“Right. You have to go through us.” Ray was suddenly shoulder to shoulder with Jerry.
“Give it up, guys.” Rafe put his hands on their shoulders. “You can’t fight this.”
“How do you know? Have you tried?” Jerry glared at Caryon. “Concentrate. All of you. I’ve had centuries to build my power of mind control. I think I can make these assholes change their minds.”
I gasped. To try to manipulate the minds of demons? Was it possible? I focused on Spyte. He and Cary looked bemused, like maybe this was something new to them.
“Rafe, you too. Focus on them and make them think they are going to head home empty-handed.” Jerry was in his element, commanding the troops. I didn’t mind. I just prayed it worked. But then I looked around. Ray was stone. And those were the last words Jerry uttered. Because he was now a statue too.
“No! Please, can’t I do something to make you stop this?” I pressed my back against Rafe, trying to stop him as he walked around Jerry and toward the demons, a zombie and not his usual warm and caring self.
“Sure, there is, Glory. Deliver those souls you promised. Then we’ll leave Rafael alone. Forever. Done deal.” Spyte shed his disco garb for his clown suit. “Either way, we’re taking someone or a signed contract home with us. Time is up.”
“I’ll do it.”
I turned toward the top of the stairs. “Simon?” Leave it to the EV king to wait until I felt like I was on the ropes to make his grand entrance.
“My heart’s desire. Gloriana assured me that you could deliver.” Simon walked around my statue men and Rafe stopped, now a statue himself.
“Yes, of course. You must be Simon Destiny, king of the Energy Vampires.” Caryon grinned. “So deliciously evil. I can smell it from here. Delighted to meet you.” Cary waved a hand and a document and red pen appeared. “Let’s talk business. I heard Honoria met with a little, um, accident.” Cary looked at me. “Unfortunate. It left so many souls adrift.”
“Yes, it did. Souls I now have under my control.” Simon smiled. “I believe you might be interested?”
“We might. Well, Lucifer might. What do you want, Destiny?” Caryon got right down to details. I could see him quivering with excitement. This was a major coup.
“First, I need clarification.” Simon glanced at me. “As I told Gloriana, I want to make sure Honoria is actually gone. I saw some”—he cleared his throat and glared at me and my guys—“wreckage. But I want to be sure she can’t be resurrected. The creature was immortal. She would punish me for deserting her.”
“Ah, you want protection.” Cary nodded. “Consider it done. As far as we know, she’s deader than Glory’s chances of ever being a size six. But if she does happen to find a second wind . . .” Cary shuddered. “Well, Lucifer is actually a level above that three-headed thing. He can command her to leave you alone. But you will still be stripped of your special powers as an Energy Vampire. Can you live with that?”
Simon took a breath. “As long as you deliver on the promise that I will receive my heart’s desire as well. I believe you can see into my soul. I don’t want to spell it out here in front of these people.” He said that as if Jerry and the other men were inferiors he didn’t care to recognize. Simon was nothing if not arrogant.
“Oh, yes. Yes indeed. We can take care of everything. In ways you can’t imagine.” Spyte capered about the balcony, knocking over chairs and ruffling Rafe’s hair. “Who would have thought a man such as yourself would have . . .” He caught a hard look from Cary. “Never mind. Your secret’s safe with us.” He crossed his heart. “We always deliver. Quickly too. Just wait and see.”
“I want it in writing.” Simon blinked and I wondered if those had been tears in his eyes. No way.
“Of course.” Cary waved his hand. “Now, it’s all there. Look it over before you sign. I even threw in a power or two for you, to sweeten the deal. Lucifer takes care of his own.” He handed Simon the paper and pen, then turned to me with a fangy grin. “Well, Gloriana, seems you’ve been a busy girl after all. Well done.”
“My cherubs, as Spyte called them, arranged some alone time for me and I used it to talk to Simon and plan.” I saw him reading through the document carefully. “I never had a doubt. When Simon signs this, Rafe’s off the hook. Right?” I felt my stomach twist. Did this mean Simon planned to get back with my friend CiCi? And intended to act like a real father to Freddy? I hated the idea. But this Rafe situation was urgent. Besides, CiCi and Freddy were intelligent people, capable of making their own judgments about Simon. Just because Simon wanted them, didn’t mean they had to accept him into their lives.
