Succubus Revealed Chapter 17

In spite of my sorrow oer Seth, I was sleek over ready for a storm. It hadnt re only in in all in ally registered at the time, further when I woke up on New Years mean solar sidereal day with a wine-induced headache, I accepted the startling truth I was challenging Hell.Who did that? No cardinal, thats who. My friends had hinted as a great deal, and I certainly had plenty of myths and pop culture to enlighten me to the highest degree the futile human dream of thwarting Hells will. I had my own experience to go on too. Id sign(a) away my soul for all eternity. Thither wasnt much wiggle room with that. And yet, in spite of all the things Id seen and all the people Hell had crushed, here I was, daring to say Hell had no take on either my soul or Seths.I expect to hear ab egress it directly. I expected a huge uproar, perhaps in the process of Jerome demo up in my condo in all his brimstone glory, threatening me for my impertinence. At the very least, I expected a letter o f lam credit from Hell, more or lessthing along the lines of, Thank you very much for your inquiry. We will respond to you inside 4?C6 weeks.Nothing. New Years Day passed quietly. So did the next. I continued my pattern of packing and making Las Vegas preparations, all the while holding my glimmering for The Next Big Thing.I mind something would surely happen a week later, when the long-awaited bowl tourney came nigh. Jerome and Nanette had flipped for it, and hed won, meaning we got to hold the match here in Seattle. It saved us from making a trigger take out to Portland, save for the sake of fairness, Nanette got to pick the bowling pathway. Rather than our dive at Burts, she chose a more than upmarket place, not far from the mall Id worked at.I hadnt seen Jerome since Id filed the petition and was ready now to face his wrath. I didnt hunch forward if Nanettes lesser immortals would fuck well-nigh the request, equable I felt certain she would by now. She and Jerome cogency be rivals of sorts, notwithstanding at the end of the day, they were twain committed to Hell winning. I was correcting to thwart that and wouldnt crap been surprised to find her sharing in Jeromes outrage.Good luck, roman told me, as I prepared to leave the condo. Remember to watch your footing.I sighed. I wish you were coming with me.He offered me a small smile. Me too. entirely that work, and I wont scour allow to see my students final exam.Roman could hide his nephilim signature from greater immortals, but considering the way his kind were hunted, wed decided it would be best if he steered clear of Nanette while she was in town. Jeromes reason to let Roman stay was two highly unusual and dangerous. If an other archdemon discovered the truth, both Roman and Jerome would be in a masses of trouble.Im afraid of what Ill face from Jerome, I say.Dont be. Roman came forward and be his manus on my shoulder. Youre not doing boththing wrong. They did. Youre strong , Georgina. Stronger than them, stronger than Hell.I leaned my head against him. Why are you so nice to me?Because Carters not your only fan. When I looked back up, I saw Romans green eyes were deadly serious. Youre a funny woman, unspoiled by your own nature. Smart. Funny. Compassionate. But whats unfeignedly great is that youre so easy to unde waitimate. I did when we prototypic met, you know. And Hell is now. No matter what their reaction to your appeal is, I guarantee most of them doubt you pay a adventure. Youre going to prove them wrong. Youre going to break the unbreakable. And Ill be there helping you, as much as I can.Youve done enough, I told him. More than enough. More than I could have ever asked. in a flash you queer to sit back and let me do . . . well, whatever I have to do now.Georgina, theres something you hire to know. . . . His face grew troubled.What? I asked. Oh God. You havent heard something from Jerome that I havent, have you?I He bit his lip as he paused, whence shook his head. His features smoothed out. Forget it. Im just going to worry you over nothing. You focus on bowling tonight, okay? Show those Portlandians that . . . fuck, I dont know. That youre a force to be reckoned with in the bowling alley.I laughed and gave him a quick hug. Ill see what I can do. How intimately we talk when I get back, okay? Well grab a drink. I knew there was something big here he wasnt telling me, no matter how easily hed tried to brush it off.Id resembling that. Good luck.When I arrived at the bowling alley, cocksucker nearly sank in relief when he saw me. I conceptualise hed been afraid Id show up without my goddamned Rollers shirt. Through whatever means Hell possessed, all the other patrons in the alley were playacting on one side. The other half was empty, save for cardinal lanes occupied by my colleagues. I was the terminal to arrive and approached with trepidation, unsure of my wel take after.Jerome was sprawled comfortably i n a c blur, and while it was in better shape than the ones at Burts, Im not really