Page 15 of Poison's Kiss
"Then let's get to it."
It almost feels as thoughwe're late, but we're right on time. This glorious wonder of a house is packed full of ritzy people with flashy attire. I'm glad I did have this dress handy. I wasn't prepared for the glam and gloss of Gatsby's era.
"Just stay with me. Thad should be here already, shaking down answers."
I nod as his arm wraps around my waist and guides me through the crowded room. After a couple of dances, I'm almost sweating from the intimate connection we've been forced to endure with the steady stream of slow songs.
"Drink?" he asks while loosening his tie, as though he's feeling it, too.
"What's up with this atmosphere?" I grumble, squirming uncomfortably.
"I can answer that," Thad interjects while handing both of us a glass full of some odd, foggy concoction.
His crisp blue shirt peeks out beneath his perfectly tailored suit, and his blue mask only adds to his appeal. Now I'm really sweating. What the hell? This can't be my aura.
I taste the drink to see it's a bit fruity, but it's not too over the top. I'm grateful for anything that might take the edge off.
"Well?" Gage prompts as we move to the other side of the room.
I start noticing several people devouring each other without discretion. One guy has a moaning girl pressed against the wall as his hand slips under her dress, making her gasp in ecstasy. I have to look away, feeling like a total pervert for ever having seen such an act of intimacy.
"This home belongs to a succubus and an incubus. The two are married, and they get off on making others... well, get off."
I start fanning myself as the desire to feel someone's touch becomes a heady sensation.
"I thought they just lured in prey with their seduction," I chime in, vocalizing my limited knowledge of our world.
"We are their prey. They feed off sexual energy. Right now, this place is fueling them like a buffet would a fat man."
Gage adjusts his pants, and then he guzzles his drink. "This is terrible. We'll never get anything accomplished in this air. We should go."
Thad shakes his head while pointing to the top of the stairs.
"I've got a meeting with Dulgar. He's a little unpredictable. Stick around. I might need a hand if he tries anything."
Gage takes a shaky breath, and then his eyes find mine again briefly before turning back to Thad.
"Why aren't you as affected?" he questions suspiciously.
"I took the edge off. You should probably do the same. There are plenty of willing women in here. I'll help out Alyssa."
For the first time in a while, that actually sounds gross. He just screwed another girl, and now he's flirting? Ew.
"Ha," I release sardonically, and he pulls me into his arms while casting a patronizing stare down to me.
"Don't be like that, pretty girl. It's just sex. You need to get it off the pedestal and put on a foot stool where it belongs."
I just laugh at his candor, and then he leans in to steal a kiss. I promptly push him away before those dirty lips reach mine, and his lips pucker in response.
"Fine then. I'll get on with my meeting."
Gage puffs out his frustration as we watch Thad leave us behind.
"I have got to get something stronger than this girly thing he brought over. You need more?" he asks while clanking around the ice in his cup.
"Please," I dramatically release, and he laughs while taking my glass and walking away.
Before he's even completely out of sight, familiar arms are wrapping around my waist with a rough, aggressive touch, and spinning me around to meet the green eyes behind a red mask.
