Innocent Seduction

**Authorian notes** I\'m trying a new style here and want to see what everyone thinks. I\'ve inserted a spot where it\'s in Kevin\'s POV. I had my editor suggest doing something like that so thought I\'d give it a try. Let me know what you think. After all, I love hearing for you guy\'s. *smile* **



Before Kevin leaves I tell him about my plan.

“And you think that just telling them we’re dating will make them less worried?”

I laugh, wondering at the bitterness in it. “You don’t know my parents. As long as they think I’m doing good, that I’m behaving like a proper lady, they won’t care what I do. And Carin will think it’s good, though she doesn’t seem to think I should stay in a relationship very long.”

“What about my parents?”

“Tomorrow after school we go meet them. I’ll tell my parents I can’t work after school, that your taking me out. And from there we’ll see. I’m hoping your parents are agreeable.”

“I hope so too.”

We leave the house before Edward comes back, a first for me. I sleep well, dreaming of Kevin and how everyone will know that he’s mine tomorrow. It doesn’t matter that they won’t know the full truth. I will and that’s all that counts.

***

“Mom?”

“Yes, dear?”

I feel suddenly nervous as I look up at my mother, I had just finished eating breakfast and hadn’t gotten up from the table yet. She’s washing the dishes after breakfast, wiping down the counter, making sure it looks good before she leaves for work. Today she has left her hair down, in a braid that reaches just below her waist. I’ve always envied her on that aspect, my hair has never grown longer than it is, which is just a little below my shoulder blades. She’s wearing a dark blue two piece suit, skirt, of course, instead of pants. The white shirt underneath the jacket is almost stark against the dark blue.

I had dressed a lot more casual in a light pink shirt, with mixed wild flowers on the front, and worn denim pants. My hair is pulled back simply in a ponytail, today I didn’t feel like messing with it. Since my change I’ve been taking special attention to what I look like. Which means, even though I’m dressed as casually as I can, I could still stick out.

“I, uh, there’s a guy I’d like you and father to meet.”

That got her attention immediately and she turns to look at me, a questioning look on her face.

“Who is he?”

I avert my eyes and allow myself to blush a little.

“His name is Kevin and he recently moved here. He’s really sweet, he’s right below me on attendance and grades.”

I knew that would get her, good personality and good grades, something both her and my father would like. She moves to sit down in the seat next to me. I feel a little odd, she’s never sat next to me like this, never.

“How serious is it?”

“He told me he likes me, he wants me to meet his parents. I-I told him I couldn’t today, I had to help you and father at the store.”

She waves her hand, brushing off my words.

“Nonsense. I think you’ll be just fine taking off this evening to go see his parents. I think it’s sweet.”

“Really? What about my shift?”

“Don’t worry dear, we’ll find someone to cover.”

I jump up and give her a hug, though I don’t let it last long. I don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable. Neither of my parents are big on touching, even to comfort.

“I’ll tell him as soon as I see him at school. Would you like me to bring him by the store before we see his parents?”

“I’d love that, and I know your father would too. Now, hurry and go catch the bus, you don’t want to be late.”

I laugh aloud as I stand by the bus stop, amazed at how easy it had been. I had held high hopes but had never really allowed myself to believe I would win. All ready today I had managed to manipulate my parents, and soon I would deceive my best friend and confront Kevin’s parents, with the truth.

“You look awfully cheery today, Leona. What’s up?”

I sit down next to Carin before I reply, building up the suspense. But as I sit down I notice something that worries me. Carin isn’t dressed up like she normally is, no makeup, her hair is simply pulled back in a ponytail, like mine is. This can’t be good.

“How are you doing today, Carin?”

Her smile seems genuine enough but I can tell that theirs something wrong. I won’t get it out of her yet, it will take some time.

“I’m great as always. But, don’t change the subject, you were going to tell me why your so cheery today.”

“Kevin asked me out. We’re suppose to go eat with his parents tonight.”

“Leona! Your first date and your going to see his parents!” Her eyes narrow suddenly and I start to feel uncomfortable. “When did he ask you? I know you didn’t come across him during school yesterday, you would of told me before hand.”

