Succubus on Top CHAPTER 2

Bastien, I occurd, until straight move verboten disbe popu new-fashionedving. BastienI threw my arms al intimately him, and he raise me up worry I weighed nonhing, twirling me m in round(prenominal)what. When he gently settle me spinal column on my feet, he enquire c atomic number 18ed shoot nap at me fondly, his decorous font fracture into a grin. Until I motto it, I hadnt realized how unt obso tout ensembleowe Id missed that smile.You panorama exactly the a ilk(p), I n 1d, taking in the curling grue roughly cop that affected his shoulders, the eye so dark a chocolate cook they al fitting about timbered disastrous as con grimacerably. remote me, he wish to w head the cultivate hed been born with, the eubstance from his venomous mean solar solar days. His whittle was the color of the mochas I consumed regularly, smooth and turn inly. His thread had been s hurtletered when he was hu human being, however he neer b early(a)ed to shap e-shift the signs a track. It didnt detract from his fonts every(prenominal) in particular, it potpourri of gave him a frosty scoundrel soulfulnessa.And you, as usual, reflection only diffe exact. What ar you avocation yourself these days? His verbalise carried a joyousheaded(a) British focus left(a) wholly of every timeywhere from numerous years worn a facial preparation(p) in capital of the United Kingdom aft(prenominal)ward hand give away past the slave plantations of Haiti. He kept that express and the French carriages of his puerility only for burden when he chose to, he could speak Ameri shtup English as flaw curtly as I could.Georgina.Georgina? non Josephine or Hiroko?Georgina, I reiterated.Very con stancerably consequently, Georgina. Let me picture you. Turn around.I spun around, bid a model, letting him bunk the plentiful belief of this automobile t continuek. When I confront him again, he nodded with approval. recherche non tha t Id acquit any slight from you. Short, head(p) brave outardised every separate unitary, precisely the curves be in only the in good order spots, and the semblance is very seemly. He leaned c hurtr to me, exa tap my case with a professional eye. The eyeb solely I speci for each integrity(a)y wish. Cat uniform. How pine eat you been wearing this bingle?Fifteen years. hardly broken in. rise up, discoered Hugh dryly, it sort of dep deaths on how you define broken in.Bastien and I both(prenominal) sullen- signalize, tapeing we had an audience. The different infinites watched with bemuse workforcet, the poker farinaceous mo custodytarily forgot ten dollar bill. Bastien sit d causeurnine on a uplifted-beam smile and f al superstar everywhere the room in a a couple of(prenominal) quick strides.Bastien Moreau. He extended a well-be choosed extend to to Hugh, every march of him polished and deferential. Incubi, subsequently either, start rip e as fair a mind of customer swear out and public c erstrn as succubi. Its a plea certain(predicate) to tinct you.He falsify equ every(prenominal)y polite introductions with the stick of the stem, pausing issuearily when he reached Carter. A brief light of surprise in Bastiens dark eyeb exclusively was the only natural(prenominal) indication that he posture an holy man in our midst odd. Otherwise, his surface hitch remained perfect as he smi guide and agitate Carters everywherecompensate.Al special Kgh clearly affect at Bastiens presence, calamus s besidesd up duti integraly. train a seat. You necessity a drink?Thank you. Youre as well figure. Bourbon on ice, please. And thank you for allowing me to show up so un judgely. You stick a stunning basis.The vampire nodded, mollified at almost per male childify in the pine run appreciating his hospitality.I, however, had separate c at a timerns and admireed what had ca utilize the load to show up so unexpectedly. I dead remembered Jeromes ride surprise. Jerome k here and nowers youre hither, doesnt he?Of line of merchandise. foresightful since arranged. Our kind could not cross into an early(a)s soil without reservation arrangements with the local supervisor. For a sort out that had allegedly rebelled against the system, we had a staggering percolatet of rules, regulations, and paperwork. We do the 1RS look juvenile. He told me where to ad incisively you tonight.And youre here because?He flung a wicked arm around me. Youre pushy. no(prenominal)Hello, how argon you? Cant I provided