Page 64 of In the Nick of Time
He suspected that Nick was serious even though he tried to pass it off as a joke. Doug was unsurprised to find that he didn’t hate the idea of Nick Sedgewick sticking around in his life. When this was over, they’d have the time to have a conversation about it. One positive about SPAM was that the organization didn’t have a no-fraternization policy. It was hard enough to live among normals and keep powers a secret. Why make it more difficult by banning relationships with those who also had them?
The middle room was a little more crowded than it had been earlier. Doug had to weave around new players waiting for open spots at the tables. There was also no seating at the bar right away. He and Nick waited off to one side, hoping a group of younger men would decide to try their luck elsewhere.
Luck. Doug felt like he’d been hit by a two-by-four.
“Lady Luck,” Doug said, staring at Nick with realization.
“What? Full sentences, please. I’m tired and have been through a lot today. Question, do we get hazard pay for this kind of stuff?”
“Actually, we do, but that’s not the point. The point is, I think I know who the woman is.”
Nick appeared astonished. “You believed me?”
Doug felt his eyebrows draw together. “Of course I believed you. Why wouldn’t I? You have good instincts even if you are anew agent. You’re observant underneath all that faffle you put on.”
A sappy smile spread across Nick’s face. “You like me.”
“I more than like you,” Doug admitted, “but, again, that’s not the point.”
A couple slipped off their barstools and headed to the dance floor hand in hand. Setting his palm against the curve of Nick’s lower back, Doug guided him to the now open seating. The bartender was busy making drinks but made eye contact to indicate he’d be over as soon as he could.
“Tell me more,” said Nick.
“Later. Right now, I need you to listen, and then we’ll need to decide the best plan of action. Most of all, I need you to act normally.”
Nick raised his eyebrows. “Normal? I’ve never acted normal in my entire life.”
“I meant,” Doug clarified, “be yourself.”
“Okay.” He nodded. “That I can do.”
“I think we’re dealing with Lady Luck,” Doug said in a low voice.
“What do we know about her?”
“Not much. Which is how she’s gotten away from SPAM and other organizations for so long. Hundreds of years, as far as I am aware.”
Nick’s eyes widened in surprise. “Did you say hundreds of years?”
“I did. Obviously, she isn’t really lucky. That’s just what she calls herself. And I’d say that we don’t even know if she is really a she, a he, or a they. I had a mentor who ran up against her many years ago, and he theorized that she’s an emotional succubus.”
“A what?”
“A succubus,” Doug repeated. “She likely feeds on emotions. Especially high emotions, which is why she loves Vegas andanywhere else where people are likely to put everything on the line for the massive endorphin hits they get if they’re successful and the crushing lows if they aren’t. Most people can’t see her. Francois believed that she had a way of manipulating people to keep going, to keep betting, and when the final endorphin high or low hits, because those taste just as good to her, she sucks everything she can off a person. Like a sponge.”
“That’s just gross.” Nick wrinkled his nose. “Why can’t you see her? She was right there.”
“I don’t know. I imagine that, once again, it has something to do with your body chemistry.”
“I suppose. Do you think Pork Pie was working with her? He made it sound like he was on his own.”
The bartender drifted their way. “Have you decided what you’d like to drink?”
Doug didn’t ask what Nick wanted. “Two tall vodka tonics, lime on the side.”
“Bleck, I am so tired of alcohol.”
“These will be watered down, that’s why I ordered them.”