That wouldn’t be a problem, I had all ready planned for a question like that. “He came to the store last night. He’s really sweet and I don’t mind meeting his parents.”

A dark cloud seemed to suddenly settle over her face, her eyes loosing all expression. I had said something wrong.

“First you start acting funny, everybody at school can’t stop staring at you, and now your not telling me everything. No, don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. You can go out with him while your grounded, and you’ve only known him for, what, a week. But you can’t spend time with your best friend? That hurts.”

She turns away, looking out the window. I’m not sure how I did it but I seem to of made her mad at me. I don’t know what to say, at least what wouldn’t make her more mad at me. We’ve been best friends all of our lives, it only stands to reason that she would notice a difference in me, know that I’m not telling her everything. It’s better, her not knowing…

Silence sits between us the rest of the bus ride to school. When the bus stops she’s one of the first to leave, not even bothering to wait for me. Not that I deserve it, I guess, I have been ignoring her. We use to go out and do things after school. Even with working at my parents store. I’ve only been seeing her at school these last few weeks. Summer would be here and if I keep this up I won’t have a best friend when it gets here.

I try to catch her in-between classes but don’t manage to get her until lunch. I sit down across the table from her

“Carin, I’m sorry. I really am.” She continues to eat, pretending she hasn’t heard any thing I’ve said. What can I do to make this right again? I sigh mentally, answering my own question.

“Look, I’ve been an ass and have no excuse for it. I should of told you right off that Kevin and I were seeing each other… I was afraid you would worry too much about me.”

She looks up at that, though she keeps her expression even. “Worry about what?”

It’s my turn to look away as I fall deeper into the lies, yet this part is actually the truth.

“I’ve been sneaking out to see him at night.”

Her eyes light up and she starts laughing, “Oh, Leona, your bad! I forgive you this time. But, if you keep this kind of thing up, keeping things from me, I’m gone.”

I smile, “Fair enough.”

It almost seems like I’ve won the argument, but I notice her looking at me oddly when we pass by each other after lunch. I run across Kevin after lunch and tell him that we’re on. I also let him know that he has to pick me up after school. He has a car and says it won’t be a problem. My parents don’t seem to think it’s right for me to have a car, since I’m so young.

Nothing else is said between Carin and I as we finish the day, not even when we get on the bus. My mind runs around, trying to find something that will make her happy. Something that will take away all the problems I’ve caused. I’m really starting to hate Edward.

“Carin, I want us to go out this weekend, do a little shopping. Have fun.”

I say as I stand to leave, the bus stalled in front of my house. She looks up at me, the smiling, happy face I love so much looking up at me.

“Really? I’d love to.”

“I’ll get with your agent and we’ll do lunch.”

I wink and wave as I get off the bus, she waves back at me. I make my way to my bedroom, pulling out a cute purple floral sundress, it’s sleeveless and goes to my knee’s. I add matching shoes that have a slight heel to them and bush my hair out, leaving it down. I stare at the mirror, at how my hair smoothly moves from side to side when I move my head. I had only thought such things possible on those stupid shampoo commercials.

A knock at the door brings me back to reality and a practically run to the door. I pause a moment to straighten my clothes and not look like I’d been running. When I open the door I see Kevin standing before me, a nervous smile lighting his face. I had felt him coming and so it wasn’t a surprise to see him standing there, but my heart speed up to see him there.

“Ready?”

“More than. We just have to make a stop at the store, my parents want to meet you.”

His smile falters. “Really?”

We move to the car, he’s even sweet enough to open the door for me, shutting it once I’m sitting. He quickly moves around and climbs into the drivers side. I sigh softly and lean back, my head resting against the headrest.

“Don’t worry so much, Kevin. My parents merely want to see you, make certain that you don’t have any piercing or tattoos. Once they’ve assured themselves of that fact, your accepted.”

It doesn’t take us long to reach the store, the parking is easy since there aren’t many shoppers today. Together, hand in hand, we walk into the store and start to look for my parents. It’s my father who spots us first and hails us over to where he is, standing by the cereal isle. A moment later my mother joins him, standing at his side. Father’s wearing a dark blue suit to match mother’s. It’s really kind of sad.

