Real Vampires Know Size Matters (36 page)

“I’m sure you would. But it’s an act, Miguel. We’re trying to get her to lose interest in him. Jerry learned that it’s her pattern. She doesn’t want what she thinks she’s captured.” I hated that Jerry had let people—our friends, my mother—see him like that.

“That plan sucks.” Miguel turned and walked away.

I wanted to call him back, say something to defend Jerry, but Ray emerged from the dressing room across from me, all smiles.

“Hey, it’s time, Glory girl. You ready?”

“Not in a million years.” I took his hand though and walked with him toward the stage. I could hear the band playing the intro to the song we’d arranged to start the set with. The drums were sounding out a great beat and I could feel it from my toes to my tummy. I had to do this. I
wanted
to do it. Ray and I hurried up onto the stage to thunderous applause, screams and cheers. It had started. There was no turning back now.

The lights were still bright enough in the club that I could see the audience from the stage. I knew it would be darker as soon as I started my second song. I was singing my duet with Ray before I knew it, all that practice making it easier than I’d thought it would be. I could even scan the room while we sang.

There was the group of my friends on the balcony. Flo grinned and waved. As one, the gang raised their glasses full of a ruby liquid that I knew was blood and sent me a silent toast. I licked my lips while Ray took his turn in the song. I really should have fed or at least finished my glass of synthetic before coming onstage.

“Whenever I call you friend . . .” Ray and I sang together. The song was full of meaning for both of us. Yes, we were friends and would always love each other on some level. The fast beat made it a fun way to start the set and the packed crowd on the dance floor moved to the music, everyone smiling and seeming to enjoy themselves.

I grinned, jazzed by their reaction. I hadn’t spotted Jerry yet but another glance at the balcony made it impossible to miss my mother’s table. She was reigning like a queen over her court. A queen of Olympus. My God, they’d all come dressed in their togas. All except Mom’s date for the evening. Mars was in full battle regalia. At least he’d taken off his helmet with the red plume and it was sitting on the table. I recognized Circe, the goddess who’d made sure Jerry had found me back in London centuries ago so that he’d give me immortality. Apparently that had earned her a seat at the table. She and Mom hadn’t always been friends, but they’d forged a bond over their mutual hatred of Achelous the Storm God.

Ray and I leaned in. We were coming close to the end of our song when I saw Jerry. He and Mel were at the edge of the dance floor. Damn, but Mel
was
leading him around by a chain. His buff body couldn’t have looked better in what was little more than a leather loin cloth belted at the waist with a wide studded belt. With his powerful chest and legs bare, he drew eyes in a crowd where more than one person had gone for a skimpy look. Then I saw the choke collar around his neck.

My proud Highlander wore a choke collar. I wanted to cry or scream or throw up. What I didn’t want to do was sing. Good thing I was on autopilot by now.

When she caught my eye Mel smiled and gave the chain a tug. I looked away from Jerry, trying not to add to his humiliation, but I couldn’t help myself. One more glance. How was he taking this? He wouldn’t look up at me, just kept staring at the woman in front of him. Oh, God, Jerry. My heart was breaking for him.

Ray nudged me with an arm around my waist and I realized I’d dropped the ball, forgotten to come in when it was my turn in the song. I quickly focused again as we came to the final chorus.

“I know forever we’ll be doin’ it right.” I looked into Ray’s eyes and saw sympathy. It was almost my undoing. Of course he’d noticed Jerry and Mel.
Sing, Glory.
We harmonized, in sync, as we sang the final notes. Friends. Thank God for them. Ray had his arm around me, supporting me in more ways than one, as we took a bow.

The applause was deafening and the building shook with the sound of stomping feet. Then the lights went out for mere seconds. It was enough to quiet the crowd before twin spotlights hit me and Ray, who was now sitting at his piano. He nodded and the band started my first solo. I wasn’t about to sing to Jerry, though in my heart this song was for him. So I leaned on the piano for the opening notes, deliberately sultry as I sang to Ray.

“You give me fever.”

The crowd went wild. I’m sure they thought that meant Ray and I were an item again. Whatever. Ray certainly knew we weren’t. Working together had been fun, but he realized there was no romantic future for us. I sashayed around the stage, putting a wiggle into my walk and holding the microphone like Ray had taught me. He’d been a wonderful musical mentor.