“That was the deal. He signs, Rafael’s fine. Ooh, a rhyme. Almost. And just under the wire too.” Spyte did a cartwheel while Cary kept a close eye on Simon, a little more restrained in his excitement.
“It’s fine.” Simon signed it with a flourish. “Now how soon . . . ?”
“Simon?” CiCi appeared at the top of the stairs. “What did you just do?”
“My dear.” Simon turned and walked toward her. “I gave up the Energy Vampires.”
“Why? I thought that was your dream.” CiCi took his hands and I glanced back at Cary. Oops. He was gone, along with Spyte.
“Dreams can change. And there was no way that I could drag my son into that whole scene and not hate myself.” Simon glanced at me. “Gloriana helped me see that it wasn’t the best thing for Frederick.”
“Wow. I, just wow.” I jumped when a hand slid around my waist. Jerry, finally able to move. Rafe and Ray were mobile too. “CiCi, you weren’t supposed to come yet. The demons . . .”
“Why, it’s almost time for the birthday party. The caterer will be here soon. And then something told me I had to come now. That you needed me. Or someone did anyway. No matter how scared I was of those . . . things.” CiCi couldn’t seem to look away from Simon. “I just got in the car and drove as fast as I could. Ran a red light, I think.” She shook her head. “I don’t see any demons here.”
“No, they’re gone. For good, we hope.” I wanted to jerk her hands from Simon’s but I could see that wouldn’t go over well. This was hell pulling the strings now, part of making Simon’s dream come true. I could only hope he wouldn’t hurt her to make it happen.
Rafe shook his head. “Simon? You just signed over your soul to Lucifer?”
Simon shrugged. “No big deal. I’ve been on the fast track to hell for centuries. And this arrangement frees me to pursue”—he met CiCi’s gaze—“other interests.”
“So Rafe is seriously off the hook? Not going to be sucked down under?” Ray smiled at CiCi, who is very attractive and doesn’t look a day over thirty.
“No, Rafe’s fine. We made it in time.” I sagged with relief.
Ray moved closer to CiCi. “Israel Caine. Have we met?”
“No, I don’t believe we have. Though I saw you at Florence’s wedding and heard you sing. It was wonderful and I know Gloriana arranged it.” CiCi finally stepped away from Simon. “Cecilia von Repsdorf. My friends call me CiCi.”
“Thanks, CiCi. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Ray shook hands with her, then looked at me. “Now, sorry, but I’m more than ready to split. This has been one freaky night. Are we done here? Are you in the clear too, Glory?”
“Guess so.” I made myself approach Simon. “What are your plans, Simon?”
“No reason not to keep my crew together. They need a leader now that our powers are diminished. And we have our product line to sell. I still have all the formulas.” He shook his head as CiCi moved to the stairs to direct a man carrying in a birthday cake. “I know the goddess is gone, but I had to cover my back with that clause about reprisals. You have no idea how tricky those bitches can be.”
“I imagine. You’ll need another name for the group now. And to convince Freddy that you’re not in charge of the evil empire anymore.”
“Yes, there is that.” Simon kept his eyes on CiCi, who was talking to Ray again. “I definitely plan to stay in town and get
to know my son better.”
“Right. Bond with him.” I kept my face neutral though I still didn’t like the idea of Simon anywhere near Freddy or CiCi. “They’re my friends, Simon. I hope you’ll be careful. I don’t want to see either Freddy or CiCi hurt.”
“Everything will work out for us. No one will get hurt.” Simon smiled as CiCi drifted over to his side again. “I have a guarantee that things will work in my favor.”
“And you trust the word of those demons?” Jerry stood close beside me.
“Why not?” Simon patted his breast pocket in the dark suit he wore where he’d stashed his copy of the agreement. “I’m very well acquainted with how hell works. This deal will stand. Otherwise . . .” He glanced at Rafe. “Well, let’s just say there’s honor among thieves and leave it at that.”
“Yeah, let’s leave it. All of it. I swear, if I didn’t know I was sober, I’d think I’d been hallucinating this whole freakin’ week.” Ray gave me a crooked smile. “Glory, I’ve suddenly got a song in my head dying to get out. Mind if I take off?”
I kissed his cheek. “Not at all. Thanks for coming. Your support meant everything to me.”
