FOUR
LESS THAN AN HOUR later, I had a new travel bag stocked with the essentials for a life on the run. More importantly, I had underwear. Talk about things you didn’t appreciate until you were stuck without them for a few days, right?
I’d insisted on a stop in the mall restroom after the cashier checked out my purchases, which I used to remove the tags from a pair of black leggings, a slouchy top, a bra, and panties so I could wear them right out of the store. The filthy and battered shorts and t-shirt I’d been wearing went straight in the trashcan. Sharalynn’s borrowed sandals got tossed in my bag, exchanged for a pair of practical ass-kicking boots. I figured that if I was going to do this whole ‘paranormal femme fatale’ thing, it was high time I started dressing the part.
I’d also picked up a new burner phone. Dialing from memory, I used it to call Rans once we were back in the car.
“Basics acquired,” I reported. “How’s Guthrie doing?”
“His disposition is just as sunny and cheerful as ever,” Rans replied, in a tone that made me suspect Guthrie was standing right next to him. “Are you going somewhere to feed now?”
“That’s still to be determined,” I told him, switching the phone to speaker and setting it in my lap. “Aside from the complete inappropriateness of asking Len to do this in the first place, it’s a Thursday. Not exactly party central in this town.”
“Actually, there are members of the old SL2 gang who meet up on Thursdays and Sundays,” Len said. “There are fewer cops out snooping around on those nights, or at least that’s the theory. The group kind of fell apart after that poor security person died, not to mention the police showing up with bullhorns and SWAT teams. But some of the members still keep in touch. They just do it privately, and they move it around each time.”
“Well, there you go, then,” Rans said, as though it was settled. “Pop off for a couple of hours and get yourself an animus snack. With Myrial stuck in Hell and the Fae having no clue we’re in the city, it should be safe enough. Hopefully by the time you get back, I’ll have figured out some sort of plan-like... thing.”
I regarded the phone’s screen with skepticism. “Okay, two thoughts here. Point one—I now have a small and brutally practical selection of clothing that does not include either latex or leather. And point two—none of this addresses the fact that it’s both weird and totally unfair to ask Len to do this.”
As if it were a foregone conclusion that he would agree, Rans said, “Len, mate—you don’t mind, do you? Just think of it as a night of friendly bonding over... well... bondage.”
“Mind? It’s not so much a matter of me minding, as of me thinking you’re both crazy,” Len said. “But I guess we’ve already established that part pretty thoroughly.”
“Clothing, Rans,” I prompted. “Like I said, I don’t have any, and I can’t exactly show up to a sex party naked.”
There was a beat of silence from all quarters as what I’d just said sank in.
I blinked down at the phone. “You... seriously want me flashing tits and ass at a group of complete strangers? Especially when you’re not even there?”
I mean... I supposed it would be both simpler and more effective at getting the onlookers horny for me, but—
“Obviously I’d find the prospect far more enjoyable if I were there to appreciate it in person,” Rans said. “But picturing it in the privacy of my thoughts would still brighten a day that has otherwise been utter shite, love. It’s completely up to you, though. You can always swing by Victoria’s Secret and get something pretty to wear under the ropes if you’d rather.”
I sighed, resigned. “Okay, fine. Fuck it. Picture away, you medieval pervert. But Len still gets veto power over this whole idiotic plan, just to be clear.”
“As he should,” Rans said, all hints of teasing gone. “And you were right, by the way—he’s a good bloke.”
Len gave the phone a flat stare. “Did I mention you’re both crazy?”
Rans ignored the words. “Whatever you decide to do, keep a low profile before and after the main event, and don’t dally.”
“Copy that,” I told him. “We’ll see you back at the apartment in a bit, and I’ll text you the address if we end up going.”
“See you soon, love,” Rans said, and ended the call.
I drew in a cleansing breath and met Len’s gaze. “Right. It’s your call. Are we doing this?”
He looked at me with tired eyes. “You really need to be around horny people to keep from starving, huh?”
I shrugged. “Well, I mean, I’m not about to keel over right this minute or anything. But in a general sense... yes.”
Len pulled out his phone with a sigh. “Let me find out where everyone’s meeting tonight, I guess. Then I’ll have to swing by Tris’s place to pick up my rope and rigging. I left most of that stuff in his apartment when I moved. The good news is, he should be pulling a shift at the restaurant until eleven tonight.”
I winced a bit at the reminder that ‘taking a break’ had also entailed Len moving out of the apartment he’d shared with his boyfriend.
“Thanks, Len,” I told him quietly. “And if it helps at all, this whole succubus deal is still some pretty new territory for me. I never asked for it, and I’m sure as hell not proud of it. So this is weird for me, too.”
Len shot me a glance from under his dark lashes. “None of us ask for the crap in our lives, Z. I didn’t ask to be the gay son of fundamentalist parents. Tris didn’t ask for his brain chemistry to be completely whacked for no apparent reason. I’m guessing your pretty boy didn’t ask for a pair of fangs and a silver