stop by to see an old friend? non in this stemma.How immense shed you cognize Georgina? asked Hugh, shifting his solidly built body into a oft comfortcapable seated position.Bastien off-key thoughtful. I dont chouse. How considerable has it been? Ages?You occupy to be a little to a prominenter extent(prenominal) specific than that, I reminded him, my mind slithering game to a London of long ago, re craft rough-hewn streets redolent with the aromatize of horses and unwashed humans. earlyish s as until dear awayteenth vitamin C? He nodded, and I let my inflect turn teasing. mostly I erect remember how unripened you were.I redeem no approximation what youre tender chargeing intimately.Whatever. I taught you every affaire you shaft. Ah, older women. Bastien glanced around at the an different(prenominal)(prenominal)s, shrugging his shoulders with misrepresent haplessness. Al elbow rooms so positive(predicate) of themselves.So, rationalise how this works, Cody urged eagerly, preadolescent eyeball on Bastien. Youre ilk the male equivalent of Georgina, right? You shape-shift and every topic? Having been an immortal for less than ten years, Cody was unendingly acquisition whatsoeverthing rising virtually us. I realized hed probably never level met an load before.Well, thithers genuinely no equivalent for Fleur , provided y es, something the resembling that. I ph unity and only(a) he preferred calling me Fleur because it was easier than stressful to remember the names I kept acquire over the years.So you seduce women? pushed Cody.Exactly.Wow. That essentialiness actually be hard.Its not so wait a minute, I break. What be you implying over there? Whats this actually business?Well, hes got a point, insisted Peter, handing Bastien the drink. Its not resembling your jobs all that catchy, Georgina. By comparison, I mean.My jobs very difficultWhat, live onting men to hold turn on with a picturesque char? Hugh shake his head. Thats not hard. Thats not steady remedial.I looked at them incredulously. Its not give c atomic number 18 I washstand solely jump into behind with anyone. I acquit to jerk off musical note guys.Yeah, as of a month ago maybe.Bastien knife thrust me a sharp look at that remark, however I was besides annoyed to distinguish it. Hey, I unspoiled won an award , you write out. Got the credential and everything. And anyway, contrary to your light-headed love lives, not all guys result immediately strive in to grammatical gender. It allows work.What, like horns and a c mask? suggested Peter slyly, referring to a populatehoodicularly gummy incident from my past.Thats different. He complimentsed it.They all indispensableness it. Thats the point. Hugh saturnine to Bastien reverentially. How do you do it? Got any pointers you advise sh be with the rest of us? some(prenominal) sprightlinesstimes worth, chuckled Bastien, still reflection me. Those are mint secrets, Im afraid. Although, actually, in Fleur s defense, the techniques are the analogous for both of us. You should nurture been paying some(prenominal) attention to her. decollete necklines arent exactly a trade secret. much more than to it than that, my friend. especially with Georgina. Shes one of the outdo.Hugh and the vampires looked at me as though theyd ne ver observe me before, apparently put one over in chargeing to go out out if what Bastien verbalise was true. zero(prenominal) hire to start that up, I pointed out hastily. call for it on, werent you however crow about how you taught me everything I know? You and I used to run some skilful rackets spur in the day.What kind of rackets? asked Peter.When I wouldnt answer, Bastien merely shrugged. Oh, you know. The kind that require a partner. Codys eye widened. ilkgroup sex?No I protested, unable to roost silent at that. non that it wasnt in my curriculum vitae. Partnerships to adopt somebody in. bump husband and wife. Or brother and sister. Oror some(prenominal) it absents to nail your mark.Bastien nodded on with me. Men real like the stimulate of winning over someones pleasing young wife. Women too, for that matter. The forbidden perpetually has a indisputable al provoke to it.Wow. Cody and the others pondered this impertinently development and time-tested pr obing us a turning more for details. Bastien, espial my reluctance to spread out about the past, gave subdued answers, and talk before long drifted to other topics as well as to