Succubus Dreams CHAPTER 8

Succubus.Dantes laconic voice was the plump thing Id expected to hear when my phone rang the next day. Id forgotten that Id left him my number. My surprise quickly gave way to eagerness. mayhap hed found except closething for me. No energy loss had occurred after the auction, nevertheless then, I hadnt subscribe ton a victim either. It wasnt much to go on, further that small pattern Dante had pointed generate forth was still a place to start, and I hoped hed drive home more to adduce now.Hey Whats up? I sat down on the couch. Id been acquire wide awake to go break with Seth later, applying makeup the old-fashioned way in order to conserve shape-shifting energy. Id lead to cash in on my auction date sooner rather than later to get near power back.There was a pause from the other end of the line before Dante spoke again. Ive been sentimentIve been thinking were going round all of this the wrong way.Very unexpected. Really?Yeah. I wasnt taking it seriously, so I und erstand why you were getting pissed rack up.Hearing him admit how hed been blowing my problems come to wasnt exactly cheering, merely I appreciated his honesty.Wellits okay. Im just glad we can maybe see to it something out now. Im getting anxious.Me too. More silence, then I heard him take a deep breath. So, pretend you ever been to El Gaucho?The reference to one of Seattles downtown steakhouses was such a non sequitur that I couldnt respond for several seconds. When I did speak, it wasnt very(prenominal) articulate.What?Its a restaurant. Down on First Yeah, yeah. I accredit what it is. Whats it have to do with the dreams?Dreams? What are you lecture about?What are you oh, Jesus Christ. Are you asking me out?Of course I am. What the fuck would El Gaucho have to do with those dreams?I groaned. I cant believe this. I actually vox populi you had something useful for me.Im onerous to be nice here Look, the dreams are a lost cause, but we arent. You were business when you utter I was being sleazy and treating you like you were cheap. So give me a break Im trying to have fire with you the right way.I found this even freakier than when Dante had suggested the place with the happy hour beer. I dont want to have sex with you, okay? I want your help with my problems. And how many times do I have to tell you that I have a boyfriend?As many times as you want. I just dont buy that thats a real relationship. Particularly after you sold yourself for seventeen-hundred dollars last night.How do you know about that?It was in the paper.That date doesnt count.Can a date with me non count?No For the last time, I have a boyfriend. Im going out with him tonight.To El Gaucho?I hung up.I was working my haircloth all everywhere with a curling iron later on when I heard knocking at my attend door. Walking toward the living room, I felt immortal signatures on the other side. Fortunately, there was energy musky or slimy here. These were familiar and wel interject.Of course, they werent exactly welcome tonight.What are you guys doing here? I asked, possibleness the door to admit Peter, Cody, and Hugh. My three stooges. The dwarves to my Snow White. And why do you always show up when Im about to go out?Like always, they make themselves comfortable in my living room without any only invitation. Cody handed me a slip that had been stuck to the door from my buildings office manager, saying I had a package. I made a mental note to pick it up the next time the office was open.Were going over to that place that makes the unholy margaritas, he said. Thought wed stop by and see if you wanted to go.And here you are, ungratifying and mean, said Peter. He glanced around the living room. I dont see a Christmas tree here.Hugh was eyeing my red-silk robe. You going out in that?Of course not. Im just getting ready, thats all.The three of them exchanged looks.Is it business or Seth? asked Hugh.Seth. bullshit it, swore Peter. He shoot downed some crumpled mon ey out of his pocket and handed it to Hugh.You guys bet on my revel life?Yeah, said Hugh. All the time. You should see the stakes weve got riding on when you and Seth are in the end going to sleep together.Well, keep em riding, cowboy. Its not going to happen. I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall tight-fitting my TV. Of course, Niphons trying pretty hard to make it happen. Is he in on the bet?Not yet. Whats he doing? asked Cody.I told them about the offer Niphon had made for Seths soul. To my surprise, they didnt share my shock and outrage.I dont know, said Hugh slowly. Ive kind of thought about that before.I gaped. Thought about what before? Buying Seths soul?Sure. Its what I do, and hey, if itd help youOh adept lord.But if you decide to do it, said Hugh warningly, come to me first. I can beat any offer Niphon makes.If you broker the deal, youre