Real Vampires Know Size Matters (13 page)

“Does Bart think he could be having some kind of flashback? Going through the amnesia thing again?”

“Let me put him on. Jerry’s gone out. You know my brother. He wants to find a mortal to feed from. Jerk. We can talk freely.”

“Glory, it’s Bart. My first thought was that Jerry had been drugged. He’s the one who assumes his amnesia was coming back. I explained about flashbacks. That it was possible he could have some brief episodes . . . That was all it took. Now he’s convinced this is the start of something bad even though he’s just missing a few hours.” Bart swore. “You know how the amnesia made him feel. I couldn’t reason with him. If he thinks he’s losing his mind again, I don’t know what he’ll do.”

“Oh, God.” I closed my eyes. Mel must have done something to erase his memory of their time together. Did she have any idea how horrific that would be for him? It was like tapping into his worst fear. Maybe she did know and this was his punishment for trying to dump her.

“I got him to give me a blood sample. I called Ian MacDonald and I’m headed over to his place to use his lab and run a test. I’m going to find out if Jerry
was
drugged. I’m pretty sure that’s what it must have been. There are several common substances that can erase a few hours. The date rape drug for one, though I’d be surprised if it worked on a vampire. The woman probably drove him home herself then did her vanishing act. You did say she could do that, didn’t you?”

“I thought so, but now I’m wondering if it wasn’t more of a magic trick. She
is
mortal, you know. I’ll just bet it was all smoke and mirrors. But then again I don’t know a damned thing about voodoo.” Date rape drug? I barely held on to my temper. If I showed up at Ms. Own-the-World’s room, would she manage to dose me too? I was on my feet, pacing. I really needed to know more. Fury rode me hard and I had to stuff it back down and try to think things through, rationally. “She could have help, Bart. Backup to drive her away after she left him there.”

“Of course. You’re right. I looked at her Web site. She’s bound to travel with a few flunkies, people to help her set up for her seminars and so on. Apparently she’s quite charismatic. They’d do whatever she told them. Even help her move an unconscious man.” Bart was a scientist and always the voice of reason.

“What gets me is that the bitch claims to love Jerry. If she drugged him and then . . .” I had to stop and clear my throat. “Thanks, Bart. If you can prove she did such a horrible thing, then that should convince Jerry to stay away from her. Or to take some reinforcements the next time he sees her.”

“She’s definitely an evil woman. I sure wouldn’t want to be on her to-do list. Cait asks if you’re coming over. She’d like to see you, but doesn’t want to leave until Jerry comes back.”

“I’d like to see her too. And to check on Jerry of course.” I glanced at Rafe. “But I have a new vampire I’m mentoring. Let me try to make some arrangements. I’ll call Cait before I come if I can swing it.”

“Fine. And I’ll let you know what I find out at MacDonald’s lab.”

“Thanks, Bart.” I ended the call then met Rafe’s interested gaze. “That bitch made Jerry forget half of last night. You have any idea how that made him feel?”

“Like he’s losing his mind?” Rafe got serious. “That’s cold.”

“Are you talking about the woman who’s stalking Jerry?” Sienna was interested.

“Yes.” I really didn’t feel like sharing with her. She was now a problem I had to handle. “You wanted to do some more shopping tonight? Rafe, can you stay with her down there in the store while I go visit with Cait and check on Jerry?”

“I’m supposed to be protecting
you
.” He wasn’t happy with the assignment.

“Please do this. It will really help me out. I promise I’ll shift and jet straight over there. Once I’m in Jerry’s house, I’m sure I’ll be okay. What mortal would take on a vampire when she’s awake and alert?”

“Seems like that mortal handled Blade last night.” Rafe followed me when I got up and headed into my bedroom. Wardrobe. I wanted to look tough because it helped me feel that way. I pulled out black leather pants and a black satin blouse. My leather jacket was vintage and would help me blend into the night. Perfect.

“Glory, the woman probably drugged Blade and he was at her mercy for hours he can’t remember. You know I could hear your phone conversation, right?” Rafe had Sienna on his heels.

“I don’t need a babysitter. If you want Rafe to be with you, take him.” She pouted, then got distracted. “Cool jacket. I love the look. Got anything like that downstairs?”

