Real Vampires Know Size Matters (28 page)

“Not even close.” Aggie stepped back from me. Obviously she’d learned to recognize the signs of hunger in a vampire. “I’m pretty sure the more I please him, the better deal he’ll give me. Or, here’s a thought, maybe he’ll get carried away some night. Then he’ll have no choice but to turn me. How’s that for a plan?” She smiled, sure of her sexual prowess. And why wouldn’t she be? The woman had thousands of years of experience. My stomach cramped but I was too empty to throw up again.

Rafe had heard enough. “He’d have a choice, you idiot. He could let you die. Sorry if this hurts you, Glory, but I’ve known too many vampires who’d suck her dry and not give a rat’s ass about it.”

“No, you’re right, Rafe. I’ve known plenty like that too. And I have a feeling Miguel is one of them. He has two jobs, Aggie. The other is hit man. He snuffs out life without a qualm. Kind of like you used to do.” I tried to catch Aggie’s eye but she was too smart for that. She’d been mesmerized before and was obviously afraid that was my intention.

“Yeah, well. Maybe that makes him the perfect man for me.” She smiled, completely immune to our warnings.

“Just be careful, Aggie. Being a vampire’s blood slave—and that’s what you are, make no mistake about it—is dangerous. If Miguel accidentally lets you bleed out, he’ll dump you like trash, for real this time.” I let the wall hold me up, truly queasy again.

“Gloriana, you wound me.” Miguel suddenly appeared in the hallway. “I’m very careful with my, as you crudely call them, blood slaves.” His smile was pure predator. “It’s so difficult to find a donor who is healthy, willing and beautiful.” He pulled Aggie to him. “Aggie is exceptional.” He frowned. “Aggie. I do not like this name. It’s ugly. We will pick a new one for her. A stage name. Stay tuned.”

Aggie leaned against him, practically purring. “See? Miguel appreciates me. I can spare a little of my juice and he treats me well. Buys me decent clothes and he has a nice house in the hills. Right, baby?”

Miguel brushed back her hair, then tightened his hand in the strands so that we could see he was exerting pressure. “I am nobody’s baby. Respect, remember?”

“Oh, yeah, sure.” Aggie’s eyes widened and we saw her swallow. “I’m sorry, Miguel. Rehearsal’s over. If I’m going to feed you later, I need to eat now. Okay?” Her voice trembled.

“Fine. Red meat and perhaps a glass of red wine. There’s a nice restaurant down the street that serves a late dinner.” He released her hair, smoothing it down over her shoulder. “Adios, Gloriana, Valdez. I will speak to you tomorrow night, Gloriana, about our deal. We can meet here again, I suppose. These rehearsals continue.” His glance at the practice room made me wonder for how long.

“It’ll have to be late. I have an appointment early in the evening. Make it after midnight.” I saw him nod. Then he pushed Aggie ahead of him down the hall, his hand firmly on her elbow. “I hope Aggie knows what she’s doing.”

“She’s probably happier with him than scrubbing Ian’s toilets. Let it go, Glory.” Rafe pointed toward the practice room. “I think Ray’s ready for you. Sienna’s just come out and is gesturing at us.”

“Oh, right.” I really shouldn’t have tried the tequila. Now I’d have to sing with a raw throat. Plus the liquor was still buzzing around inside my brain and doing cartwheels in my stomach. I hoped I remembered the words to the two songs I’d picked.

Rafe and I passed the band on our way into the practice room. They’d packed up and were heading out. The guys wished me luck and promised to stay for the next rehearsal so they could hear me sing. Sienna grinned and handed me sheet music.

“I love your song choices. Perfect. Especially this last one. This is going to be a Halloween hit! I could even imagine hearing it on the radio.” She hugged me. “Is Blade going to be back by then?”

“I certainly hope so.” I glanced down at the music. “I’m glad the words are here. I’m a little under the weather tonight.”

“You’ll be fine. I wish I could stay but I have a radio interview scheduled. Good thing it was a late night show. I’ll see you at home later.” She waved then left.

Feeling like a condemned woman, I walked up onto the stage, where Ray was running through the first song. I pasted on a smile and fought back my nerves.

“Hey, Ray. What do you think of my song choices?”

“Love ’em, babe. Let’s work out your key first.” He jumped up and kissed my cheek then we got down to business.