sure it deserved the throne same(p) airs he was putting on. Nanette sat across from him, aspect equally regal. Her pale blond hair was rolled into an elegant coif, giving her kind of a pad Kelly look. Her dress was a pale blue shift with a fuzzy gray cardigan over it, the honour of the look clashing with the unnecessary vampish sunglasses she was wearing.Ah, Georgie, tell Jerome. Right on time and in police squad colors. He favored Nanette with a lazy smile. Ready for some humility?Yours? she asked him. Always.Neither gave me much more tutelage than was due for the last person to fill a squad spot. No mention of the contract, no mention of my petition. Glancing around and taking in the full roster here, I saw that Mei had in either case come to watch the spectacle. The demoness was dressed in corporate black, matching her bluntly cut black hair and heavy eyeliner. Only her red lips provided color to the palette. She most certainly knew about my situation, but like her superiors, she moreover glanced my way.Carter was there, which I had not expected. Nanette and her cronies were clearly uneasy about this. Although all greater immortals, be they angels or demons, dual-lane a certain world weariness with immortality and the Great Game, few were able to bond over it so well as Carter and Jerome. Their relationship was unique, and Nanette clearly felt no camaraderie with the angel. Whereas I received minuscule of her attention simply because I was an underling, Carter she ignored as though he didnt unconstipated exist.He gave me a small smile as I sat down, his gray eyes full of amusement. He was seance with my friends, perfectly at ease, while Nanettes bowling team regarded him warily. I hoped maybe his presence would throw off their game. There were four of them, just like us, though theyd actually drafted Nanettes lieutenant demon, Malachi, to play for them. Roundin g them out were a succubus named Tiara, an imp named Roger, and a vampire named V.Whats the V stand for? I asked.He just stared at me, face blank.They were an impressive-looking bunch, with deep red bowling shirts and sparkling black embroidery that read take to task MAY CARE on the back.Thats not even a real team name, beak speak to me disapprovingly. And those sparkles are just tacky.Like ours, their shirts were standard button-ups with their names on the front. Only Malachis was different, with a small designation declaring him Captain. I guess he needed to make sure his status was asserted over that of the lesser immortals. There was something lean and sinister about them, and in our baby blues, I felt down decently valued and cuddly.A waitress came by with drinks, and once Jerome had a glass of scotch in hand, he deemed transactions fit to start. There was a part of me that wouldnt have minded a gimlet or two, but I didnt think alcohol was the best call just now. It had n othing to do with team solidarity or messing up my game. When surrounded by unknown and possibly untrustworthy immortals, it was always a good conceit to keep your wits about you. And when you were possibly on Hells radar for dissension, it was an excellent brain.In my usual prosperous way, I cease up having to go first. With all my worries about Seth and the contracts, my mind wasnt exactly center on all of Romans good instructions, but I nonetheless did my best to recall his training. I ended up hitting seven and then two pins. Not the greatest, but certainly not the worst. My teammates cheered me voraciously, both because motherfucker had sent us all a lengthy e-mail earlier in the day about pep and because with our track record, nine wasnt that bad.Tiara went after me, and as she retrieved her ball, Cody whispered to me how shed gotten in a make out with management earlier because shed wanted to wear stilettos on the lanes. Shed apparently conceded to wear proper bowling property in the end, but unless thered been a significant trend change in the industry, shed ended up utilize her shape-shifting powers to make the shoes more to her liking. They were gold and encrusted with jewels.Yet those werent the worst part of her attire. That came in the form of her Devil May Care shirt, which I was pretty sure had shrunk about three sizes since I arrived. The buttons that were still actually fastened looked like they were about to burst. I winced as all that cleavage walked past me, and I wanted to cover my eyes when she reached the lane and bent over unnecessarily far, in tack together to leave alone everyone a solid view of her ass. Her jeans were nearly as tight as the shirt.That is not a polity stance, declared Peter. He studied her critically for a few moments. I believe shes trying to head off us.I scoffed. Oh, you think?Hey Peter elbowed Cody and Hugh who judging by their gaping mouths were not catching on to Tiaras maneuver as easily as the r est of us. Focus. Remember what youre playing for Jeromes good will.Nothing wrong with looking, say Hugh. Besides, theres no way she can hit some(prenominal)thing with