“Mom, dad, I’d like you to meet Kevin. Kevin, this is my mom and my dad.”

Kevin shakes hands with each of them and we exchange small talk for all of five minutes before they excuse themselves, saying they have work to do, and leave us alone.

“I thought their would be more.”

“No,” I sigh sadly as I climb back into the car. How is it they always manage to hurt me, even though I know to expect it? “With my parents, as long as you look nice that’s all that matters.”

We pull out of the parking lot and make our way back to Kevin’s house. He lives close to where we live, just another one of those generic suburb homes. We could of just walked to his house, forgetting the car entirely, but since we had to go see my parents it was necessary. He drives the car into a driveway that looks much like my own, to a house that looks much like my own.


++++


I turn to look at Leona sitting in the passenger seat of my car. My car! How long had I obsessed about her since the first time I spied her passing by my house. I’m a little scared about going to talk with my parents, scared that they might object about everything. Growing up I had known I was different, my parents had made certain I knew what I really am. I was a baby when they told me stories of the old days, of our planet that I will never get to see. They are always saying that I should be proud of who I am, but yet I have to hide what I really am from the world. With Leona I don’t have to hide. With Leona a whole new world is open to me.

My parents have talked about playing by earth rules since I can remember. Talked about how magic and being different bothers earth people. My difference, my magic, doesn’t bother Leona. She actually seems to enjoy it, especially after I showed her my favorite trick.

Surely sensing my gaze upon her, Leona turns around and smiles. She’s so strong, so full of optimism. I’m certain that nothing could ever get her down, that she must never be afraid, of anything.

“If you don’t want to do this now we can wait.”

I shake my head. No, if I don’t do this now something bad will happen. It’s better to get it down and over with now. If we leave it up to my parents to discover I really will be in trouble.

“No, I’m ready now. I’m just thinking.”

She leans over and kisses my lips softly, making me smile. I reach over and take her hand, twining my fingers with hers. I love touching her. My family has always been big on hugs and affection, so I’m use to a lot of touching. But it’s different with Leona. I love to see the look in her eyes as I lay on top of her. Love the way she reacts when I touch her in places only a lover can.

Yes, I love Leona. I think I have since that first day, but it’s only grown over time. I don’t really care if it’s only been about a year since I first saw her. It doesn’t mean I cannot care about her.

I release my hold on her hand and get out, quickly going to the passenger side to open the door for her. Dad always says that a lady likes the man to open doors for her. I offer her a hand out and she gives me a smile go big it lights her eyes.

“Thank you. Now, lets get this show on the road.”


++++


Could we really be at my house? No, these homes are all the same. Now, the inside of Kevin’s home is drastically different than mine. I stand in the doorway, staring at all the bright, rich, colors in the living room. The couch is a kelly green with bold pink and purple flowers. The recliner to one side of the couch is the same color. The coffee table in front of the couch has a lime green cloth covering it.

A tv sits directly across from the coffee table. Bright, bold, flowers are all over the tv and I can’t help but grin, at the whole scene, really. The walls are a light, almost pale, green. The carpet is a light purple and the walls are decorated with family pictures. Most of them are of Kevin, at different stages of his life.

“I wonder where my parents are, I told them we would be coming.”

“Their not here, maybe they went outside.”

He shakes his head, “No, they’re probably in the kitchen.”

I can feel something in the air but can’t quite identify it. Maybe it is nothing, and maybe not.

We walk into the kitchen to look there and find his parents doing dishes together, it’s a sight that constricts my chest and makes it difficult to breathe. What I had only vaguely felt coming into the house I feel stronger now, almost as if someone were using magic. I look closer at his parents and can almost make out a hazy outline around them. Could that be their power?

The kitchen is about as outrageous as the living room had been. The table cloth is lime with bold floral prints. The counter top is purple and blue tiles, the curtains, which cover the window behind the sink, is just like the material on the table, except that the main color is turquoise and not lime. Everything just reminds me of a bunch of hippies who won’t give up.

“Mom, dad, this is Leona.”

