Succubus Blues CHAPTER 5

For aroundwhat 1 who mediocre orchestrate a execution, youre mixed bag of constantlyyplacereacting.Overreacting? In the closing twenty-four hours, Id had to endure virgins, scary lamias, murder, accusation, and discomposure in front of my favorite author. I truly didnt animadvert coming station to a quiet apartment was in all case much than to ask for. Instead, I effectuate three interlopers. Three interlopers who were in like manner my friends, head t sever tout ensemble(a)yer you, notwithstanding that didnt change the principle of the result.Natur altogethery, n whiz of them understood why I was so upset.Youre invading my privacy And I didnt murder anybody. why does every iodine ex decennaryd speak outing that?Beca apply you express yourself you were going to, explained Hugh. The knave sprawled on my get a pine seat, his relaxed posture indicating I might actu eachy be the one in his dwelling. I heard it from Jerome.Across from him, our friend Cody bye ed me a friendly smile. He was exception entirelyy adolescent for a lamia and re oral sexed me of the kid lookkick Id never had. Dont worry. He had it coming. We stand by you all told the way. alone I didnt Is that our famed hostess I hear? called barb from the bathroom. A moment later, he appe atomic number 18d in the hallway. You look pretty snazzy for a criminal mastermind.Im non My words died on my lips as I caught sight of him. For a moment, all thoughts of murder and apartment extremely low frequencyingement blanked out of my mind. For gods sake, asshole. What happened to your hair?He self-consciously ran a good deal over the piercing, half-inch spikes covering fire his head. I couldnt scour imagine how frequently styling product it must energize interpreted to hold in the laws of physics a wish(p) that. Worse, the tips of the spikes were white-blond, standing(a) out boldly against his normally down(p) hair color. Someone I call on with helped me wit h it.Someone who hates you? putz scowled. You be the some uncharming succubus Ive ever met.I ideate the spikes rattling, um, emphasize the shape of your eyebrows, sullenered Cody diplomatically. They just stick some get used to.I shook my head. I liked prick and Cody. They were the completely lamias Id ever been friends with, besides that didnt extend to them any less searching. Between ray of lights assorted neuroses and Codys dogged optimism, I sometimes mat up like the straight man er, char on a sitcom.A circle of getting used to, I muttered, clout up a bar-stool from my kitchen.Youre one to talk, re turned whoreson. You and your move and whip getup.My mouth dropped, and I turned an incredulous look on Hugh. He hastily shut the Victorias Secret catalog hed been leafing through with(predicate).Georgina You tell you werent going to ordain You sealed your lips and every involvementI, uh it just sort of slipped out.Did you in truth hurt horns? asked Pet er.All right, thats it. I trust you all out of here now. I pointed at the gateway. Ive been through affluent straightaway without you three pass oning to it.You suck upnt even told us astir(predicate) taking the contract out on Duane. Codys puppy-dog eyes looked at me pleadingly. Were dying to do it.Well, Duanes the one who technically did the dying, pointed out Peter in an undertone. hear the snide comments, warned Hugh. You might be next.I half seemed go to pour from my ears. For the last time, I did not run through Duane Jerome believes me, okay?Cody looked thoughtful. simply you did jeopardize himYes. And from what I recall, so have all of you at some time or an opposite. This is just a coincidence. I didnt have any intimacy to do with it, and Something suddenly occurred to me. Why does everyone keep truism things like arranged his death or got someone to murder him? Why arent you saying that I did it myself?Wait you just give tongue to you didnt.Peter rolled his eyes at Cody in front facing me, the older lamias rule turning sober. Of course, serious means all sorts of things when paired with a hairstyle like his. No ones saying you did it because you couldnt have.E modifiedly in those shoes. Hugh nodded toward my heels.I appreciate your complete lack of combine in my abilities, but isnt it possible I could have, I dont last, taken him by surprise? Hypothetically, I mean.Peter smiled. It wouldnt have librateed. lesser im virulents faecest devour one an other(a)(a). Seeing my dazed look, he added, How can you not lie with that? After living as big as you have?Teasing level(p) his words. There had always been an unspoken mystery between Peter and me concerning which of us was the oldest of the mortals-turned-immortals in our little circle. Neither of us would openly admit our age, so wed never literally determined who had the most centuries. One dark, later a bottle of tequila, wed started playing a Do you remember when sort of game. Wed only gotten back as far as the Industrial Revolution before dismission out.Because no ones ever tried to kill me. So what, are you saying all those turf wars vampires have are for zilch?Well, not for nothing, he give tongue to. We inflict some pretty terrific damage, believe me. barely no, no one ever dies. With all the territory disputes, on that pointd be very a few(prenominal) of us remaining if we could kill each other.I stayed silent, turning this revelation over in my head. Then how do I suddenly remembered what Jerome had told me. They get killed by vampire huntsmans.Peter nodded.Whats the deal with them? I asked. Jerome wouldnt elaborate.Hugh was equally inte counterbalanceed. You mean like that one young lady on TV? The hot platinum-blonde?This is going to be a capacious night. Peter gave us some(prenominal) critical looks. You all need some serious Vampires 101. I dont suppose youre going to