Free Succubus Shadows by Richelle Mead Page A

the coffee shop?”
    Roman looked at me, a brief glint of apology showing through his angry expression. “Yeah, I didn’t have a chance to tell you. She came to the bookstore while you were out with Maddie yesterday. Very nicely timed with your absence.”
    I slammed my fork down on my plate. Really, it was a wonder I had any dishes left. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me?”
    “Because I kind of didn’t have the chance, seeing as we had bigger problems!”
    Jerome had stiffened when Roman mentioned Simone attempting to seduce Seth. The reaction was weird, like he’d been caught by surprise. That was rare for a demon, rarer still for one to show it. Several moments later, he regained his composure, turning his attention to Roman’s comment. “Bigger problems?”
    “Georgina’s being stalked,” declared Roman.
    “Georgina’s always being stalked.” Jerome sighed. “What is it this time?”
    He kept his features neutral, but as we explained the situation, I saw something spark in his eyes…some sort of interest. At the very least, speculation.
    Silence fell when Roman and I finished our story. I glanced at him, both of us waiting for my overlord to offer some sort of explanation.
    “Your job with Simone is done,” Jerome said at last.
    “Thank God,” said Roman.
    “You’re going to follow Georgie instead.”
    “What?” Roman and I exclaimed in unison.
    “Same deal,” added Jerome. “Invisible, no signature. Except when you’re here, of course. Most know you two are roommates. It’d be odd if you disappeared off the face of the earth.”
    The last couple times that siren song had shown up, I’d desperately wanted Roman. I should have been glad to have him now, which is why the outrage that followed next was completely irrational.
    “But he needs to follow Simone!”
    “Oh?” asked Jerome. “Pray tell why? She’s made no contact with anyone from Hell. Either she is here for innocent reasons, or she’s too good at hiding her reports.”
    “But…but…she’s following Seth. We need to figure out why!”
    “I don’t think it takes a genius to deduce why,” said Jerome dryly.
    “We have to stop her, though.”
    The demon snorted. “Georgina, do you have any idea how much I don’t care about your ex-boyfriend? There’s more in this universe than your absurd love life—or lack of one.” I flinched. “Especially since he’s sleeping with someone else now. If he’s so in love with her now, Simone shouldn’t be an issue. And don’t glare at me like that,” he added. “You already screwed his soul over when you fucked him last spring. Simone won’t make any difference.”
    I gritted my teeth. “I still don’t think—”
    “No.” Jerome’s voice was hard, and he was using that tone you didn’t argue with. He turned his attention to Roman. “You’re done with Simone. You’re with Georgie now. Understood?”
    Roman nodded, not sharing my outrage. “Understood. Do you know what this is? What’s happening to Georgina?”
    “I’ve got a few ideas,” Jerome growled. And like that, he vanished.
    “Son of a bitch,” I said.
    Roman swallowed a bite of egg and looked remarkably relaxed, compared to his earlier state. “Was that a general statement of frustration or a slander on Jerome?”
    “Both. Why do you look so pleased all of a sudden? You were ready to go on a rampage earlier.”
    “Because I’m done with Simone. And I get to chase better prey now.”
    “And because you don’t care about Seth at all.”
    “That too.”
    I stared at my food without really seeing it. My appetite was gone. “I need to see him. I need to see her and find out if she’s following him.”
    “No good can come of that,” warned Roman.
    I didn’t answer. My mood had crashed. I was grateful for Roman’s protection now, but in a lot of ways…well, I wanted to put Seth before myself. I wanted to defend him from…what? Having his life shortened by a succubus? Having his soul further