“Fever all through the night.” Oh, yeah. I was selling that song. It was an oldie, but had a timeless message. I thought about Jerry and the first time we’d been together. We’d been so hot for each other. Ridiculous but we were still that way. He could touch me and I’d go up in flames. I put that feeling into the song and became almost breathless.

I could feel hundreds, maybe a thousand pairs of eyes on me. It was a heady experience. The room was silent except for the band and my voice. This was a new kind of power. I should be getting off to it. But I’d had too many years of trying not to be noticed. All this attention and a roomful of mortals only a few feet away . . .

My fangs started to come down and I fought them back. No, no, no. With the spotlight in my eyes, I couldn’t see anyone out there but they sure as hell could see me. Jerry, my friends and my mother who was either proud or horrified, take your pick, they were all out there watching my every move.

That rush of power suddenly evaporated and I wanted to run and hide. I couldn’t. The only thing I
could
do was stroll over to Ray again and touch his shoulder. Get strength from him. His smile encouraged me and he sent me a mental message to just sing. That I had the audience in the palm of my hand. I squeezed his shoulder, trusting him, and kept going.

By the time I came to the end of the song, I knew Ray was right. I’d made it through and no one had a clue I’d been close to a meltdown. Ray’s grin as he played the final notes said it all. He was proud of me. I was Gloriana the Siren as I worked my hips and stood behind him at the piano to sing that last line, twining my fingers in his hair. Finally, I leaned forward and blew in his ear. I was an actress and I’d played my part. It hadn’t been comfortable, but I’d survived.

The crowd loved it, especially when he jumped up, grabbed me and gave me one of those big fake Hollywood kisses that leaned me back over his arm. We hadn’t rehearsed it but the moment was right. We both came up laughing, Ray fanning himself like he did have a fever. The applause was deafening as the lights came up briefly.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Gloriana St. Clair!” Ray held my hand while I took a bow. He let the applause roll over us for a few moments then held up his hand for quiet.

“Now for her final number, if you’ve got a light on your phone or a lighter, let’s see it. I think you’re going to get a kick out of this. It’s a special song for Halloween. Are you ready?”

There was a howl of agreement as hundreds of lights came on until the room looked like a mass of twinkling stars when the overhead dimmed again. I had enough light to see Jerry’s reaction to this song, if I could still find him in the crowd. I waved at the audience then nodded to the band. Ray sat back at the piano, all of us waiting for the mood to hit the room as the drums throbbed and the music started. It was a really old song but perfect for the night.

“I put a spell on you . . .” I wanted to sing straight to Jerry, but didn’t dare. Not when the next line made it clear I considered him “mine.” I put everything I had into the song. I wanted Mel to think that, despite my act with Rafe, I was pining for Jerry. She could kill chickens in my shop and examine the insides of a thousand goats, but she’d never deserve Jerry. I’d cast my own spell on him centuries ago. A love spell. He’d been mine first, would always be mine. Mel had come way too late to the party.

“I ain’t goin’ to take none of your foolin’ around.” Was Mel laughing at that? Sure of herself and her ritual sacrifice? Was she gloating and tugging on Jerry’s chain? If I could have reached her, I would have wrapped that chain around her neck and squeezed the life out of her. What would her ghosts and ghouls think about that?

I forced myself to slink over to Ray and aim some of my smolder at him. I could probably still put a spell on him and end up in his bed tonight. His bright blue eyes telegraphed that message loud and clear. I shook my head as I fell back across the piano like I was making love to it, just short of giving Ray a glimpse down my vee-neck. Too much of that wouldn’t be fair to the man. On the next line I was up again and making love to the audience instead.

I noticed couples entwined, dancing to the slow pulsing beat. Ray’s lead guitarist had fallen in love with the song and had worked up a fantastic solo that showed off his skill. He sounded great and I stood aside, swaying as he worked the electric guitar strings.

It gave me a chance to scan the audience again. What I saw made me swallow. No! This couldn’t be happening. Jerry was pushing his way toward the stage, carefully moving aside dancing couples as he strode closer and closer, his eyes on me now. The chain Mel had been flaunting earlier was wrapped around his fist. Mel stumbled along behind him, trying not to trip because the cuff at her wrist was connected to the other end of that chain. Was he crazy? This wasn’t the plan.

