Incubus Among Us Box Set (Shifter Romance) Page 23

  My directions led her to the seedier part of town and to a certain little shop in a basement located in the old business district. Ann parked the car in front where Madam Curie's shop was located and shut off the engine.

  "You stay here. I need to go have my fortune told," I explained to her.

  She smiled and shook her head. "I promised Tiffany I'd keep you in my sight until I gave you to her."

  I sighed and opened my door. "Fine, but don't touch anything. She'll probably charge me extra if you break something."

  We stepped out and walked down the stairs to the basement door with the advertisements for food and a reading. Madam Curie opened the door covered not in flour but sugar. She leaned toward me and narrowed my eyes. "You again?" Her eyes flickered to Ann and she jerked her head towards my companion. "Who's this?"

  "The cards didn't tell you we were coming?" I teased her.

  She harumphed, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. "They told me there'd be trouble, but not who to expect. I suppose you want your fortune read."

  I nodded. "Yeah. There's a lot of trouble going on and I want to see who's going to bump me off first."

  She raised an eyebrow. "All right, come along then."

  Madam Curie led us through her small abode. Ann looked at the kitchen in wonder. "Do all fortune tellers need a kitchen?" she wondered.

  "Only the ones who can't want to survive on their piddly fortune teller salaries," Curie replied. We reached the dark rear room and Curie snatched another chair from a dark corner and gave it to Ann. "Sit there and don't say anything," she ordered my friend.

  Madam Curie and I took our usual seats, and she took her cards in hand. She shuffled her cards as I fidgeted in my seat. All the card possibilities flew through my mind. Most of them involved Death being the final card.

  Curie paused in her card shuffling and her eyes narrowed as they glanced at me. "You seem very tense," she commented.

  "It's probably the federal agents after her," Ann spoke up.

  I glared at my friend. "Thanks a bunch. . ." I mumbled.

  Curie eyebrows crashed down and she set the cards on the table. "Federal agents? Did they follow you?"

  I shook my head. "I don't think so, and they weren't after you, anyway. They wanted to know where Magnus was."

  She frowned. "And did you tell them?"

  "No."

  "Good." She picked up the deck and continued her shuffling. "He's an old curmudgeon, but I'd hate to see him taken in by those idiots because they don't like what he's been doing for folks." She paused and glanced up at me. "Anything else I might need to know about?"

  "Um, there's some crazy priests following me intent on destroying David and maybe me," I admitted.

  Curie snorted. "Your life has become like my kitchen after a day of baking."

  "Delicious-smelling?" Ann suggested.

  "No, a mess. Let's see what your cards say." She tossed out the first three cards. There was the Empress, Lovers and Emperor cards, but Madam Curie tapped on the Lovers card. "I see a change in this card. You are pleased with him," she told me.

  I blushed and Ann grinned. "I don't know about that. . ." I mumbled.

  "No, it is very clear," Curie argued. She flipped over the next three cards and my eyes widened. Instead of the tale of my obstinance there was the Death, the Hierophant, and Judgment.

  I pointed at the Hierophant and Death. "Is there any way to get rid of at least one of those, preferably the Death one?" I asked her.

  Madam Curie pursed her lips and leaned forward so her pointed nose nearly touched the cards. "It seems you have resolved your doubt, but your fate still hangs in the balance. You must beware of the men in black. They must be the priests who follow you," she mused.

  I cringed. The priests. "Isn't there any trap card you can pull on them to get them to go away?" I pleaded.

  She set her palm on the top of the deck and shook her head. "The cards only show a destiny, they cannot control it. Whatever fate you have you must make of it yourself."

  "But there has to be something I can do," I insisted.

  A sly smile slipped onto Madam Curie's lips and she tapped a finger on the Emperor card. "He might perhaps be able to help you."

  "He'd be glad to help you," Ann agreed.

  I pressed my lips tightly together and stood. "How much do I owe you?"

  Curie shook her head. "This one is for free. Consider it an early wedding present."

  My cheeks reddened and Ann tilted her head to one side. "Wedding? Is someone getting married?"

