Author's Note:
Hi Readers,
Once again, this is a *SPOILER WARNING* for those who have not read the Georgina Kincaid Series. This chapter is still set in the time between Succubus Heat and Succubus Shadows. The story will be returning to its regular motion during the next chapter.
There is also a MAJOR SPOILER for the final book Succubus Revealed in this chapter. If you don't want to read it, please skip the section that begins and ends with '(Spoilers Below)'.
- RCap
True to my vow of protection, the drink Rose handed me was my only one of the night. I needed to ensure I was of right mind if anything should happen to her. She was my responsibility. I watched her from afar as she interacted with Georgina's friends, both immortal and human and glided between the open rooms of the house.
The messy lounge room that I had followed Rose into, had bottles strewn all over the floor just begging for someone to trip on them. If it hadn't been for my Dhampir reflexes, I would have fallen victim to exactly that. She came to rest against the far back wall, leaning up against it as she fiddled with her cup. I followed her and leant up next to her.
"I would hate to see the guy I love marry another woman," Rose abruptly said once I had settled next to her.
Her brown eyes were bloodshot, and her cheeks flushed from her drinking, even her steps were a tad sluggish. Her long hair had been tied into a high ponytail and it flicked me with every turn of her head.
"Hmm?" I mumbled
"Georgina" she sighed, pointing with her cup to Georgina, who was dressed as Little Bo Peep talking with Seth and his fiancée Maddie.
"Georgina loves Seth?" I really didn't want to get involved in the drama of people I didn't know or associated with, but the concern plastered on Rose's face told me that it wasn't something she liked her friend being around.
"They were involved. He cheated on her with Maddie" she sighed
"That's horrible!" I growled, "How could any man betray someone they care about like that?"
Rose shrugged, "Beats me. Maddie doesn't know but. So she keeps trying to drag Georgina into her wedding planning"
"Does that explain the outburst in her office earlier?"
"Yep. I tried to calm her down, but that Seth guy has really fucked her up" Rose finished off her drink before discarding the red cup on the nearest table "She's a succubus that wishes she was human" she sighed sadly.
I couldn't see how she had handled all that was going on around us. Nephilim? Succubi? Demons? Before today I didn't know there was even anything else that fell into the same category as us, but now it had hit me with full force.
"Rose what is going on here?" I sighed annoyingly
"What do you mean?" She asked, genuine confusion showing on her face
"Here in this house. All these 'immortals' as that guy Roman said. You haven't filled me in on anything"
Rose looked at me for a few seconds before replying, "Hell is real Comrade. The immortals in this rooms signed contracts with one of Hell's Imp thereby selling their souls to Hell. All except Roman"
"Why would anyone sell their soul?"
"They all have their reasons Dimitri. Some more than others I guess. They made mistakes in their mortal lives and wanted them fixed" Rose snapped defensively.
"And then they become these…things?"
"Yep, and they further Hell more by buying more souls or condemning them".
As Rose explained more and more to me, her face didn't waver. It was blank and almost emotionless. She told me about the Arch Demon in Seattle. Jerome. That he didn't like our kind and she would need his permission before visiting Georgina. Before visiting his territory.
She explained what Georgina did for Hell and why she had had such an effect on me earlier. The further she delved into the life of the immortals here the more I felt ill. There was a whole other supernatural force among us that we had no clue existed. They were that good at covering themselves up, that we are completely oblivious to it behind our wards.
Eventually, Rose let the alcohol get the better of her and I practically had to carry her out of the house. Roman offered to help me get her to the car, but I waved him off respectfully and asked him to say goodbye for Rose and I to Georgina.
Once we were in the car, Freddie began the journey back to the hotel. Not even two minutes into the trip, Rose leaned over into my lap. Resting her head on my leg, I watched as her eyes fluttered closed and her hand that rested on my leg go limp.
It took me a couple of seconds to assess what was happening below me. She was just tired and intoxicated, so I let me hand rest protectively on her shoulder, my fingers tapping along with the music playing softly on the radio.
You're in my blood
I let my fingers dance across the flawless skin of her shoulder and arm. As they brushed her carefully, small shocks shot all through my body.
You're in my veins
She nestled comfortably in my lap, her breathing slow and steady as she slept. I couldn't help but observe her from above. She looked at peace while she slept.
You're in my head
She was in my head. She had wormed her way in from the moment I had first seen her. She consumed all my thoughts, my dreams and my desires. I no longed protected her because I was told to, but because I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if something happened to her.
I thought about how she had brought my emotions to the surface. My jealousy over Adrian and Zachariah had been instantaneous without me even knowing her or their personal situations. I had been protective over her since the second I saw her.
My heart had broken for her when I'd seen the scars that covered her body and when she spoke about the death of her mom. She was a troubled young woman and although she had her father's love, she needed more and she deserved more.
Before realizing it, I had begun stroking her cheek. She seemed to relax further into my touch, almost melting into it. Looking down at her sleeping form, it was like all my breath was being taken from my lungs.