I realized my cue was coming. I had to sing again and I knew what I had to do. Okay, change of plans. I’d sing to the man I loved and put my trust in Jerry and that potion I hoped to hell he had handy.

“Because you’re mine.” I couldn’t have made it any clearer as I sang straight to him. Jerry was close to the stage now. He took the chain in both hands and broke it like it was a toy made of plastic. I’m sure that’s what the mortals close by thought. I could see Mel’s face clearly now. She was livid. So much for showing off her love slave. The last note lingered in the air, the lights went out and I gasped when Jerry leaped up onto the stage and swept me into his arms.

“Damn right, I’m yours and nobody else’s.” He kissed me and kept kissing me, even when the lights came on and the audience went into a frenzy.

I didn’t push him away. Couldn’t. His strong arms were my safe haven. His mouth on mine gave me the very air I didn’t have to breathe but yearned for anyway. When Jerry finally pulled back, he glanced at the audience and seemed to realize that he was stealing my big moment.

“Take a bow, Gloriana. You were incredible.”

“Damn right, she was.” Ray stood on my other side. “Get off my stage, Blade.”

“Calm down. The audience loved it. They thought it was part of the show.” I said this as an aside to Ray, bowing as the audience cheered, whistled and stomped their feet. I gestured toward the guitarist and he took his own bow. Then I held up Ray’s hand and kissed his cheek.

Before Ray could say another word, I dropped his hand and dragged Jerry off the stage, toward the dressing rooms. We paused next to Aggie and Sienna, who stood waiting in the wings, ready to go onstage to do their set. Aggie ignored me.

“Great job, Glory.” Sienna grinned and gave me a thumbs-up. “Blade, that was some surprise at the end. Good showmanship.”

“I may regret it.” He looked down at me. “But I couldn’t help myself. I had to follow my heart.”

“Jerry.” I brushed his cheek. “What about Mel?”

“I’m sick to death of that woman and that charade. We’ll deal with the fallout together.” He pulled the vial from his belt where he’d had it tucked next to his skin. “I’m sure I’ll see her again before the night is out. If this works, problem solved.”

“Can you two move out of the way? Miguel says there’s a big producer in the audience.” Aggie had on a costume that hadn’t come from my shop. It was an expensive harem outfit that complemented Sienna’s but was in the green that Aggie loved. It revealed more than it concealed and had enough jewels in the trim to catch the spotlight. She was sure to be noticed.

“Relax, Aggie. Ray has a solo first, remember?” Sienna frowned at her. “I thought I told you to lose the headband. I’m the star here. You’re background.” She reached out and snatched a jeweled piece off Aggie’s hair. “Now, don’t screw around up there. The producer will ask me if I think you’ll be easy to work with.
If
he’s interested. You want a good recommendation, do as we’ve practiced.”

“I get it, Sienna. I’m sorry. Miguel made me wear that thing.” Aggie looked anxiously down the hall. “I do what he tells me.”

“What’s this?” Jerry kept his arm around me and I leaned into him. “You and Miguel, Aggie? Isn’t he that hit man, Glory? The one who works for Lucky Carver?”

“Yes. Let it go, Jer. Aggie has made it clear that she doesn’t want or need our help. Right?”

“Right. I’m fine. After tonight, I might even be on the fast track to a record deal.” She cocked her head. “There’s our cue, Sienna.” She followed Sienna to the stage. “Wish us luck.”

“Good luck.” I turned to Jerry. “I’d like to see her get a record deal. Maybe head to Hollywood to record it. Far away sounds good to me.” I pulled him toward my dressing room. I wanted some alone time with my guy.

“You want to stay out here and listen to the music?” Jerry offered. I knew he could care less about it.

“I’ve heard it all week during rehearsals. Come into my dressing room. Tell me about your week.” I followed him into the room and shut the door.

“I don’t want to talk about it. I’m done with that woman now, whether she wants me or not.” He looked away, not meeting my eyes.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that.” I slid my arms around him. We obviously weren’t going to touch the subject of whether or not he’d had sex with Mel. Did I want to know? Could I handle the truth if it wasn’t what I wanted to hear? Maybe not knowing was for the best. I was dropping it. And I sure wasn’t going to read his mind.