Succubus Shadows Chapter 18

It started before I could hold on it.I s in all cased in a kitchen, in one of those trances where I was twain watching me and feeling me. The kitchen was bright and modern, far larger than anything I could deem a non-cook like me needing. My dream-self stood at the sink, arms elbow deep in sudsy water that smelled like oranges. I was hand-washing dishes and kind of doing a half-ass melodic line at it unless was too happy to notice. On the floor, an actual dish washer lay in pieces, thus explaining the need for manual labor.From an other room, the sounds of refreshful Home Alabama carried to my ears. I hummed along as I washed. I was content, filled with a bliss so utterly perfect, I could just straight grasp it after eerything else that had happened in my life particularly after this incarceration with the Oneroi. After humming a a couple of(prenominal) to a greater extent bars, I make up ones mind a wet cup on the counter and turned just just aboutwhat to peek i nto the living room beyond me.A little female pincer sat in there, about two years old. She was on a blanket, surrounded by stuffed animals and other toys. She clutched a plush giraffe in her pass. It rattled when she shook it. As though sensing my gaze, she come alonged up.She had plump cheeks that hadnt kind of lost their baby fat. Wispy, light br aver curls c everyplaceed her head, and her hazel eyeb alone were large and framed with puritanical lashes. She was adorable. Behind her on the couch, Aubrey lay curled up in a tight little ball. Godiva lay beside her.A delighted grimace spread over the little girls face, creating a dimple in one cheek. A powerful wave of love and joy spread finished me, emotions that my raw and aching real self barely allowed to come through. Just like the outset time Id dreamed this dream, I knew with certainty absolute certainty that this girl was my daughter.After a few to a greater extent moments, I returned to my dishes, though I cute nothing much than to go back to the living room. Damned manual labor. Neither my dream self nor my waking self could drag enough of the girl. I wanted to drink her in. I could pay watched her forever, taking in those long-lashed eyes and wraithlike curls.Unable to resist and bored with washing dishes I eventually gave in and glanced back once again. The girl was gone. I pulled my work force out of the water, just in time to see to it a thump and a crash. The sound of crying(a) followed.I sprinted out of the kitchen. Aubrey and Godiva jerked their heads up, surprised at my sudden movement. On the other side of the living room, my daughter sat on the floor beside an turn back table with sharp corners, a small hand pressed to her forehead. tear streamed down her checks as she wailed.In a flash, I was on my knees, neglige her up in a tight embrace. Watching and feeling this dream, I wanted to weep as well over the feel of that soft, unattackable body in my arms. I rocked the girl, murmuring soothing, nonsensical words as I brushed my lips against the silken hair. Eventually, her sobs halt, and she rested her head against my chest, content to scarcely be loved and rocked. We sat like that for another happy classify second or so, and then, distantly, I heard the sound of a cars engine. I bring up my head.You hear that? I asked. Daddys home.Mirrored excitement showed on the girls face as I stood up, unflurried holding her and balancing her on my hip. It was an act of some coordination, considering how small I was.We walked to the front door and stepped outside onto a porch. It was nighttime, all quiet darkness save for a small light wall hanging overhead. It shone onto a long stretch of unbroken white snow on the lawn and the driveway. All around, more snow fell in a veritable(a) stream. I didnt recognize the place, but it certainly wasnt Seattle. That a level-headed deal snow would submit sent the city into a panic, putting everyone on Arma geddon alert. My daughter and I were perfectly at ease, barely noticing the snow. Wherever we were, this weather was a reciprocal occurrence.Down the driveway, the car I had heard had already parked. My heart fully grown with happiness. A man stood behind it, a nondescript dark enrol in the faint lighting. He took out a rolling pocketbook and slammed the trunk shut. The little girl clasped her hands in excitement, and I waved my own hand in greeting. The man returned the wave as he walked toward the house. It was too dark, and I couldnt get wind him yet.His face. I had to see his face. We were so close. This was where the dream had gag lawped before, denying me its conclusion. Some part of me was certain this was a trick too that the Oneroi were passage to do what Nyx had done and end the dream.They didnt.The man ride outd walking toward us, and at last, the porch light illuminated his features.It was solidification.Lacy snowflakes rested in his messy hair, and I could mak e out some wacky T-shirt underneath his weighted woolen trench coat. He left the suitcase by the steps and sprinted up them