as both the lack of energy and wo(e) from the dreams began to burst me apart. I was more co here(predicate)nt and analytical during the dreams themselves, alone when they ended and the emotions hit me, my rational perspective began fracturing. My banter with the Oneroi became primal insults and screams. Most of the time I couldnt think at all. I was just pain and despair. And rage. It seemed impossible, yet underneath the agony that smothered me, a small spark of anger just but managed to stay alive, fueled every time I saw the Oneroi. I think holding on to that fury was the only thing that kept my shattered mind from completely giving in to insanity.I lost all sense of time, but that had more to do with the strange nature of dreams and not so much my brain. I actually think little time passed in the real world because every time the Oneroi showed me a glimpse of it, no progress seemed to have been made in finding me something I believed the Oneroi hoped would break me further.Why do you keep asking us?The question came from Cody. I was now observation him, slam, and Hugh being interrogated by Jerome. Carter sat in a far corner, smoking in spite of Peters no-cigarettes-in-the-apartment rule. roman was there too, invisible in body and aura. That meant I shouldnt ha ve been able to see him, yet something maybe because he was my target in this dream allowed me to know he was there, despite what my senses told me. My friends knew or so him. He had no need to deal his physical appearance, unless Jerome feared there might be demonic eyes watching Seattle which wasnt that unreasonable. My disappearing had probably made him extra suspicious.Codys question had been directed toward Jerome, and I had never in my life seen such fury on the young vampires face. He was the mildest of us all, newest to Seattles immortal circle. He still crossed when Jerome said jump and spent more time watching and learning than taking an active role. Seeing him like this was a shock.We dont know anything Cody continued. Our powers are limited. Youre the one whos recollectd to be almighty and powerful. Doesnt Hell attend half the conception? at that place are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy, quoted Carter solemnly.S hut up, both of you, snapped Jerome. He glared at the angel. Ive already heard you use that one before.Carter shrugged. Youve heard me use all of them before. Many, many times.Jerome sour indorse to my three friends. Nothing. Youre absolutely certain you noticed nothing near her before this happened?She was down, said Peter.Shes al flairs down, said Hugh.She didnt tell any of us about this thing she kept feeling, growled Cody. She only told Roman. Why arent you questioning him?I have, said Jerome. He took a step near the young vampire and leaned his face in close. And watch your tone. Youre lucky Im feeling kindly right now.Whats Mei doing? asked Peter. His tone was proper and polite as he cast an uneasy glance at Cody. Half of Peters question was probably a ploy to save his prot?g? from being smote then and there.Jerome sighed and stepped back. Questioning others. Finding any trace any at all of another of our immortals who might have felt something.Hugh, who was sitting on t he couch and keeping his aloofness from our angry boss, cleared his throat nervously. I dont want to bring this upbut, youre already kind of on probation after the, um, summoning.Jeromes smoldering gaze fell on the imp, who flinched. Dont you think I know that? Why is everyone here giving me useless information?All Im saying, said Hugh, is that if someone wanted to take advantage of the situation, qualification you lose one of your immortals would be a good way. Someone who, say, maybe wanted a production line promotion.Mei couldnt do this, said Jerome, catching on. Hed already had one lieutenant demoness turn, so Hughs hypothesis wasnt that bad. She couldnt hide Georgina like thiseven if she was working with someone who could, shed find a better way to get to me. There was almost a proud note in his voice.What about Simone? demanded Cody. Shes out there impersonating Georgina, you know.Both Peter and Hugh stared in astonishment. Shes what? exclaimed the imp.The attention from hi s friends seemed to fluster Cody more than Jeromes wrath. Yeah, I was, um, visiting Gabrielle at the bookstore, and I saw Simone. She had Georginas shape, but I could feel it was her.You saw Gabrielle? asked Carter with wager, like my disappearance from the universe had now lessened in equivalence to Codys romance.Cody flushed. Wehad a date. merely I canceled it when I heard about Georgina. Its no heavy(p) deal.No big deal? My kidnapping was now ruining Codys chances with the woman of his dreams.This is more useless information, growled Jerome. And, yes, I know about Simone.Maybe you should be talking to her, said Cody.She didnt do it, said Jerome. The way he spoke implied that it was a closed case.Peter was still treading cautiously around Jerome. If you say she didntthen she didnt. But why is she impersonating Georgina if shes irreproachable in all this?She has her reasons, said Jerome vaguely.Cody was outraged. And youre just going to let her do it How can you?Because I dont veneration roared Jerome. A wave of power flared out from him like a shock wave. Everyone except Carter was blown back by it. The china in Peters cabinet rattled. I dont disturbance what that other succubus does. I dont care about Georginas human friends or what they think. If anything, you should be grateful. Simones act is keeping the others from noticing what happened.None of my friends had anything to say to that. With an exasperated snarl, Jerome saturnine toward the door. Ive had enough of this. I need real answers.He stormed out into the hall, leaving the door open. Presumably, he did it as an act of angry defiance, but I knew it was so Roman could follow