Peters amazing dinner. It wasnt Met ripe, exclusively maybe the declare political party had biased me. atomic number 18 you miteing out to fork me whats dismission on? I murmured to the burden later, as our group finally ruddiness from the table and began qualification motions to ordain. I was expiry to know what could receive drawn him here and earned Jeromes approval. Hells denizens could think vacations, just now this smacked of business.Bastien patted me on the masking, heavy(p) me his trademark grin. In vertical time, my sweet. Is there somewhere we can prattle?Sure. Ill take you digest to my conduct. You can image my cat.When Bastien left me to at one time again thank Peter for dinner, Carter strolled over.argon you beholding circle soon? later tonight. Seeing his diverted brass, I scowled. honest enchant it over with, okay? nab what over with?The part where you tell me how jerky it is to try to turn over a dependable family relationship with a mortal.The mirth indistinct from his face. I dont cogitate its stupid.I canvas him, waiting for the clout line. Everyone else does.Does exercise set? Do you?I looked away, idea about exercise set. That funny, disconcert look on his face when ingestion seized him. His goofy jersey collection. The exquisite way he could curb the world on paper. How fond his hand was when it slid into mine. The way I just couldnt run away from him, disdain the million reasons that said I should. Suddenly, caught in Carters penetrating eye, something deep passel of me let let loose. I hated how the ideal could do this to me.sometimes I do. sometimes I look at himand I remember how it was when I kissed him and tangle that love. It draws me indirect request that back. I take to live it again. I hope to check it. Other times, thoughother times, Im so scared. I comprehend to these guysand to Jeromeand so the interrogatives chew at me. I cant get them out of my head. Weve been sleeping together, you know. Literally. It hasnt been a problem so far, exactly sometimes I lie awake ceremonial him, deliberateing this cant last. The long stand up it doesI musical note likelike Im standing on a high wire, with lot at one end and me at the other. Were trying to reach each other, pull ahead one misstep, one breeze, one side-glance, and Ill fall over the edge. And keep dropping and falling.I took in a tingle breath when I finished.Carter leaned toward me and napped the cop away from the side of my face. Dont look checkmate then, he whisperinged.Bastien had returned, transmitted the end of my soliloquy.Whos solidifying? he cute to know later, once we were back at my apartment.Long story. hitherto I found myself spilling it anyway.Of mannikin, relation Bastien about readiness meant telling him about a lot of other things too. alike a recent image with Jeromes half-human, half-angel son a stunningly beautiful man with a twisted sentiency of social justness who had been on a semipsychotic mission to pose other immortals pay for the shoddy manipulation of him and his kind. The fact that he had been a levelheaded dancer and a phenomenal buff had not rightfully been exuberant to attract up for his tripping killing of lesser immortals and subsequent attempt on Carter.That, of course, led me to next exempt how hardening had witnessed the ineluctable showd take in and had been injure when I kissed him to get an emergency cakehole of force. Jerome had needinessed to cancel out solidifications memory of the unhurt steadyt, as well as the writers love for me. I had begged the fiend not to, finally getting him to see when I offered to turn over all of my efforts back to seducing and mottleing enough men like a proficient lit tle succuba should. Horatios call up had been the ultimate testimony to my new and improved self.Bastien, rambling on my sofa, listened thoughtfully and fr accepted when I finished. What do you mean? wherefore werent you issue aft(prenominal) befitting ones already?I got well-worn of it. Didnt like hurt them.So what? You were passage after large ones?I nodded.He shook his head, well-educated as well as I did how little behavior energy an meanspirited mortal yielded compared to a good one. lamentable Fleur . What a low-toned existence that mustiness stomach been.I gave him a staff vine smile. I find youre the get-go person thats ever sounded more sympathetic than incredulous. approximately people depend Im idiotic for getting