Free Zoey Rogue by Lizzy Ford Page B

Things will go back to the way they were and we’ll deal with it later.”
    “You and denial are best friends. You should just accept that life isn’t the way you want it and never will be.”
    Zoey glanced at Vikki. There was bitterness in her voice.
    “What’s up with you?” she asked. “You’ve been angry lately, too. Not getting laid enough?”
    “I didn’t even think of that. What if Eric needs time or something and you’re on the couch. You’ll never make it,” Vikki said. “Zoey, I rotate men every night, and I can hardly do this.”
    “I didn’t think of that either,” Zoey muttered. Every time she went out killing, she came back and had sex with Eric as many times as he’d go, usually only two. But two was better than none. How did she handle the sex energy in her blood, if he put her on the couch?
    “I wonder what it’s like to be with an Incubus,” Vikki said pensively. “I mean, like, permanently. That kind of passion every night. We kinda have band-aids to help us deal with it, you know? Like the men who rotate through my dorm. It’s kinda sickening, really. I don’t get why the Sucubatti didn’t plan that out better.”
    “Yeah, it is kinda shitty for us,” Zoey said with a shrug. “I have to admit, if something happens with Eric, I have no idea what I’d do.”
    “I wonder if any of the Incubus Benefactors sleep with their Hunters.”
    “It’s forbidden.”
    “Okay, Miss Innocent.” Vikki rolled her eyes. “Don’t you wonder why? The Incubatti sleep with Hunters.”
    “Really?”
    “Yeah. They take on mistresses. Some of them have wives. Where do you think Incubuses come from?”
    “I dunno. I had no idea they have wives. Are they Succubae who betray the Sucubatti to live with them?” Zoey took another sip and grimaced. The drink in her hand tasted familiar, but it wasn’t any alcoholic beverage she could remember having before. “What is this shit? It doesn’t taste right.”
    “No idea. Oh, it’s an amaretto sour. I think.” Vikki tasted hers and frowned. “Yeah, these don’t taste quite right.”
    “Tastes more sour than usual.” She set it down, but her ears were already buzzing. Whatever was in the drink, it was taking effect.
    “Whatever. Anyway, one of the other girls said that Incubuses have preordained wives,” Vikki continued. “I guess they’re Halflings that can handle the sex energy long term. To claim them, the Incubus has to sleep with them three times in some kind of mating rite, and then they own the woman. They call it three strikes.”
    Vikki’s words floated over her. Zoey tried to pay attention, but now her vision was blurring. She shook her head and downed a glass of ice water to see if the shock of cold cleared her mind.
    “No way. That’s shitty. V, I think there’s something wrong with these drinks.”
    “What if it’s not?” Vikki returned, her voice slurred. “What if it’s easier than rotating the football team through your dorm room every week?” She was facing Zoey, but didn’t seem to see her through her glazed eyes.
    “The whole team? That’s like…” Zoey couldn’t add when drunk. “More than one a night.”
    “Yeah. Try three to four.”
    “Are you hurting that badly?” she asked, astonished, distracted by her concern for her friend. The strange sensations caused by the drink were getting worse.
    Vikki didn’t seem to hear her. “Do you think this is why all the girls before us got transferred conveniently on their twenty second birthdays? Not because they were slow, but because they couldn’t control themselves anymore?”
    “Stop drinking that shit, V.” Zoey reached out to take the drink Vikki still sipped. Darkness was encroaching on her vision from the edges of her mind. “I think we need to call … a ride …” She felt herself hit the floor a moment before her world went dark.

Chapter Six: Declan Decided

    Declan finished the last repetition of his final set under the squat machine. Another