by Lizzy Ford
“I do. I think I do. I mean, I do. You know me. I’m…” She sought the right words.
“An enigma?” he supplied. “It’s what attracted me to you originally. I still don’t know what you do all day.”
“School stuff.”
“I was going to say martial arts or something, based on your collection of knives.” He pulled up to the curb in front of the dorms. He didn’t look at her.
“There are a lot of things I don’t feel comfortable talking about,” she said honestly.
“Maybe you shouldn’t marry someone, if you can’t tell him who you are,” he said softly. “Zoey, if you’re not comfortable talking to me, this isn’t going to work. I think you need to figure out what you want.”
Zoey hurt. She didn’t know why. Was it for him? Was it fear?
“We can talk about it later,” he said at her silence. He wouldn’t look at her.
She didn’t know what to say. Zoey got out of the car and closed the door. Eric pulled away from the curb. She watched, helpless. When he disappeared around the block, she walked into the dorms and to Vikki’s room. Fury filled her, and she slammed her fist into the concrete wall, hating the idea of hurting someone who didn’t deserve it.
Chapter Four: Declan
Declan hated to be kept waiting. As the second most powerful Incubus in the Incubatti society, he wasn’t used to people ignoring him. When dealing with the passive-aggressive leader of the Sucubatti’s IAB on her territory, however, he should have known better than to expect any sort of professional courtesy.
He stood in the Succubae’s headquarters building, accompanied by his brother.
“They like to remind us we’re on their turf,” he said for the ears of his brother.
“We do the same to them,” Wes replied.
“We don’t. The Councils may play these games,” Declan replied. In both societies, the security forces were largely independent of the highly political Councils. He was on tap to assume command of the Incubatti security arm, known as Enforcers. Today was his first jaunt to represent the Enforcers to the Sucubatti, and he was less calm than he anticipated.
“You’ve been saucy lately, little brother.”
Declan said nothing, aware this was true. Half a head taller than Declan with their father’s olive skin and mother’s blue eyes, his brother, Wes, served as the family advisor. The calm, logical brother was the go-to for their father, who was known for being overly aggressive at times. It was a trait Declan inherited, but managed to temper with hard-learned diplomacy. Wes was assigned to go with him as he gradually took on more official duties representing the Enforcers. Their father was simultaneously transitioning into his new role as one of the five representatives on the Council who oversaw the Incubatti society.
Every time Declan set foot on the Sucubatti’s side of the city, he grew short-tempered and tense. He felt the mental tug; it pulled him towards her, the soul-mate he spent the past three years avoiding. Zoey was on campus today. It took a great deal of discipline to stay put instead of trying to find her.
The massive double doors before them opened, revealing the large chamber of the Sucubatti’s inner sanctum, an airy room with Grecian columns, wispy white curtains hanging from the ceiling and windows that faced the gray, April morning. The Sucubatti were all about appearances, from the beautiful women on the council to the chairs carved from marble, glittering crystal chandeliers hanging from gilded ceilings and the tables made of perfectly matched petrified oak. A plush, red carpet extended from the doorway to the table at the far end, at which three Succubae sat.
Declan didn’t wait to be invited. He strode into the opulent chamber
“Declan. It’s been ages since I saw you,” the woman at the center said. In her prime, Olivia oozed the seductive presence her kind was known for. Her voice was low and soft, her porcelain skin flawless and her blue eyes capable of ensnaring a normal Incubus. She radiated power, a compelling draw that wound into a man’s senses and bent him to her will, before he knew what hit him.
“Always a pleasure, Olivia,” Declan replied to the leader of the Sucubatti’s security arm, the IAB. His polished, Southern drawl clashed with her cultured British accent.
“Why does Ethan send a boy to do a man’s job?” the Succubus to her right taunted.
“Not a boy.” Olivia studied Declan. She tapped a long, maroon fingernail on the table. “His successor. I didn’t know he’d chosen.”