  I grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. "Not now, Ann. We have to get to the apartment before Tiff thinks the suits got us."

  "Bye!" Ann spoke to Curie as I pulled her from the room.

  "Farewell, and good fortune to you!" she called back.

  I dragged Ann outside and we found the bright day was now cloudy. The smell of moisture hung in the air. Snow would soon fall. I wrapped my coat tighter around myself and led Ann to her car.

  "Why did we have to leave so soon? Why couldn't I get my fortune told?" Ann asked me as we slipped into the car.

  I pinched my nose and sighed. "Because I'm a little tired and that whole 'Death' thing isn't very comforting to me."

  Ann started the car and pulled us from the curb. "But she said your fortune was what you made of it. Doesn't that mean you can still choose to go with David and live a happy life with him?"

  "Yeah, but maybe I don't want that," I pointed out.

  "I think you do," Ann argued.

  I sighed and shook my head. "Maybe I don't know what I want to do. Maybe I'm just waiting for a clear sign that'll tell me what to choose."

  "Life doesn't work that way," my friend scolded me with a smile. "You have to grab life by the horns and wrestle it to the ground. It's a lot of work, but it's kind of fun, too. Especially when there's mud."

  "Oh, to live in your world. . ." I mumbled.

  By the time we arrived at my apartment it was near lunch time. The streets were still empty. They would soon be crowded with people home for the noon meal hour. The black car was gone from the alley, and I couldn't see it anywhere along the roads.

  "Want me to pull up and drop you off?" Ann suggested.

  I nodded. "Yeah. I doubt they'll try anything in the middle of the day, and I don't want them seeing you and hunting you down, too," I told her.

  "All right. I'll call Tiffany and tell her you're coming up."

  "Thanks. See you later."

  "Later."

  Ann slowed to a stop short of the stoop and I hopped out. The moment my door was closed she sped away. I rushed up the stairs and ruffled through my purse for my keys. My nervousness kept me from finding them. "Damn it, why didn't you take these damn things out in the car?" I scolded myself.

  "Excuse me?"

  I jumped at the voice and I jerked my head down the stairs. There stood the older priest in all his black glory. He had a smile on his face as he slowly climbed the stairs toward me. I stepped back, but I only had a foot before my back hit the panel with the buzzing buttons.

  "N-no, that's fine. I can manage," I told him.

  He shook his head. His unblinking eyes stared straight into mine as he came closer. "No, I'm afraid that's not possible. However, I can help."

  "No, really, it's-" I didn't get a chance to finish before he jumped me.

  The priest was old, but not infirm. He swept behind me and covered my mouth with a cloth. I struggled in his hold, but my frantic struggles were useless and I gasped for air. The smell from the cloth made my head spin, and I realized too late that it was chloroform. I had enough time to see the young priest hurry up the stoop before I lost consciousness.

  Chapter 7

  The next I knew I awoke with a slight headache and the sensation of being in a confined space. The headache was from the chloroform, and the tight sensation was because my arms and legs were bound to a chair. I opened my eyes and saw I was a prisoner in a small room. The walls were m
ade of panels of dark wood ,and crosses were positioned on every wall. A simple wooden table and chair stood to my left and against the wall, and I guessed the door to the room was behind me because I couldn't see an exit. There weren't even any windows. The only light came from a long florescent tube light suspended from the vaulted ceiling.

  The young priest sat in the chair, and at my awakening he looked up from his dark-cover book with its white pages. I didn't need three guesses to know he was reading the Good Book, but it was bad news to me. The priest stood and passed behind me. I heard the hinges of a door creak.

  "Father Sterling, it's awake," he called. I heard an echo of his voice and guessed the door led to a hall.

  Footsteps traveled down the hall towards us, and in a moment the old priest himself made his appearance. He walked around me to stand before me in all his imperiousness. His eyes beneath his bushy eyebrows looked at me with a mixture of pity and disgust.

  "My child, I apologize for what I had to do," he told me.

  I squirmed in my ropes. "I'll accept your apology if you let me go," I replied.

