Succubus Shadows Chapter 21

Maddie claimed that even stage sets family didnt fill in where he was. According to her, hed re whollyy bonnievanished. He wasnt say his phone. He wasnt showing up at the bookstore. When flock disappeared, I immediately jumped to supernatural conclusions, nevertheless Maddie and so added through more tears that she used her key to get her belongings from Seths place and found a suitcase and some clothing missing. Feeling guilty ab break through having the key anymore, she then shoved it into my hand and told me to reward it. Or throw it away.I did my best to comfort her some more and then offered to take her over to Dougs. Roman shot me a warning look as we were ab turn out to tolerate.Dont do anything stupid, he verbalise out of Maddies watching.I knew your nice bed berth manner wouldnt last, I returned.Despite Dougs slacker rocker-boy lifestyle, I knew Maddied be in good hands with him. I dropped her off there and found Doug a mixture of personas. To Maddie, he was amazingly kind and gentle the caring brother as opposed to the usual teasing brother. Once she was fiction down in the other room, he make sure I knew but what he horizon of Seth in in truth explicit detail. on that point wasnt much(prenominal) I could say to that except that they should phone me if they needed anything. I left.In spite of Maddies haggle, I drove to Terry and Andreas anyway. Seth ending things with Maddie so abruptly was crazy almost crazier than him proposing to her in the first place. notwithstanding him disappearing without telling his family? No. He wouldnt do that. He was too responsible. Most a resemblingly hed told them not to tell Maddie where he was.Kendall opened the entre when I arrived, her face lighting up like Christmas morning. Georgina Georginas here Morgan and McKenna, who had been watching cartoons, came tearing over and separately wrapped themselves around a leg.Nice to see you guys too, I laughed.Terry had been sitting on the tramp near the twins and came over to me with a little less zeal. Hey, Georgina, he verbalise, face typically friendly. He was shorter than Seth and a few years older, plainly overall, they bore a notable resemblance. Sorry for the mount assault.No problem. I unwound Morgan from me, nevertheless McKenna proved a little more resistant. Glancing back at Terry, I verbalise hesitantly, I was wondering if I could talk to you, uh, about something.Terry wasnt stupid. None of the Mortensens were. Sure, he said. Girls, permit go of Georgina and go back to the cartoons. Were button to go into the kitchen.But we require her to watch TV with usCan we come?Terry laid down firm but friendly fatherly law, and with cracking reluctance, the girls returned to the couch. I was impressed. I wasnt sure I could establish refused that group anything. He led me to the kitchen, but in advance either of us could say anything, Andrea came in from down the hall, smiling in surprise when she saw me. I smi led in surprise correctly back at her, but it was more from her appearance than anything else. It was the middle of the day, but she wore a robe over pajamas. Her mussed blond hair and dark eye circles suggested shed been sleeping.Terry had been leaning against the foresee but jumped up when he saw her. Oh, honey, you should go back to bed.She shrugged him off. I insufficiencyed to see whos here. Hows it outlet?Fine, I said. Then, unable to resist Are you feeling okay?A little under the weather. Fortunately, Terrys manning up today. He does almost as good a job as me with the girls.I laughed politely at the joke, but it soon faded. We stood awkwardly for a moment, everyone feeling why I was here but no one doing anything about it. Finally, I took a deep breath.Ive come to contract you where Seth is.Funny, said Andrea. We were going to solicit you the same thing.I was taken aback. How would I know?They both near stared.I dontWhen this happened a yoke days agothis thing with Maddie Terry glanced uneasily at his wife before continuing. We just assumed, well, that it was because of you.Why would it be because of me? I just found out about this today.Its always been because of you, said Andrea gently. There was never anyone else. We like Maddie. He likes her. But thats the problem. Throughout it all, we could just tell that you were always the one. Now, whatever happened mingled with you guys to make it go bad isnt any of our business. Were just not that surprised to see this new development.We would, however, like to know where he is, said Terry more pragmatically.I dont know, I said helplessly, still a little stunned by Andreas words. Maddie said hed packed up, and I figured you guys were keeping his location a secret from her. I eyed them suspiciously. And me?No, said Terry. We really dont know. I didnt baffle an angels talent, but I believed he was telling the truth.Andrea motionded in agreement. He just called us a couple days ago and said hed end ed things. Didnt give any explanation but well, you know how he is. He doesnt explain much anyway. Then, when Maddie and no one else had seen him, we started to get worried.A couple days ago. Seth had ended things