Once again, I count my lucky stars I’m not a Sapie. It is so not fair that he is so much more beautiful than me. As a demion, I have a hard enough time resisting him. As a Sapie, I’d be toast.
“I’m mad at you.” He runs his gaze up and down my body and lets out a soft, lustful moan.
I roll my eyes. Bones is my best friend, and I know he can’t help himself, BUT STILL… Just once it’d be nice for him to not greet me with his über sexy, ‘come-hither-and-do-me’ persona. A demion can only take so much, you know? Oh well, what did I really I expect from something that’s also half incubus?
“Yeah? What’d I do this time?” Despite my bad mood, I smile. Seeing Bones always makes me feel better.
“You were supposed to meet me by Cyler’s Point last night so we could go into the city together, remember? You were going to torment some of your regulars while I found a few virgins to mate with. But you totally blew me off. Any of this ringing a bell?”
Guilty. I had totally forgotten.
“I’m sorry…I overheard something last night and had to check it out. C’mon, let’s go get some drinks. I’m losing my mind and need someone to talk to.”
Bones gives me his very best sexy smile and shifts closer. “You know I can’t leave my post while I’m on duty. But I can help you relax and take your mind off things for a while if you like.” He places his hands lightly on my hips and pulls me to him.
Although Bones is perfectly well aware that I’m immune to his hypnotizing powers of seduction, he never stops trying. Usually I love it. Not tonight.
I push his hands away.
“What’s up?” he asks, still staring at my body longingly. I feel the lightest tickle of warm rays where his gaze falls and groan with genuine annoyance.
“Bones, stop it. You know it creeps me out when you try your powers on me. Face it, they don’t work. Never have, never will. It’s nothing personal,” I add when he gives a hurt-puppy pout. “You know how much the Sapie girls looove you.”
“Yeah, but it’s not the same. They’re all so powerless and weak, it gets a little boring. Now you on the other hand…” He steps closer again, reaches inside the opening of my cloak, and lightly traces his fingers over my bare abdomen.
I push him away, stronger this time. “Ugh, stop! Don’t make me have to hurt you. What is with you tonight?”
“Sorry…” he says, as if he isn’t remorseful in the slightest. “Just in the mood for some fun. I’m a little charged up. Didn’t make as many conquests as I needed last night, and tonight they put me on patrol when I need to be out mating. It’s been so slow out here, and then along comes the sexiest fireball for a thousand miles and you expect me to behave?” He laughs as if it’s the funniest idea he’s ever heard. And they say Sapie men have one-track minds; they have nothing on incubi. Their sole reason for existing is seduction, mating, procreating—that’s it.
I give him the dirtiest look I can and stomp toward the bridge, but he reaches out for my hand and gently pulls me back.
“Hey, Lucky, I’m sorry, hon…I’m only playing. No more. I’ll behave, I promise. What’s wrong, are you okay? Talk to me.” This time his voice is noticeably softer and his seductive aura muted.
Finally. This is the Bones I want to talk to. My friend. I slink over to a tree stump and plop down, covering my face with my hands.
“They’re gone,” I say, fighting back the tears threatening to form. “They got away while stupid Liora played school girl.” At these words a surge of rage floods through me. I have to sit on my hands so as not to uproot the massive stump and heave it into the pile of rocks behind me…only because I don’t want to have to sit on the ground.
Bones sits beside me on the grass. He places a comforting hand on my back, and I feel its fire.
“I know how much you wanted to get them. But I can’t say that I’m sorry you didn’t. I’m glad they’re gone,” he says quietly.
“Bones, do not start—” I jump to my feet and glare down at him.
“I’m sorry, Lucky, but you know how I feel. No good will come of this vendetta. Even if somehow you do manage to kill them you’ll likely be banished. That is, if the Legionare doesn’t kill you first. Or worse…”
“Bones, you know why I have to—”
He puts up his hand, cutting me off. “No, I don’t know. I’ve heard your reasons for years, but I’ve never once agreed with you, have I? Killing the Amazèa will not bring your friends back; they are long gone. You don’t even know with all certainty that your curse would be broken upon their deaths. All you will accomplish by hunting them is getting yourself killed. And maybe others you care about, if you start a war and we’re forced to take sides.”