“What were you thinking?” Lance asked him. “He was right there.”
That was exactly what I wanted to know. He had actually tried to feed off Alexa while I was right there. What did he think? I wouldn’t end him if he hurt her?
“I saw her first. She should be mine.”
Now, that French fabliau was making me want to pummel him again. I was figuring if I could rise without waking Alexa, when Lance spoke up.
“She didn’t want you,” he said. “You’re delusional. You think every girl wants you.”
“I get mine, okay.”
“Yeah, that’s why Jimena lives a world away.”
Jimena was the succubus who had ignited Little Lord Abelard. “Lard” had been a three-hundred-pound, painfully shy French aristocrat when she seduced him. The second he got his wings, she disappeared. Abe chased, losing weight all the way. When they met again, she didn’t recognize him.
He tried to win her back only to discover that it was not the fat that had turned her off. On the contrary, it was the man in it she could not stand. They nearly killed each other. She calls me every now and again when she moves to make sure that there's still a whole planet between them.
“Don’t go there!” Abe shouted.
“And why not?” Lance asked. “Last night you went beyond. You don’t suck off another man’s fiancée. That is the law. You wanna live? You live by that rule. It’s because of you El doesn’t come around anymore. I have to go see her. She used to come twice a year, and then you started humping on her leg.
It’s the twenty-first century, man. You have to learn to cool your roll, go with the flow. Girls like clean guys, nice guys, guys that will go all the way for them, who aren’t afraid to cry, wear sandals, or do it till they scream ‘no more.’”
“What do I care what women want?” Abe sneered.
I shook my head. Alexa wrinkled her nose in her sleep.
“Man, God must have been crazy to make you an incubus. You have way too many issues with the opposite sex. It’s like letting an ax murderer loose in a candy store. You have all these the sweets in front of you, but you don’t know what to do with them. You’re too crazy to enjoy what you got.”
“I enjoy. You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”
“Fine. You’re right. I don’t know what I’m talking about. Goodbye!”
“Wait. You have to talk to Cristien for me.”
I almost laughed. He had to be joking. Alexa squirmed. I stopped moving until she settled again.
“I don’t have to do shit,” Lance told him. “I like my life. I like this apartment. I’m thinking of buying it from Cristien when they go.”
“Go?” Abe asked.
Leave it to Lance to have foresight and Abe no sight. Lance knew me so well, it was scary sometimes.
“You have the worst timing,” Lance said. “You think he and his fine thing are staying here after whatever happens happens to them? Once he’s happily ever after, they’re gone. You could have stayed here, drinking the fine wine of women till the end of the world, but no, you had to go grope the man’s fiancée.
Maybe you don’t know, but I know what side my bread is buttered on. Cristien has been good to us both. A dog doesn’t do what you did. Think about that: a four-legger with fleas and worms is a better friend than you.”
“I messed up.”
“You think?” Lance asked.
So, it had finally dawned on him, I thought, glaring at the door. I could hear the sniveling in Abe’s tone. He always finally admitted he was wrong and until now I took him back, but this time it was too much. Anybody but Alexa. I told him when I first saw her. I told him to leave her alone or I would hurt him. But he never listened.
“But after he’s gone, can I come back?” Abe begged.
I smiled. I knew that answer. Lance hated Abe more than anyone.
“What do I look like to you? Stupid? If you’d do that to him, you’d do me even worse,” Lance told him. “And like I said, I miss El. You’re on your own.”
“But I don’t have any money. I don’t have anywhere to go,” Abe cried.
“Now didn’t we both tell you to take your money out of that stock before it fell? And then we told you not to sell off low, but you didn’t listen and twenty years later it was back. We keep telling you, and you keep not listening. You throw money away. Money is allergic to you. There is nothing anybody can do for you. Cristien gave you food and shelter, shared his house with you and you spat in his face.”
Lance always knew what to say.
“What am I going to do?” Abe whined.
“I don’t know, but you aren’t staying here.”
“You think he’s really going to throw me out because of her?”
“No, he’s throwing you out because of you,” Lance told him.
“Man, this sucks! Women ruin everything. I can’t believe he’d do this to me after all these years. We guys should stick together, you know. They come and go, but . . .”
“But we snack on each other’s girlfriends?”
“Whatever. I just care about where I’m going to sleep tonight.”
“Concrete is good. Or go to a shelter. I don’t know. Find a grate. Go down into the subway system. Maybe with these hard times, it’ll teach you to be more appreciative, grateful, and to keep your hands to yourself, teach you some respect for women and men. Maybe when you’re down and out you’ll learn something about . . .”
“I don’t need a sermon. I need cash. You have any?”
I couldn’t help but laugh then. Alexa rolled away from me, groaning. I pulled her back.
“You’re going to hit me up now?” Lance asked.
“Whatever you have on you. I’ll take anything.”
“I’m sure you would.”
I heard bills being pulled away. Lance was not happy now.
“Can I have all that?” Abe asked. “I’ll pay you back.”
“What am I going to do, hit up Cristien? I’ve got to live too.” More bills passed hands. Lance was a good guy.
“Thanks,” Abe said, slowly.
