Real Vampires Hate Skinny Jeans (22 page)

“Okay. I get it. I said I’ll keep quiet. You tell that to your nasty council. No one needs to get hurt to make me keep my mouth shut.” She grabbed her purse and made it to the door on wobbly heels.

“Jenny.” Penny was tearing up. “I’m sorry. About that demon. She really scared you, didn’t she?”

“I’ll say. Look.” Jenny held out her shaking hands and we could see that she’d bitten her cuticles until they were red and bleeding. The smell of that blood made Penny and me sigh. “You know how I worked to break that habit. One bad night and I’m ruined again.”

“I’m sorry. Best get home and put some cream on them then.” Penny practically shoved her twin out the door. “Good night.”

We looked at each other as soon as Jenny was out of sight. “Synthetic.” A trip to the fridge for both of us and then Penny had to hurry to Trey’s before the sun caught her. I was ready to hit the sheets. It had been a long night.

First I looked in a mirror. Yep, Lucifer had taken away that gift. No surprise there. So I grabbed my computer monitor that had a webcam I used like a mirror. Ian’s tranquilizer
that he’d obviously slipped into my synthetic had given me a case of ruddy cheeks that would have made a Highland sheepherder look pale. I wasted a few minutes rubbing in moisturizer I knew wouldn’t help then fell into bed. I didn’t want to think about what came next.

“T
here
is no way in hell you’re going to meet the Storm God without me beside you.” Jerry had arrived soon after sunset and he figured I was recovered enough to get into this.

“Relax, Jer. I’m not eager to have a confrontation with the guy. If I do decide to have a face-to-face, I’m sure I’ll want you there at my back.” But did I really? Whatever we heard from Achelous was probably going to either break Jerry’s heart, send him screaming into the night or make him want to kill someone. Hopefully that someone wouldn’t be me. But if he decided to attack a god? I had to keep Jerry calm or he’d end up a mere charred stain on the ground once the Storm God got through with him.

I might not have memories of our ancient history, but my recent showdown with his high and mightiness was a vivid and horrifically clear picture in my mind. Achelous loved to toss lightning bolts for one thing. My hair had been fried, my nerves sizzled by power surges and I hadn’t been able to hear for a week after our thunderous encounter.

“No, I’m in no hurry to see the Storm God again.”

“Glad to hear it. If Aggie is right, the man rejected you. You have no reason to think he’d want to see you again.” Jerry played with my hair which was now clean and untangled, thanks to a nice hot shower and shampoo.

He’d wanted to join me in that shower, but I’d reminded him that Laurie still occupied my spare bedroom. She must have arrived some time after dawn. And, while my death sleep had cured any lasting effects of my meltdown other than rosy red cheeks, I couldn’t deny I was more than a little depressed and not exactly in the mood for a wild romp in the bathtub.

“I do have questions for Achelous but I wonder if I’ll like the answers.” I leaned against Jerry as he moved his finger down to trace the vein in my neck. Maybe I wasn’t as depressed as I’d thought. “Anyway, I promised to go shoe shopping with Flo and Aggie tonight. I’m not about to tell Florence any of this. Just that we got rid of Alesa.” I heard a thump from Penny’s old room. Laurie was packing her things after doing yet another cleansing ritual. I was all for whatever magic she performed. I couldn’t seem to get the stench of demon out of my nostrils.

“Shoe shopping?” Jerry dropped a kiss on top of my head. “That sounds refreshingly normal after the week you’ve had. I say have at it. Buy some shoes on me.” He dug for his wallet.

I stopped him before he could pull out a platinum card. Stupid maybe, but I wasn’t accepting charity and I was determined to fight any Siren tendencies. One of those avaricious creatures would have gladly maxed out Jerry’s card and come back for another one.

“That’s okay. I’ve got this. I’m not really in the mood for an orgy of retail therapy anyway. I’m planning to cut this outing short if I get the chance.” I laughed when Jerry frowned, laid his hand on my forehead and peered into my eyes.

“Are you ill? You look flushed. I swear if MacDonald slipped you one of his potions…”

I was keeping that latest dose to myself. I was definitely piling on some concealer as soon as I could get to my makeup bag.

“I’m fine, Jer. Now I need to get ready. Later. When we come back from the mall. Be here. You’re paying Laurie off tonight, aren’t you?”

“Yes, a nice severance package. I had no idea we’d wrap things up so quickly.” He released my hands and pulled me into his lap. “We will actually be alone here. Finally. I can chase you naked through the entire apartment.”