that His words cut off as Tiara threw. Her ball fiendish into the pins and knocked all ten over. With a little smirk and a lot of hip swaying, she strutted back proudly to her seat.Shit, said Hugh.Ready to focus yet? asked Peter.The imp shook his head, still in awe. I dont think its going to matter, not if they all bowl like that.They cant all bowl like that, countered Cody. But he didnt sound so sure.Noticing our consternation, Tiara favored us all with a glossy-lipped smile. We can call it quits right now if you want. We can go back to my hotel and have a party. She tossed her highlighted curls over one shoulder, and her gaze rest on me. I can also give you some styling advice if you want.Oh my God, I muttered. This is why I hate other succubi. I could almost give Hell credit for finding me the only appealing on e in Vegas, even if it had been part of a more elaborate scheme.Tiara soon became the least of our worries as her teammates took their becomes. Strikes and spares all around, quickly surpassing our mix of erratic spares and . . . whatever it was Peter threw. As we moved further into the game, I glanced over at Jerome and saw that his smile had vanished, as had his cocky good mood. At least I could feel confident it had nothing to do with my contract.V proved to be the most startling of the bowlers. Whe neer his turn came, he walked up unhesitatingly, didnt even pause or aim, and threw strikes every time. Every time. He also neer spoke a single world.How is he doing that? exclaimed Cody. He glanced at Carter, who was watching everything with quiet amusement. Is he employ some kind of power?No illicit ones, said Carter. Just his own God- disposed . . . er, Hell-given abilities.I hadnt really been worried about the other team cheating or Nanette helping them. I knew Jerome would kee p her in check, and Carters angelic presence was kind of a safeguard against dishonest activity. But his words struck something within me.Of course, I murmured. Hes just using what hes got enhanced reflexes and senses. Hes a vampire. Hes physically better at everything. No ask it didnt seem like he needed to aim. He probably was he was just doing it really, really fast. I turned to Cody and Peter. How come you guys cant do that?Silence met me.Codys our best player, pointed out Hugh.True, I admitted. Cody had learned very quickly, and I supposed the difference in his and Vs abilities made sense simply because V had been playing a lot longer. But how do you explain Peter?No soundbox had an answer for that, least of all Peter.Cody actually seemed to describe inspiration from V and the realization that being a vampire should provide some natural ability. Codys already solid performance soon improved, and I wished Roman could see him. Still, it wasnt enough to save us in that first gam e. We lost pretty terribly. Since Jerome and Nanette had agreed to best of three, this meant we had two more chances for redemption. I had mixed feelings about this. Jeromes face was growing stormier, so there was some comfort in thinking we might be able to head off his wrath.On the other hand, I wouldnt have minded ending this as quickly as possible. Maybe the Devil didnt care, but I was growing increasingly sick of the other team. I was pretty sure Tiaras outfit was acquiring increasingly tighter and more revealing. Although he never spoke, Vs smug expressions conveyed condescension levels that words never could.And yet, neither of them was as bad as Roger the imp. Every time he got a strike or a spare, he trumpeted his victory with some sort of money-related expression, such as Jackpot or A penny saved is a penny earned Sometimes they didnt even make whatever sense in the situation, like when he shouted, Its like throwing pearls before swine When he started inexplicably quotin g lyrics to Cant acquire Me Love at the start of the second game, I really thought I was going to bear it.Cody nudged me. Hes getting tired. So is Tiara.I glanced up at the scoreboard. It was a slight change, but those two were showing fewer strikes than spares and sometimes not even getting spares. Malachi remained consistently good, and V remained unstoppable. Over on our team, Peter and I hadnt changed, but Cody had continued and was succeeding in trying to prove his vampire skills. Hugh was also alter slightly, a phenomenon wed seen with Roman sometimes. It was as though the imp needed to warm up in order to remember how to avoid his arms tendency to throw curves. I exchanged glances with Cody. I dont know that its enough.Youve done better than this in practice, he told me gently. I know youve got a bunch of stuff going on, but try to think if Roman was here. What hed say. thus look at Jeromes face and tell me you dont want us to come out on top.I didnt really care about J erome keeping his pride around Nanette, but my friends well-being did concern me. I knew their happiness would be directly influenced by Jeromes unhappiness. Sighing, I answered Cody with a unconquerable nod and tried to step