Business. Yes, that’s what this was. I’d done a lot of stage work in the past but always in the chorus as a dancer or as part of a band. Now the spotlight would be on me. And singing. At least Ray was so utterly professional that he calmed me down. By the time we’d run through one song a few times, I began to feel comfortable and it helped that Ray was full of compliments.

“You really think this will work? The song’s pretty old-fashioned. N-V attracts a young, hip crowd.” I still had some doubts about my choices.

“Retro is in. Sienna was right about that. The college kids will get it and I think this vibe suits you. I just wish we could do a duet. Let’s add a third number, something upbeat to start. Maybe a song you and I can sing to each other.” He thought for a minute then played a tune that I recognized.

“Ray! That’s perfect. I like the retro thing but it’s good to mix in something more contemporary like that. You’re a genius.” I sat beside him at the piano. “Of course this may get the paparazzi worked up again. Rumors flying that we’re back together singing about ‘sweet love.’” It might help Jerry convince Mel that he and I were through too. But I wasn’t sharing that with Ray.

“I’ll take that chance. I can’t wait to see the audience reaction.” He started the song again and we worked on our harmony. Ray got really excited. “This needs the band behind it. Damn it, I have a notion to keep them onstage. Give you the full treatment.”

“I don’t know, Ray. That’s a big commitment from the guys.” I felt embarrassed. My first public performance as a singer. It was one thing to sing to Ray. Now he was talking about fronting the band. I still hadn’t wrapped my head around that live audience, and it would be big with Israel Caine and Sienna Star on the bill.

“You’ll kill it, Glory. Never doubt it.” He jumped up and hugged me. “I wish your mother was here. I want to thank her. Damn, I can’t believe she gave you your voice back! It’s amazing.” I swear he was about to tear up.

“At last someone appreciates me.” My mother shimmered into view.

“For God’s sake, Mother. Be careful. Did you check to see if any of the mortals were still around?” I scanned the large room.

“Of course, darling. All clear. Relax. I believe this handsome man is going to hug me.” She laughed when Ray lunged off the stage and grabbed her, twirling her around the room.

“Damn right, I am. Glory has a tremendous voice and you gave her back her instrument. I, for one, owe you a debt. Anything you want, lady, anytime.” He set her down on her feet.

“Ray, be careful. Mother can use that statement against you.” I stepped off the stage. “It was just an expression, Mother, not a vow.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Your Israel Caine sounded very serious just then. Call me Hebe, Ray. That is what you said I should call you. I may hold you to that promise. If things need doing and you’re the best man for the job.” She smiled and patted his cheek. “You never know what might come up someday.”

“Glory, I meant it. This lady worked a miracle for you. Where’s your gratitude?” Ray picked up my hand. “Did you hear her, Hebe? Her voice is incredible. I know it doesn’t call men to her, like it did when she was a Siren, but it still stirs something in me. I said it before. She puts her heart into the music. Sienna and I see a real future for Glory on the stage.”

“Is that what you want, Gloriana? A stage career?” My mother pursed her lips. Tonight they wore a luscious shade of pink to compliment a deep purple velvet dress.

“I’m not sure yet. Let me survive my first performance and then ask that question.” I rubbed my damp palms on my black jeans. I’d shed my jacket and was all in black now. Purple. I should wear that color more often myself. It looked good on blondes.

“You’ll be fine. But I haven’t forgotten my quest to get you in front of Zeus. Not sure how that will work if you pursue a public singing career.” Mother tapped her chin. I’d noticed it was a habit with her when she was thinking.

“Just calm down. I’m not going up to Olympus anytime soon. I have my own stuff going on down here now that I’m not about to leave.” I saw Rafe waving from the doorway with my purse in his hand. He held out my phone. “Look. I have a phone call. I hope it’s Jerry. Remember, he’s my priority now.” I saw my mother exchange looks with Ray. “No, you will not ask Ray to interfere in that relationship. No, no, no.” I turned to Ray. “Jerry and I are solid. You do know that, right?”

“Sure. Sorry, Hebe. I can’t get into the middle of Glory’s love life much as I’d like to.” Ray’s smile was full of his usual charm. “Ask me to do something else.”

“Did I ask you to do anything at all yet?” Mother held out her hands, the picture of innocence. “Really, Gloriana, paranoia is very unbecoming. Go answer your phone.”

“Fine.” I hurried across the hall. Rafe hadn’t answered my phone but he must have heard it ring. I saw that I had voice mail. Two messages. One from Jerry and one from his sister. I listened to Cait’s first. She and Bart were at Ian’s helping him restart some of his research. Good. I felt guilty that I hadn’t spared them a thought. Especially since I’d promised Jerry I would keep his sister and her boyfriend entertained while he was gone. I called her back and made sure they were still occupied.

