“Gloriana, she is your mother. Treat her with respect.” Mars said it quietly and I couldn’t have been more surprised than if he’d sprouted horns.
“What?” That was all I could say.
“I know she is headstrong and sometimes acts without thinking things through, but Hebe loves you and wants only the best for you.” Mars took my mother in his arms. “She needs to know you will give her a chance to earn your forgiveness and love.”
“Never. I am done with her.” I ran back to Jerry’s side and held my hand over his heart. Was it still beating? I couldn’t tell. “We are wasting time. Please take us back to Earth, Dad. I can almost feel Jerry’s life slipping away.”
“You will go back as you wish on one condition.” He studied me solemnly and I braced myself. I knew I wasn’t going to like this.
“What condition?” I froze when I sensed a change in Jerry under my fingertips. “Cornelius! Do something!”
“My lord, he has given up life again.” Cornelius checked Jerry from the other side of the bed.
Mars stalked over and laid his hand on Jerry’s heart, over my own. “I can bring him back once, even twice, Gloriana. Then it won’t work again. This is number two.” He nodded and Jerry jerked, breathing again. I’d felt the jolt go through my hand and stared down at my lover. He was still unconscious and barely breathing. No significant improvement but at least he lived again.
“Tell me! What do you want me to do so that we can take him home and give him blood?” I was desperate and grabbed my father’s toga, about to shake him when I realized that probably wouldn’t be smart when I needed his help.
“You will give your mother a chance to win your love again. Speak to her. Include her in your wedding if Blade makes it through this crisis and you actually have one. I want your promise, Gloriana.” Mars was clearly reading my mind so I knew this was going to have to happen if I made this bargain. I glanced at my mother. A bargain with the devil.
“Yes, I’ll do it. She can buy her damned mother of the bride dress. Whatever she wants. Come to my shop and make a nuisance of herself. I don’t care.” I choked on a sob. “Just please, please, take us home, Mars. Make us all vampires, as we were when we left Earth. And hurry!” I dropped to my knees and clasped his sturdy legs.
Flo and Richard stared at me. Cornelius took Jerry’s pulse then lifted an eyelid and shook his head. I took some comfort in the fact that my mother had seemed as surprised by Mars’ request as I was. At least this wasn’t one of her manipulations. Damn, that meant he really did love her, didn’t he? I couldn’t believe she’d inspired such devotion from a worthy man.
That was the last thing I knew before I landed in my apartment. Mars had taken me literally. Jerry was lying on our new king-sized bed, pale and still in a coma. Flo and Richard staggered up from the other side, holding on to each other. Flo’s red dress was huge on her because she was back to her usual size six. Richard still wore his warrior’s toga, the correct dress as Jerry’s second.
I looked down and realized I’d burst out of my black suit. Buttons had popped open, the bra was strangling me and my skirt’s seams had ripped down each side. Did I care? Not at all. I inhaled and all the scents I’d missed as a mortal goddess came flooding in, some of them not so great. Actually, every one of my senses came alive. I smelled Jerry’s blood, heard his barely beating heart and even realized the air conditioning was purring in the background. There was traffic outside the window below us on Sixth Street. Texas, no matter the season, was probably hot and the street busy. Of course I had no idea how long we’d been gone, the date or time.
I reached up to check my mouth and Flo sighed. “I see your fangs, amica. Now let’s get to work.”
“Yes.” I held my hand out to Richard. “I know what to do. Will you help me?”
“Of course if you’re sure.” He looked grim.
“Yes, I’ve done it before. Once when Ray was out of it from alcohol poisoning. But…” I couldn’t speak for a moment. This was Jerry so close to death.
“Just bite into your wrist, Gloriana. Let’s hope the smell of your blood will make his instincts kick in. If not, we’ll force feed him. Trickle it down his throat.” He gently raised Jerry’s head. “Come on, you can do it.” He smiled to encourage me. “My blood is older than yours but I think at first he’d respond better to yours, don’t you?”
“Yes, sure.” I shook my head to clear the cobwebs or shock or whatever my problem was then wiped away a tear. It was easy to bite into my own wrist. The pain was nothing. As soon as the blood welled up, I waved it under Jerry’s nose. No reaction. Richard and I exchanged glances. We both realized Jerry’s heart was slowing even more. “Pry open his mouth.”