  He smiled and shook his head. "That isn't possible. You see, a demon inhabits your body, and it must be exorcised from you."

  I paused my struggles and scrutinized him. "Exorcised how?"

  "It is a purification by holy water which I myself have blessed," he explained.

  My eyes widened and my mouth dropped open. "But that stuff burns me! Doing that would probably kill me!" I argued.

  Father Sterling sighed and gave a single, solemn nod. "Yes, I'm afraid that is the price for your absolution, but salvation is worth such a price."

  "No, it's not!" I argued.

  His brow crashed down and he pulled forth a crucifix. "That is the demon talking. It wishes to keep itself alive through any means necessary."

  "I wish to stay alive!" I insisted.

  He stepped up to me and laid a heavy hand on my shoulder. His attempt at a benevolent look was more akin to that of an executioner to me. "You shall be freed from this demon, I promise, but first we must attract he who touched you and bred this thing inside of you."

  My heart skipped a beat. "David. . ." I whispered.

  Sterling raised an eyebrow. "David? So the creature has a name?" He lifted his hand and stroked his chin. "We shall see if we can't use that to our advantage."

  I glared at him. "Don't you dare touch him! He hasn't hurt anyone!"

  Sterling scowled back at me. "He has corrupted countless innocent souls with his devil hands, including those among my flock, and for that he must be punished."

  "What the hell is wrong with you? Both of you?" I glanced between the two. The younger priest's eyes flickered away from my accusing gaze, but Sterling held firm. "Can either of you say he's done anything more than remind people that they love each other? Or hasn't he punished people who deserved it?"

  Sterling's eyes flickered to his younger comrade. He strode past me and set his hands on the young man's shoulders. "Don't listen to her venomous words, Judah. It is the demon who cries such lies to your ears."

  Judah looked into his mentor's face and nodded. "I know, Father, but her words have a tempting tone to them."

  Sterling led him to the small table and set him in the chair. He pushed the book close to his disciple. "Read the good book and nothing can harm you. I will finish the plans for the other demon, as we have only a few minutes until sunset."

  Sunset! The time when David would be active and could save me! All I had to do was get to my locket and call him, and he'd be here in no time! I squirmed and pulled at the ropes to try to get at the item in my pocket.

  Father Sterling noticed my frustrations and turned to me. He dipped a hand into his robe and pulled out my locket. It swung by its chain close to me. "It's no use looking for this enchanted item. It's mere design told me it was a make of that devil."

  "Give it back! That's mine!" I growled at him.

  He shook his head and pocketed my treasure into his robe. "I may find this item of evil useful for our purposes of good. Now rest, my child. Soon the demon inside you will attract its mate and you will be at peace."

  Father Sterling walked behind me, and I tried to follow but my neck would only crane so far. I heard the creaky hinges strain as the door was opened. "Get back here!" I yelled even as the door shut on my words.

  I whipped my head forward and growled. "Damn him!"

  In the silence of the room the sound of the turning of a stiff page caused me to look to my left at my sole companion. Judah focused his entire attention on his book. I recalled the uneasy look in his eyes when I'd met him with my accusation of insanity. I tried to scoot my chair towards him, but the legs were bolted to the ground.

  "So you been in the priesthood long?" I asked him. He didn't look up from his Bible. I strained my neck to see the page. "You at the Book of Ruth? That's my favorite."

  "Revelations," he replied.

  Finally some progress. "That sounds cool. What's it about?"

  "The final punishment for sinners," he quipped.

  I cringed. That hit too close to home. I had to go at him from another angle. My mind strained for more ideas and my body fidgeted in the seat. If only I could get a hand or a finger loose I might have a chance at escape, but the ropes were tied too tightly. The bindings cut into my bulging breasts.

  That was it! A sly grin slid onto my lips and I turned my eyes to the young man close by. He was a lot like Johnny: young, innocent, and a little uncertain in his confidence. The perfect prey.