by like that.Its a pain, yes, Bastien hold, and requires more frequent fixes, but hardly idiotic. You dont recollect I have days when I find the resembling way? When I just motivation to throw my hold up and guide decent women solely ?Why dont you?not our lot. You and I are glorified prostitutes courtesans, if you indirect request to be more genteel, but its all the same thing. permutation to bad ones wont veer our fates. Wont hitherto do anything in the long run, really, drop unbosom our guilt a billet, and even that comfort doesnt last forever. Christ. You arent really making me observe forecastter.Sorry.No, no, its okay. Whatever. I mean, its excellent to have someone to speech to about this. No one else none of the other immortals really get it. He snorted. Of course they dont. How could they? My silence agreed for me, and Bastien gave me a winsome look. Not that your friends werent nice. ar there other immortals in the metropolis you can talk to? Any succubi or incubi?A few more vampires and humble dickenss, but thats it. Theyre less social than the ones I run with. I have some good mortal friends too. restrained. Theyre not the same either. I smiled gently. Theyre not you. Ive missed y ou.Bastien rumpled my cop, earning a particular glance from my cat Aubrey. Ive missed you too.So result you tell me whats going on now?His serious mien turned jovial. Not sure what youre going to cypher about it, now that Ive comprehend all of this.Try me. glide off the entrap, Bastien settled next to me so we could speak face-to-face. You ever heard of Dana Dailey?I live on this planet, dont I? Shes continuously my first picking when Im driving in my car and feel like auditory modality to some passing commercial, conservative rhetoric. I didnt commit any attempt to hide my disdain. In entree to touting worn-out family values, radio set host Dana Dailey too enjoyed working gently veiled racist, homophobic, and even sexist insinuations into her talk show. I couldnt stand her.I reckon that mood strikes you quite an a bit. Did you know shes Seattle based?Of course. Its a wonder she hasnt dragged tidy sum the property value. keistered you should list that. A hous e in her neighborhood just came up for sale.So?So, our employers have purchased it.What?Grinning, erudite he had me hooked, Bastien leaned in eagerly. Pay attention, Fleur , because heres the good part. We got wind of some rumors concerning Mrs. Daileys ex-pool son in San Diego. He claims to have been romantically involved with her.I racked my brain, recalling a promotional picture Id seen of her and her semipolitical leader husband on a billboard. sustain you seen Mr. Dailey? Id opt for a pool boy too. What became of the rumors?Oh, you know. The same thing that unceasingly happens to rumors with no proof. They faded away nothing happened.I waited expectantly. Okay, and the house fits in how?Well, like you said, her husbands no prize. Of course, she isnt going to get divorced or anything, not when it could potentially tarnish his political future and her whole prissy, on-air family-values campaign. solelythe low streak is still there. If shes strayed once, I bet she could be lured into doing it again.I groaned as the pieces cut together. Like with a handsome, debonair neighbor?Debonair? Really, youre too kind.So what happens after that?Then we just let the try out do its work. render?Well, yeah. Were not going to go the way of the pool boy. When I manage to lure the illustrious Mrs. Dailey into personal pleasures surpassing her wildest dreams, therell be a photographic camera rolling. Were going to record this for posterity, then go to the press. Full exposure, full takedown. No more radio imperium prea raiseg to the sight to return to pure, decent ways. even out her husbands political campaign will be marred, consequently opening the verge for some generous upstart to take his place and succor get this region back into the corrupt rut it so desperately longs for. Gee, its all so neat.He eyed me. You doubt the plans brilliance?I dont know. I treasure the ballsy factor here, but I believe this is kind of out-there, even for you. I cant ju dge Dana Dailey,ll go down so easily. forsake the going down to me.Your egos out of say-so.He laughed and pulled me to him. His arms mat good around me. Familiar. Reassuring. Admit it. Thats why you love me. Yeah, youre like the brother I never had. wizard that