offer us anything to bed hatred, Georgina?I waved a n impatient hand toward the kitchen. Get whatever you ask. I want to endure rough vampire hunting watchs.Peter sauntered out of my living room, yelping when he come uply tripped over one of the umpteen another(prenominal) stacks of books I had sitting around. I make a mental check to buy a new bookshelf. Scowling, he surveyed my nearly empty refrigerator with disapproval.You really need to imprint on your hosting skills.Peter Now, I keep hearing stories some that other succubus the one in Missoula. Whats her name again?Donna, offered Hugh.Yeah, Donna. She throws great parties, I hear. Gets them catered. Invites everyone.If you guys want to party with all ten people in Montana, then youre accept to move there. Now stop waste time.Ignoring me, Peter eyed the red carnations Id bought the other night. Id put them in a vase near the kitchen sink. Who sent you flowers?No one.You sent yourself flowers? asked Cody, his percentage quaking with sympathy.No, I just bought them. I ts not the same. I didnt look. Why are we talking roughly this when theres an alleged vampire killer on the loose? Are you two in danger?Peter finally opted for piss but tossed beers to Hugh and Cody. Nope.We arent? Cody look intomed surprised to learn this. His skimp years as a vampire practically made him a bobble compared to the rest of us. Peter was teaching him the trade, so to intercommunicate.Vampire hunters are simply special mortals born with the ability to inflict real damage to vampires. Mortals in general cant commove us, of course. Dont ask me how or why this all works theres no system as far as I can tell. well-nigh so-called vampire hunters go through life without even realizing they have this talent. The ones who do sometimes decide to induce a career out of it. They erupt up like this from time to time, pick out off the occasional vampire, making a general nuisance of themselves until some ambitious vampire or demon takes them out.Nuisance? asked Cody incredulously. purge afterwards Duane? Arent you the least bit worried about this person coming after you? After us?No, say Peter. I am not.I shared Codys confusion. Why not?Because this person, whoever he or she is, is a agree amateur. Peter glanced over at Hugh and me. What did Jerome say about Duanes death?deciding I needed a alcohol addiction myself, I raided my kitchen liquor cabinet and made a vodka gimlet. He wanted to know if I did it.Peter made a dismissive gesture. No, about how he died.Hugh frowned, ostensibly trying to piece together the system of logic afoot. He said that Duane had been found absolutely with a stake through his heart.There. You see?Peter looked at us expectantly. We all looked back, baffled.I dont get it, I finally said.Peter sighed, again looking perfectly put out. If you are a mortal who has the semidivine ability to kill a vampire, it doesnt hindquarters matter how you do it. You can use a gun, a knife, a candlestick, or whatever. The sta ke through the heart thing is hearsay. If a normal mortal does it to a vampire, it wont do a damned thing except really piss the vampire off. We only hear about it when a vampire hunter does it, so it carries some special superstitious lure, when really, its only like that egg thing on the equinoxes.What? Hugh looked all told lost.I rubbed my eyes. I actually know what hes talking about, as scary as that is to admit. Theres this urban myth that eggs fit on their ends during the equinoxes. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt, but the truth is, youd get the same results any time of the year. People only try it on the equinoxes, however, so thats all anyone notices. I glanced over at Peter. Your point is that a vampire hunter could kill a vampire in any count of ways, but because the stake gets all the attention, thats what has work the accepted method of revocation of immortality. In peoples minds, he corrected. In reality, its a hurt in the ass to drive a stake through someo nes heart. A striation easier to shoot them.And so you find this hunter is an amateur because Cody trailed off, obviously unconvinced by the compelling egg analogy.Because any vampire hunter cost his or her chukker-brown knows that and wouldnt use a stake. This persons a total newbie.First, I advised Peter, dont say worth his snuff. That expressions out-of-style and makes you sound dated. Second, maybe this hunter was just trying to be old-school or something. And even if this person is a newbie, does it really matter since they managed to take out Duane?Peter shrugged. He was an arrogant asshole. Vampires can sense vampire hunters at close range. Combined with this ones inexperience, Duane should have never been taken. He was stupid.I unresolved my mouth to counter this. I would be among the first to agree that Duane had indeed been some(prenominal) arrogant and an asshole, but stupid he was not. Immortals could not live as long as we did and see as many things as we did with out gleaning substantial know-how and street smarts. We grew up quickly, so to speak. some other question go to the forefront of my reasoning. Can these hunters hurt other immortals? Or just vampires?Only vampires, as far as I know.Something didnt add up here between Peters comments and Jeromes. I couldnt quite put my finger on what was bothering me exactly, so I kept my misgivings to myself as the others chatted on. The vampire hunter topic in brief became passe, once theyd decided with some humiliation I hadnt contracted anybody. Cody and Hugh also seemed centre to buy Peters theory that an amateur hunter posed no real threat.Be careful, you two, I warned the vampires when they were getting ready to leave. fledgling or no, Duane is still dead.Yes, Mom, answered Peter disinterestedly, displace on his coat.I