“Here, amica. You are shivering.” Flo set a robe over my shoulders. “What can I do?”
“Get her some synthetic blood out of the fridge, darling. I’m sure they have some. She’ll need it after she’s done here. Bring a sharp knife too. In case we have to cut a bigger vein.” Richard pushed his fingers into Jerry’s mouth and forced it open. “All right, Gloriana. Squeeze your wrist to increase the blood flow then rub some on his lips and tongue. If he doesn’t start drinking soon, we’ll all cut ourselves and bleed into a glass then pour it into him.”
“Oh, God, this has to work.” I looked up when Richard started to mumble. “Don’t you dare say some kind of last rites over him!” Richard had once been a priest.
“I wasn’t, I wouldn’t.” He frowned and shook his head. “Am I allowed to at least say a prayer for this to work?”
“Sure. Sorry. I’m just so--” I sobbed, completely losing it. Flo ran in and put her arms around me. Then I felt a sharp stab when Jerry’s fangs came down on my wrist. “Wait! He’s responding. He just bit me!”
“Dio sia Iodato!” Flo crossed herself. “Ricardo’s prayer has been answered.”
“He’s drinking. I can feel the pull.” I bowed my head, thanking God myself. Flo shoved a bottle of synthetic blood into my free hand and I took a swallow. When Jerry swallowed feebly too, I wanted to sob again.
No, I had to stay calm. So I took a moment to look around my bedroom, the one Jerry had decorated to please me. Strange. I was back where I belonged and it was as if I’d never left. Did I miss my sweet hot chocolate? Maybe. But the surge of energy from the A-Negative synthetic was welcome. I wondered how much we had left in the kitchen…
“Oh, no! I promised I’d bring Alesha down here with me.”
“Your handmaiden?” Flo squeezed my shoulders. “How will that work here, Glory? She is a slave, isn’t she? And used to Olympus.”
“I, I own her.” I saw Jerry’s cheeks were beginning to get color and handed Flo my empty bottle to stroke his dear face. He had to come back to me. I didn’t want to stay here in this lavish apartment without him.
“You own a slave?” Richard had pulled a chair up to the other side of the bed. “That’s not even legal here.”
“I intend to set her free of course.” I brushed Jerry’s hair back from his face. He was filthy from rolling around in the dirt, fighting. I should clean him up. But he was still drinking, though not very fast and his pull on my vein was weak.
“The handmaiden will understand.” Flo stood behind me. “We were busy when we left. You were worried about Jeremiah.”
I sighed. “I sure don’t want to leave Alesha there to serve someone else. Someone who might not be kind to her.”
“Someone like me, Gloriana?” My mother appeared at the foot of the bed. “I know you think I’m horrible. But I’m working on it.” She stepped aside with a gesture. “See? I brought you your little handmaiden. She can help you clean up this place and take care of your man.” A startled Alesha appeared next to her.
“Mistress!” Alesha stared around the room then shrieked when she focused on the bed. “It is true! Mr. Blade is gravely wounded.”
“And, don’t look now, you nitwit, but he’s biting our dear Gloriana and sucking her blood.” Mother smiled. “J
ust wait until you find out just what you’ve been dying to see here on Earth, handmaiden.” She laughed. “I won’t overstay my welcome. Oh, yes, Daughter, I’m trying.” She vanished.
“Mistress.” Alesha couldn’t look away from my wrist at Jerry’s mouth. “He is biting you.” She stared at Richard, then Flo. “Why aren’t you helping her?”
“We’re all helping Mr. Blade, Alesha, giving him blood. He lost so much on the field that he almost died.” I glanced at Richard. “Why isn’t he waking up?”
“I don’t know, but you need to let him go. Or I guess it’s the other way around. He’s taken enough blood for now and you’re looking pale, Gloriana.” Richard reached into Jerry’s mouth and with an effort pried his fangs out of my wrist. “Let’s watch him for a while. Give the blood a chance to take effect. If he doesn’t rouse soon, I’ll give him some of mine.”
I sat back on the bed, suddenly dizzy. Alesha hurried to my side. “I would bring you a wet cloth, Mistress, to wipe away the blood from your wrist, if you would show me where to fetch one. Then, with your permission, I would like to help clean Mr. Blade. He still lies in the dirt he got from the fight with Kratos. I heard it was a terrible battle.”