doesnt set my hair on fire. His look sparkled wickedly. And once again, youve jumped ahead of me. I fatality you to see me in action on this not to mention keep me company charm Im in townspeople. Youve got to light figure as Mitchs sister.Who?Bastien abruptly stood up and shape-shifted. The known features morphed, leaving no trace of the allowwheeling encumbrance I knew. Six-two and broad-shouldered, he now had dark platinum- light-hairede hair and toss blue eyeball, his face only just losing its pretty boy aspect and with child(p) way to the hot promise of an experienced, self-confident man in his early thirties. When he smiled, those perfect odontiasis lit up a room.He winked at me. Mitch Hunter, h e explained in a suave, characterization-star verbalize. No mark now.You got an equally tawdry title to go with that? Mitch Hunter, MD or Mitch Hunter, offstage Investigator? Seems appropriate.Nah. Im a consultant, of course. Everyones favorite nondescript yet well-paid white-collar job.You look like you need a golf nightclub in one hand and a burger flipper in the other.Tease all you want, but Dana wont be able to endure this. Now he gestured for me to stand up lets see what you can do.Are you jesting?Do I look like Im joking? If youre going to come visit me, youve got to put on some family resemblance.I rolled my eyes and stood up. afterward a moments study of his features, I shape-shifted my petite body into a taller, more athletic one with long blond hair.He scrutinized me, then shook his head. likewise pretty.What? This is perfect.That bodys unreal. No one looks that good. My God woman, that ass.Oh, come on. You dont think special(prenominal) Agent Mitch Hunters s ister isnt the type to go past two hours a day on a stair-climber?Bastien grunted. Youve got a point there. At least(prenominal)(prenominal) retreat some of the hair. These suburban types go for wearisome and practical.Yeah, but Im not suburban. Im your hipper, more smart person knocked at my door. He glanced at me questioningly.Oh Its lot.I changed back to my normal body, and Bastien did the same. I loose the door.Seth Mortensen, best-selling writer and professional introvert, stood distant my apartment. Clad in a Frogger island of Jersey and corduroy jacket, he seemed to have disregarded to brush his hair again. It was messy and chocolate-brown with a half-hearted coppery cast, reflect in the unadulterated five oclock shadow across his decline face. His lips turned up in a smile upon seeing me, and I couldnt function but briefly ponder how napped and kissable they looked.Hey, I said.Hey. contempt whatever friendship burned among us, the engine of our convers ation always took a little date to turn over. I led him inside, and his expression faltered a bit when he saw Bastien.Oh. Hi.Hello, boomed Bastien, extending his hand. Bastien Moreau.Seth Mortensen.A pleasure. Ive heard all about you. Your books are fabulous. I mean, Ive never read any of them just dont have the time for that any longer but Im sure theyre magnifique.Um, thanks.Bastien is an old friend, I explained. Hes going to be in town for a enchantment onbusiness.Seth nodded, and silence dropped in mingled with all of us like a one- quaternth companion. Finally, Bastien cleared his throat. I could see from his face that he was already losing interest, dismissing Seth as too softened and unexciting. The incubus coveted action.Well, I should take off. I dont want to fall apart your plans.What are you going to do? I asked. You cant have any plans of your own yet. He winked. Ill improvise.I gave him a penetrating look.Ruffling my hair again, he heartd me and kissed each o f my fonts. Ill be in touch, Fleur . represent sure you keep an eye on the news.Ill never leave my television.Bastien gave Seth a friendly nod. splendid meeting you.When the incubus was gone, Seth asked, When you phrase old friend, are we talk, likesince the methamphetamine hydrochloride Age?No. Of course not.Oh.Its only been about four light speed years.Ah. Yes. nevertheless four hundred. A wry expression spread over his face. Being with you is a continual experimentation in perspective. Among other things. He considered. So what is he? loup-garou? Demigod? cryptograph so exciting. Hes an incubus. You must have heard of those.Seth nodded, frowning. Sure. Like a succuba onlyhe has to go after women to survive?I nodded.Wow. For all eternity. Wow. His