  "Judah," I whispered. He scowled, but didn't raise his eyes from the book. I strained against the ropes and moaned as they rubbed against my swelling breasts. I could feel the succubus rise within me, and she was hungry for lust. "Won't you please loosen these ropes just a little? They're so tight."

  Judah shut his eyes and ground his teeth together. He furiously shook his head. "Shut up, demon," he growled, but I could hear the need in his tone. He wanted me.

  I wanted him. My breaths came out in soft pants and when I rubbed my legs together I felt my folds press against my sensitive nub. I leaned my head back and moaned to the quiet air. "Judah, please. Please, I can't take this anymore," I groaned. Judah raised his eyes to mine, and I caught him in my lustful gaze. His eyes took on the familiar needful look, and he rose from his seat. He walked behind me and I felt his hands work on the knots to my ropes. "Yes, that's it. More. Faster," I teased.

  He worked faster and in a moment the ropes slipped down my body. I stood and the bindings dropped to the ground. Judah came around to stand in front of me, and his eyes swept over me with such hunger that all thought of escape swept from me. There was only us, and we were alone in a small, locked room.

  I stepped up to him and wrapped my arms around him. My breasts pressed against his chest and I captured his lips in a passionate, needful kiss. He groaned and leaned into me. Our lips fought a battle I won as my hands pulled at his shirt. His unbuttoned my shirt and revealed the tops of my swollen, sweat-covered breasts. He dove down and buried his face between them. His tongue lapped at my sweat. I shuddered and petted his hair.

  "Yes. That's it. More," I pleaded.

  He suddenly stopped and raised his head. His face twisted with confusion. It only took me a moment to recall what that look meant, especially when Judah leaned his head back and his face changed. His body changed with it, and in a moment David stood before me. There was a wide grin on his face as his heated eyes swept over my half-nakedness.

  "You are quite the vixen," he complimented me.

  I grinned back at him and shrugged. "I learned from the best."

  David looked past me at the door. "And the best says that we must hold off our reunion celebration for a few minutes while we make our escape." He grabbed my hand, turned me around and led me to the door.

  "Can't you just use the shadows?" I suggested.

  "The walls are soaked with hymns and holy water, making the shadows merely that, shadows. Therefore we must e
scape on foot," he explained.

  I grabbed his hand and gave him a yank to stop him. "We can't escape yet! The Father has my locket!" I told him.

  David froze and whipped his head to me. His face lost its color and his eyes were wide. "Does he know what he has?"

  I shook my head. "Not entirely. He knows it's something special, but he doesn't know what." I noticed his hand that held mine shook. "You told me the locket was your heart. Can he do anything with it?"

  David pursed his lips and gave a nod. "Yes, he can destroy me by dipping the locket in holy water."

  Now I felt my color drain from my face. "Then we have to get it back, but how?"

  David looked to me and a small smile slid onto his lips. "You must convince him to return it."

  I cringed. "I don't think he works that way. There's not an ounce of love in that old body."

  David turned to me and grasped both my hands in his own. He stared into my eyes with a pleading look. "My wiles won't work on him. He has no interest in men. You must save me."

  I hung my head, but nodded. "All right, but I'm not going to like it. He's not exactly my type. You know, old and trying to kill me."

  My lover chuckled and pecked a kiss on my forehead. "I have faith you can work your wiles on any male of the human species."

  I sighed and looked to him with a smile. "Let's do this."

  Chapter 8

  David opened the door and we crept into a long, wood-paneled hall. It ran along the length of the rear of the church. We stood at one of the ends of the hall. At the opposite end of the hall and just behind us were two exits to the grounds. To our immediate left and in a depression of ten feet was a large door that I recognized as being in the back of the congregational room. On the opposite side of the hall were a few other smaller wooden doors that led into offices.

  One of the doors to the offices was open and I glimpsed Father Sterling pacing the floor. In his hand was the locket. I glanced between the open office door and the exit behind us. A plan hit me. It wasn't a good plan, but it was something, and I sidled up to David.

  "You said this place has a lot of holiness?" I whispered to him. He nodded. "All right. You go outside and stand by the nearest tree. I'll get him outside and work my magic on him. I hope."