“What did Caro cook for you?”
“Beats the hell out of me.” His stomach gurgled and we both smiled. “All I know is that it tasted as good as it smelled. I was trying to go slowly. Savor it, you know? She spent some time at the Cordon Bleu, taking lessons. She’s wasted as a bodyguard. She should open her own restaurant.” He looked into the back seat. “Thanks for saving the rest.”
I pulled over and grabbed my tote out of the back seat. “Here. Finish it while it’s warm.” I knew it wasn’t the best way to eat but obviously Valdez didn’t care. He stuck his head in the tote and got busy. I started driving again, remembering this time how to get home. The lights from the city helped.
“God, that was good.” Valdez finally emerged from the tote, wiping his face on the outside of it. “Sorry if that was gross, but a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.”
“I get it. I’m just sorry you had to eat it out of a bag. I wonder why Caroline doesn’t start her own restaurant.” I would like to talk to her about that.
“She’s stuck in the family business. She’s saving for the day when she can strike out on her own. Then she’ll have to tell her grandparents she’s leaving them.” Valdez burped softly. “She’s enjoying the travel in her job, too. Caro’s not sure that’s where she would want to put her restaurant. Her parents live in London. That’s an expensive place to start a business.”
“I feel for her. Look how much I’ve travelled, moving around when I needed to change my identity. If I do open my own business, put down roots, I’ll have to think long and hard about where that would be. An economical place. I don’t think it will be Las Vegas. There’s too much competition here.” I was getting close to home and still had lots of night left. Was there anywhere I wanted to go? My phone buzzed and there was Karla Falk’s phone number. I decided to go ahead and use it.
“Hallå .”
“Karla? This is Glory Simpson. I was with Dominic Mayer earlier tonight.” I waited for a burst of profanity, something.
“Ah. And you are not with him now?”
“No, I left after I found out he kept the existence of the council from me. I’d like to meet and talk to you about business. Are you available later tonight?” I pulled into our parking lot and turned off the engine. My old car didn’t have hands free phone capability and I was relieved to be able to sit and not juggle my phone while driving with one hand.
“Actually, I am available. Meet me at 4500 West Flamingo Road. In one hour. Can you make it?”
I glanced at the clock on my dashboard. Stupid. It hadn’t worked in years. “Sure, I’ll make it. Is it a hotel? Casino? What will I be looking for?”
The answer was a throaty laugh. “You’ll see. Come and bring your shape-shifter. He will enjoy the company as well.” She disconnected.
“I’d better hurry.” Now I could see the time on my cell phone. I grabbed my clothes from the back seat and opened the passenger door for Valdez. “You need to grab that filthy tote in your teeth. We can stop at the dumpster and drop it in.” I wrinkled my nose. I’d had enough of the garlic smell. No, you can’t kill or repel a vampire with garlic, or a cross. But some of us just don’t like it.
Valdez did as ordered and we were soon upstairs. I washed his face with a wet cloth then jumped in the shower before I changed clothes. The outfit I’d worn to Dom’s place seemed a little casual compared to Karla’s satin pants suit. I found a deep purple dress with sheer long sleeves and a short skirt. High heels on my night off weren’t fair but I wanted to be taken seriously as a potential businesswoman, so I stuffed my feet into them.
“You look pretty. Are you sure this is a good idea?” Valdez trotted down the steps ahead of me. We were using the leash just to be on the safe side. You never knew when Animal Control might decide to make a sweep through here again.
“Karla is a successful businesswoman, according to Dom.” I patted my hips. “Plus, he says she sells something that can squeeze ten pounds out of me. I’m interested.”
“That’s ridiculous. You look just right. Bad enough you’re hobbled by those high heels, though I have to say they make your legs look good. But start squeezing your butt into some kind of torture panty?” Valdez shook his furry head. “Forget about it.” He’d put on a New York accent. Like he was a gangster.
“Torture panty.” I grinned. “You’re probably right. We suffer for beauty. Haven’t you figured that out about women yet, Valdez?” I let him into the car and strutted around the car. “I look pretty? Thanks. I’ll take the compliment. Karla said other shifters will be there so watch yourself.”