The feeling of magic in the house stops abruptly, the slight haze around his parents disappearing. They turn around at the same time, pleasant smiles plastered on their faces, but I can tell that Kevin is in trouble. Looks like maybe he was suppose to make sure they weren’t doing anything ‘non-human’ when he brings his friends in. I don’t want to see him in trouble. I feel suddenly unprepared and even a little scared. What if they don’t like me?

“I’m sorry to interrupt, if I’d realized you were in the middle of something we wouldn’t of bothered you right now.”

I try to smile pleasantly and not blush at the same time. His mother gives me an odd look.

“No, you didn’t interrupt anything.”

His father’s voice is smooth and deep, almost the same tone as Kevin‘s. He seems nice enough, as does his mother.

“You were using magic, I-I don’t know if walking in on it interferes with the spell or not.” I do blush this time, though I don’t think it’s much. The expression on both their faces would actually be funny if I wasn’t so scared.

“M-magic…”

“No…”

I can feel them gathering their magic for an attack. It doesn’t seem as if they trust me, at least not at this moment. I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly and steeling myself for anything they might do. It’s Kevin who has to intervene, trying to prevent a disaster from happening.

“Everybody, it’s all right. Leona is just nervous, she tends to just blurt out whatever when she’s like that.” That gets a glare from me but he only smiles back then turns his attention to the matter at hand. “Mom, dad, I have something I need to tell you but you’ll want to sit down for it.”

They nod, looking a little shell shocked, eyes wider than normal, face a little pale. And they keep looking at me, but their magic has been dropped and I feel just that much better. We all move to the living room, his parents sitting down on the couch as we stand in front of them and try to explain. And, of course, leave it to me to smooth things over really well.

“What’s going on, Kevin?” His father leans forward, his expression impatient.

“Well, basically, I’m a succubus and I own Kevin.”

“What?!” His parents say in unison, standing as they do so. See, I’m really good at smoothing things over. Not.

“Kevin, do you know what a succubus is?” His parents seem a little distraught, especially his father. You would think they know what a succubus is.

I turn to look at Kevin and find myself smiling. I don’t know how he managed it but he’s blushing and grinning like crazy at the same time.

“Well, um, yes… Yes I do know what a succubus is. What do you think it is?”

“A demon.”

I give his father a dirty look. A demon! I am not a demon, and believe me, I’ve all ready gone over that one myself.

“I will have you know that I am not a demon, never have been and most likely never will. Kevin and I came here today to talk with you on an level playing field. He belongs to me but I think you, as his parents, should know what’s going on.”

Kevin’s mother places a hand on her husbands shoulder. “Your just doing this because we found out that he’s been sneaking off at night, every night. Don’t think we’ll let you off lightly because your coming here and confessing.”

“Confessing? What’s their to confess?”

“Well, for one, all his late night escapades have made him less attentive in class. I will not see his grades ruined this close to graduation. Those grades will see him to a nice college…”

“Where I can be a nice, normal, human. Mom, I don’t want that. You said before, we have to play by their rules, well I’ve discovered new rules. I can be what I was born to be, while still staying unnoticed. Do you think anyone has noticed that Leona isn’t human? No. No one will notice me.”

Her expression softens. “I know, baby, I know. We won’t stop you because we want you to be happy, but we have to be certain about your health.”

“Only getting a couple hours of sleep a night is wearing on you. It’s not noticeable to a lot of people, but we, your parents, notice.”

I should of noticed any problems that were going on, but I guess I was too busy to notice. I sigh softly and sit down on the recliner, though I don’t ‘recline’ on it. Kevin goes to sit down by his parents, getting hugs from them both. What I wouldn’t give to have parents like that, parents who really care. I’ve seen them do so much, in such a short time, that I’ve never had in my life.

“All right, I guess we should start discussing the terms of Kevin’s scheduling for the rest of this school term. And, quite possibly, on into the next one.” Kevin’s father looks at me as he speaks, I think trying to imply that I’m the bad guy in this conversation. Well, then so be it.

Before I know it we’ve launched into a full on debate with Kevin putting his opinions and idea’s into it. What’s wrong with this picture?

