Flash Fiction Friday Part 3

So this week's prompt was all about characters. Our options were...

1.Is flirtatious towards the character, and is stubborn about it. They get their beliefs about the character from local gossip. Not likely to act on these feelings.

2.Is somewhat worshipful towards the character, and feels passionately about it. The source of their attitude is first impressions.
3. Is highly unfriendly towards the character, and feels very strongly about it. Their feelings spring from a business contact.
4. Is extremely suspicious towards the character, and feels very strongly about it. The source of their attitude is a recent event involving the character.
5. Is unfriendly towards the character, and not looking to change their view.  The source of their attitude is from past experience

I kind of have both 2 and 4 in there but I'm guessing that's not against the rules. As always stop by and read fellow FFF writers Night Tempest, Elaina M. Roberts, and Tempest Wolf. 

“This is the third time Michael. What happened to working together?" Quinn couldn’t suppress the anger his voice even if he was speaking to his boss. 

“He’s getting his end of things done just like you have yours.” 

Quinn sat with his legs hanging out the open driver’s side door. The street was eerily quiet outside of the occasional dog walker that crossed his path. On the other end, Michael sat in mid sandwich trying to defuse a situation he wasn’t even aware was happening. 

Quinn crossed his legs nervously tapping his fingers on the wheel. “I haven’t spoken to him in two weeks.”

“You’ve gone longer without speaking to Liam.” Michael countered. He knew there had been tension between the two though he was never sure why. Their work was always top notch so he never bothered to pry any deeper. 

“No we haven’t especially during an important assignment.” And him being held hostage with a handsome stranger. “I’m out of the loop.”

Michael liked his guys busy. Richard was his client and happy clients meant more money. Nonetheless he knew Quinn wasn’t letting up. “We’ll have a phone conference tomorrow. Check in see how everything is progressing ok?”

“Yeah ok.” 

Quinn threw his phone onto the seat next to him. He was pissed at Liam, at the whole situation, but mostly at himself. He had been calling Liam for the past two weeks to no avail. If Liam didn’t want to be with him anymore that was one thing but to be completely shut out of his life was unacceptable. He had missed 2 meetings and hadn’t shown up to this last one either. Richard always had some excuse on Liam’s behalf but he knew it was a lie. Liam hated him now. That was the real reason. The realization brought tears threatening to spill. Despite his earlier reaction, he didn’t care what Liam was. If he was mental then he’d be right there with him holding his hand while they threw skittles at the nurses. And if he was paranormal then so what. It was still his Liam. He wasn’t going to walk away that easily. 

On the other hand, whatever attraction Quinn had felt for Richard had long faded. He was now public enemy number one. He knew Richard didn't exactly steal Liam but it felt that way. No matter what had gone on between them in the past, Liam never ignored him like this. He knew Richard was tied into this somehow. Was he being brainwashed? Everything started to spin out of control as soon as he showed up. That couldn’t be a coincidence. He needed to know Liam was ok and if he didn't talk to him soon he was taking the fight to Richard’s door. 

Going out of his mind, there was only one person Quinn could think of who would tell him if he should worry or if he was just obsessed. During the course of their relationship he’d gotten close with Liam’s grandmother. She reminded him of his own. She was kind, welcoming, and a pistol. She said she was too old to bite her tongue. She might kick the bucket before she got the chance to let people know how she truly felt. He knew if something was wrong she’d be the one to go in guns blazing with him. He picked up his phone to dial her noticing an unusual text pop up. 

Liam spent the last couple weeks with Richard getting a crash course in Incubi 101. From the moment he met Richard there was something about him he didn’t want to like but couldn’t help. Even in the midst of his jealousy, he felt a kindred spirit. He wondered if Incubi could enchant their own. Richard assured him they were immune but the bond he felt was so bizarre to him he couldn’t fathom it was genuine. 

Richard had become not only his mentor but his confidant. During the course of teaching him what it meant to be half incubus, they’d revealed intimate parts of themselves talking for hours on end. This was the first time he felt cared for outside of Quinn. Only difference was Richard knew everything. He didn’t need to hide. There was no guilt or judgment. He could be himself. A weight had been lifted off of him and he was grateful for Richard’s friendship. For the first time he allowed himself to ponder the possibilities feeling good about his future. He was still avoiding Quinn’s calls, ignoring Richard’s suggestions to talk to him. He wasn’t sure what his game plan was but he knew the next time he met Quinn in private he wanted to be in complete control. He watched the rush of tress go by as Richard made the 5 hour drive to the Crollifus festival with him in tow. 

“So wait. If your mother was a Succubus and your father was a Cambion wouldn’t that make you mostly demon?” he shifted in his seat to face Richard who furrowed his brows in mock anger.