“It was made public at last month’s meeting between our respective Councils,” Declan said.
“When does it take effect?”
“Friday.”
Olivia exchanged a look with the woman beside her. Declan sensed her testing him with her sex magic. She could tease him, fill his senses with her elusive allure in a way no other Succubus was able to – but she couldn’t control him. From his father’s warnings, Olivia was lethal in her role as the IAB Chief. One of the women seated at the table with her was all-too-familiar; Declan wasn’t expecting to see Heidi, the Succubus he’d been sleeping with for the past two weeks. He expected a private counsel with Olivia, not an audience with ten of the IAB officers.
“The Council reveals what it wishes,” she said. “What brings you to my side of town?”
“An issue that requires your attention,” Declan replied smoothly. “Before we go to the Councils about it.”
Olivia studied him. She rose and circled the table, bringing with her the intense aura of a powerful Succubus. Declan’s defenses went up as she pushed into his senses. His brother, Wes, stepped away, well-aware of the danger and that Declan was one of two Incubuses able to withstand the silent onslaught.
Olivia’s sex energy was trying hard to seize his senses. His blood was boiling with desire, his eyes sweeping over her willowy form in hunger. He knew what she was doing: trying to blind him, manipulate him, so he revealed information he shouldn’t. Sweating with effort, Declan resisted.
“What issue?” Olivia asked at last, finished with her prodding.
He almost sighed as the oppressive magic withdrew. His father was right; there was no way any of his brothers could withstand Olivia the way he could.
“A team of yours whacked an Incubus last night.”
“Our street nymphs couldn’t possibly kill an Incubus.” Olivia gave a derisive smile that was still sexy coming from a Succubus.
Declan withdrew a small tablet computer from his pocket, flipped through to the photographs snapped early that morning and held it out to Olivia. She took it without looking and passed it back to Heidi. Each security arm had an officer whose job was to eliminate internal issues. Heidi was Olivia’s on-staff assassin. Sharp, quick and aggressive, Heidi made an incredible sparring partner in bed and out for Declan
“It could’ve been a set-up by your kind to manipulate us,” Heidi said.
“Weapons were used,” Declan said. “They are forbidden in our society.” His eyes went to Olivia’s hip, where a knife was discreetly tucked.
“It doesn’t mean your half-witted Cambions didn’t do a frame job,” Heidi countered.
“We kept the body. The sex energy is female. You are welcome to verify.”
“That won’t be necessary. He’s telling the truth, Heidi,” Olivia said.
Heidi frowned, gaze lingering on the images. Declan looked between the two. Heidi appeared genuinely surprised at the information, while Olivia was almost bored.
“Who was out last night?” Olivia asked.
“No missions were authorized,” Heidi replied.
“Did any occur without your knowledge?”
Heidi’s jaw clenched. Her youthful, rosy features and curly blonde hair were at odds with her flat gaze. She didn’t answer. Olivia turned to look at her. A silent communication passed between them, and Olivia’s expression grew considering. Declan sensed rather than saw the unease of his lover. Heidi suspected the culprit while Olivia seemed to know who did it.
Neither Succubus spoke.
“Have
you genetically tweaked your Hunters to the point they can kill Incubuses?” he asked, disapproval clear in his voice.
“You who unleash Cambions to harm the innocent would judge us for trying to build a better Hunter?” Olivia returned.
“Both of our programs hurt the innocent.”
“Your half-breeds slaughter women. We stop them.”
It was an argument as old as the War. Declan wasn’t there to resolve the issue that caused the War a hundred years ago. He sought the flare in Olivia’s eyes. His father’s advice had been to push her buttons, if she resisted his request. Declan went for the jugular; the issue of Cambions infuriated the Sucubatti, and for good cause. The ruling council of the Incubatti had long since abandoned trying to curb the Cambions’ collection of sex energy and instead, used the spoils to increase its power and influence.