“Chase? Am I supposed to run?” I leaned forward and bit his ear, drawing blood and sucking it away greedily. Oh, yes,
this was my man. I felt the hard length of his arousal pressing against my hip. To hell with shoe shopping. I’d feign a headache. Send Flo and Aggie off together and…

“Excuse me, you two.” Laurie cleared her throat. “I’m ready to go.”

I reluctantly gave her my attention. It was a shame I’d never seen her tiger. I bet it was awesome. Then again, if she had to shift into that, we’d be in a hell of a mess, wouldn’t we? Of course she blocked her thoughts. I decided to test my powers and concentrated. Could I blast through that block? It felt like I was shoving against a rock wall. Powerful entity. And she’d held her own against Alesa.

“Give it up, Glory. I’m more than I seem.” She threw a hand up toward the ceiling and around her body. The air shimmered in an arc, encasing her in what looked like glittering crystal.

“Wow. Guess so.” I blinked as I felt her punch through my own block to flip through my thoughts like they were yesterday’s newspaper. Her grin said she’d picked up on how I’d just wiggled against Jerry’s erection to torment him. “Hey, I was practicing. Aggie told me about a few of the powers I’d had as a Siren. I’m seeing what might be hanging around.”

“Powers. Yeah, give them a try.” Laurie nodded. “You can never have too many weapons. So if they’re there, keep them sharp.”

“What the hell are you two talking about?” Jerry looked pained as he eased me off his lap. “That statue thing you did, Gloriana? I’d say you have a fifty/fifty chance of getting that from either the demon or a Siren.”

“I doubt Alesa would have left Glory with anything more than a headache.” Laurie nodded. “Face it, Jerry. Glory’s got a Siren thing going on.” She didn’t look particularly bothered by the idea. “Now I need to head out. I got half my pay from Rafe. He said you’d give me the rest, Jerry.” Laurie had on her usual dull outfit of plain T-shirt and khakis. I never had gotten a chance to give her that makeover I’d wanted to
try. With her coloring she’d look fabulous in green or a bronze silk.

“Are you sticking around town for a while?” Jerry pulled out his checkbook. I thought about looking at the number he was writing but spared myself the guilt. I knew it was probably more than I could ever afford.

“Yeah. I’m exploring a few options. I got word the council might have some work for me. Even Ian, who I despise, is short a bodyguard. I’d have to be desperate to take that gig, though.” Laurie smiled wryly. “You and I are on the same page about MacDonald, Jerry. Don’t trust him.”

“See, Gloriana. Someone agrees with me.” Jerry ripped out the check. “I have instincts about people.”

I decided to ignore the Ian bashing. “My friend Israel Caine might need someone else to work for him. He keeps guards around because of rabid fans. Let me give him a call for you, Laurie.” I was back to thinking about shopping. Might as well get it over with and the women were set to be here soon anyway.

“The rock star? I could go for that.” Laurie grinned. “Yeah, hook me up.” She reached out and took the check Jerry handed her then shook his hand. “Thanks. Nice doing business with you. Let me know if you need me again, Jerry. Now I’m getting a hotel room, then heading over to N-V for a drink. Locking horns with a demon always leaves me dry.” She winked at me. “You need me, Glory, without involving this guy, you’ve got my numbers. I left them by the phone next to your bed. Special rate for independent women. I figure we should stick together.”

“Hey, why didn’t I get that special deal?” Jerry glanced at what had to be the huge check he’d just given her.

“You hired me, not her. I set my own rates and can pick and choose who I work for. Sorry, but I believe you got your money’s worth.” Laurie picked up her duffel and slung the strap over her shoulder. Did she even own a purse?

“Yes, of course. Gloriana told me how you had Alesa afraid to even sleep in the bedroom. Brilliant.” Jerry walked
her to the door and opened it. “You were worth every penny. You need a recommendation, use my name.”

“Will do. Thanks. Now see ya around. Call me about the Caine gig, Glory. Sounds like my kind of setup.” Laurie stepped into the hall. “I swear I still smell that demon’s stench in your apartment. If you need another cleansing, call me about that too. No charge.”

“Thanks. It does still smell like burned cookies in here, doesn’t it?” I leaned against the doorjamb not about to share that Alesa had paid an extra visit here last night to leave her “surprise.” “I’ll dial Ray when I get back from the mall. And thanks for making me feel safe, Laurie. I didn’t think anyone could handle Alesa, but you sure did. You can add my name to the recommendation list.”