He was counting the bills? What an arse.
“You’re not welcome,” Lance grumbled.
The front door was opened.
“And Abe,” Lance called.
“Yes?” I could only imagine the hopeful look on his face.
“If we ever see each other again, you don’t know me. And keep the money. I know you aren’t going to pay me back anyway.”
The door closed. Lance’s footfalls drew near. He stopped by my door.
“He’s gone,” he whispered, knowing I could hear him. Then Lance started singing, “Thank God almighty. Free at last. Free at last!”
I started laughing, and Alexa hit me across the face with her arm. She covered her head with a pillow. It still didn’t stop me from laughing. I had to get up. I slipped from the bed and opened the door. Lance was waiting for me. We were both chuckling. We walked down the hall toward his room.
I slapped him on the back, “Thanks.”
“My pleasure,” he smiled.
“So, you want to buy the apartment?” I asked him.
He looked at his feet, “I thought I’d throw that out there.”
“You can have it. My wedding gift to you.”
He looked up, “Aren’t I supposed to be giving you a present for your wedding?”
“Then call it what I owe you for getting rid of Abe.”
“Where are you going to live? ‘Cause, man, I need my space,” he joked.
“After the honeymoon, I think we’re going to travel, find a nice country to settle down in. Leave this life behind.”
“Dude, I’m gonna miss you, but the apartment will compensate me some,” he said, putting his arm around me. He gave me a half hug, a long look, and then walked to his room. His door closed, and I returned to Alexa.
“Wake up sleepy head,” Cristien whispered.
“Go away,” I said, not opening my eyes.
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“You have classes. I have work.”
“No. Staying here,” I muttered, holding on to his down pillow.
“Come on,” he coaxed gently, stroking my back.
“It’s too early.”
“Early for whom, count Dracula? It’s nearly 12 PM.”
“That can’t be right,” I yawned, sitting up. I knew I had only gone to sleep a minute ago.
“I’ll drive you; then I’ve got to go.”
“Oh pooey!” I said, frowning at the lying clock on the bedside table that read 11:55.
“You’re cute when you pout.”
“Hey, you changed your clothes!” I said, noticing. He wore an olive button down and jeans now.
“You sleep like a brick wall.”
“Do not. I don’t want to go. I’m tired.”
“Do you want to miss class?”
“I’ll get a note,” I said, falling back on the pillows.
“What will it say, please excuse Alexa, she was out fooling around?”
“Want shower! Want fresh clothes! Want food!” I demanded.
“The food is in the kitchen. That’s all I can offer. I don’t do drag.”
“Give me sweat pants and shirt.”
“You’re a demanding little thing, aren’t you?”
“Now.”
“Okay, okay.” He held up his hands. “They’re going to be big on you.”
“Where’s the bathroom?” I asked, looking around.
“There,” he said, pointing to the door to the left of his bed.
“Clothes, please.”
“We’re going to get married. Naked shouldn’t be a problem. Besides, I’ve seen almost everything.”
“Clothes!”
He gave me the set of sweats. I showered, brushed my teeth with my finger and his mint toothpaste and changed. I walked to the kitchen in his baggy clothes, with my old things over my arm.
“Here,” he said, handing me an egg sandwich. I took a sleepy bite. The egg was boiled and sliced with pepper and salt and put on a buttered roll. I loved it.
“Coffee?” he asked.
“Never.” I ate quickly. “Okay,” I said over the last bite, “I’m ready.”
“About time. And good afternoon.” He kissed my lips. I smiled.
“That’s my girl.”
I shoved all my things inside my purse. We were back at my dorm in thirty-five minutes.
“See you at six sharp,” he said and kissed me goodbye.
I walked into my dorm, and holding my head high, entered with my borrowed clothes. I tried to pretend I was out jogging in my heels. I ran upstairs to my room and changed quickly. I attended classes. I wrote notes. I thought only of Cristien.
He called at 5:30 that evening. I ran out of the shower.
“Hi, sweetheart.”
“Hi,” I said, drying my hair with a white towel.
“I thought I would be back in time, but I’m really caught up in something right now. Would you forgive me if I cancelled tonight?”
“No,” I told him.
“Please?”
“What are you doing?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Okay. But . . . I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too, Love, but soon we’ll be married, and I won’t let you go anywhere without me.”
“Promise?”
“Promise. I’ll call you in the morning.”
“Good night,” I sighed.
“Dream of me.”
The Beast Within
Oh well, I thought after I hung up, I had homework to do anyway. I threw myself on my bed still wearing just my towel. I reached for my Biology text which was on top of my pile of “to-read” books. It was so complex. I didn’t get through more than a chapter before my mind started to wander. I rolled onto my stomach, started kicking my legs back and forth.
What kind of surprise would keep Cristien out all night? Well, it had something to do with our engagement, but all night? I started getting jealous, but then my back began hurting again. I shifted my weight but nothing helped. Then it hit me: pain. I balled up, holding my knees and choking on the agony. Then the pain stopped as quickly as it started, leaving sweat coating my body. Everything was blurry before my eyes. I took off my glasses to see what the matter was and the whole room became clear, every inch of it. I looked through my glasses again and was blinded. I put them down.