“What did I tell you about the demon thing?” Richard had a lengthy discussion with him about the notion of demons. All creatures possessed light and dark innately but the choice was always theirs he explained. 

“Yeah yeah I’m just saying”

Richard shrugged having never gone too deep into the technicalities of his heritage. “Yes in theory I suppose I’m less human than you buttercup.” sticking his tongue out at his inquisitive sidekick. “Fact is some of us are demons. Some don't give a fuck what they do or who they hurt. Then there are those like you who’s heart bleeds for everyone. I tend to categorize them a little differently.”

Liam sat back in his seat focusing on the passing road again. “Lucky me”

“A conscience  is a gift not everyone is lucky enough to have. Be grateful.”

Richard pulled into a makeshift driveway. Whatever once grew there had been crushed under years continuous usage.

He followed Richard up a mulch like path to a decorative iron gate running, from what he could see, an infinite span of forest. Standing in front like an angelic keeper was a young woman. Her golden sundress and rich curls blew in the passing wind. Taking the trail towards them, her bare feet hastened as she made her way to Richard. Jumping to wrap her arms and legs around him, she squealed kissing any open space she could fine. 

“How have you been? Where have you been!” her face so close their lips brushed as they spoke.

“You know me can’t ever seemed to stay put.” Richard balanced the tiny brunette on his hips waving Liam closer. 

“Liam I’d like you to meet an old and very dear friend of mine Faye. Faye this is Liam.” 

She took in Richard once more before sliding down his body making her way to Liam. Ignoring Liam’s extended hand, she opted for an introductory hug instead. She buried her face in the crook of his neck taking a deep inhale. Liam allowed the tiny temptress full reign as he studied her as well. 

“Aw look at him. We’re we ever this innocent?” holding him out at arms length.

“I was, you not so much my dear.” Richard teased.

Faye’s laugh was like warm honey matching her sweet little girl demeanor but he could feel there was more to her. The power in her tiny fingers was ever present as she wrapped her arm around Liam’s waist leading him up the trail. She was not to be crossed. 

“Your first?” 

Liam nodded taking in his surroundings. 

“Don’t worry everyone here is good people. You are however giving off that fresh meat vibe so don’t be surprised if they jump all over you sweetness.”

Liam shot Richard a wide eyed look of concern. He could take care of himself at home but this was new territory. He wasn’t sure how dangerous a room full of lust crazed creatures could be even if he was one of them.

“Don’t be nervous doll. You’ve got big bad over here should anything get out of hand.” Faye stroked his side in reassurance.

“Don’t be fooled, she’s big bad.” he returned.

“Well as long as everyone behaves they’ve got nothing to worry about now do they.” 

The soft sunlight peeked through the canopy of trees that met the sky covering this place in an inviting glow. The ground was soft underfoot with trampled grass as he traversed the slender trees along the mead into a clearing made for cabins. 

“Most sleep outside but a few of us prima-donnas who can’t make it without modern amenities use the cabins.” she explained. 

Small clusters of people littered about the place hanging decorations from branches and rooftops. Liam wasn’t sure if it was the beauty of this place or the energy of being with so many of his own but there was a spark in the air that crackled against his skin. There was a peaceful vitality here. 

“How do you two know each other?” curious about the relationships formed in this unique group. His feelings for Richard weren’t romantic but they were unusually strong. He wondered if they all responded to each other the same way. 

“Oh me and dick here go way back” Faye laughed licking her lips as she took in Richard once more.

“I haven’t seen Faye in ages. She’s usually in charge of these things since she spends more time with humans and cambions than anything. It's rare you see full bloods mingle with humans other than for obvious reasons.” 

Liam didn’t think it was possible to find this beautiful beast more fascinating but here he stood stunned 

“You’re a succubus? Why do you spend time with humans if you’re not yanno sucking their souls out or something?”  

Richard threw his palm up to his face while Faye could barely stand. Her tiny frame shook with laughter. 

“Oh he’s precious! Can I keep him.”

Richard placed his hands on his hips with a smirk “No you may not.”

She gave him a pout before turning her attention back to Liam’s question. 

“As you can see I find humans far more interesting.” she grabbed his chin as if he was a child rather than a man towering over her. 

Liam raised an eyebrow in disbelief “I guarantee we are infinitely less interesting.” 

Faye’s smile was the most disarming thing he’d ever seen. If this was a power all succubi had they were in trouble.

“More importantly how do you and Richard know each other sweetheart?”

“We work together sort of. He’s been teaching me how all this works.”  Liam waved his hands around at the going ons around them.

“Is that so Richard. The student has become the teacher.” she prodded him. 

His eyes deepened reflecting the wave of power that built in him “I stopped being a student centuries ago.”