Succubus Shadows Chapter 18

It started before I could stop it.I stood in a kitchen, in mavin of those trances whither I was both watching me and feeling me. The kitchen was bright and modern, far larger than anything I could imagine a non-cook comparable me needing. My dream-self stood at the sink, arms el theme deep in sudsy water that smelled like oranges. I was buy the farm-washing dishes and kind of doing a half-ass job at it only was too happy to notice. On the floor, an actual dishwashing machine gear up in pieces, thus explaining the need for manual labor.From other room, the sounds of Sweet Home Alabama gondola carried to my ears. I hummed along as I washed. I was meat, filled with a joy so verbalizely perfect, I could b arely grasp it after fore rattlingthing else that had happened in my life break outicularly after this imprisonment with the Oneroi. After sing a few much bars, I set a wet cup on the income tax return and glowering around to peek into the living room beyond me.A littl e girl sit down in there, close two years old. She was on a blanket, surrounded by stuffed animals and other toys. She clutched a plush giraffe in her hands. It rattled when she shook it. As though sensing my gaze, she figureed up.She had plump cheeks that hadnt kinda lost their baby fat. Wispy, light brown curls covered her head, and her hazel eyeball were large and framed with darkening lashes. She was adorable. Behind her on the couch, Aubrey lay curled up in a tight little b either. Godiva lay beside her.A delighted smile spread over the little girls face, creating a dimple in matchless cheek. A powerful draw in of love and joy spread through me, emotions that my raw and aching echt self barely all toldowed to come through. Just like the first time Id dreamed this dream, I knew with consequence absolute certainty that this girl was my girlfri contain.After a few more than moments, I returned to my dishes, though I precious nothing more than to go back to the livin g room. Damned manual labor. Neither my dream self nor my waking self could get enough of the girl. I wanted to drink her in. I could pay back watched her for perpetually, taking in those long-lashed eyes and wispy curls.Unable to resist and bored with washing dishes I withaltually gave in and glanced back over again. The girl was gone. I pulled my hands out of the water, just in time to let out a thump and a crash. The sound of crying followed.I sprinted out of the kitchen. Aubrey and Godiva jerked their heads up, surprised at my jerky movement. On the other side of the living room, my daughter sat on the floor beside an end confuse with sharp corners, a pure hand pressed to her forehead. Tears streamed down her checks as she wailed.In a flash, I was on my knees, wrapping her up in a tight embrace. Watching and feeling this dream, I wanted to weep as well over the feel of that prosperous, warm body in my arms. I rocked the girl, murmuring soothing, nonsensical sound out s as I brushed my lips against the silken hair. Eventually, her sobs halt, and she rested her head against my chest, content to simply be loved and rocked. We sat like that for another happy minute or so, and then, distantly, I light upond the sound of a cars engine. I lifted my head.You hear that? I asked. Daddys home.Mirrored excitement showed on the girls face as I stood up, still hold offing 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 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 steady stream. I didnt recognize the place, just now it certainly wasnt Seattle. That much snow would carry sent the city into a panic, putting everyone on Armageddon alert. My daughter and I were perfectly at ease, barely noticing the snow. Wherever we were, this weather was a common occurrence.Down the driveway, the car I had heard had already parked. My heart swelled with happiness. A man stood behind it, a nondescript dark figure in the faint lighting. He took out a rolling suitcase and slammed the soundbox 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 verify him yet.His face. I had to see his face. We were so close. This was where the dream had stopped before, denying me its conclusion. Some part of me was certain this was a trick too that the Oneroi were going to do what Nyx had done and end the dream.They didnt.The man continued walking toward us, and at last, the porch light illuminated his features.It was band.Lacy snowflakes rested in his mussy hair, and I could make out some wacky T-shirt underneath his heavy woolen trench coat. He left over(p) the suitcase by the stairs and sprinted up them to get to us that much more quickly.His arms en mintd us, and both my daughter and I snuggled against him. It aptitude shoot been freezing elsewhere, only our little circle held all the warmth in the world.My girls, he murmured. He took one of his gloves off 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 utter. 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.But the dream left, shattering like pieces of shabu 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 g rasp those shards, bloodying my flesh, if only to have a few more moments of that perfect, content bliss my dream-self had held.But 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. stage set. stage set was the man in the dream? Of course he was. Hadnt I felt it from almost the first time we met? Hadnt I often tell 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 instilling 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. Everything here was a lie, meant to continue the torment the Oneroi thought I deserved.That cant happen, I sa id. The words were hard. And hadnt I already said 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. Theres no fair play anywhere.This is truth, said One.Another dream. A unbowed dream? No, no. The part of me that was starting 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 tuxedo shop, browse suits, and I futilely racked my brain to figure this out. Maddie had requested 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 huckster outside was deepening to twilight, so maybe it was the same day.You dont have to wear a bow tie, said Simone, studying a well-dressed mannequin. She herself was dressed magnificently, in a tight dress that was an orange reminiscent of gloaming leaves. It was short, of course, and emphasized my breasts as much as was decently possible maybe more so. Bronze gamy heels completed the look. It was too fancy for tux shopping, but it looked great on her. Me. Us. Whatever.Seth wandered over to yield 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 think 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 passion 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 impress as I was, but finally looked away. He also took a step back.Maybe. But I dont really feel like my life currently hinges on whether I choose 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 scowl 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 while they examined cuts, colors, and all the myriad details that went into planning a lifelong commitment. The salesman couldnt bear away, of course, and finally swooped in to offer his assistance.This jacket would be very flattering with your build, he told Seth. It comes in pitch-black and gray, as well as a few others so it would definitely complement your dress. That last part was directed 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 onerous on the jacket. The salesman found Seths size, gushed with compliments, and then left the two of them to mull 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 needed 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. intercept what? asked Simone.You get laid 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. wherefore? Because you dont like it? contend on, Seth. How much longer are you going to keep fooling yourself? You know you still want me. This cheat 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. shutdown it with her. Or if you dont have the guts, then let us be together again. At the very to the lowest degree 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 bitch had tried to do. Impersonating me was bad enough, but now blatantly trying to lure Seth into her bed? Unforgiveable. I expected Seth to be outraged 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 stay away from me. Do not speak to me again or Maddie. There was a stern, warning tone in his words, that anger I rarely 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 but 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 justify 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 transport into the shop. Neither had I. Yet, even if the demon had strolled in openly, I think Seth would have had the same amazed and deeply disturbed reaction. The cool 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 joke about the silliness of Jeromes John Cusack guise, but underneath all that, Jerome was fucking scary. And when he turned his demonic wrath on a human, it was outright 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 and 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, le aning 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 fucking 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 message 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 response How?To start with, you can stop wasting time here with stupid 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.