eyebrows shot up as true wonder compete over his face. Thats got to bewow. Thats really rough.My eyes narrowed. Dont even start down that road.Bastien had said he didnt want to interrupt our plans, but we didnt really have an y, wretched of spending the eventide together. I mean most couples, rill out of options, could have resorted to sex or at least making out, but the nature of our relationship required a full itinerary. We mustered some ideas.You want to rent a movie? I offered. Ive got some coupons.We ended up renting Gladiator, at which time I discovered Horatios free rental coupons had discontinue long ago.That son of a cryWho? asked Seth.But of course I couldnt explain. bum demons.Back home, Seth and I draw close on my couch as we watched, warm and close yet still safe(p) from any pernicious succubus effects. He listened with bemusement as I pointed out historical inaccuracies, most of which involved how much dirtier and smellier the Roman pudding stone had been.When it finished, we turned off the television and sat together in the dark. Seth stroked the side of my face, sifting through the strands of my hair and occasionally brushing my cheek with his fingers. A diminished gesture , yet when that was all you could do with another person, it became startlingly erotic.I looked up at him. I knew what I saw when I studied him. He was everything I could want and everything I couldnt have. The steady, loving companion Id pined for all these years. I wondered what he saw with me. The expression he wore now seemed fond. Admiring. And a little sad.But thy thoroughgoing(a) summer shall not fadeNor lose possession of that fair ow,stNor shall Death brag thou wand,rest in his shade,When in arrant(a) lines to time thou grow,stSo long as men can breathe or eyes can see,So long lives this, and this gives life to thee. Sonnet Eighteen, I murmured, thinking he recited beautifully. Hell, forget his praxis skills. How many guys in this age of instant messaging even knew Shakespeare anymore? His amused little half-smile played over his face. quick-witted and beautiful. How could any man settle for a mortal woman?Easily, I returned. My friends misgivings suddenly loomed up in me. You could, you know.He blinked, and his joyous look faded, giving way to exasperation. Oh. Not this discussion again.Im serious And so am I. I dont want to be with anyone else right now. Ive told you that a hundred times. Why do we keep talking about this?Because you know we cant Nobuts.Give me some credit rating for being able to give myself. Besides, Im not with you for sex. You know that. Im with you to be with you.How can that be enough? It never had been for any other man Id known.Becausebecause He tipped my chin up with his hand, the sensation in those eyes making my insides melt. Because being with you feels so rightlike its always been meant to be. You make me trust in a higher spring for once in my life.I disagreeable my eyes and put my head on his chest. I could hear his heart beating. He wrapped me to him, his embrace warm and solid, and I mat like I couldnt get close enough to him. Probably I should have let the discussion go then, but one more thing was st ill on my mind tonight. After all, I had a gold-embossed certificate seated on my counter.Even if you can control yourselfeven if you can stay celibate, you know I wont be.The words hurt climax out, but my mouths control switch didnt always function so well. Besides, I didnt want anything standing between us.I dont care. But I felt his hold on me stiffen a little.Seth, you will Thetis, I dont care. It doesnt matter. Nothing matters except what happens between you and me.The rage in his voice a bank line to his normal rest thrilled me, but it was not that that do me give up the argument. It was the word Thetis. Thetis. Thetis the shape-shifting goddess. The shape-shifter wooed and won by a steadfast mortal. Seth had coined the name for me when he learned I was a succubus, when hed first insinuated that my infernal standing was not a deterrent.I pulled him closer. Dont look down.We went to bed concisely thereafter, Aubrey snuggling up at our feet. The feel of Seths body kin k by mine under the covers was tantalizing, a cruel whisper of the restrictions around us.I sighed and tried to think of something other than how nice he felt or how great it would be if he slid his hand up my shirt. I grinned as a most unsexual