up my game, racking my brains for all the words of wisdom that Roman had given me over the last couple of weeks. I admit, I hadnt always been paying as much attention as I could have.Nonetheless, something started clicking for me. I was a long way from being a pro anytime soon, but between me, Cody, and Hugh, we slowly began to keep up with Nanettes team. It was so subtle and so gradual that when we won by two points, everyone including my teammates and me could hardly believe it had happened. We all stared at the scoreboard in stunned silence. Only Carter was able to get anything out.That, he told Roger exuberantly, is how a bird in the hand gets up before the early worm.That doesnt make any sense, said Roger.Carter pointed at the scoreboard. Neither does t hat, but there you have it.Nanettes cool composure had vanished. I dont know if beating Jerome meant that much to her or if people in Portland just took bowling really seriously, but she immediately demanded a five-minute break. We watched as she pulled her team to the far side of the alley and gave them a talk. Judging from her wild hand motions and occasional expletives, it didnt sound like a very heartening talk. I glanced over at Jerome, who still kind of seemed to be in disbelief.Any words of wisdom for us, boss? I asked.He considered. Yes. Dont lose.Cody was already clinging to Peters arm. You have to come through for us here. We barely beat them just now, and you know shes putting the tending of God in them. That alone is going to give them some improvement. If you can just . . . I dont know. build fewer splits. Do something. We can win this, but we need you.Peter threw up his hands. Dont you think I would if I could?When Nanette and friends returned, they showed us that th ey were adding a new strategy to their repertoire catcalling. Every time one of the Unholy Rollers went up to play, we were serenaded with insults about everything from our appearance to our abilities to our bowling shirts. That last one really set Peter on edge, and Tiara picked up on it quickly.Did you pick that up at a thrift store? Oh, wait, they screen their items first. Theyd never take a piece of shit like that.Whats with that color? Its like a reject from a boys baby shower.If your crappy shirts are going to say Unholy Rollers, shouldnt you at least be coil the ball? That was more of a caber toss.Peter took it all in silence, but I could see him graceful increasingly agitated. Hugh grimaced and leaned toward me. Shes really not that funny. Id expect better from a succubus.At least Peter isnt doing any worse, I said. Hes just getting splits in new and interesting ways.Which arent going to save us, though, said Cody grimly.It was true. We were staying even with them, but jus t barely. And when we were halfway through the game, it became clear we were slipping. Jerome was looking pissed off again, and Nanettes confidence had returned. sustain on, you guys, said Carter, whom I hadnt expected to become a cheerleader. You can do this. Youre better than them.It wasnt the angels enthusiasm that changed the course of the game, however. It was when V finally spoke. Peter had just thrown his ball and amazingly knocked down four pins, which left wing behind a kind of three-way split Id never even known was possible. We were all taken back.You are the worst vampire Ive ever seen, said V, staring at the pins wide-eyed.I dont know what it was about those words that succeeded where our encouragement and Tiaras bad fashion taunts had failed. But suddenly, Peter became a vampire. And not just any vampire. A vampire who could bowl.From that point forward, everything he threw was a strike. And much like V, Peter didnt even take it. He just walked up and threw, letting his vampire reflexes do the work. He quickly surpassed everyone on our team in skill, even Cody. Really, the only person who could match him was V.But it was enough, and somehow, against all odds, we won the third game. Hugh, Cody, and I erupted into cheers and traded high fives with Carter. Peter remained much more stoic, however, and regarded the other team coolly. Dont count your chickens before theyre hatched, he told Roger. To Tiara, Peter said, That shade of red makes you look like you have jaundice. He paused. And like a whore.To V, Peter said nothing.Nanette and Jerome promptly got in an argument, most of which involved her making outlandish claims about how unfair it was to have two vampires on one team and how best of five would be the real determining factor. Jerome bantered back with her cheerfully. He was so smug about our victory, you would have thought he had thrown every ball himself. see her consternation was just icing on the cake for him.Well, he said at one poi nt, we could do two more games, but your team seems terribly worn out. Perhaps once they have some time to recover mentally and physically, we can Jerome stopped and cocked his head, like he was hearing music the rest of us couldnt. A strange look came over his face.Shit, he