Everything seems so unreal as I sit here, listening to Kevin’s parents. With them negotiating on when Kevin can spend time with me and not risk his education. I agree with them, I don’t want him to miss out on anything. What bothers me is that I hadn’t realized how much the life style I had imposed upon him had mess up things for him. He had been getting as much, if not less, sleep than I have been, but without the surge of power that made it so sleep wasn’t necessary for him.

As I listen to them talk my mind wanders a little and I find myself reviewing my life, and the changes that have been taking place recently. Is all this real? Or a dream? I wish it were a dream, it seems so surreal. I should be at the store right now, helping my parents. Completely oblivious to everything but the store, school, and getting into college in the fall. Not discussing the wellbeing of someone I own. It’s not fair. At this moment I do hate Edward.

“Leona. Leona?” Caroline, Kevin’s mother, nearly shouts my name, pulling me from my thoughts. Somewhere during the debates Kevin had introduced them by name, his mother is Caroline and his father is Robert Curtis. When I look up she’s standing in front of me, not looking pleased at all.

“Yes?”

“Have you been listening?”

I really didn’t like what her tone implied, only my parents can get away with a tone that says I’ve been a bad girl. And they rarely use that tone on me. And, for her information, I had been listening to her. I let my irritation show when I reply.

“Yes, I was listening.”

“What were we walking about?”

I catch Kevin giving his mother and wide eyed look from the corner of my eye. Was he actually worried I would do something bad?

“Look, I agree with you, Kevin needs more rest. If it requires me to come over here after school, then so be it. I’ll move my schedule around for him. You don’t have to nag me about it.”

I sigh and look away, giving my attention to a painting of a sunset. I force myself to admire the different hues of purple, red, and orange. I’m tired, not physically, but tired nonetheless and am just not in the mood for anything at the moment. Give me a day or two and I’m sure I’ll be all right, but not right now. Realizing just how bad of a job I’m doing has worked to ruin my day.

“I’m going to get some drinks. Leona, why don’t you come with me.”

Caroline is still standing in front of the chair, she doesn’t move until I stand, and then she makes her way to the kitchen. I don’t really have an option, I have the feeling if I don’t follow her she’ll force me to follow her. I decide that the best course of action is to comply and move forward, following her into the kitchen.

“What’s wrong?”

She says, turning to face me the moment the kitchen door shuts behind us. Her face is stern and her voice a little hard, one hand rests on her hips in the classic ‘boss’ pose. I don’t blame her for her hostility, after all I did force myself into their lives by taking away Kevin’s options. I’ve made her life just that much more difficult. I’m a screw up who decided to screw up another’s life. That other person just happened to be her son.

I’m really starting to hate my life. She must of seen something on my face because her own expression softened and she did something that shocked me. She hugged me, leaving me frozen in place for several long seconds. My own mother rarely ever gave hugs, and then it was quick and jerky. I had never had anyone just give me a hug and mean it. It broke me. I started to cry. But, then something else happens, something that’s all too familiar to me. I feel myself start to slip, to fall into her mind and into her memories. Unlike with Edward, I fight it, but it only seems to drag me down deeper.

I huddle underneath the floor of the house, surrounded by darkness and earth. I can hear movement above me and hope that it’s not them, come to find me and take me away. Take me so that they can either kill me, or make me a slave. I clutch the baby closer to me. He’s been so good, not uttering a sound all day while we’ve been hiding. The gods have surely blessed me. Now if only they will bring me back my mate and see us safely off the planet.

I refuse to allow my son to grow up on a planet where he’s enslaved and ridiculed because of what he is. I want him to be free, free to do and be what he wants. Something his father and I have never had.


The scene fades, only to be replaced by another. A younger version of Kevin’s parents are hidden in a forest, crouched close to the ground.

“When will this stop?”

“It’s all right, we’ll make it through this. It’s just new territory. Once we learn the area it will be better to blend in and go unnoticed.”

“What will that mean for us, and for the baby?”

He looks at me with a sad expression.

“We will have to limit our magic to when no one is looking.”

“So we’ll always be hiding, won’t we?”


I don’t get to hear his answer as I come back to the present, to Caroline moving away, breaking the embrace, a comforting smile on her face.

“You do understand, if you do anything to hurt Kevin, we will have to kill you.”