“I’m not surprised a few of our Hunters took out an Incubus,” Olivia added.
“It breaks the agreement we have about the interactions between Halflings and full-bloods,” Declan reminded her. “Which is why I’m here. Once the Councils find out, the peace you and my father have worked to uphold will be tested. It won’t be pretty.”
“I’m guessing you in your new role as the Enforcer Chief won’t try to smooth things over.”
“Nope.”
Olivia’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want, Declan?”
“We are requesting your permission to do an inquiry on the murder. We would like full, unfettered access to those you believe are involved.”
“An inquisition of our people?” Heidi snapped.
“I was under the impression that Halflings were viewed as expendable,” Declan said. “Unless this was the work of a Succubus, which would elevate the severity. As it is, we might be willing to sweep this under the rug as an accident, if you cooperate.”
“You have been more diplomatic than your father,” Olivia said with a husky chuckle. “Succubus or Halfling, we do not issue blank checks to terrorize our people.”
“We will take no action without informing you and will conduct the interviews on your campus,” he said quickly. “You can nominate candidates or let us determine who we will interview.”
He waited, unwilling to flinch beneath the scrutiny of Olivia and Heidi.
“We will choose the candidates,” Olivia agreed. “You get one day to do interviews, and you report all findings to me.”
“Agreed.”
“Any sign you’re fucking up, and you won’t leave campus, Declan.”
“Understood.”
The two women were not happy, but they were semi-cooperative, which was why he was there. He needed whatever information they’d give him about the assassination.
“Anything else I can do for you?” Olivia’s voice took on a mocking note. “Heidi keeping you well-pleased?”
Declan’s jaw clenched. His affair with the deadly Succubus was not supposed to be public knowledge. A glance at the gorgeous blonde revealed no sign she was affected. He suspected she was using him. Then again, he was doing the same. It was a dangerous dance, one his father hadn’t exactly approved of.
“Very,” he replied.
“Good,” Olivia smiled seductively, her gaze sweeping down his form. “How is it fucking someone with such an elevated level of sex magic, Heidi?”
Heidi’s eyes glowed. “Like a dream.”
Declan winked at her, satisfied when a flush spread across her face.
“A union between our two security forces would create an undefeatable force,” Olivia said. She perched on the edge of the table. “Traditionally, the successor in your family isn’t named, until he finds his wife. Something about a balance of power, because your kind can’t handle your magic.”
“New generation, new rules,” he said with a shrug. “Heidi will tell you I handle my magic well, and there’s no one else in my bed except her, certainly not a wife.”
Olivia was studying him again. “Think about it, Declan. You’ll be my equal on Friday. You can make the decision your father never wanted to.”
“I’ll consider it.”
“Heidi will tell you when and where. If you’re finished, the door is behind you.”
“With your permission, I’d like to visit with the Professor,” he said.
The Professor was revered by Sucubatti and Incubatti alike. As the oldest living creature in either society, he was also the keeper of ancient histories and sought out by historians and students. He and the other Benefactors – Incubuses who remained with the Sucubatti after the War – lived in a row of houses outside the wrought iron gates enclosing the hundred acre campus belonging to the Sucubatti.
“That side of campus is open. I’m well aware you visit the Professor regularly,” Olivia said. “But thank you for asking. You’ve got a politician buried beneath that Incubus surface.”
“Always a pleasure, Olivia,” Declan said with a smile.
“The pleasure is all mine,” she said just as graciously.
Declan turned and left, trailed by Wes. The double doors closed behind him, and he whipped off the suit jacket. Accustomed to meetings and the tailored suits that filled one closet, he found the uniform unusually stifling today.
“You okay?” Wes asked.
“Sweating like a man with a secret in the clutches of a Succubus,” Declan replied. He unfastened the top two buttons of his shirt and rolled up his sleeves. He refused to acknowledge the affect Olivia had on him while standing before her. Now, he became aware of how fast his heart was beating and the fact her heady scent – the smell of sex and flowers – was stuck in his nose.