What was going on? I could see. I tried to sit up, and I felt something heavy on my back weighing me down. I reached behind and felt me touching me beyond my back. But there should have been no me past my back. I turned my head and saw there was skin and bone stretching behind my shoulder and down to my leg. I caught the tip of what looked like a wing. I screamed and got up and ran to the bathroom. I nearly screamed again when I saw myself. I had wings coming out of my back! They looked like wings without feathers. I put my hands over my mouth.
I turned circles to see the extent of it. I had wings I stared at myself in disbelief and horror. As I grew more agitated, my wings started to flutter and spread out. They were as wide as the bathroom. One hit the shower curtain and the other struck the door. Oh God. . . oh God . . . oh God. I reached back and tried to pull them off. Ouch! They were firmly attached to me.
I felt suddenly dizzy like I was going to faint. I put down the toilet seat. I had to sit before I passed out. I bent but quickly got up again because I’d crushed my wings against the floor. I stumbled back to my room. What was I going to do? I automatically reached for the cell to call my mom, but . . . what could she do? My mind went totally blank. I had to go to a hospital. Maybe I could have them removed. My phone rang. I picked up, hoping it wasn’t Cristien.
“Aliyah?”
“Ima?” I called her by the Hebrew word for mother. I started to cry.
“What’s wrong? Aren’t you feeling well again?”
Should I tell her the truth? She wouldn’t believe me. Who would believe me? Oh God, I wished this was a dream, that I didn’t really have wings. And then something weird happened: they were gone. I looked over my shoulder but there was nothing behind me.
“Aliyah?”
I ran to the bathroom, stood in front of the mirror again. They were really gone. I dropped my towel, turned around to look at my back. I almost collapsed with relief.
“I’m okay, Ima.” I wrapped myself up again, ran back to my room and shut the door behind me. “It’s just a little stomach thing.”
“Oh Aliyah, you keep getting sick.”
“I just need to lie down,” I said, throwing myself on my bed.
“Okay, call me if anything changes,” my mother said.
“I will.”
“Feel better.”
“Thanks, good night … I love you.” But would you love me if I had wing?
“I love you too. Bye.”
I sat up, put my head in my hands. My wings were gone, but what if they came back at a really awkward moment like when I was in class, or worse when I was with Cristien? What would I do then? Or maybe I was crazy. Maybe I hallucinated them. Then I shrieked.
Standing in the middle of my floor before my open window was a shirtless Abe. He had wings. I jumped to my feet, still holding my towel.
“What did you do to me?” I yelled at him. He must have given me those things when he touched me.
“I didn’t do anything,” he said. “I’m here to tell you the truth about Cristien, Lance and me. We’re incubi.”
“What?” I asked.
“Demons of the night,” he said. “I have wings. They have wings. We have sex with girls to get their energy. Cristien is only after you because he wants to turn you into one of us.”
“Turn me?”
“It’s true,” he said. “He doesn’t love you. It’s some Compulsion thing making him do it. After he pops the cork on your champagne, he’s gone.”
That I understood. That made sense. That was what I always knew would happen.
“Why?” I asked. “Wh
y me?”—the question every girl asked who was fool enough to believe a man who lied to her.
“You’re a virgin.”
I blinked. My eyes were the only things I could move. I felt deboned. I didn’t even know how I was still standing. A virgin? What could that matter to anyone? Who cared in this world?
“So?” I breathed.
“It’s how we work. It’s in our mandate, you might say. If a girl is a virgin, we change her into one of us. Usually, they give it up in a few days. You must be nearly frigid.”
That hit below the belt. I wanted to hate Abe, rage at him, but I couldn’t even find a way to sit down. I couldn’t understand. That was my problem. I couldn’t understand the idea that Cristien didn’t love me. How could I be so mistaken? How could I not have known? How could he lie so well? It couldn’t be a lie. No. Abe was the liar.
“You’re lying,” I told him with an undetectable amount of conviction in my voice.
“You see me standing here with wings, and you think I’m lying?” he asked. “Well, then how about this . . . ‘My love for you is endless, my need of you boundless.’”
I almost yelped it hurt so much to hear my poem coming out of his foul mouth.
“Cristien came here when you were sleeping and stole your poems. He showed them to me. God, how we laughed.”
My blood turned into hot burning pain in my veins. The room turned to liquid, swam wet in front of my eyes, as if I had fallen deep into a black sea. If only I could drown. If only I could be deafened, so I wouldn’t have to hear that monster going on with his truth. If what he said was truth, I wanted lies. I wanted him to shut up and go, but he wouldn’t. If I couldn’t make myself move, how could I make him do anything?
“This whole marriage thing is only to get you into bed.” He went on sticking the knife deeper. “Then slip, slide, you’re one of us, flying around, doing the nasty to eat.”
The first tear fell before he said “flying around.” I blinked my eyes clear, “What do you mean ‘flying’?”
“You get wings after,” he said flapping his.
I shook my head. “But I haven’t had sex with Cristien.”
The Innocent Page 15