to get to us that oft more quickly.His arms encircle us, and both my daughter and I snuggled against him. It might take away been halt elsewhere, but our little circle held all the rage in the world.My girls, he murmured. He took one of his gloves kill and ran his hand over the fine silk of our daughters hair. He brushed a kiss against her forehead and then leaned toward me. Our lips met in a soft kiss, and when we pulled away, I could see mist in the air from the warmth of his mouth. He hugged us tighter.I sighed happily. Dont leave anymore, I give tongue to. Dont do any more traveling.He laughed quietly and gave me another kiss, this time on my cheek. Ill see what I can do. If it was up to me, Id never leave. hardly the dream left, bust like pieces of glass that were then swept away by a broom. Whereas before Id counted the seconds for these dreams to go away, this time I wanted to cling to it. The hands I didnt have in this insubstantial form longed to grasp those shards, bloodying my flesh, if but to have a few more moments of that perfect, content bliss my dream-self had held. unless it was gone. I was empty.For a long time, I simply couldnt get over the dreams loss. I was a tangle of emotions hurt and anger and longing and incompleteness. It was all feeling, no thought. When coherency began to return, even it was a jumble. lot. Seth was the man in the dream? Of course he was. Hadnt I felt it from some the first time we met? Hadnt I often give tongue to he was like a piece of my soul? Hadnt I felt like something was missing when wed split up?Then, all the doubt that the Oneroi had been so good at lend in me began to descend. It couldnt be Seth. I couldnt be with a mortal, not in any real capacity. I certainly couldnt have a child with one, and anyway, Seth was marrying someone else. This was a trick. Another lie. each thing here was a lie, meant to continue the torment the Oneroi thought I deserved.That cant happen, I testify. The words were hard. And hadnt I already say them earlier? Circles, circles. My life was repeating itself over and over. None of that could ever happen.No, agreed Two. Not anymore. Your future shifted.That was never my future. You lie. Nyx lied. in that locations no truth anywhere.This is truth, said One.Another dream. A true dream? No, no. The part of me that was beginning to lose it swore up and down that it couldnt be true. Theres no truth anywhere.I was in the mundane human world again, with Seth and Simone-as-Georgina. They were at a black tieedo shop, browsing suits, and I futilely racked my brain to figure this out. Maddie had put across they go shoppingyet, surely it hadnt happened that day. Or had it? Was this another day? How much time had passed? I couldnt tell if these dreams lasted a second or a lifetime. The sky outside was deepening to twilight, so pe radventure it was the same day.You dont have to wear a bow tie, said Simone, study a well- habilimented mannequin. She herself was dressed magnificently, in a tight dress that was an orange reminiscent of fall leaves. It was short, of course, and emphasized my breasts as much as was decently possible maybe more so. Bronze high heels completed the look. It was too fancy for tux shopping, but it looked great on her. Me. Us. Whatever.Seth wandered over to stand beside her, studying the suit. If there hadnt been a salesman straightening a display near the door, I had a feeling Seth would have made a run for it.Its more traditional, said Seth. I designate thats what Maddie wants.Simone scoffed. So? What about what you want? She took a step toward him. You cant just sit by and let others tell you what to do You have your own needs. Your own wants. You cant be passive here. There was heat energy in her words, a conviction that even I couldnt help but admire. It was the kind of speech that rallied people to your cause but like everything else shed said lately, there was this sexual subtext laced within it. He stared at her for a few seconds, as impressed as I was, but finally looked away. He also took a step back.Maybe. But I dont genuinely feel like my life currently hinges on whether I consume a bow tie or a regular tie. I think I should save my heroic moments for something a little bigger. He wandered off to look at another suit and didnt see the lour on her face that I did.Soon, she had that sweet smile on again and was back by his side very close to his side piece they examined cuts, colors, and all the myriad details that went into planning a lifelong commitment. The salesman couldnt repose away, of course, and finally swooped in to offer his assistance.This cover would be very praise with your build, he told Seth. It comes in black and gray, as well as a few others so it would definitely complement your dress. That last part was tell to Simone. She laughed merrily. It was nails on a chalkboard to me.Oh, were not getting married. She patted Seths arm. Were just good friends. Im helping out.Seth moved away, escaping the arm, and suddenly seemed very interested in sifting on the jacket. The