him. Normally, the demon would have simply teleported out, but for whatever reason, father and son were investigating together today. Once alone on the stairwell, Jerome muttered, hold on on. Roman must have because Jerome disappeared. He reappeared and me along with him in a new setting Eriks store. It was evening, a nd Erik had fold down for the night. The fountains were off. The music had stopped playing. Yet, near the back of the store, a few notes of humming could be heard. They solidus off almost immediately, and footsteps sounded as someone approached.Jerome stayed where he was, not deigning to move. He knew his presence would have been chop-chop felt. He knew Erik would come to him.And sure enough, gait still unsteady from being sick recently, Erik made his way to the stores front. He radiated wariness as he moved. For me, he always had a kindly smile and loving cup of tea. Even Carter, the most powerful immortal in Seattle, would earn a respectful smile. But Erik was on his guard now which really wasnt that weird, considering who stood in his store.Erik came to a stop a few feet from Jerome and straightened himself up as well as he could to his full height. He gave Jerome the smallest nod of greeting.Mr. Hananel, said Erik. An unexpected visit.Jerome had just interpreted a cigarette out of his coat, and it fell from his fingers. The look he gave Erik was a hundred times more terrifying than anything Id ever seen. I expected another flare-up of power, one that would blow the entire edifice apart.Do not, said Jerome, ever let that name cross your lips again, or I will rip them off. His voice was low and even, simmering with the rage and power he was holding back.Had I been there, I would have gasped. Jeromes true name. Erik knew Jeromes true name. I used fake names to blend in and forget my identity. But for angels and demons, names were power. In the right hands, a name could be used to summon or control a greater immortal. In fact, for Dante to have summoned Jerome in the spring, Grace must have revealed that name.Erik didnt flinch at Jerome being in smite mode. I assume, said Erik, you are seeking something.Yes, said Jerome, slightly mimicking Eriks tone. I am seeking my succubus.Eriks eyebrows rose slightly. daughter Kincaid?Of course Who else? Jerome did technically have another succubus, Tawny. But maybe he wouldnt have gone hunting for her if she disappeared. He took out another cigarette and lit it without a lighter. Do you know where she is? And dont lie to me. If youre keeping her from me, I will rip you apart, leaving your tongue for last.Ripping body parts appears to be a theme tonight, replied Erik, clasping his hands behind his back. But no, I dont know where Miss Kincaid is. I didnt know she was missing.Jerome took a step forward, eyes narrowed. I told you, do not lie to me.I have no reason to lie. I like Miss Kincaid. I would never wish her harm. If I can help her, I will. Eriks wording was careful. It was me he was offering to help not Jerome.She spoke to you about some force some siren song that kept coming to her, said Jerome. He gave a curt report of what Roman had observed when I disappeared. What do you know about this thing? What kind of wolf was it? It was feeding off her depression.From the moment this dream h ad started, Jerome had displayed nothing but rage and terror. Yetas he shot off questions, it was almost like he was rambling. There was desperation under all that anger. despondency and frustration because he was in a situation with no answers and felt powerless. Demons, as a habitual rule, do not like feeling powerless. Resorting to human help a human who knew his name, no less must have been excruciatingly painful for my boss.Erik, classy as always, remained calm and formal. There are creatures who do that, yes, but I dont believe it was one of those. I believe it chose those times because she was weakest. It was simply a allure probably not the creature or culprit itself.Then what creature is it?Erik spread his hands wide. It could be any number of things.God-fucking-damn-it, said Jerome, dropping his cigarette onto Eriks floor and stomping on it hard.Youre no longer attached to her?Correct.You have no awareness of her one of your kind isnt masking her?Correct.And you kn ow shes not dead?Correct.Eriks brownish eyes were thoughtful. Then the creature is likely one outside of your scope.Why, asked Jerome wearily, does everyone keep telling me things I already know? The question could have been directed to Erik, Roman, or the air. The demon took out another cigarette.You need to grade out who would take her and why. She has enemies. Nyx was not pleased with the resolution of her last visit.Nyx is locked up. Jerome spoke as though he had stated that a hundred times. I was pretty sure hed been asked all those questions about me a hundred times too.Your summoner, Mr. Moriarty, was not overly pleased with her either. Although Erik remained professional, his lips twisted ever so slightly, like hed tasted something bitter. Regardless of his feelings for the demon, both Erik and Jerome shared a mutual hatred of Dante.This gave Jerome pause. I doubt this was human magic, though I suppose he could have had help hes sought allies before. Ill look into it. He dropped this new cigarette and stepped on it too. Regardless, I still cant believe Id have no sense of her in the world.Maybe shes not in this world.Eriks words hung between them for several seconds.No, said Jerome at last. Many have interest in her but none who would do that.I saw in Eriks face that the words Many have interest in her had caught his notice. He stayed silent, however, and waited for Jeromes next profound statement. Which wasnt that profound.Time to go, said the demon, probably so Roman could snap fastener hold again.Jerome teleported, off to wherever it was he had to go.And me? I returned to my prison.