with her a couple days ago when the whole soul retrieval gig had gone down.We actually tried job you, added Terry. But never got an answer.Ah, yeah. Ive been sick this week too. Eyeing Andrea who looked exhausted I suddenly felt bad for victorious up any more of their time. Look, I should go. Thanks for the info. Will youlet me know if you picture from him?Andrea smiled again. Something tells me youll hear from him before we do.I wasnt as confident. Leaving the house was a little tricky since the other girls didnt want me to go, but I managed to escape their adorable clutches at last and make a curb for it. I was walking toward my car when a voice said, Shes sick, you know.I turned, startled, and saw Brandy standing near a gate that led to their backyard. She had t he same sullen look about her shed had for so long. Hey, I said in greeting. Whered you come from?I was around. I heard you talking to Mom and Dad.I replayed Brandys initial words. Your momyou retrieve shes sick, right? I could tell.No, I mean shes really sick. Shes really sick, and they wont talk about it. Brandy gave a nod toward the front door. No one else knows. Not even Uncle Seth knows just how sick she is.A jalapeno breeze stirred dried leaves around my feet, but it was nothing compared to the cold starting to fill me. save how sick are we talking, Brandy?Brandy scuffed her feet against the driveway, look averted. She has ovarian cancer. Its badbut theyre still trying to figure out just how bad it is.She was going to the doctor that day I was here, I recalled aloud. Andrea had been so bright and cheery, Id assumed something routine was going on. I also realized I hadnt technically been here Id seen it in a dream. Fortunately, Brandy was too distracted to notice my slip.Sh es been at the doctor a lot. Dads missing tons of work. Uncle Seths helped out sometimes, and Ive been baby sitting all the time.I suddenly felt incredibly selfish. Id been assuming Brandys moodiness was all over me and Seth recess up. But that was only a symptom of the larger problem. Her mother was dangerously ill, and every part of her reality was destabilizing. Her own life was probably being put on hold to watch her sisters, and even something like her uncles romantic life could ripple what shed regarded as the norm. All the constants in her world were disappearing.Brandy, I I see to go, she interrupted, heading back toward the gate, face stony. Kaylall be up from her nap soon. Im supposed to keep an eye on her today.Brandy disappeared around the corner before I could say anything. I stood there, feeling lost. I didnt know who I felt worse for Brandy and Terry for knowing what was going on or the little girls for being oblivious. I felt bad enough for myself because there w as nothing I could do. There was never anything I could do. I had powers beyond human imaginings, but they were nothing that could actually help humans.I drove downtown with a heavy heart, trying hard and failing not to overreact. Brandy herself had said things were bad but that they were still education the extent of it. Surely there were more tests, tests that would give some hope. And surely there was treatment. Humans could do that much on their own.Jerome was where Id hoped hed be. Really, I decided, the Cellar was nearly as good as him having an office. Carter was by his side at the back table, both of them doing shots from a bottle of Jgermeister. Those two didnt discriminate among their liquor. I wondered if they were intoxication away the hardships of the other day or toasting their success over it.It must have been the last mentioned because Jerome almost smiled when he saw me. Georgie, out among the living and back to your petite self. Yetso blue. raunchy like alway s.Yes, theyd been drinking. Angels and lusus naturaes could sober up at will, and he was apparently indulging in the full effects.I got some bad news, I said, sitting opposite them. What, about losing Mortensen? asked Jerome.How do you know about that?I talked to Roman. He recapped your day the old man checking in, you comforting your romantic rivalit was quite moving.I scowled. Great. You have Roman spying on me.Its not spying. I just demand answers from him. If it makes you feel better, hes never very happy to give up those answers.How often do you do it? I asked incredulously.Not that often. A waiter set down a new bottle. Mostly I wanted to see how you were recovering post-dream.Fine. Im fine. I glanced at Carter. No comments from you today?Leave me out of this, he replied. Im just drinking. So he said, but he was also watching and listening very carefully. He was not letting the alcohol move him.I turned back to Jerome. Ive come to call in my favor.The dark amusement in his eyes turned to suspicion. What favor?The one you promised me for helping save you from Grace, remember?Yes, no amusement at all anymore. I just rescued you from another plane of existence from creatures who were torturing your mind.I flinched but pushed on with my words. You promised a favor, and I didnt call it in for that. Besides, you would have done it anyway so that you wouldnt get in trouble.That favor offer was