Succubus Revealed Chapter 6

Fortunately, no dictionaries or bats ever came into play, and lot and I fagged a pleasant night to scotchher. He sent me off that weekend in a good mood, and during the time I was with him, it was easy to debate this might entirely end well. Once I began the tedious part of travel by myself, the doubts began to set in.The ride to the airport, security, safety instructions . . . all miniscule things in and of themselves, save each one began to weigh on me. I just couldnt see Seth moving to Las Vegas not anytime soon, at least. That left unyielding-distance dating, and it was hard to imagine us going finished a trip deal this every . . . hell, I didnt know how often. And that was other(a) problem. What exactly did persistent-distance dating mean? Visits every week? either month? Too-frequent visits meant the irritation of travel. Too few put us in danger of bug out-of-sight, out-of-mind complications.So, naturally, I was all worked up by the time my charge landed in L as Vegas. And strangely, I took comfort remembering Jeromes words, of all things. If Seth and I had survived the huge problem of immortal?Cmortal dating, then really, what was a two-hour canvas ride comp atomic number 18d to that?We could make this work. We had to.T here(predicate)(predicate) she isA familiar, booming voice galvanise me as I was waiting at the baggage claim. I spun slightly and found myself looking up at the tanned good looks of Luis, Archdemon of Las Vegas. I permit him wrap me up in a giant hug, something he managed with remarkable delicacy, considering what a bear of a man he was.What are you doing here? I asked, once those muscled arms had released me. Realization hit me. Youre not here to pick me up, are you? I mean, dont you take a shit people who spend a penny people to do that kind of thing?Luis grinned at me, his dark eye sparkling. Sure, barely I couldnt trust an underling to pick up my preferred succubus.Oh, stop, I groaned. My bag came most th e carousel, but when I went for it, Luis brushed me excursion and slow lifted it up. As I followed him toward the parking garage, I couldnt make up begin to picture Jerome doing something ilk this.You scoff, but most of the succubi most here bore me to tears. Hell, most of our staff here does, Luis state. You get a complete range of personalities and talent levels with so many. The exceptional and the unexceptional. You, my dear, are exceptional.You dont beget to furnish to sweet-talk me into the job, I said, smiling in spite of myself. Not like I have a choice.True, he agreed. But I extremity you to be elated here. I ask everyone who works for me carrying stories closely how astonishing I am. It ups my cred at the annual company conference.Jeromes trying to up his by having us beat Nanettes employees in bowling.Luis laughed at that and led us out to a gleaming black Jaguar double-parked in the invalid zone. Once hed stowed my hold nerve, he even went so out-of-the-w ay(prenominal) as to able the door for me. Before starting the car, he leaned over conspiratorially and whispered loudly, If you want to shape-shift into something else, nows your chance while were still inside.Shape-shift into what?He shrugged. Youre in Vegas. Live the lifestyle. No need to resign yourself to jeans and sensible shoes. Give yourself a cocktail dress. Sequins. A corset. I mean, look at me.Luis gestured grandly at himself, just in case it was achievable to miss the gorgeous and undoubtedly custom Italian cause he was wearing.Its barely noon, I pointed out.Doesnt matter. I dress like this the sec I get out of bed.With a self-conscious look around the garage outside, I quickly shape-shifted out of my travel clothes and into a one-shoulder minidress that wrapped around me like a Grecian gown. The fabric glittered euphonious when it caught the light just safe. My long, light brown hair turned evenly glam. Luis nodded in approval.Now youre ready for the Bellagio.Th e Bellagio? I asked, impressed. I figured Id be shoved off to some crappy motel ten miles from the Strip. I amped up my penning for good measure.Well, he said, backing the car out, that is actually what the normal budget departs for when it comes to new employee visits. I was able to pull some extra currency and dip into my own pockets to upgrade you a bit.You didnt have to do that, I exclaimed. I could have paid for my own room somewhere. further, even as I said it, I knew that if accruing funds over the centuries was easy for someone like me, it was a million times easier for someone with Luiss lifespan. The car and his suit were believably bought with pocket change from his income. He undulationd off my concerns.Its nothing. Besides, my car would probably get stolen if I parked it at one of the budget-friendly places.The cars readout told me the outside temperature wasnt that far off from Seattles in December. The difference was in the light.Oh my God, I said, squinting out the window. I havent seen the sun in two months.Luis chuckled. Ah, just you wait until in high spirits summer, when the temps hit triple digits. It cooks most people alive, but for someone like you, youll love it. Hot and dry. Doesnt get below eighty at night.I loved Seattle. Even without Seth in the picture, I could have been happy there for many, many years. But, I had to admit, my one weakness with the region was the weather. relative to the extremes of the East Coast, Seattle was a very mild climate to live in. That meant it didnt get very anything. Not very cold, and certainly not very warm. The acerb weather we got in midsummer was fleeting, and then the mildness of the winter was vitiate with rain and clouds. By February, I was usually ready to start devour entire bottles of vitamin D. Id grown up on the beaches of the Mediterranean and still helpless them.This is great, I said. I wish I were visiting while it was warmer.Oh, you dont have long to wait, he told me. A nother month like this, and then the temperature allow start going up. You can break out your bikini by March. I