I traced her bottom lip with the pad of my thumb as it pouted slightly. It filled me with an urge to kiss it and make it mine, much like she had done with me during our flight to Seattle. Her lip felt soft under my light touch, grazing into each divot of that lip, as if it were an ancient map.
I wish she had known how painful my fixation on her was becoming, how falling in love with her was tearing me apart from the inside. I kept trying to find reasons for me not to feel this way, reasons to tear me away from her. But I just couldn't. I couldn't leave her. I needed her just as much as she needed me to protect her.
Her presence filled me with warmth, warmth that I hadn't felt since my much younger days. I had lived log enough to known that what I felt for her I couldn't replicate with someone else. I could be assigned to a Moroi halfway across the world and I would still have a reason to return to her.
The woman below me was quickly becoming my entire world.
I was expecting Rose to sleep much into the day, which is why I was surprised that she was up and about at 8am.
She was applying her makeup in the mirror of the bathroom while taking casual sips of coffee. She was already dressed as well. Her heels clicking along as she moved across the tiled floor. There was something different about her this morning. There wasn't the normal glistening in her eyes nor her confidence.
"What's going on Roza?" I mumbled as I threw the sheets off me
"I have to meet with the Arch Demon" she said, her voice shaking slightly as she spoke
"Why?"
"I don't know" she whispered as a sad smile appeared on her face.
An hour later we were waiting patiently in the back room of a bar. It was a simple room, with the walls painted a hospital green-beige and a floor that had old and worn grey carpet. The lighting was adequate at best, a single cold white light hung above some of the only furniture that the room had. A small wooden circle table with three chairs placed around it. Nothing about the room screamed safe or sanitary. It was dark and worrying. Rose sat down in one of the wooden chairs and placed her purse on the ground next to her. She played with the knee length hem of her tight black skirt as her knee bounced up and down rapidly.
Even though I was standing against the wall off to the side of her, I could still feel her nerves radiating off her. I had never seen her in this state before a 'meeting'. She was always so calm and confident. She looked petrified and she even jumped slightly when the door flung open and someone who I can only assume was Jerome walked in.
Why does he look like John Cusack?
"Rosemarie" Jerome muttered as he closed the door behind him. Rose didn't look his way, nor did she get up to greet him.
"It's been a while Jerome" she said softly, averting eye contact.
"How have you been?" He asked slyly.
I wanted to wipe the shit-eating grin that was plastered across his face. Rose had warned me about him though.
"Whatever happens in that room Comrade, I need to you stay against the wall. Don't come running the rescue if things get out of hand. He won't hurt me, but he will kill you if you get in his way. Please trust me".
I had to keep playing those words repeatedly in my head to keep myself in check.
"Can we skip the pleasantries Jerome. What do you want this time?" Rose announced, her voice slightly stronger but there was still fear in her voice.
(Spoilers Below)
"He's on his last life Rosemarie. I need to make sure you weren't encouraging a relationship between them while you have been here"
"I wasn't" she whispered, "I can see how much she's hurting though. You really think they will be able to stay away from each other until he dies?"
"I bring in the people I need to ensure that doesn't happen" Jerome said through gritted teeth, frustration showing in his eyes, "It just so happens you are one of them"
"I live in fucking Turkey Jerome, there is only so much that I can do from there. I can't physically hold her back from him. Why don't you just move them away from each other"
The tension between the Demon and Rose was thick and filled the entire room. Anyone would be able to tell that they despised each other, but there was something underlying that hatred. Something I just couldn't figure out.
"Some plans are already set in motion for the future. Don't worry about that" Jerome scoffed
(End of Spoilers)
I was beyond confused at this point. I wasn't sure who they were referring to being on their last life. Was this something to do with Georgina? The two of them continued to bicker between them. I got lost in the conversation as they didn't drop any names, but I could see Rose's fire coming through the calm exterior she had placed on for this meeting. Jerome's roar of words snapped me back to the conversation in front of me.
"You do as I tell you!" Jerome roared, taking a step closer to Rose. My body instantly readied itself to protect her
"I'm not one of your employees!" Rose stood up this time, "Our deal was settled a long time ago Jerome! I don't owe you shit!" she took a tiny step closer to him as he glared down below at her
"Watch your mouth Dhampir" he snarled
"Why? You aren't allowed to kill me, nor do you want to. I've proven myself too valuable to your superiors, so I wouldn't go throwing empty threats around"
What the fuck was Rose doing. I could feel Jerome's anger pulsating through the entire room, his eyes filled with hatred as he looked down at Rose.
He won't hurt me.
I forced my body to relax when Jerome's eyes flickered towards me up against the wall and back to Rose. Looking into his eyes made me skin crawl and the hairs on my arms to stand up. It was like looking at death.
Without warning, Jerome gripped Rose's neck roughly, pushing her back slightly. But she didn't react, she didn't yelp. She just continued to stare. I was frozen in watching the standoff happening before me. My eyes flicked constantly between Jerome and the side of Rose's face, his face was unreadable. I didn't know how to figure out his next move, I didn't know if he was going to hurt Rose or not. I didn't want to take that chance.