brought on by the drama at the time, he countered. I probably said all sorts of things.You promised, I repeated.I can picture you just fine without putting italics in your voice, Georgie, he snapped.You did, though, pointed out Carter. Demons could lie and did but certain deals they were bound to. Jerome had said hed accord me a favor out on the beach, and it had been a true promise.Fine, he said irritably, gesturing for another shot. What is it you want? And I dont have to grant it if its something totally unreasonable.I want to know Careful, interrupted Carter. I paused, and Jerome glared at the angel. Carter offered no other insight, but those gray eyes were still watchful and cautious. Which was what I needed to be. Jerome had promised me a favor, and like all demons, he would try to find as many loopholes in it as possible. I had been about to ask where Seth was, but that wouldnt necessarily do me any good. I wouldnt be able to get to Seth.I want you to send me to Seth so I can spend a few days with him.Jerome canvass me, expression shrewd. Theres a couple problems. One is that youve kind of asked for two things. The other is that Im not omniscient. I dont know where he is.You can find out, I said. At least, if hes flown anywhere, you can find out.Seth packing indicated skillful travel. Maddie had said his car was still at the house, implication he hadnt driven someplace. If he had, hed be harder to track. But airports had records, and Hell had its hand in that kind of thing. Jerome could easily get an imp or lesser demon to access Sea-Tacs records this week and see where Seth had gone. I probably could have asked Hugh to do it, but that wouldnt have gotten me leave to actually go to Seth, hence my wording.And we both know itd be stupid for you to send me right there and right back. Asking for a few days makes it worthwhile or else its a fetid favor.Debatable, Jerome replied.It could be worse, said Carter. She didnt ask for world peace or anything.Stay out of this, returned the demon. I know what you want.Carter shrugged and ordered another drink.Fine, said Jerome at last. Ill have Hugh check travel records. You know there top executive not be a paper trail.I know. But if you find him?Then you can go to him. For now, go home. Youre ruining my good mood. Ill find you if theres news.I didnt need to be told twice. Soon, I said. You have to hunt soon.Jeromes lips quirked. You didnt put that into the wording.Carter elbowed him, and I had to take it on faith that Jerome would act in a timely manner. My words had implied that I wanted to be where Seth was now. One could argue that waiting meant Seth would change locations, meaning I couldnt have what I wanted. I also had to believe that Carter had a point in give tongue to this was a relatively easy favor. I could have demanded more.Simple or not, it was hard to wait to hear back. Roman was gone when I returned to my condo, and I had nothing to do but ruminate. Id given myself a leave of absence at work and didnt regret it. Still, being alone with my thoughts was never a good thing, and I had far too many to trouble me the Oneroi, Seth, AndreaOkay, Georgie.It was four hours later when Jerome appeared in my living room with a pop.I sagged in relief. You found him?I did.And youll send me to him for a worthwhile amount of time? trey days, the demon said. He sounded irritable and impatient. Id wondered if hed been drinking this entire time and was angry at the interruption. I want you back here in seventy-two hours, and youre on your own as to how you do it. Do you understand?Yes, I said eagerly. Just send me to him. I had to talk to him. I had to find out exactly what had happened. I had to make sure he was okay.And that settles the favor. Agreed?Agreed, I said. There was power in that word, just as there had been in Jeromes initial promise. I could ask for nothing else.Then go, he said.I vanished from my living roomand reappeared on a busy sidewalk. People swarmed around me, none of them seeming to notice Id appeared out of thin air. The sun was on its way down, but the sky was bright and clear and hot. really hot. The masses around me were dressed in beach clothes and had the feel of tourists. I stepped out of their racecourse and found myself standing in front of a large, resort-type hotel.The abrupt change in location and botheration of teleportation had left me disoriented, and I needed to get my bearings. Taking in more of my surroundings, I could hear people speaking in both Spanish and English. I turned to the closest person near me, a short, deeply tanned man in a hotel uniform who was directing taxis around the buildings driveway.I started to ask where I was and decided that would be a little too stupid sounding. I pointed at the hotel and asked him what its allude was. I knew tons of languages perfectly, and Spanish rolled off my lips easily.El Grande Mazatln, seorita, he replied.Mazatln? This time, I did ask a stupid question Estoy in M?xico?He nodded, giving me the are-you-crazy look Id expected. It was probably made worse by my jaw dropping.Well, I supposed if you were going to run away, you should run away somewhere warm.