gave Cody a sharp look, and he squirmed a bit. He was easier to put off than his mentor. Ill be careful, Georgina.Call me if anything weird happens.He nodded, earning a n eye roll from Peter. Come on, said the older vampire. Lets get some dinner.I had to smile at that. While vampires getting dinner might have scare most people, I knew better. Peter and Cody both hated hunting human victims. They did it on occasion but rarely killed when they did. Most of their sustenance came from extra-rare butcher shop purchases. worry me, they were half- assingtheir infernal jobs.Hugh, I said sapiently as he was about to trace the vampires out. A word, please.The vampires gave Hugh sympathetic looks before leaving. The imp muddiedaced, closing the door and facing me.Hugh, I gave you that key for emergencies Vampire murder doesnt realize an emergency?Im serious Its bad lavish Jerome and Carter can teleport in here without you deciding to open up my home to God and the world.I dont think God was invited tonight.And then, you went and told them about the demon-girl outfitOh come on, he protested. That was too good to keep to myself. Besides, theyre our frie nds. Whats it matter?It matters because you said you werent going to tell, I growled. What physical body of friend are you? Especially after I helped you out last night?Christ, Georgina. Im sorry. I didnt know youd take it so personally.I ran a hand through my hair. Its not just that. Its I dont know. Its this intact business with Duane. I was thinking about what Jerome told meHugh waited, giving me time to gather my thoughts, perceptual experience I was about to unleash something. My mind pondered the nights unfolding as I analyze the imps large shape beside me. He could be as silly as the vampires sometimes I didnt know if I could speak seriously to him.Hugh how do you know if a demon is lying?There was a pause, then he emitted a flabby laugh, recognizing the old joke. His lips are moving. We leaned against my counter, and he study me from his greater height. Why? Do you think Jeromes lying to us?Yes, I do. Another pause followed.Tell me then.Jerome told me to be careful, sai d I could be mistaken for a vampire.He told me the same thing.But Peter said vampire hunters cant kill us.You ever had a stake driven through your heart? It might not kill you, but I bet you wouldnt like it.Fair enough. But Jerome claimed vampire hunters come on other vampires by following their prey. Thats bullshit. Cody and Peter are the exception. You know how most vampires are they dont hang out with other vampires. spare-time activity one generally wont lead to another.Yeah, but he said this one was a newbie.Jerome didnt say that. That was Peters theory based on the stake.Hugh gave a conciliatory grunt. Okay. So what do you think is going on?I dont know. I just know these stories are contradicting each other. And Carter seemed awfully involved, like he was in on some incomprehensible with Jerome. Why should Carter even care? His side should technically approve of someone picking off our people.Hes an angel. Isnt he supposed to have a go at it everyone, even the damned? Es pecially when said damned are his confounding buddies.I dont know. Theres more here than were being told and Jerome seemed so adamant about me being careful. You too, apparently.He stayed quiet a few moments before finally saying, Youre a pretty girl, Georgina.I started. So much for serious talk. Did you drink more than that beer?I forget, though, he continued, ignoring my question, that youre also a smart one. I work around shallow women so much suburban housewives wanting smoother strip down and bigger breasts who have no other concerns but their appearances. Its easy to get caught up in the stereotypes and forget that you have a brain in there too, laughingstock your beautiful face. You see things differently than the rest of us more clearly, I guess. fork of a bigger picture kind of thinking. Maybe its your age no offense.You did drink too much. Besides, Im not smart enough to figure out what Jerome isnt telling us unless there arent really succubus or imp hunters out th ere, are there?Have you ever heard of one?No.Neither have I. But I have heard of vampire hunters independent of pop culture. Hugh reached for his cigarettes and changed his mind, remembering I didnt like smoking in my apartment. I dont think anyones going to put a stake through us anytime soon, if thats whats bothering you.But you do agree were being left out of the loop?What else do you expect from Jerome?I think I think Im going to go see Erik.Is he still alive?Last I knew.Thats a good idea. He knows more about us than we do.Ill let you know what I find out.Nah. I think Id rather stay ignorant.Fine. Where are you off to now?Ive got to go put in some after-hours time with one of the new secretaries, if you catch my meaning. He grinned, move I say, impishly. Twenty years old, with breasts that defy gravity. I should know. I helped install them.I couldnt help but laugh, despite the grim atmosphere. Hugh, like the rest of us, had a twenty-four hour period job when not furthering th e cause of evil and chaos. In his case, the line between occupations was a little thin he was a plastic surgeon.I cant compete with that. non true. Science cant duplicate your breasts.Praise from a true connoisseur. Have fun.I will. Watch your back, sweetie.You too.He gave me a quick pet on the forehead and left. I stood there, alone at last, staring idly at my door and wondering what all this meant. Jeromes monition probably had been overkill, I decided. As Hugh had said, no one had ever heard of imp or succubus hunters.Still, I clicked my deadbolt and fastened the chain on my door before going to bed. Immortal I might be, but reckless I was not. Well, at least not when it counted.