“I let you down when Lucifer got there last night.” Laurie shrugged. “But you stood up to him.” She popped me on the arm. “Way to go, Glo.” She nodded to where Jerry had moved into the kitchen, pulled out his cell phone and was checking his messages. She lowered her voice. “Blade’s a stand-up guy, shelling out the bucks like that. You got a keeper there.”

“What about you? You seeing anyone?” I couldn’t resist. She was heading to N-V, wasn’t she?

“Not yet. But I’m keeping my eyes open.” She waved her hand. “I’ll be seeing you.” She sauntered off down the hall, suddenly putting a feminine hip thrust into her stride. Maybe Rafe would like her after all. And I had no business feeling jealous about it.

“I’ve got to go home, make some calls. I need some figures that I’ve got in my office there.” Jerry pulled me against him.

“Go. The girls will be here any minute.” I turned in his arms and kissed him on the lips. “I’ll call you when I get back.”

“Can’t wait.” He patted me on the bottom and strode away.

I sighed and leaned against the closed door. I really didn’t want to lose him but this knot of dread about what Achelous
might say just wouldn’t go away. It stayed with me even after Aggie and Flo arrived and we headed for the mall.

“Glory, what’s the matter with you?” Flo had just decided on her third pair of shoes and was making a salesclerk very happy. “You should be laughing and taking advantage of these great sales. You said that demon is gone for good. Isn’t she?”

“Yes, she’s gone. Lucifer too. We are totally rid of all demons.” I glanced at Aggie, who was in front of a mirror on the other side of the store, admiring her feet in a pair of chocolate brown suede pumps.

“Then why the gloomy face?” Flo glanced at Aggie. “Is it her? She
is
irritating, but she does know her shoes. She’s not so bad to shop with.”

“I’m fine, Flo. I’m just sad that you’re leaving.” I gave her a hug. “Who will I have to hang out with?”

“If you didn’t have your business, you could come with us. It will be great fun. CiCi is coming, so are Freddy and Derek. We will shop till we drop in those great Paris boutiques that I love.” Flo sighed. “Now I am sad. Call me. We will share all the gossip on the phone.”

“Of course.” I forced myself to try on a pair of boots. They fit, were on sale and the right color. I couldn’t get excited about them but I decided to buy them anyway. “I’ll take these,” I told the salesman when he approached.

“Good. Now everyone has bought something. What say we head over to N-V for drinks to cap off the evening?” Aggie had whipped out her gold card and handed it to the salesman.

“
Perfetto.
I’ll call Ricardo to meet us.” Flo began to dig out her phone.

“No, just the girls.” Aggie put her hand over Flo’s. “Or is that forbidden since you got married?”

“What? You think I am controlled by my husband?” Flo’s dark eyes flashed.

“Of course not. But maybe you’ve lost your taste for a little adventure. Become one of those homebodies who likes
to just stay in front of the TV in your jammies with the old man.”

Aggie smiled as if she knew exactly what she was doing.

“Aggie, cool it. I’m tired and Jerry’s coming over later.” I handed the salesman my own credit card when he came up to have Aggie and Flo sign their sales slips.

“Oh, so now you’re also a dull stick-in-the-mud.” Aggie pulled out a new shrug she’d picked up at a little shop farther down the mall and ripped off the tags. It was a shiny gold Lurex knit and, when she slipped it on over her blue silk minidress, made her look ready to party.

“We are not dull sticks.” Flo threw her card in her purse and the receipt at the startled salesman. “We go to N-V and without the men.”

“Flo, seriously. I’m not in the mood.” I grabbed my card and signed the receipt, standing when I got my shopping bag.

“Want to tell your bestie why you’re not in your happy place? Why Glory the dancing fool can’t work up the energy tonight?” Aggie had a malicious smile that made me want to smack her.

“Shut the hell up, Aggie.” I jerked her arm as I pulled her out into the mallway. “Flo, I don’t know why Aggie is trying to start something but I just want to go home.”

“No, she’s trying to push you to tell me something.” Flo was right on my heels as I headed toward the exit to the parking lot. “What is it, Glory? What has you so upset? You think I can’t see that you’re worried,
mia amica
? Why do you hide things from me and tell them to this, this sea creature?” Flo’s Italian gesture made Aggie hiss.

“You want to start something with me, little vampire?” Aggie seemed to swell, growing about six inches taller as we hurried across the parking lot. The lights above us blew out with loud pops and plunged us into darkness.