Trust me.
"Go on Jerome" Rose taunted, confidence now filling her once shaky voice
Jerome growled as he tightened his grip on her neck slightly. My hands twitched with anticipation. I wanted to rip his hands off her neck. How dare he lay his hands on her.
"My debt was repaid Jerome. I'll do my best to keep Georgina and Seth away from each other, but I think it's pointless".
They stayed like that for several seconds, just staring at each other. Rose's gaze was now as hard and cold as the Jerome's. Without warning, he shoved her away as he let go of her neck, she steadied herself quickly which allowed me to relax my body. She was right.
He wasn't going to hurt her.
Rose had made a deal with Jerome, that's why she got so defensive when I questioned why anyone would sign their lives away in return for a favour. She may not have sold her soul, but she had made a deal with him for something.
It was strangely interesting to watch these two together. They couldn't harm each other for different reasons, but they were at each other's throats. Their shared hatred of each other filling the room like a poisonous gas and their stares acting like physical blows. I doubt Rose, nor I could hurt Jerome, but he could do some serious damage to the both of us.
Rose didn't adjust her position. She smoothed out her dark purple blouse before continuing, "Separate them and bring in something to make sure they stay separated" Rose said strongly, "The fights will come naturally and then they will drift apart"
"You sure say a lot for someone who is meant to be friends with Georgie"
"I don't want him anywhere near Georgina" Rose snarled
"We have finally found something to agree on after all these years Rosemarie" Jerome laughed
Rose laughed without humor before glaring at Jerome, "Don't let him fuck with her anymore"
Did she just threaten a demon?
"We are trying"
Did he just take it?
Jerome just stared at Rose, not commenting on what she said nor her new found attitude towards him. Rose moved around the table to pick her bag up off the ground and I was able to see her full face again. She had no fear whatsoever left in her features. I spotted the slight redness on her neck from where Jerome had gripped her.
"We aren't done here Rosemarie" Jerome growled
"I think we are Jerome" she flicked her hair over her shoulder, "Dimitri and I have a girl to see and then a flight to catch"
"Leaving Seattle so soon?" he smiled devilishly
"Only because I have more pressing matters in my own business. I'd love to stick around and get myself more involved in yours, but this isn't my problem to fix or help fix".
"You've done your share I guess" his smile not faltering, "I will be in contact Rosemarie"
"I won't" Rose growled under her breath before heading for the door, I followed closely behind, daring a glance behind me to see the look on the demon's face, but he was gone.
Once we had made it out of the bar and onto the busy sidewalk, Rose let out a massive sigh, "God he makes me want to drink myself to death"
"What the fuck was that about?" I growled, "You had a deal with him?"
Rose spun around to face me, "The deal I made is no one's business. It was an agreement, not a contract" she hissed.
She was right, it was none of my business. But after witnessing what had happened in that room I was beyond worried. This was no longer just shady mobster deals, they were real deals and altercations with Hell.
Rose began walking into the large crowds surrounding us, completely ignoring Freddie waiting by the town car on the curb. Both Freddie and I shrugged before going our seperate ways. I followed Rose and Freddie trailed behind us both in the town car, merging with the traffic and following our trail, which i assumed was heading towards the bookstore that Georgina worked at.
There was always something I found mesmerising about big cities. Maybe it was the vitality and pulse that modern city life had that we didn't get to experience living so secluded from humans. If I closed my eyes, I would be embraced by the orchestral sounds of cars honking their horns, people chattering and feet hitting the pavement. And when I opened my eyes, tall buildings, large crowds and billboards would encompass my line of sight.
But I didn't live in a world where I was able to appreciate the simplicity of a Human's lifestyle. Being a Guardian, I had to learn to hate large crowds as they could hide the dangers that we trained to kill. They wanted us to avoid sensory overload that would come when we couldn't decipher or interpret all the sounds that a busy city possessed. I had to be careful and I couldn't let it distract me.
It didn't matter what they tried to teach me or engrain in my senses. I loved big cities. I may bee a self confessed introvert, but i enjoyed people watching. As long as I found myself surrounded by crowds of bustling people going about their normal lives, I was able to believe for a few seconds that I had it as easy as they did. I was able to believe that my life wasn't in danger every day. There was no particular need for the towering sky scrapers or the flashy billboards, only the streets abounding with people and the sounds of an active environment surrounding me.
Rose stopped suddenly causing me to almost walk into her and jolted me out of my thought. She stared down at the phone in her hands, not saying anything.
"Roza?" I asked quietly, "Are you okay?"
She didn't acknowledge me, she just continued to stare at her phone. I moved one of the strands of hair that had fallen in front of her and tucked it behind her ear, savouring the silky feel of it between my fingers and the way it glistened in the light.
"Yeah, it's just-" Rose cut herself off, still looking down at the phone in her hands
"It's just what Roza?" I asked again, my voice soft and encouraging
"My brother is at Court" she whispered as she looked up at me, her brown eyes wide with worry.
