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other s side.
An hour of more talking and planning later, Tom pulled the car into a guest parking space at the hotel
where her aunt was staying. Getting the room number from the desk clerk took a little haggling and some
overt flirting by Allie but at last they stood outside her room.
 I m afraid, Tom. Allie bit her lip and rechecked the number of the room.
 Why? He slid his hand across her shoulders and tugged her closer.  This is what you wanted.
 I know. I m being silly, right? She took a deep breath, raised her hand and knocked three times. For
one horrible moment, she didn t think anyone would answer. But then she heard movement and the door
swung open.
Blue eyes much like her own twinkled in an oval face that reminded her of her mother s. Gray hair
fell past the woman s shoulders, loosely tied back in a haphazard ponytail, and tendrils stuck out in odd
angles around her cheeks. The mouth, pulled into a soft smile, was full and ripe despite the years that had
bestowed wrinkles on the face.  Oh, cupcakes and molasses! Bernadette Tristan, is that you?
 No, Aunt Matilda, I m Allison Tristan. Bernadette was my mother.
Sadness diminished the smile but was followed by an even bigger one.  Hee-hee. How silly of me. Of
course you re not my dear deceased sister, God rest her soul. But you do favor her so. The sharp gaze
landed on Tom.  And who s this handsome devil?
 My name s Tom Halloran. I m a friend of Allie s. He stuck out his hand, but Matilda waved it
away.
 Uh-uh-uh. I don t believe in handshakes. Opening her arms, she enveloped them in a group
embrace.  Hugs are much better, don t you think? Come on in. She whirled on her heel, sending the
bottom of her silk skirt floating around her.  It s been such a long time. Why you were just a youngster
when I last saw you. Tell me about your sisters. Are they well? Do you still live in that little town?
 They re fine, and yes, we re still in Cottageville. Allie waited for Matilda to clear the clutter off two
chairs before she found a place to sit. Tom sat beside her and sent her an encouraging wink.  As much as
I d love to reminisce, I came here with a purpose.
Thankfully, instead of being offended, Matilda plopped down on the small sleeper sofa.  Now there s
your father in you. Always impatient and wanting to get right to the point. What do you need, sweetie?
Money? A love potion? She crooked her finger at Tom.  No, I don t think that s what you want. Anyone
can tell this one s already in love with you.
She could see that? But how? In the way he looked at her? By the fact that he was here? Did her aunt
see the hot desire in his eyes?  Uh, no, not exactly. Auntie, you knew my mother was a succubus, didn t
you?
 Pish-tosh, of course I did. I m her sister.
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Magical Sex
 And since you knew she d married and had children, you knew she d learned to manage the urge to
feed.
 Again, right on the money, honey. Matilda leaned forward, her blue eyes cooling.  So that s what
this is about? You want to know how she did that without hurting your father. I m right, aren t I? Her
stark appraisal ran the length of Tom.  Have you two had problems in that area? Close calls, perhaps?
Allie sensed that her aunt already knew the answers to her questions, but wanted Allie to voice them.
 Too close, Auntie.
Tom scooted his chair closer.  Can you tell us how she did it? We have to know. He took Allie s
hand without turning his attention from the older woman.
Her smile disappeared.  Just because I can tell you, doesn t mean I will. Her aunt set her jaw, grim
determination taking over.
Allie s stomach flipped over. She d never even considered the possibility that her aunt might not tell
her.  But, Auntie, you have to help us. If you don t& 
 Sweetie, it s not that I don t want to. But the answer involves a dangerous transformation.
 What kind of transformation?
 How dangerous?
Although they d both asked a question at the same time, her aunt decided to answer Tom s first.
 Extremely dangerous.
Her aunt rose and paced to the window.  What you re asking me is impossible. I won t risk harming
you, Allie. Believe me, if there was any other way, I d help you.
 But are you sure? How do you know it s dangerous? Allie couldn t give up. Not when she was so
close.
Aunt Matilda shuddered as though a cold breeze had blown over her.  I ve tried three transformations.
Two of the women were dear friends.
Allie took Tom s hand, needing the support he would give her.  What happened, Auntie?
Aunt Matilda turned toward them. Her features hardened, not from anger, but from a great sadness
that overtook her. The cheerful blue eyes grew glassy with a faraway gleam.  I failed my friends.
Tom s inhale matched her own.  How did you fail? Did each remain a succubus?
Her aunt shook her head, the simple gesture filled with grief and remorse.  No, honey, they both
died.
Two had died trying to change? Would she risk her life to be with Tom? Allie looked at the man
beside her and knew her answer. Her life would be nothing without Tom.
Tom squeezed her hand, yet even he couldn t comfort her. She strengthened her resolve.  Why did
they die, Auntie? Did something go wrong?
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Beverly Rae
Aunt Matilda returned to her seat, clasped her hands in front of her, then bowed her head.  No nothing
went wrong. At least not in the way you think. Survival depends on the woman herself. Whether or not
she s strong enough to handle the change.
 But Aunt Matilda 
Her aunt glared at her.  After I lost Hettie, I never wanted to try the transformation again. But then
Margaret talked me into it and I gave in. Oh, how I wished I hadn t.
 Still, it was their decision. They made the choice to take the chance. You can t blame yourself.
 I know. She reached to take Allie s other hand.  But that doesn t make it any easier to lose someone
you love.
Allie grasped her hand with both of hers.  I know and I m sorry you lost them. But you gave them
what they wanted and they took the risk. They were willing to die in order to live the way they wanted to
live. That s what I want, too.
The three of them sat in silence for several moments, each deep in reflection.
Allie released her aunt s hands, determined to make her understand.  You said it happens often, but
not every time, right? You ve heard of others living through the transformation?
 I have, sweetie. Still& 
 It doesn t matter, Allie. Tom rose to pace away from them.  If it s that dangerous, then I won t let
you do it. I couldn t. Not for me.
 I m sorry, but you don t have the final say so. And it wouldn t be just for you. I ll do it for us, for
me. She could see the torment in him, but wouldn t let that sway her.  I m sorry, Tom, but this is my call.
She knelt in front of her aunt.  This is my decision, isn t it? Please, Aunt Matilda, give me this
chance. If I can t be with Tom, in every way, I don t want to live at all.
A tear rolled down her aunt s face and she placed a hand on Allie s cheek.  You have to understand
all the consequences, sweetie. Not only do you tempt death, the transformation changes you. Not in
appearance, but inside you.
Allie waved off Tom s protest and coaxed her aunt to continue.  Go on.
 Your succubus power would be removed and you would become human.
How many times had she wished she wasn t a succubus?  But that s exactly what I hope will happen.
Trust me, I won t miss being a succubus at all.
Her aunt glanced at Tom, then back to Allie.  Neither did your mother. And I can see how much you
love each other. More love than I ve seen in two people in a long time. Since your mother and father, in
fact.
 Wait. Hope lit up Allie s heart.  You said you did three transformations. Who was the third? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]