Drained: The Lucid by E.L. Blaisdell, Nica Curt Read Free Book Online Page A

missing something?”
    “If you mean wrinkles and death,” said Heather with a serious nod, “then yes.”
    “Ha ha, funny girl.” Riley shook her head before resting against Heather’s side. “I don’t know how to explain it.” She exhaled into the room. “But maybe I’m being silly.”
    Heather sighed before she moved to wrap an arm around her friend. “I think I know what you mean. But it’s hard to complain about our lives.”
    “I know.”
    It was true for every single member of the group. Working for Trusics provided them with a means to enjoy daily life in ways that most humans could only dream of. None of them worried about their health, their physique—unless they had a habit for perfection—or finances.
    “Am I being too greedy?” Riley wondered aloud. “Am I searching for something that doesn’t exist?”
    “The Holy Grail?” Heather guessed.
    “It might as well be. I want what you and James have,” Riley confessed. “But I tried dating an incubus and that blew up in my face. And now I’m with a human, but that has an expiration date. Is it asking too much to find someone to share my journey with? It’s cheesy and mushy, but I … I think all these rom-coms are getting to me.” She laughed at herself.
    “With Amber …” Heather played with the ends of her friend’s hair. “Do you think she’s that someone you want to share your journey with?”
    “I don’t know,” Riley grumbled with her face mashed against Heather side. “I’m open to finding love though. Whatever way it may come.”
    But for the time being, Riley would have to be content with what she had: her friends, a new girlfriend, and the constancy of work.

CHAPTER FOUR
     
    Riley stood on the front lawn of a small house. The green grass was well manicured and perennial flowers dotted the concrete walkway that led to a yellow front door. The surrounding neighborhood looked like it was plucked straight from the old films she loved to watch. She approached the house with confident steps. She reached the front door, grasped the doorknob, and turned. Locked. She twisted the handle again. Definitely locked. Riley took a step back and looked up at the house. The streetlamps that lined the residential street glowed brightly, but no lights illuminated the inside of the house to indicate that anyone was home.
    Having walked her way into numerous dreams, the roleplay wasn’t new to her. Plenty of marks fantasized about having someone come home to them. But in the majority of those scenarios, the door was unlocked. Most fantasies flashed her straight into bed or out to an open beach. The only scenario that Riley could think of was a person that wanted someone to break in. It wasn’t a popular fantasy, but it did exist. Usually those profiles were flagged, however, and she hadn’t noticed any special notes about this particular mark. She rattled the door once more to confirm her initial assessment. Still locked.
    She didn’t want to break into the home, not with the heels she had on, so she opted for looking for a spare key. After checking beneath a few rocks and potted plants, she found a key hiding under a welcome mat. She smiled to herself. Despite centuries of evolution, humans were still predictable. The key fit in its designated slot and the door swung open without protest. She entered quietly and shut the door behind her.  
    Before moving farther into the house, Riley stood in front of a hallway mirror and used the reflection to adjust her outfit and makeup. It was dark inside; a dim blue hue filtered into the hallway from the moon through the house’s windows.
    “So, you’re a simple romantic,” she stated quietly to herself. She had a knack for memorizing Trusics profiles but also her patrons’ unstated desires. “The love, the care, the tender touches.” She grinned at her reflection. “Game on.”
    Riley had no problem meeting her monthly energy quota with her four current clients, but Trusics was