“Yes, it was. We are lucky he wasn’t killed right there.” Flo took charge and grabbed Alesha’s arm. “Now I’ll show you where to get water and a cloth.” She steered her to the door. “Good for you, Alesha. No questions, but eager to serve Glory. I’m going to like having you here, I think.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Mainwaring.” Alesha gave me one last look then went docilely with Flo.
“See here. That door leads to one bathroom and there’s another powder room next to the front door. I’ll show you the kitchen too, but you won’t have to cook for these two. They only drink a special brew. It’s in bottles in the refrigerator.” Flo looked over her shoulder and winked. “I’m sure Jeremiah will wake up any minute. My Ricardo’s prayers are molto potente.”
I stared after them, too tired to say anything. It was a familiar feeling, as if sunrise was pulling at me. I glanced at the clock next to the bed. Five-thirty. I got up and jerked the curtain back on the window behind the bed. Yes, the sky was just beginning to lighten. No wonder Jerry wasn’t waking up.
“You and Flo had better stay in the guest room, Richard. I’d say we’re about ten minutes from the sun coming up.” I yawned and looked down. “Hopefully at sunset Jerry will wake up good as new.”
“He looks better anyway.” Richard caught Flo coming back in the door. “Come, my love. We have a few minutes before we fall dead at sunrise. You just gave Alesha the tour. Now show me to the guest room.”
“No time for a shower then, Ricardo?” Flo frowned then walked over and gave me a hug. “He hasn’t waked up yet?”
“No.” I took the wet cloth from Alesha who had followed Flo. She’d also filled a glass bowl with warm water. “Good night, both of you. Thank you for everything. Keep those prayers coming, Richard. Flo’s right. Yours are powerful.” I sat next to Jerry and began to tenderly clean off his face.
“I am feeling strange, you know?” Flo stopped next to Richard at the door. “I admit I liked being awake during the day for a change when we were in Olympus. Now I can’t control myself. I am crashing.” She frowned at Alesha. “Listen to me, handmaiden. You are not to bother us in our bedroom until the sun sets. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, Mrs. Mainwaring.” Alesha even curtsied. I think she was a little afraid of Flo.
“Don’t worry, Glory. I explained to our new helper what we are. She has seen plenty of unusual things in Olympus so vampires? Yes, we are new to her, but she will be free soon and can run for her life if she wants to.” Flo showed her fangs as a tease and I saw Alesha stiffen. “Oh, really, girl. I told you. We will not hurt you. No one in this room anyway. And we will make sure none of our friends touch you either. Am I right, Glory?”
“Yes, of course.” I realized Flo was actually freaking out a little, chattering nonstop and tossing her hair like she was fine. But I could see her hands shaking and one foot tapping the floor almost like a nervous tic. I stopped cleaning off Jerry’s chest to look at her. “You’re safe here too, pal. Jerry has a state-of-the-art security system.” I smiled when Richard put his arm around her and whispered comforting words in his wife’s ears. “Richard, maybe you could stop by the front door and make sure it’s armed before you ‘crash’.”
“Consider it done.” He pulled Flo out of the room. “Come on, darling. I’ve got you.”
“But you will be dead too, Ricardo.” Flo sagged against him.
“And we’ve survived centuries that way. Relax, my love. This apartment is just like our home. Blade used the same security company I did. No one’s going to bother us while we sleep.” He kissed her cheek and looked back at me over her shoulder. “Good night, Gloriana.”
I nodded and went back to taking care of Jerry. Mars really had healed his knife wound and there wasn’t even a scar. Jer was breathing easier now and I was optimistic as I wrung out the cloth and finished washing him down to his loin cloth. When I looked up, I saw that Alesha stood waiting by the door.
“He seems to be sleeping now, mistress.” She hurried over to take the basin when I dropped the dirty cloth into the water and set it on the nightstand.
“Yes. I guess Flo explained that at sunrise we’re as good as dead. In a few minutes I’ll lie down next to Jerry and we’ll both be out of it until sunset.” I stood and pulled off my ruined jacket.