His tight chest didn’t relax until he stepped outside the building and filled his lungs with the cold, misty spring air. Declan shrugged and flung the suit jacket over one shoulder. His senses cleared.
Wes was grinning. “Never seen anyone make you sweat before.”
“Dad warned me, but I was not expecting Olivia’s magic to be so strong,” Declan admitted. “Or to see Heidi. Or for …” Zoey to be so close. He barely stopped the words, but with Olivia’s sex magic clogging his senses, his sudden urge to track down the soul-mate intended for him was almost too strong to resist.
“You did good.”
Declan met his brother’s gaze and shook out his arms, forcing his thoughts away from women.
“We got what we wanted,” Declan said. “Even though Dad refuses to tell us why we want it.”
“I think he knows who killed Julius.”
“I’m guessing Olivia does as well.”
“I got that impression, too.”
They walked quietly to the car awaiting them. Their driver had it running and warm, and Declan sank into the backseat, welcoming the warmth after the chilly air.
“Professor’s,” he told the driver then addressed his brother. “You have any insight into what Dad’s doing?”
“Not this time. He might be pissed someone knocked off an Incubatti or he might be looking for something else,” Wes said. “You know Dad. When we need to know, we will.”
“I’m not satisfied with that anymore.”
“Ask him.” Wes was amused.
Agitated as much by his first official diplomatic mission as he was by the proximity to her, his soul-mate, Declan usually followed his father’s orders without thinking twice. No one trusted his father to reveal the truth, but they knew he valued family above everything. Whatever the truth was, it wasn’t going to hurt his sons, or they’d know.
Today it wasn’t enough.
The driver pulled in front of a restored Victorian house with a purple façade, one of a handful of similar houses outside the gates.
“I’ll be a few minutes,” Declan said and opened the door. He didn’t bother with his jacket and trotted to the house and up the stairs.
He knocked and waited, peering through the glass of the front door to watch the teetering old butler. It took him two minutes to make it down the hallway to the front door and open it.
“Good evenin
g, Emmitt,” Declan said. “I’m here to see Alexander.”
The butler pushed the screen door open with effort. Declan patiently waited for the ancient man to step out of the way. The moment he set foot in the Professor’s foyer, he smelled the sweet cigar smoke coming from the study down the hallway. He followed the scent and paused at the door to the study, knocking on the frame.
The Professor was dozing at a massive desk. A red-tipped cigar was caught between the knuckles of two fingers. The fire in the hearth was lit, rendering the study too warm. Books lined the walls, mantle and lay stacked on every other open surface.
Declan knocked louder. The Professor’s head lifted. His smile was quick and open. He had sparkling brown eyes, a head shaved before it was able to go bald and a slightly hunched form.
“Declan, come in!” he said cheerfully.
“Professor.” He crossed to the older Incubus and offered his hand. Concern flickered through Declan as the Professor stood. His grip was weaker this time than last, his shoulders a little more stooped. Worst of all, his Incubus magic was faint, a faded glimmer instead of a warm glow.
The Benefactors were forbidden by the Succubae they served from collecting sex energy. Without it, their immortality and youth trickled away. The Professor had turned from one of the most powerful Incubuses in existence to one of the weakest over the course of a hundred years. Even so, he shouldn’t be weakening this quickly, unless something was wrong. It had only been three months since Declan last saw him.
“How are you?” Declan asked.
“Fit and full of vinegar, as always.”
Declan resisted the urge to help the older man, who walked slowly to the plush armchairs before the hearth. The Professor sat and motioned a gnarled hand towards the one across from him. Declan sat, unable to shake the feeling that something was wrong with the Incubus.
“Your father said you’d come by today. You came to see the Sucubatti?” The Professor’s gaze was nonetheless sharp despite his age.
“I did,” Declan answered. “I’m taking up more of the official duties, the new face of the Incubatti Enforcers.”