“Are you kidding me right now? Reeve wouldn’t respect any rules you put in place. You know how he is around me. I don’t know how he managed to hide his crazy for so long.”
“I know Allera. I just thought I’d ask. Save you the trouble of hiding away for months on end and try to find a way for you to exist together. I care about you both. I know you don’t want to hear that, but it’s true.”
My heart ached thinking about Reeve. I couldn’t understand why he’d tried to trap me. We’d known each other for years. We had wanted each other for years. And when we were finally together? He ruined everything.
Even after all that, I missed him. He was the only man I’d ever met who could match me and I’d thought we were perfect together. I was wrong.
“What story did you plant about me by the way?” I changed the subject. “It’s the hottest spot of gossip in town right now.”
“Oh, the usual,” Landon sounded smug down the line. “Your pastor was discovered in bed with a congregation member.”
“That doesn’t sound that interesting.” I frowned, expecting something more.
“He was 89 years old, if that makes it more titillating,” he added. I snorted but it was halfhearted. I was thinking about Reeve again, a twisted mix of betrayal, love and hurt tumbled inside of me.
“Can you keep an eye and ear on your brother? He’s dangerous and powerful. If I’m ever going to get ahead of him, then I need your help.”
“You got it,” Landon said. Hanging up, I tucked my phone away.
Now that I was on that path, I couldn’t help but remember the first time I’d told Reeve off. He’d claimed that succubi were over dramatic and spoiled.
Three Years Ago
Landon’s eyes bounced between us with amusement, and he mimed eating popcorn.
“You don’t have any idea what you’re talking about,” I scoffed, walking up and planting my finger in the middle of Reeve’s chest. His smile only widened. It made me want to bite off his head.
“I’ve known many succubi, darling, and they have all agreed with me.” He shrugged.
“Did you mess around in their brains beforehand? That’s the only explanation. They were probably shit scared of you.” I shook my head. Reeve reached out and ran his fingers down my cheek.
“But not you, little succubus? You are not afraid of my powers?”
“You are not an expert on this and if I’m the one to school you, so be it.” I turned my back on him, but he snatched my wrist, pulling me back against him.
Landon whistled low under his breath.
“So, tell me. Teach me. I’m willing to admit I am wrong.”
“Take me into any of the newest, hottest strip clubs. Hell, even new clubs these days. There is usually only one reason they are skyrocketing, and it’s not from the ambience. It’s the succubi they’ve got caged somewhere on the premises. Sometimes they make a cell with one-way glass, so a succubus can still absorb lust, but mostly they prefer us weak.”
Reeve’s hand tightened around my wrist until my pulse leapt against his fingers. He narrowed his eyes.
“You sound like you speak from experience.”
“Of course I do. Maybe the succubi you spoke to have all been coddled and protected their whole lives with their powers respected enough for them to become spoiled. But most of us, including me, have had to fight every step of the way to escape the injustices heaped on our kind.”
I tugged my wrist from Reeve’s hand and flopped next to Landon. He gave my knee a brotherly pat. Reeve stiffened at the sight of it. Landon quickly pulled his hand back.
“You know I adore seeing you, big bro, but must you pick a fight with Allera every time you see her? We were getting ready for a movie night, but now the vibes are off.” He grimaced.
Reeve was silent. His shoulders were still stiff. He stalked over to Landon’s kitchen bench and pulled out a small purple bottle with a gold stopper and three shot glasses with the ease of someone who had spent a lot of time here. Landon sucked in a disbelieving breath, bounding over to his brother and rubbing his hands.
“Is that what I think it is?”
I followed and watched the purple liquid bubble in the glasses with interest.
“It’s supposedly authentic, but there’s only one way to find out.” Reeve held the shot glass out to me with an arched eyebrow.