“You look different here.” Alesha helped me out of my skirt and underwear and I slipped on the robe Flo had brought me. I’d gotten used to Alesha taking care of me in Olympus and wasn’t shy around her anymore. She had a way of being nonjudgmental that worked for me.
“Yes, back to my bloated self.” I smiled. “Oh. Where will you sleep?” I yawned, almost ready to collapse.
“I saw a comfortable couch in one of the rooms, mistress. And Mrs. Mainwaring showed me where the linens are kept. I will be fine.” Alesha gathered up my ruined clothes.
“We’ll go shopping for clothes for you as soon as,” I took a breath and looked down at Jerry, “well, as soon as I’m sure Jerry will be okay. You can’t go around in that outfit here.”
“I have no wish to embarrass you, mistress.” Alesha looked down at her simple shift and sandals. She could have come straight from a rehearsal for a Biblical play.
I didn’t bother to explain. “Food. Are you hungry? Don’t drink that red stuff in the bottles. That’s our synthetic blood. I have some snacks in the pantry for my shape-shifter friends. Check the kitchen cabinets.” I sank down on the bed, too exhausted to say more.
“I will manage, Lady Gloriana. I can see you are tired. Rest now.” Alesha pulled back the covers and helped me slip beneath them. Then she walked around and made sure Jerry was covered as well. I didn’t have the strength to explain that vampires didn’t care whether we were hot or cold when we died at sunrise. I opened my mouth to thank her when it was lights out for me.
I woke to the sound of the television. It probably wasn’t that loud, but I couldn’t believe Alesha would just turn it on and enjoy the run of the place that way. I rolled over to look at Jerry first. His eyes were still closed and I ran my hand over his bare chest, hoping he’d wake at my touch. No such luck. He was breathing easily though and I could hear his heart beating, not that it was easy over that damned TV.
I got up, cinched my robe and opened the bedroom door. The noise was coming from Jerry’s man cave. She’d obviously taken it over and the big screen TV there with the surround sound. No wonder I could hear it in my bedroom with both doors shut. I opened the door to the small room with the comfortable leather sofa and then stopped to take in the sight.
Mars sat in the recliner that had become Jerry’s favorite chair and Charis sprawled on the couch. She was the first to notice me and sat up quickly.
“Uh, Father, she’s awake.” Charis gave me a finger wave. “Hi, Glory.”
&n
bsp; Mars hit the mute button on the remote. “Good evening, Gloriana. I’d forgotten you sleep the damned day away.”
“Yes, it’s a vampire thing.” Apparently a state-of-the-art security system didn’t work on visitors from Olympus. That thought made me frown until I realized Charis looked concerned. Did she think I was going to kick them out? Tempting. The last thing I needed right now was company.
I finally found a smile for Charis. “I see you got your trip to Earth. How are you doing, Sis?” I didn’t add, “Since your mother was dragged screaming off to the cells for the insane.”
“I had to get out of there, Glory. Everyone was talking about my family and the scene Mother made.” Tears welled in her eyes and she suddenly threw herself at me. “Please tell me I can stay. Until the wedding at least. You did say I could be a bridesmaid, didn’t you?”
Mars pried her off of me. “Charis, we don’t even know if there’s to be a wedding yet. The groom was gravely wounded. Remember? How is Blade?”
“I’m sorry, Glory. Of course. How is he?” Charis wiped her eyes on her sleeve. She wore a blue sweater and skinny jeans and looked pretty much like a typical teenager today. She was younger than I’d realized. Good to know since she was way too fond of dirty martinis. I was glad to have a sister and was happy for a chance to get to know her better. But the timing sucked.
“He’s still not awake. I need to check on him. Give me a few minutes? And I need a shower. Clothes.” I gestured at the TV. “I see you made yourselves at home.”
“We’re watching the best show. It’s about brides, picking wedding dresses.” Charis seemed oblivious to the fact that my groom was in a coma.
I tried not to show my aggravation but seriously? “Okay, then. Where’s Alesha?”
“I’m here, mistress.” She appeared behind me with a tray. “This is what I could find for your guests.” Her tray was loaded with bowls of Cheetos and Twinkies. They were Rafe’s favorite snacks that I kept for my shape-shifter friend. “I hope they are adequate.”
(Glory St Clair 11) Real Vampires Say Read My Hips Page 23