“Yes, I do. Ask Megan to show you. There’s one in the back room I haven’t priced yet. If you like it, tell her to call me for a price check.” I pulled open a drawer and collected clean underwear. Rafe raised an eyebrow at the sight of a black thong and pushup bra. So what? He’d seen me in less. I headed for the bathroom but stopped to pin both of them with a stern look.

“Don’t give me a hard time about this. Sienna, you’re too new to be left alone. Rafe, I need this favor. I can’t have my new vamp around mortals unsupervised. I’ll be fine. I hope I do run into Mel. I’ll rip her throat out and we’ll be done.” I smiled, full fang, ignoring the fact that I hadn’t been able to get near her the last time we’d met. “Jerry’s mistake is that he tried to reason with her. I won’t bother.”

“Gee, Glory. I’ve never see you like this.” Sienna shivered. “You’d really
kill
her?”

“No, she probably wouldn’t. For all her tough talk, Glory’s not like that. Which is what worries me. Let me call someone else to stick with Sienna so I can go with you, Blondie.”

“No, I don’t have time for that. And I can kill if I have to. Quit underestimating me, Rafe. I’m into my powers now and I’m not letting this woman get the best of me.” I tempered my message with a smile. “I know where you’re coming from.”

“Yeah, years of watching over you.” He shook his head. “You’ve changed. That’s good. But don’t get cocky. This voodoo thing is a new threat. You don’t know what you’re up against.”

“You’re right.” I touched his cheek. So dear. How did I get so lucky? To have this strong man care . . . “I’m on it. Flo’s connecting me with a voodoo expert. I’m going to find out what I need to know so I’ll have even more weapons to work with. In the meantime . . .”

“Be careful.” He pulled me close. “I mean it. Watch your back since I won’t be there to do it.”

“Thanks, Rafe. I will.” I gave him a brief hug then pushed him away gently. “Now run along. Get shopping.” I headed into the bathroom, refusing to listen to Sienna’s questions or Rafe’s answers about our relationship. I tried to tune into Mel’s message. Yeah, I wanted to own the world and I was starting tonight. Taking charge of my universe and the people who were important to me. Too bad for Mel if she got in my way.

My phone rang as I was about to leave the blessedly empty apartment. Flo, coming through for me.

“
Amica
, I’m worried. Are you sure you want to deal with a
sacerdotessa vudù
?” Flo always lapsed into Italian when she was nervous. “Those people scare me.”

“Relax, Flo. The last time we used your contact’s help, it worked. Remember when we got that demon out of me? We used love. It was great. Not scary at all.” I smiled at the memory. “Or at least not as scary as that demon was.”

“You’re right about that. Okay, I give. But be careful, my friend. This stuff is nothing to play with.”

“I know. Mel means business. You won’t believe what she did to Jerry just last night.” I told her, sinking down on the couch as I did. I hoped he was there when I got to his place. I wanted to hold him, comfort him. If Bart found a drug in his blood, surely that would make Jerry feel better about his memory loss. At least convince him that his amnesia wasn’t returning.

“This is
terribile
! That
strega cattiva
! Call the woman in New Orleans. I hope she can help you get rid of this creature permanently.”

“Thanks, pal.” I glanced down at the paper where I’d written the number. “I’ll let you know what happens.” I hung up then dialed. The woman who answered the phone had a soft Creole accent that convinced me I had the right number.

“Is this Madame—”

“Do not say my name. Who told you to call me,
chère
?”

Hmm. Paranoid much? “Florence da Vinci. She used you a few months ago. For a sensitive problem with one of her friends. I’m that friend.”

“Yes, I remember. I assume you have another problem,
chère
. Tell me.”

“Well, um, there’s a woman, a practitioner of voodoo, who is determined to trap a man and keep him. He’s told her he wants to be with another woman, but she won’t let him go. Now she’s doing all kinds of things, including drugging him, I think, to make him stay with her. I’m his girlfriend and she’s threatened me. Wants me to give him up. What—”

“Where is this woman from?”

“Miami.”

“Her name?”

Uh-oh. That question made me think there might be a history here. “Melisandra Du Monde. Have you heard of her? Can you help me?”

“Child, you are in trouble. Yes, you are. This is one powerful
sorcière
. She uses Haitian magic. And she’s dealing with the dark arts. I work with the light. The dark can bring much bad luck to the one who deals with it. A
malheur
, curse, on one of them . . . Well, I hope that is not what you have come to me for.” She muttered something, an incantation, a prayer?

