Succubs on Top

streak is still there. If she's strayed once, I bet she could be lured into doing it again.'

I groaned as the pieces fell together. 'Like with a handsome, debonair neighbor?'

'Debonair? Really, you're too kind.'

'So what happens after that?'

'Then we just let the evidence do its work.'

'Evidence?'

'Well, yeah. We're not going to go the way of the pool boy. When I manage to lure the illustrious Mrs. Dailey into physical pleasures surpassing her wildest dreams, there'll be a camera rolling. We're going to record this for posterity, then go to the press. Full exposure, full takedown. No more radio empire preaching to the masses to return to pure, decent ways. Even her husband's political campaign will be marred, thus opening the door for some liberal upstart to take his place and help get this area back into the corrupt rut it so desperately longs for. '

'Gee, it's all so neat.'

He eyed me. 'You doubt the plan's brilliance?'

'I don't know. I appreciate the ballsy factor here, but I think this is kind of out-there, even for you. I can't imagine Dana Dailey’ll go down so easily.'

'Leave the going down to me.'

'Your ego's out of control.'

He laughed and pulled me to him. His arms felt good around me. Familiar. Reassuring. 'Admit it. That's why you love me. '

'Yeah, you're like the brother I never had. One that doesn't set my hair on fire. '

His eyes sparkled wickedly. 'And once again, you've jumped ahead of me. I want you to see me in action on this— not to mention keep me company while I'm in town. You've got to come visit—as Mitch's sister.'

'Who?'

Bastien suddenly stood up and shape-shifted. The familiar features morphed, leaving no trace of the rakish incubus I knew. Six-two and broad-shouldered, he now had dark blond hair and sky blue eyes, his face only just losing its pretty boy aspect and giving way to the sizzling promise of an experienced, confident man in his early thirties. When he smiled, those perfect teeth lit up a room.

He winked at me. 'Mitch Hunter,' he explained in a suave, movie-star voice. No accent now.

'You got an equally cheesy title to go with that? 'Mitch Hunter, MD' or 'Mitch Hunter, Private Investigator?' Seems appropriate.'

'Nah. I'm a consultant, of course. Everyone's favorite nondescript yet well-paid white-collar job.'

'You look like you need a golf club in one hand and a burger flipper in the other.'

'Tease all you want, but Dana won't be able to resist this. Now'—he gestured for me to stand up—'let's see what you can do.'

'Are you joking?'

'Do I look like I'm joking? If you're going to come visit me, you've got to put on some family resemblance.'

I rolled my eyes and stood up. After a moment's study of his features, I shape-shifted my petite body into a taller, more athletic one with long blond hair.

He scrutinized me, then shook his head. 'Too pretty.'

'What? This is perfect.'

'That body's unreal. No one looks that good. My God woman, that ass.'

'Oh, come on. You don't think Special Agent Mitch Hunter's sister isn't the type to spend two hours a day on a stair-climber?'

Bastien grunted. 'You've got a point there. At least lose some of the hair. These suburban types go for boring and practical.'

'Yeah, but I'm not suburban. I'm your hipper, more stylish—'

Someone knocked at my door. He glanced at me questioningly.

'Oh! It's Seth.'

I changed back to my normal body, and Bastien did the same. I opened the door.

Seth Mortensen, best-selling author and professional introvert, stood outside my apartment. Clad in a Frogger T-shirt and corduroy jacket, he seemed to have forgotten to brush his hair again. It was messy and brown with a faint coppery cast, mirrored in the perpetual five o'clock shadow across his lower face. His lips turned up in a smile upon seeing me, and I couldn't help but briefly ponder how soft and kissable they looked.

'Hey,' I said.

'Hey.'

Despite whatever attraction burned between us, the engine of our conversation always took a little while to turn over. I led him inside, and his expression faltered a bit when he saw Bastien.

'Oh. Hi.'

'Hello,' boomed Bastien, extending his hand. 'Bastien Moreau.'

'Seth Mortensen.'

'A pleasure. I've heard all about you. Your books are fabulous. I mean, I've never read any of them—just don't have the time for that anymore—but I'm sure they're magnifique.'

'Um, thanks.'

'Bastien is an old friend,' I explained. 'He's going to be in town for a while on…business.'

Seth nodded, and silence dropped in between all of us like a fourth companion. Finally, Bastien cleared his throat. I could see from his face that he was already losing interest, dismissing Seth as too quiet and unexciting. The incubus craved action.

'Well, I should take off. I don't want to interrupt your plans.'

'What are you going to do?' I asked. 'You can't have any plans of your own yet. '

He winked. 'I'll improvise.'

I gave him a knowing look.

Ruffling my hair again, he embraced me and kissed each of my cheeks. 'I'll be in touch,  Fleur . Make sure you keep an eye on the news.'

'I'll never leave my television.'

Bastien gave Seth a friendly nod. 'Nice meeting you.'

When the incubus was gone, Seth asked, 'When you say 'old friend,' are we talking, like…since the Ice Age?'

'No. Of course not.'

'Oh.'

'It's only been about four hundred years.'

'Ah. Yes. Only four hundred.' A wry expression spread over his face. 'Being with you is a continual experiment in perspective. Among other things.' He considered. 'So what is he? Werewolf? Demigod?'

'Nothing so exciting. He's an incubus. You must have heard of those.'

Seth nodded, frowning. 'Sure. Like a succubus only…he has to go after women to survive?'

I nodded.

'Wow. For all eternity. Wow.' His eyebrows shot up as true wonder played over his face. 'That's got to be…wow. That's really rough.'

My eyes narrowed. 'Don't even start down that road.'

Bastien had said he didn't want to interrupt our plans, but we didn't really have any, short of spending the evening together. I suppose most couples, running out of options, could have resorted to sex or at least making out, but the nature of our relationship required a full itinerary. We mustered some ideas.

'You want to rent a movie?' I offered. 'I've got some coupons.'

We ended up renting Gladiator, at which time I discovered Horatio's free rental coupons had expired long ago.

'That son of a bitch!'

'Who?' asked Seth.

But of course I couldn't explain. Fucking demons.

Back home, Seth and I snuggled on my couch as we watched, warm and close yet still safe from any