salesman found Seths size, gushed with compliments, and then left the two of them to hypothecate it over.It looks great, said Simone, coming to stand right in front of him. I couldnt see any space between them. She casually straightened the jackets lapel, not that it take it. Fits you like a glove.Seth grabbed hold of her hands, pushed them away, and then backed off himself. You need to stop this, he said, lowering his voice so others wouldnt hear. tick off what? asked Simone.You bop what The innuendoes. The touching. All of it. You cant keep doing it.Simone took a step closer, putting her hands on her hips. Her voice was soft as well, but it was more of a purr. What made it especially irritating was that, really, it was my voice. Why? Because you dont like it? Come on, Seth. How much longer are you going to keep fooling yourself? You agnize you still want me. This scam of a wedding isnt going to change that. What we hadwhat we have is too powerful. I see the way you look at me and you dont look at her that way. You say Ive got to stop? No. Youre the one that needs to stop this wedding. End it with her. Or if you dont have the guts, then let us be together again. At the very least just one more night. I want to feel you again, feel you in me. And I know you do too.I was aghast at the boldness. I couldnt believe what that screech had tried to do. Impersonating me was bad enough, but now blatantly trying to stimulate Seth into her bed? Unforgiveable. I expected Seth to be shock as well, but his face was the picture of calm.He took off the jacket and set it on a counter. I dont know who you are, but preventative away from me. Do not speak to me again or Maddie. There was a stern, warning tone in his words, t hat anger I seldom ever heard from him.For once, Simone faltered. What are you talking about?You arent Georgina, he said. I shouldve listened when my niece first told me. Georgina would never do this, no matter how she felt. Georgina wouldnt openly try to break up her friends wedding. She wouldnt betray Maddie.Simones eyes flashed with anger. Really? Then how merely would you classify your little spring fling? I wasnt surprised she knew about that. Everyone in my hellish circle had figured it out when Seths soul darkened.His smile was both sad and cold. Georgina did thatinadvertently. She was aware of what she was doing, but the motivationswell, they were different.Stop trying to let off infidelity. And stop talking about me in the third personYou arent her, said Seth again. I know her. I would know her in almost any form. And although you look like her, you obviously do not know her.He turned around to leave and ran into Jerome.Seth hadnt seen Jerome enter or teleport into the shop. Neither had I. Yet, even if the demigod had strolled in openly, I think Seth would have had the same astonished and deeply disturbed reaction. The feeble attitude hed shown with Simone vanished.Sorry, said Seth, stepping back. He glanced uneasily at Simone, who was just as surprised. Ill Ill leave you two alone.Im not here for her, growled Jerome.What? she exclaimed, seeming deeply offended.Jeromes dark eyes bored into Seths. Im here for you. You need to come with me. Now.When a demon tells you to do something, its pretty hard to refuse it. My friends and I might pleasantry about the silliness of Jeromes John Cusack guise, but underneath all that, Jerome was make love scary. And when he turned his demonic wrath on a human, it was in a flash terrifying.Yet, with a remarkable show of bravery, Seth asked Why?Jerome looked displeased that Seth hadnt instantly jumped to obey. To get Georgie back.Back? repeated Simone. But if she comes back Jerome lifted his eyes from Seth a nd glared at her. Yes, yes, I know. But you might as well give it up. You failed.But I can Clearly, you cant. Jerome strode over to her, proclivity close to her face. He pitched his voice low, but I could hear it from my observers view. This is not the way. I know why youre here now, but tell Niphon that every time he tries to fix things, he ends up posterior up more. Its too late. Ill deal with this. It doesnt involve you.But Enough. The word boomed through the store. The salesman looked up, startled, but kept his distance. I didnt question your presence before, but now you can go.Ostensibly, it sounded as though he were giving her permission to leave. But both she and I could hear the underlying meaning if she didnt go on her own, he would assist her. She made no more protests.Jerome returned to Seth. Georginas been taken. Were going to get her back. And you are going to play a role in that.Seth couldnt speak for a moment, and when he did, it was to utter the most obvious ret ort How?To start with, you can stop wasting time here with wild questions. Come with me, and youll find out. Jerome then made a masterful play. Every moment you delay, shes in more danger.Nothing else could have spurred Seth into such action. He flinched at the words, and his face ran through a kaleidoscope of emotions. Okay, he said to Jerome. Lets go.