He put his paw on my arm. “I’m sorry about letting you down with Davenport. I failed you. If there wasn’t something that …”
“I get it, V. We’re dealing with the Devil. That’s one reason I reached out to Karla. We need allies. We can get to know more vampires here in Las Vegas and maybe they can help us.” I pulled out the paper map I had of Vegas and checked for Flamingo Road. It crossed the Strip so it should be easy to find. There was a North Flamingo and South. I just had to watch for signs.
“Valdez, forget you’re a man for once and watch for street signs, okay?” I pulled out of the parking lot and headed for the Strip. Low on gas. I stopped and checked my purse. Low on funds too. I stopped and put ten bucks worth in my tank. That left me stinking of gasoline. I was in a bad mood by the time we were back on the road. I was going to be late, which was not the way to make a good impression.
“Turn here!” Valdez suddenly yelled from beside me.
“Which way?” I braked and horns started honking. As usual, there was traffic no matter how late it was.
“Right, no, left. Did you say North or South Flamingo?” Valdez was peering at the street signs, made harder to read by the neon blinking next to them. They were blinding.
“North!” I had to accelerate or risk someone bumping into me, the horns were still honking.
“Right, go right!” He put a paw on my horn, almost making me hit the car next to me. “Shut up, you stupid tourist.”
My talking dog got us some looks. I smiled, like I was a ventriloquist. I hurriedly turned off the Strip. More hotels. More casinos. Then we came to a building that didn’t have neon. It had windows with awnings and a black lacquered door. The number was right and there were lights on inside so I parked in the lot behind it. I was surrounded by luxury cars and pickup trucks, a real mix of vehicles.
“I guess this is it.” I let Valdez out and picked up his leash. “Do I just walk in or do I knock on the door?”
“Step up to the door and see what happens. I see a peep hole. I’m sure we’re being watched.” Valdez was still talking out loud.
I glanced around to make sure no one saw him do that. No mortals were paying attention to us. The few nearby were going into the large casino/hotel across the street. This nondescript building was getting no attention. I raised my fist to knock when the door opened.
“Well, well, well.” The man who stood there showed his fangs. “Karla told us there was a new vampire in town.” He held out his hand and drew me inside. “Come, let me show you around.” His hand was cool in mine and I shivered. Ancient vampire, very ancient. “Shifter. There’s a playroom for your type upstairs.”
“I’m staying with her until she tells me otherwise.” Valdez was so close I felt his heat against my hip.
“Let him stay. I’m sure you understand that I’m curious, but cautious.” I smiled but certainly didn’t show off my own fangs. Yes, I guess I was considered ancient by most standards, but I didn’t feel the need to measure mine against his.
“Glory. What a wonderful name. You do whatever you wish, my dear.” He led me to a large room in the back. It was decorated with lavish Oriental rugs, velvet couches, a huge TV and low tables. A bar was against one wall. That’s where I saw Karla, leaning against it, her white hair glowing in the lighting from an overhead crystal chandelier.
“Sebastian, leave her alone. She came to see me.” Kar
la moved away from the bar, two goblets in her hand. “Dominic did finally send over some of his best Romanian as an apology. Please, join us and I’ll introduce everyone.”
I took the goblet and inhaled. “Yes, I recognize this one. It’s delicious.” I held out my glass and nodded. “To new friends, I hope. I look forward to knowing you.”
Next to me Sebastian chuckled. “Oh, it is so nice to meet fresh, um, blood.”
Karla was in his face so fast I almost spilled my drink on her beautiful suit. “I will ban you from this house if you say one more word, jӓkel .”
“Relax, my skӧnhet . I play with her. Have you forgotten how to play?” He took her hand and ran his fangs over the back of it, leaving twin lines of blood.
“Out of my sight. Take your shifter with you. I have had enough of you for tonight.” Karla licked the blood off the back of her hand. “I am sorry, Glory. That one is out of control.” She watched him chuckle then signal a man who stood near the door. They both left through the front door, which banged behind them.