“She’s evil, Madame. I can smell it on her. I am way too familiar with the stench. I was possessed by a demon, have had dealings with Lucifer himself.” I heard her exclaim. “But I triumphed over him. I’m a good person. I swear it. Worthy of your help. And I’ll pay. I have a credit card ready right here, if you have something to offer me, something that will help break her hold on my man.”

“That will be very difficult, child. She is strong. And to face a powerful
sorcière
. . . Are you sure you want to risk it? Is this man of yours really worth it?”

“Yes! He’s the love of my life. You have no idea what we’ve been through. I have to do this. Whatever it takes.”

“Then I will send you a book. It will have a recipe for a special potion. Follow it exactly with every ingredient as listed, no substitutions. It will be powerful, strong. You can use it to poison this woman’s mind. It will taint her thoughts and send her screaming into the night, away from your man and your place. Does this sound like something you want?”

“Yes.” It actually sounded perfect. “But I’ve tried to reach her, Madame. I am . . .” I hesitated. Okay, go for broke. “I’m vampire. I thought if I could just jump her, tear out her throat, I could end this. But I can’t get near her. She’s shielded somehow.”

I heard her muttering prayers this time, a Hail Mary? Not sure. Anyway there was a long silence. Finally she came back on the line, her voice hard but determined.

“Vampire. Of course. I should have guessed. Your friend was one also. There are so many of you. I try not to think about it. You will remember that I helped you. In case I need a favor? In the future?”

“Yes, sure. But what about this potion?” I was getting desperate. If this woman didn’t want to help a vampire, I was wasting my time.

“You must somehow lull her into trusting you. Better yet, get the man to do this. My potion will kill her love for him and make her go away.”

“Do you throw it on her or does she have to drink it?” I had visions of Mel dissolving like the Wicked Witch in Oz, only her expensive high heels left afterward. I’d sell those in the shop of course. If I was going to own a chain of Vintage Vamp’s shops someday, I couldn’t miss a trick.

“Instructions are in the book. As long as I know we are committed to helping each other . . .” She paused.

“Yes, yes. I promise. A favor in the future. You have my word.” Easy to promise when I doubted I’d ever cross paths with a voodoo woman from New Orleans again.

“Fine. It’s a deal. I’ll even give you a discount.” She quoted a price that still put a good dent in my credit limit. I read her my card number and expiration date then gave her my shipping information. She promised to overnight the package.

“Let me know how this goes,
chère
. I’ve heard of some of Du Monde’s tricks. She gives all of us a bad name. It would not break my heart to hear that she has lost something this time.”

I smiled. Good to know. “Certainly, Madame. And thank you. I’m sure you will mark the right page? This whole thing is new to me, I wouldn’t want to screw it up.”

“Of course. Just don’t try anything else in the book. In the wrong hands some of the other potions can be dangerous.”

“No worries, Madame. This is a one-shot deal. I’ll be very careful. Thanks again.” We ended the call.

“You’re into voodoo now?” Aggie smiled at me from the doorway. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard her come in.

“No, not really. I’m just desperate enough to try anything. With Jerry being hassled by a voodoo priestess, I figured why not use the same weapons.” I stuck my phone in my bra since I was going to shift to Jerry’s.

“I get it. Good move. Where’s Sienna? Surely you didn’t let her go out on her own.” Aggie dug into a pint of Ben & Jerry’s.

“She’s downstairs shopping. Rafe’s keeping an eye on her. Why? It’s too soon for her to drink from you again if that’s what you’re thinking. And what’s with the ice cream? I thought you were dieting.” I walked to the door.

“Flo’s coming over. She’s decided to be my trainer. I have been dieting but I’m not losing. That diet book I got from your shop sucks. I think it’s out of date.”

“Of course it is. I sell vintage books, Aggie.” I was in a hurry to leave and check on Jerry. “Why is Flo helping you?”

“She feels sorry for me.” Aggie looked me over. “Nice outfit. Going all black is slimming. Not that I can afford leather anything. Ian only lets me keep a few bucks a week for myself, the rest goes toward what I owe him. That pittance barely covers food and hair spray.”

“Well, you could buy the store brands instead of—” I opened the door.

“Blasphemy!” Aggie waved her spoon. “
You
can’t taste this, but there’s no comparison. Store brands don’t have half the nuts, the cherries, the everything!”