sentiment came to mind.I want pancakes.What? right wing now?No. For breakfast.Oh. He yawned. Youd give way get up early then.Me? Im not going to make them.Yeah? His sleepy voice carried treat sympathy. Whos going to make them for you then?You are.It was a well-known fact at least to Seth and me that he make the best pancakes known to mankind. They always came out perfect, light and fluffy. Through some kitchen magic, he even managed to put smiley faces on them when he made them for me. Once hed even puta Gon one. Id assumed it was for my name, but later, hed sworn it stood for goddess.Am I? His lips brushed my earlobe his breath was warm against my skin. You think Im going to make you pancakes? Is that how you think its going to be?Youre so good at, I whined. Besides, if you do, Ill sit on the counter in a condensed robe while you cook. Oops. perhaps pancakes could kick the bucket sexual after all.His soft laugh segued into another yawn. Oh. Well then. He kissed my ear again. Maybe Ill make you pancakes. His breathing grew muffled and regular, the tension in his body easing. currently he slept, not troubled or tempted in the least by having me in his arms.I sighed again. He was right he did have self-control. If he could do this, certainly I could too. I closed my eyes and waited for exhaustion to take over. Fortunately, it didnt waste any time staying up late will do that to you. Maybe that was the real key to sleeping chastely.I woke up in his arms hours later, interview the ever-so-faint sounds of bad mid-seventies music adrift(p) through the wall. bingle of my neighbors felt the need to do aerobic exercise to the Bee Gees every day around lunchtime. qualified insanity.Wait. Lunchtime?I sat bang upri ght, panic harsh me into full soul as I assessed the situation. My bed. Seth sprawled beside me. The full roar of traffic outside. Clear, winter fair weather pouring through the window a lot of sunlight.Fearing the worst, I looked at the close clock. It was 1203.Groaning silently, I groped on the appal for my cell promise, enquire why no one had yet called me in to work. look at the phones display, I realized Id turned the ringer off during the movie. Seven new voice commit messages, the phone read. So much for pancakes. Tossing the phone back down, I looked over at Seth, the cuteness of him in a island of Jersey and flannel underdrawers momentarily allaying my frustration.I shook him, wishing I could just crawl back under the covers with him. take fire up. Ive got to go.He blinked up at me drowsily, further increasing his appeal. Aubrey wore a similar look. Huh? alsoearly.Not that early. Im late for work.He stared at me blankly for a few seconds and then sat up nearly as rapidly as I had. Oh. Oh man.Its all right. Lets go.He disappeared into the bathroom, and I shape-shifted my coming into court once more, turning the pajamas into a red sweater and black skirt, my loose hair into a neat bun. I hated doing this so often, much preferring to violate through my own closet. Shape-shifting also burned through my energy stash that much more quickly, requiring more frequent victims. Unfortunately, time-crunches call for certain sacrifices.When Seth returned, he did a double take at my appearance and shook his head. Still cant get used to that.I expected him to go home and sleep, but he went with me to the bookstore. Its coffee stool was his favorite place to write. As we walked into Emerald city Books andCafe,I breathed a sigh of respite that neither my tutor Paige nor Warren, the store owner, appeared to be around. Still, business had already opened for the day without me, and my chipper, morning-people coworkers made it undoable to sneak in wit hout notice.Hey, Georgina Hi SethGeorgina and Seth are here better morning, Georgina Good morning, SethSeth left to take up his writing home upstairs, and I made my way to the back offices. All of them were dark, which I found odd. No managers at all. Someone should have opened before me. I flipped on the light in my own office.I was so fixated on evaluate out what was going on that the demon took me completely by surprise.Red-skinned and multihorned, he leapt out at me, gesticulate his arms and making unintelligible grunting sounds. I yelped and dropped the things Id been carrying, recoiling.A moment later, my senses returned, and I walked over and smacked him on the side of the head as hard as I could.