“What does jӓkel mean?” I sipped my drink, a little rattled by the scene.
“Devil. That one does his bidding.” Karla drank down the contents of her own goblet and signaled for a refill. “Stay clear of him, Glory.”
22
S omeone else working with the Devil. I felt like I wasn’t safe anywhere. Karla put her hand under my elbow and steered me to a couch where two women and a man were sitting watching a movie.
“Come, Glory, don’t let Sebastian upset you. Surely you have seen his kind before. I sense that you are not a young vampire. There is one like Sebastian in every crowd, no? He likes to stir the pot, see what rises to the top.” She laughed and let her own fangs show. “Let me introduce you to these three.” She frowned and picked up a remote control. “Can we pause this movie for a moment?” She muttered under her breath. “They have already seen it at least a dozen times.”
“Twenty-four, but who’s counting? You, I guess.” The man in the middle extended his hand. “I would get up but you can see how comfortable I am with my ladies on either side. Dennis O’Hara.”
I reached down to shake his hand. “Glory Simpson, this decade.” I couldn’t resist his smile or the twinkle in his green eyes. He had the kind of good looks I liked—dark curly hair and dimples to go with those twinkly eyes. His good humor was contagious. It was quite a relief after Sebastian’s intensity.
“These ladies are Marlene Davies on my right and Connie Washington on my left.” He put his arms around them again. “We have come to an understanding, as you say, this decade. We’re sharing a shifter to guard us during the day and they let me keep them happy before sunrise.”
“You try anyway, Dennis.” Marlene winked at me. “Sorry for not getting up. This movie is his favorite. We put up with it because it gets his blood stirring, if you know what I mean.”
“Bruce Willis! Need I say more?” Dennis grabbed the remote from Karla. “Die Hard 2 .”
“He wants to watch Armageddon next.” Connie shuddered. “At least vampires can’t have nightmares. He loves to watch violence.” She stretched out a hand with a business card in it. “Here’s my number. If you need a roommate, let me know. I’m ready to move on.”
“Connie, my dark beauty, don’t say so. Haven’t I proved I’m a lover, not a fighter?” Dennis nuzzled her neck. “No more talk of Armageddon , if you are against it. Pick the next movie.” He squeezed her breast. “There are dozens of tapes over there. Go, pick a comedy or a romance, your choice.”
“It will take more than that to make me happy, Denny, and you know it.” But she dragged herself off the couch and wandered over to a shelf of movies. She moved like an African queen and could have been a model. I had to wonder at her story. The card merely had her name and phone number on it. I stuck it in my purse.
“Come, Glory, meet the rest.” Karla introduced me to three more men and two women. They all seemed happy to meet me but were discussing local politics. It was clear they were more interested in their own problems than in welcoming someone new.
“I’m sorry they are so self-centered, Glory. I called them back here after I confronted Dominic. This is where we meet each month, where we can be with our own kind. It is also our Council House, available to any vampire who needs a place to stay temporarily. Or, like the three on the couch, want a big screen TV for movie watching. They live together in a tiny apartment way off the Strip.”
“Really?” I glanced back at them. “I thought all vampires except me were rich.”
Karla’s laughter rang through the room, making Dennis shush her.
“This is the good part, Karla. Keep it down.” He punched up the volume on the remote.
“Selfish bastard. Go home if you can’t hear your movie. Take the copy with you.” Karla led me to the bar and refilled my goblet. “Most vampires here can barely make ends meet. If you keep meeting rich vampires, I want to run with your crowd. Now come sit over here and tell me why you came.” She patted a bar stool. “Thank goodness Dominic sent over refreshments after all. This crowd can get ugly without something good to drink.”
“The Council owns this house?” I saw a couple come down the stairs near the front door. The woman kissed the man then left. She’d been a mortal. He was a vampire who came straight toward us.