“Babe, you know I’ll always be there for you. And any way you want me.” He slid his hand down my back to pat my backside. “Just had to do that. Love to see Blade’s eyes throw one of his mental knives.”
“Always the bad boy.” I pulled him down for a kiss on the lips. “And don’t I love that.”
“Yes, you do.” He grinned and headed down the stairs.
“Freddy and Derek should be here soon. And our other guests.” CiCi smiled. “I’m so glad Simon has come to his senses at last. Now maybe Frederick can have a father to be proud of.”
“Uh, CiCi, Simon just made a deal with the Devil. Please be careful.” I felt Simon’s stare on me, but ignored him.
CiCi waved an elegant hand. “Of course, cheri. I have to admit, though, the worst of his evil was with those terrible Energy Vampires. To have given them up . . .” She gave him a serious look. “And for his son. Well, that is something for me to think about.”
“I appreciate your openmindedness, my dear.” Simon pulled her hand to his lips and she let him. “I would never cause harm to come to you or our son.”
“We will see. This time I am not so young and naïve.” CiCi eased her hand from his grasp. “We will move slowly.”
“Keep your eyes open, CiCi.” Jerry gave Simon a hard stare.
“Deal be damned. You aren’t suddenly a saint, Destiny. I’ll be watching you. So will Glory.” Rafe took a step toward Simon.
“Go ahead. All you’ll see is a man working to reunite his family, nothing more. Shall we go get a drink at the bar while we wait for our son?” Simon escorted CiCi with a solicitous hand at her elbow down the stairs.
“I feel like I just threw a good friend to a wolf. No, to a hellhound.” I sat at a table and picked up my neglected drink.
“No kidding. And he’ll do whatever it takes to get what he wants.” Rafe glanced over the railing. “Oops, got something going downstairs that needs my attention.” He turned to me. “Thanks, you two. Damn that sounds inadequate. Guess I’m officially off the hook.”
“For now. I’m serious about that twelve-step program, Rafe. Get the anger under control. You can’t afford to draw attention like that from hell again.” I sighed as I sipped my drink. Jerry sat across from me and gulped his own synthetic.
“I get it. I’m serious. I need more self-control. No more outbursts. E-mail me some meeting places.” He leaned down and kissed my cheek. “I’ll send a guy over to fix your Sheetrock. Sorry about the hole in your wall.”
“Yes, well. I understood.” I rubbed his cheek with my thumb. “You care. I get that. And I love you for it. Now take care of business.” I realized the band was taking a break. “Sounds like you need to get the DJ going.”
“You’re right.” He turned and extended his hand to Jerry. “That was a stand-up thing you did for me. Putting yourself between me and the demons. Might have ended really badly. Thanks.”
Jerry shook his hand. “Did it for Glory. She seems to love you, though I don’t have a clue why. Guess she’s drawn to all types. Me, you, Caine.”
“Yes, I am.” I smiled, really liking that bit of wisdom from my guy. “Now hold that pose while I take a picture with my phone. This may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I wish I’d done it when Ray was still here. All three of you together. That would look great on my wall.”
Jerry and Rafe immediately pulled apart, both of them horrified, and Rafe shook his head. “No frickin’ way. Evidence like that could get me drummed out of the shifter community.”
I just laughed as Rafe ran down the stairs. Then I turned to Jerry. “Well, he said it, but I have to agree. That was one extraordinary thing you did tonight. Putting yourself in danger for him.”
Jerry reached across the table and took my hand. “No, I put myself in danger for you. Always will. Now, drink up. I’m going to dance with you, then take you back to your empty apartment and take advantage of this gratitude you’re glowing with.”
“Sounds like a plan, Jer. Sounds like a plan.” We danced until Flo and Richard arrived and let them know that the demons were gone and there would be no more problems from that quarter. I was relieved to see that Flo had never held a grudge, though it was tougher for Richard to forgive my part in drawing the demons to his “beloved.” We were all good by the time Damian showed up. He was glad to report that the council had forgiven me too. Penny’s progress had been duly noted and her job with Ian seen as an excellent move. I was given credit for all of it. Who knew that Ian MacDonald was acquainted with most of the movers and shakers of the vampire community in Austin? And he’d vouched for me. Jerry wasn’t happy that Ian’s word had held more sway than his in making the council forgive me.