disqualified for the bet, warned Peter.Hey cried Hugh. Thats not right.Sure it is. Youd have an unfair advantage Christ. Be quiet, all of you. I cant believe you guys are seriously talking about buying my boyfriends A new signature brush through to us. A scent liked candied apples. Warm honey on the skin. tawny-brown, we all said in unison.I opened the door, and tawny-brown threw herself into my arms, bawling. I yelped and tried not to fall over.Oh, Georgina, she sobbed, mascara running in black rivers down her cheeks. Im never going to do it. Never ever ever.I tried to pull out of her Amazonian embrace. There, there, I said weakly. Im sure you will.Sniffling, she clapperclawped away and ran a hand over her eyes, making the mascara berth even worse. No, I cant. Ive tried and triednothing works.I glanced over at the guys. They were all flavour at me expectantly, like I should be able to explain how one succubus couldnt get laid. I doubted anyone could, though.Okay, I said at last. Calm down, and well get to the bottom of it. But first, pull yourself together. Youre a mess.I cant, she wailed.Youre thi nking like a human, I chastised. You can shape-shift that makeup mess away.No, she said more adamantly. You dont understand. I cant.I stared at her, puzzled, then I understood. It was nearly impossible to see, but a faint flash was fading in and out around her consistency. She was having trouble holding this form. Her energy was so low that she was losing her shape-shifting power. Whoa, I said. Id never seen a succubus that bad. Id been that low once, but it had been after engaging in a major battle of shape-shifting.Tears started welling up in her eyes again. Whats going to happen? What if I run out and On and on she went.I sighed. There is a moment in every girls life when she mustiness choose between the lesser of evils. When youre a succubus, those moments come quite often. And right now, I had to choose. I could insecurity Niphon never leaving town or I could candy kiss Tawny.Lesser of evils.Standing on my tiptoes, I pressed my lips to hers and cut off her babbling. Her lips tasted like bubble gum, probably from the lip gloss. It wasnt a big kiss or anything barely any tongue but it was enough. A surge of power poured out of me and into her. gap the kiss, I stepped away and looked at her. Her form had stabilized. Meanwhile, I was now down even more in my own energy, but nowhere near the low shed just experienced.Her blue eyes widened to an impossible size. Howwhat was that?A kiss, I said dryly. Something youve on the face of it got to l induce about too. Seeing her still-stunned look, I shook my head. Were vessels for power and life, Tawny. Usually, it passes into our bodies, but sometimes it can be transferred out to other creatures. Succubi and incubi can share it with each other. What I just gave you should keep you going a little longer.I dont know, said Cody suddenly. I think you should give her some more, just to be safe.Tawny touched her lips, like she could still feel my kiss. Wow. Her form shifted, and the mascara mess vanished. Her n ormal, spookily perfect face reappeared.I sat down on the arm of the couch, near Peter. Okay. Now permits figure out how in the world this is even possible. What happened to Nick the auctioneer? You guys seemed pretty close last night.Well, she mumbled, gaze down at her feet. That kind of fell apart.How could it fall apart? He was drooling all over youYeah, but he had to stay and close up there, so we couldnt go out last night. I left without him. Today, I called to set up a date, and he said he didnt want to. That he was coolheaded just giving the money to charity and not to bother with anything else.He said that? I asked incredulously. I eyed her suspiciously. What did you say to him beforehand?What do you mean?Did you just call and ask him out right away?Well, nowe made small talk. Not that it did much good. He seemed kind of bored by the end.Surprise, surprise. Tawny didnt strike me as the worlds greatest conversationalist. I could only imagine what she must have babbled abou t to scare him off.Okay, I said, disappointed. Nick had seemed like a sure thing. Maybe you shouldnt, like, talk to them. What about the case club job? Did you follow up on that?She jerked her head up and looked like she might telephone call again. I tried They said I wasnt qualified.Even the guys couldnt stay out of this now.How can you not convert for a job as a stripper? asked Cody.Yeah, dont you just have to take off your dress? asked Hugh.They said I couldnt dance, she explained.We all stared.Okay I wondered if maybe I should have read the mentors handbook after all. Lets see it.See what?You. Dancing.Tawny looked around the room in terror. Here? she squeaked. In front of all of you?If you cant take your clothes off in front of your friends, said Peter, who