“Remind me not to troll those casinos for a mortal blood donor again any time soon.” He filled a goblet and took a deep drink. “Synthetic but at least it doesn’t taste like cheap tobacco.” He smiled at me. He wore a dark suit and had the look of a high roller, the kind Misty would have liked to meet in a casino. His tiny goatee and mustache gave him a European look but his drawl was Southern. “Who are you, darlin’?”
I introduced myself. “It’s my first time here. I was just asking about this place. Is it yours?”
He laughed. “As if I could afford such a building, even off the Strip. No, we have a benefactor to thank for it. Tell her, Karla. I see Clive over there bending everyone’s ear about taxes again. Either he needs to get off the grid or fly back to Europe. He’s becoming such a bore on the subject.” He touched my hand. “Larry Jones. Ask for me if you need help with anything.” He looked into my eyes until I had the good sense to look away. “Anything that doesn’t cost too much.”
“Thank you.” I was glad when he crossed the room and joined the people on the other side. There was a burst of laughter when he said something and slapped a man on the back.
“Don’t worry. Larry rarely does anything we have to cover up. That is one thing the Council is useful for. If a vampire leaves a mess, we clean it up. Then make sure he or she regrets it.” Karla sat on one of the bar stools. “Sit. You had a question. Let me answer it.”
I settled on a stool and let Karla refill my glass. My head was getting a little fuzzy and I realized I’d been downing blood with alcohol too fast.
“There are about forty vampires in Las Vegas at last count. The vampire who owns this building chooses to remain anonymous. I’m just glad he or she set it up for us.” Karla smiled. “We vote for a leader once a decade. My term is about up. I may run for another one. I do like the perks that come with the job, even though keeping some of these vampires in line can be a problem.”
“So many in one town!” I couldn’t help it, I kept sipping that alcohol-laced drink. “Do they all pay attention to your council? Dom said there’s an act on the Strip…”
“Oh, that one.” Karla glanced at the group across the room. “I have given up on the vampires who work in entertainment here. Las Vegas is a mecca for vampires because of the night life. I’m certain that is what drew you here as well?” She raised a penciled eyebrow.
“Yes, sure. I had been working my way across the western United States but had trouble finding jobs in places open twenty-four hours.” I realized I’d finished my drink again. I set the empty on the bar and vowed not to get a refill. “Vegas seemed a logical next step. I have to work for a living. I won’t let my sire pay m
y way though I do let him provide my shifter as daytime security.”
“Have you and your sire had a falling out?” Karla refilled my goblet, her red lips pursed. “Who is he? Do I know him?”
“I have no idea if you know him. Jeremiah Campbell but he’s going as Jeremy Blade now. We are still friends and sometimes more.” I picked up the goblet and drank despite my resolve.
“I have heard the name. Not many of us maintain a relationship with our sires but it sounds like you do. Interesting.” Karla toyed with her glass. “Why aren’t you with him?”
“I wish to make my own way. I want to start my own business. Dom says you have done very well with yours.”
“Mbrace . Yes, I have. I’m very proud of it.” Karla stood. “Come upstairs and I will show you. How do you feel about your size?”
“Oh, Karla. I hate my butt. And my thighs!” I got up from the stool and the room began to spin. Not good.
“Glory, you need to stop drinking.” Valdez was nearby and I leaned down to grab a handful of his fur to steady myself.
“No kidding! I’m done, don’t worry about that.” I held on. “Karla and I are going upstairs to look at her torture panties. You can’t come.” I smiled at Karla. “That’s what Valdez and I call them. Torture panties. Is that about right?”
She laughed and grabbed my arm. “I should put that in the advertising. Torture yourself to look like you are suddenly two sizes smaller. It will be worth it.” She looked down at Valdez. “Shifter, I won’t hurt her. Ask anyone. I am all about the business.”
I let myself be dragged up the carpeted stairs. Apparently, Karla had a room she’d made into a workshop and dressing room. It was a perk of being head of the Council. When Valdez tried to follow us, two shifters blocked the head of the stairs.
Real Vampires: Glory Does Vegas Page 24