“We’re fine. Bart is in his element, helping Ian with these experiments. I
would
like to see you sometime though, Glory. Tomorrow night?” Caitlin sounded distracted. “Oh, good grief. Those two men are arguing about an experiment. I’ll be glad to get away from here for a while.”

“I understand. But I’ve got a pretty full night tomorrow. How about Sunday? And next weekend, if you two are still here, is Halloween. That’s a big deal in Austin. Lots of fun on Sixth Street. I’ll, uh . . .” I felt shy suddenly but plunged ahead. “I’ll be making my singing debut at N-V, a club here.”

“What?” Cait was surprised and I didn’t blame her. For all she knew I still sang like I’d been shocked with high voltage.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got a new voice, courtesy of my mother. It’s the singing voice I had as a Siren. Pretty awesome actually. I won’t disgrace Jerry.” I laughed. “Seriously, I’d love for you and Bart to come. The club owner is a friend and he can make sure you have good seats. He caters to vamps.”

“Well, that sounds great. Costumes?” Cait laughed this time. “You had me going, chum. I was trying to figure out how to be diplomatic and beg you not to publicly humiliate yourself.”

“I can imagine. Good. I’ll set you up. You remember Florence da Vinci?”

“Sure. Is she going to be there?”

I realized I hadn’t clued my best bud in on this new development. “I bet she wouldn’t miss it. I’ll set all of you up in a big table on the balcony. Best seats in the house.” I was aware that Rafe was within earshot. “More details later. Come by the shop on Sunday and we’ll find you a cool costume. Call first because we’re closed. But I’ll meet you and open so we can pick out something. Think Bart will want one too?”

“Knowing him, he’ll wear his plaid. The man doesn’t travel without it.” She said something to those quarreling men in the room with her. “Ian wants me to remind you that you already invited him to come too. Can you squeeze him in at our table?”

“Why not?” I could see this becoming a huge deal and my stomach turned. “And Bart’s plaid is perfect. Nothing sexier than a man in a kilt in my opinion.”

“Guess my brother will be back by then and probably wear his as well.”

“I hope so.” I said something else, whatever was necessary to get off the phone, then ended the call.

“Sounds like we’ll have every vampire in Austin on the balcony for your big debut.” Rafe grinned at me. “Is that nerves I’m seeing?”

“What? Just because my hands are shaking and I’ve gnawed off half my cuticles, doesn’t mean I’m nervous.” I paced the room, glancing back to where my mother and Ray were getting way too cozy. “I’m not sure I can do this, Rafe. Sing in front of all those people.”

“Sure you can. Now go out in the hall and call Blade back. You’ll feel better once you talk to him. Won’t you?” He smiled and gently pushed me out the door.

“Yes, I hope so. Especially if he says he’s on the way home with some solutions to our problem.” I smiled at Rafe. “Thanks. You’ve gone above and beyond, as usual.”

“Happy to help. I’m keeping an eye on your mother. You think she has the hots for Caine?”

“Eww. Now I have that picture in my head.” I slapped his arm then stepped into the hall and shut the door. I listened to the voice mail from Jerry first. He was clearly tired but excited when he said to call him as soon as I got the message. I hit speed dial and he answered on the second ring.

“Glory. What are you doing?” He sounded winded.

“I’m at rehearsals. I’m going to sing, Jer. In public on Halloween. Can you believe it?” I sat on the floor across from the door. It was so good to hear his voice. “What did you find out? Where are you?”

“I’m on my way home. I have a plan, Glory. What’s this about singing? At N-V?”

“Where else? You mean you were flying when I called? Be careful answering so fast. You must have hit the ground hard.” I pictured him shifting and answering in one swift motion. It was dangerous, out there in the dark, God knows where.

“I’m okay, Gloriana. I just wanted to tell you what I found out.”

“So tell me.” I gripped the phone, praying he had a solution to get rid of Mel once and for all.

“Well, her sister was a big help. Seems she disapproves of Mel’s voodoo tricks. Is a little jealous of her success too, the whole inspirational talk thing, though I had to read her mind to get that from her. Anyway, she said Melisandra has a pattern with men. She gets tired of them quickly once she knows they are hers.” I heard him swear.

“Where are you? Did you fall? Hurt yourself?”