Page 52 of The Elementalist
“Yes, that’s possible, but it’s more difficult. I can’t charm a woman unless she’s gay, and that kinda reduces the size of the buffet. I can feed from guys and have them not even remember anything that happened if I want to… well, unless they’re into men.”
“I guess making them forget is best. Won’t break anyone’s heart that way.” I sighed mentally. Except possibly mine. Just gotta keep thinking about it being food to her. Wow, my life has gonewayoff the rails.
“Is there any truth to the stories of succubi killing men?”
“Maybe full-blooded succubi. We feed on sexual energy and life essence, and they consume a lot more than I do. If they taketoo much from one person, their energy won’t regenerate… and it could either kill them or leave them a hollow, lifeless shell incapable of embracing life or feeling the slightest bit of joy or enthusiasm.”
“You might have just described Cleveland Browns fans everywhere.”
“A sports team?”
“Yes, although their luck might have changed recently.”
“It always does, don’t you know?”
“I’m beginning to believe it. So, um, how often do you need to... feed?”
“If I behave myself and don’t use any of my powers, then about once a week. A human physically recovers from my feeding in about six hours, but it takes them about seven-to-ten days to spiritually recover.”
“So, once a week is pushing it.”
“It is… and I’m kinda bad at behaving myself. I like my powers and use them often.” She leaned up and kissed me. “But, I’m not used to a man who is willing to feed meandhas fallen in love with me. The energy is stronger, so maybe I won’t actually have to feed as often.”
“Guess I’m high calorie.”
“Maybe. I never really thought about that. I’ve mostly been feeding as discreetly as possible ever since I became old enough to have that need.”
“Are you like 300 years old or something?”
“No. I’m twenty-six. My actual father did say we live longer than normal people, but he didn’t really offer much detail. Full-blooded succubi and incubi are immortal. Do I look younger than twenty-six to you?”
“A little. Not much. I’d have guessed maybe twenty-two.”
“Thank you.” She kissed me again. “Well, we still do have the problem of Nigel Farrington wanting to abduct me… andpossibly wanting you out of the way.”
I said, “Yeah, yeah,” in my best ‘it can wait for effing tomorrow’ tone.
“The severity of the problem would depend on if those vampires belonged to Farrington’s circle or if it had been a momentary arrangement to deal with me.”
I processed this. At least my brain still worked, foggy as it was. “Somehow, your sister Dana discovered that he intended to attack you, but the vampires killed her before she could warn you. Something bothers me about that.”
“Only ‘bothers’ you?”
“I don’t mean her death. Forgive me for not sitting up. I still can’t really move.”
“It’s all right. I prefer using you as a pillow.”
I chuckled. “What bothers me is if Dana found out this information, why did she go to a party out in the forest? Why not call you right away with a warning and give you all the details? Unless she went to that party specifically to find out more information. You did tell me it had weird occult overtones.”
“Hmm. That’s true. What do you think happened?”
“I’m guessing here, but try this idea on for size. The Farringtons somehow find out that you’re a succubus. Or maybe it’s Nigel working independently. He can’t get to you in Ironside, so he needs to do something that will bring you within reach. You’re at odds with your family, so he doesn’t think they’ll get in his way.”
“More than ‘at odds.’ My pretend father disowned me. Only my mother and Dana cared to have anything to do with me. Mother, at least, put me back into the will after his passing. And no, I had nothing to do with his death.”
It happened two years ago. I’d heard about it... the whole town had. “Did a bear really swim all the way out to his fishing boat?”
“No one really believes a bear did it.”