can you take them off in front of? I elbowed him.I cant, she whispered.Tawny, I barked. My voice held the authority of a drill sergeant. She jumped. I am not making out with you until the end of time. You want to do this , then youve got to work for it. Now, take off your clothes.Oh, said Hugh. Ive waited ten years to hear you say that to another woman.I found my stereophonic remote and turned it on. Tainted Love started playing.I cant strip to the eightiesTawnyWith a terrorize look in my direction, she go to the sum of money of the living room. At first, she just kind of stood there, and then, slowly, she tried to step in time to the music. I say tried because she was so off the beat, it was astonishing. I dont think I could have been that out of sync if Id tried. Finally, she gave up moving her feet at all and simply focused on her upper body, swaying her arms and torso slightly. It was the most awkward, uncomfortable spectacle Id ever seen.At last, she decided shed danced enough and began removing her clothing. She apparently couldnt multitask, however, and gave up all pretenses of moving to the music. Instead, she stood still and started unbuttoning her zebra-print blouse. Her fingers fumble d on the third button down, and it took her almost thirty seconds to undo it.Stop, please stop, I said, turning off the music. Your goal is to take years off peoples lives, but not like this.Was I bad? she asked.No, I said. You were terrible.She stuck her lower lip out in a pout.Oh, come on, said Cody, ever the kindly one in our group. Thats kind of mean.Hey, Im supposed to be a teacher, not a friend.The School of Georgina is a harsh one, intoned Peter solemnly.Its not that easy, Tawny said, looking at me accusingly. If you really are my teacher, then show me how to do it.Four faces watched me expectantly. I started to protest, then remembered that helping Tawny meant Niphon would leave Seattle that much faster. Getting up off the couch arm, I took her place in the center of the room.Okay, first off, youre missing two things. One, listen to the music and move with it. Theres a beat. Find it. Move your feet and your body your whole body to it. Become part of it. Tawnys blank look told me I was getting too arcane for her. Then, when it comes time to take off your clothes, remember that youre not doing it to be practical. Youre doing it for someone else. Make it dramatic. Make it artful.I turned the stereo on and clicked to the next track on my mix CD. It was Iron Man.Hey Tawny said. How come you get metal?Not even you can strip to Ozzy, scoffed Hugh.I gave him a sidelong glance. I can strip to anything, baby.I started moving. For me, there was no thought required at all. Id been a professional dancer since my mortal days. I loved it. There was no music. There was no me. We were the same being. My body flowed to its variant and rhythm, every one of my movements graceful and sensual. I didnt even pay attention to my friends. I just let myself get lost in the dance.I didnt have much on to begin with. I had panties and a bra underneath the robe, but I intended to leave them on. I was close to my friends but not that close. But, I made the most out of taking off the robe, letting my hands slide over my silk-covered body. I slowly untied the sash, drawing the experience out, and finally let it slip to the floor. I took my heels off with equal deliberateness.Literally never missing a beat, I told Tawny, When youve got this down, well move onto lap dances.I moved over to where Hugh sat on the loveseat and positioned my legs so that I straddled him while barely touching him. A strippers art. I ran my fingers through my hair, my body still rippling like a ribbon.Hey, big spender, I said.He looked grateful but more amused than anything else. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a one dollar bill.Hugh, I said. Dont insult me.With a sigh, he produced a five and tucked it underneath my bra strap.Hey, Seth, Cody suddenly said.I looked up and saw Seth standing in the doorway. When Tawny had come barreling through, Id left the door ajar. A look of comic bemusement was on his face.Hey, he said, studying me. Soyoure paying for dinner?I crawled off Hughs lap and pulled the five out of my strap. Only if you want to go to Taco Bell.Cody handed me a twenty. Make it a Red Lobster.My friends got up and moved toward the door, and I assured a distraught Tawny that Id think of something to help her. Giving up any more attempts at manually getting ready, I shape-shifted into jeans, low boots, and another cashmere sweater. A three-quarter-length gray wool coat covered it all. I grinned at Seth, who was vibe his head ruefully. Compared to the other things he knew I did, an impromptu striptease was pretty low-key.And you thought I didnt earn my keep.No comment, he said, taking hold of my hand.