thought that might be kind of an exaggeration but returned his grin nonetheless.We were approaching the Strip and all its glory. The buildings became more flamboyant and high-ticket(prenominal) looking. Sidewalks and streets grew more crowded. Billboards advertised every form of entertainment imaginable. It was like an adult-oriented study park.You seem pretty happy here, I said.Yup, Luis agreed. I lucked out. Not single is the place great, but I command one of the largest groups of Hellish servants in the world. When I saw your wee come up, I thought, Ive got to get her in on this. Something in his words put a crack in the rose-colored glasses I was viewing the wondrous sights around me done. When my name came up?Sure. We get e-mails all the time about transfers, job openings, whatever. When I saw you were cosmos moved out of Seattle, I tossed my hat into the ring .I turned toward the side window so he couldnt see my face. How long ago was that?Oh, I dont know. A while ago. He chuckled. You know how long these things take.Yeah, I said, trying to keep my voice light. I do.It was exactly what roman letters and I had talked about the painstakingly long time Hell took with military group decisions. Roman swore the circumstances surrounding this transfer were suspicious and implied a rush. Yet Luis was behaving as though everything had gone along according to perfect procedure. Was it possible there really had just been some oversight with Jeromes notification about my transfer?It was also possible, I knew, that Luis was lying. I didnt want to believe that of him, but I knew that no matter how friendly and likable he seemed, he was still a demon at the end of the day. I couldnt allow myself to be lulled into complete trust by his charm. We had a favorite utter among my friends How can you tell if a demon is lying? His lips are moving.I was surp rised to be transferred at all, I said. Ive been happy in Seattle. Jerome said . . . well, he said it was because I was a slacker employee. That I was being moved for bad behavior.Luis snorted and pulled into the driveway for the Bellagio. He did, huh? Well, dont beat yourself up, honey. If you want a reason for them pulling you out, my guess is that it has something to do with Jerome getting himself summoned and letting nephilim and pipe dream creatures run rampant with his succubus.I had nothing to say to that, but fortunately, we reached the hotels opening and yielded the car to a valet driver who seemed familiar with Luis and his generous tips. entree the Bellagio, I was soon awash in stimuli color and sound and life. A lot of the people moving in and out were dressed as glamorously as us, but plenty of average everyday people walked through as well. It was a mixing of all social classes and cultures, all here and united in search of enjoyment.Equally overwhelming was the in tense wave of human emotion. I didnt have any magic power to let me see emotion, exactly, but I was very good at translation faces and expressions. It was that same knack that had let me pick out the desperate and dim at the mall. This was the same, except magnified a hundred times. People swung the in full gamut of hope and excitement. Some were joyous and eager, either high off of predominate or ready to risk it all for triumph to come. Others had clearly assay it and failed. Their faces were full of despair, disbelief at how theyd ended up in this shoes and sorrow over their inability to fix things.Just as clear were the good marks. Some guys were so blatantly trolling for a aggregation that I could have propositioned them then and there. Others were ideal succubus bait, guys who had come here saying they were going to keep themselves in line but who could easily step off the edge of temptation with the right finessing. Even with my centre tied up with Seth, I couldnt h elp but take in and thrive under all the admiring looks I got. I was suddenly beamy Id taken Luis up on his shape-shifting suggestion.So easy, I murmured, staring around as we waited for an elevator. Theyre just there like . . .Cattle? suggested Luis.I make a face. Not quite the word I wanted.Not often difference.An elevator opened, and a cute twenty-something guy gestured me forward. I smiled winningly at him, agreeable the effect I had. After he exited on his floor, Luis winked at me and leaned over to whisper in my ear.Easy to get used to, huh?Our floor came next, and Luis nodded to our right when the door opened. A few steps down the hall, I realize something. I have a suite? I asked, startled. Thats a little much, even to make a good impression.Ah, well, thats what I didnt get a chance to tell you yet. You have a suite because it has more room. You have to share it with another new employee.I nearly came screeching to a halt. Here it was, the catch in what was otherwise a s ugar-coated fantasy. I envisioned myself rooming with another succubus and immediately knew Id be seeking other accommodations. Succubi forced into close proximity put reality show dramatic play to shame.I dont want to impose on anyones privacy, I said delicately, query how I could get out of this.Luis reached a door and took out a keycard. Nah, the place is huge. Two bedrooms and a sustentation room and kitchen that go on forever. He unlocked the door and opened it. You could avoid each other all weekend if you wanted to. But somehow, I dont think you will.I was about to question that, but suddenly, there was no need. Wed stepped into a living room as expansive as Luis had promised, all sleek lines and neo furniture, colored in shades of gold and green with dark woods trim. A long window offered a sweeping view of the city, and a man stood in front of it, admiring the panorama.I couldnt see his face, and something told me that even if I could, I probably wouldnt recognize it. That didnt matter. I knew him by his immortal signature, the fantastic sensory markers that distinguished him from everyone else. I could scarcely believe it, even as he turned around and smiled at me.Bastien? I exclaimed.