Hours later, with dawn a few minutes away, I lay in Jerry’s arms, drowsy and, for once, feeling like everything was right in my world. I eased out of bed, determined to brush my teeth so I wouldn’t wake up with dragon breath. We’d left the bathroom light on and I squeezed toothpaste on my toothbrush before I remembered to look up.
I still had my reflection. Why? Why would the demons leave me with such a gift when I knew they despised me? Then I saw something shift in the mirror behind me and whirled, my heart dropping to my toes.
“Lucifer!” I backed against the sink, my toothbrush a sad excuse for a weapon. I smelled lavender and breathed through the urge to gag.
“Relax, Gloriana. You asked why the reflection?” He smiled, his perfect teeth gleaming in the light. How could something so evil be so beautiful?
“Yes, why?” I felt the cold porcelain sink against my thighs and wished I wore more than my black silk teddy.
Lucifer’s bright eyes gleamed but he didn’t come closer. “I want you to remember, Gloriana, every time you see yourself, what you could have had if you’d just been a little more, um, cooperative.” He flicked his gaze over me, stripping me no doubt. “Yes, those thighs could be trim, that waist tiny. But you won’t see a size six now, will you?”
I shook my head. “Go away! I will never be interested in anything you have to offer or anything from hell, period.”
Lucifer’s laugh sent chill bumps racing across my skin. “Really? We’ll see. Oh, yes, we’ll just see about that.”
As soon as he vanished, I threw my toothbrush into the sink and ran back to the bedroom, where I slid in beside Jerry.
“Gloriana? You okay? You’re shaking.”
“Just cold. Hold me?”
“Always, my love. Always.” He pulled me close, his arms around me, his legs entwined with mine.
I sighed and snuggled in, closing my eyes. A bad dream, surely that was all it had been. I was safe with the man I loved. A happy ending.
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Real Vampi
res Hate Skinny Jeans
Available April 2012 from Berkley Books!
“Knock. Knock.”
“Who’s there?” I said it without thinking, then realized there was someone inside my head, playing the old joke on me. I jumped up just as the dead bolts flipped and the door to my apartment crashed open.
“Your favorite nightmare, Glory St. Clair.” Alesa, a demon who could look gorgeous when she wasn’t showing her true nature leaned against the doorjamb, a grin on her face. Tonight, she wasn’t bothering to hide a thing and I shuddered.
“You’re not my favorite anything. Go back to hell where you belong.” I frantically glanced around for a weapon. I was at a serious disadvantage with wet polish on my toenails and a deep conditioner on my hair under a towel turban.
“I wouldn’t toss that polish remover if I were you. It won’t hurt me and it’ll do a real number on your hardwood floor.” Alesa sauntered into the room, morphing into her human form, which was a huge relief. Not that it meant she’d act human, but at least I didn’t have to stare at razor-sharp fangs or scaly snout and skin anymore. Total freak-out.
“What do you want?” I grabbed a nail file with a sharp pointy end. At least I could make her bleed. Oh, wait. Demon blood, black and oily. Infectious. Not a good idea. I’d learned that the hard way.
“That’s right, sugarplum. Don’t want to get my blood in you again, do you?” She smiled, reminding me that she could read my thoughts without breaking a sweat. She was still sporting those evil teeth. “Last time I got inside you, we did some serious partying.” She glanced down and patted her tummy. “Guess what? I got what I wanted out of it.”
I gawked. Oh, no. It couldn’t be. “Is that what I think it is? Say it isn’t—”
“A baby bump?” Alesa came closer and I could smell her sickeningly sweet scent, the burnt-sugar candy smell of hell gone terribly wrong. “Oh, yes. When you and Rafe made it, Gloriana, you made it, if you get my drift.”
“No, that’s impossible. I’m a vampire. I can’t have children. My equipment died when I died. When Jerry turned me.” I sank down on the couch, my hand over my own stomach. It had been one of those unforeseen consequences I hadn’t thought through at the time. I’d been young and so hopelessly in love with Jeremiah Campbell back in 1604 I hadn’t cared what I’d lose as long as I could live forever with him. Only later, when the lust had burned off a little had I realized my hope for children had disappeared along with my mortality. Tears blurred the room.
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