said.What? asked Nanette. She seemed to realize something other than bowling had caught his attention. come me, Carter had gone perfectly still.I have to go, said Jerome.And he went. Just like that, the demon vanished. I glanced around quickly, but no humans seemed to have noticed, thanks largely to our part of the bowling alley being deserted. Still, teleporting out like that in a public place was pretty irregular mien for a greater immortal. Even irreverent demons generally knew enough to be discreet among humans.Well, said Nanette. I guess theres no such thing as good winners. Sportsmanship is a lost art.I thought that was a stretch coming from her, particularly after her teams verbal tirade. In fact, they soon all degenerated into represent amongst themselves, each one making a plea to Nanette about how the loss had been someone elses fault.Georgina, said Carter, draftsmanship my attention back. The smile hed worn at our victory was gone. I think its a good idea if you go home.Why? I asked. We should celebrate. For the first time since the fallout with Seth, I actually felt like having fun with my friends. We need to call Roman too.Lets go to my place, said Peter. I can make up a meze platter in no time.Fine, fine, said Carter, casting a glance over at Mei. She was still in her seat, trying to observe all conversations at once. Lets just leave now. Ill teleport you when were in the parking lot.I tried to protest that, but Carter was too insistent on simply getting us all out of there. Minutes later, my teammates and I were headed out to the parking lot, still crowing over our victory and how Peter was the undisputed hero of the night.Georgina?I came to a halt. There, standing near my car, was Seth. Even in the bitter light of the parking lamps, everything about him seemed soft and inviting. The messy hair. The way he stood with his hands in his pockets. The Flock of Seagulls shirt that I could just make out underneath his flannel coat.What are you doing here? I asked, taking a few steps forward. My friends had come to an uncertain stop behind me. They all knew about my rocky state of affairs with Seth and watched me nervously.Seth glanced at my backup and then at me. I . . . I wanted to talk to you.Thats not what you said the last time we talked, I said. The harsh words were out before I could stop them. I knew I should jump on the chance to talk, on Seths willingness to talk at last . . . but some hurt place in me responded first.I know, said Seth. I probably dont deserve it. But . . . Ive been thinking about a lot of things, and then theres all this weirdness going on I dont quite understand . . . like, my mom moving in with you? And do you know why all t hese toy ponies keep showing up on Terrys limen?Why dont you come over to our place and have your heart-to-heart there, said Peter. Itll go better with humus and wine.Staring at Seth, I felt my heart ache. This could be it, just like Carter had said at New Years, about how Seth and I still managed to come back to each other. I swallowed, both scared and anxious. Maybe I should meet you guys later, I said. Seth and I can go somewhere and talk first.Georgina, said Carter anxiously, you really need to The car seemed to come out of nowhere, and, considering the way things worked in my world, it might literally have done so. All I knew is that one moment we were all standing around in the dark parking lot, and the next, a car was speeding toward us. Or rather, toward me. I couldnt discern any make or model and certainly not the driver. I probably wouldnt have known him or her anyway. All I saw were rapidly approaching headlights, heading toward where I stood alone, out in the readabl e between my friends and Seth.When the car hit me, there was an intense moment of pain that radiated through my whole body. Then I felt nothing. My sight shifted, and I had the surreal sense of looking down on my sprawled body while my friends hurried to me and the car sped away. Some were trying to talk to me, some were calling 911. Some were talk of the town to each other.The scene began to dissolve in my vision, fading to black. And not just the scene. Me. I was dissolving. I was losing all substance. I was becoming nothing.But as I faded away, as the world faded away, I heard a few last words from my friends before their joints also faded.Georgina Georgina That was Seth, saying my name like a prayer.Shes not breathing, said Cody. And she doesnt have a pulse. Hugh Do something. Youre a doctor.I cant, Hugh said softly. This is beyond me. Her soul . . . her souls not here.Of course it is said Cody. Souls stay with their immortals.Not in this situation, said Hugh.What are you tal k of the town about? exclaimed Seth, voice cracking. Carter You can fix this. You can fix anything. You have to save her.This is beyond me too, said Carter. Im sorry.Theres still one thing you can do, said Hugh. One thing you have to do.Yes, agreed Carter, voice full of sorrow. Ill go get Roman. . . .And then they were all gone.I was gone.