(Glory St Clair 11) Real Vampires Say Read My Hips

by Gerry Bartlett

  Mars came up behind her and decided to join the party. He glanced at a nearby tree and I wished I could move. Did he remember I was supposed to be married here tomorrow night? Burning down the landscaping wouldn’t add to the ambience. He smiled at me then pointed to a shed at the house next door. He flicked a wrist and the wooden building burst into flames. That caused a gasp from the crowd. Another gesture and rain hit just that one spot, drowning out the fire. We could all smell the wet, charred wood.

  Father Tim crossed himself. The crowd was restless and muttering but looking at me with new respect. Flo, Richard and Damian had come running out of the house at the first sound of thunder.

  “Mio Dio, are your parents going to bring the skies down around us, Glory?” Flo grabbed my arm but soon realized I couldn’t answer her. “Oh, you are frozen. That is too bad of them.”

  “Please stop this.” Jerry was still in front of his mother. “Who or what Glory’s parents are isn’t your concern. Helen is right. She and Max are powerful. She’s told you who they are. Believe it or suffer the consequences.” He glanced meaningfully at the smoldering ruin next door.

  “Gloriana hates us.” Mag just didn’t know when to quit.

  “Ma, I know first-hand that vampires aren’t accepted where they come from.” Jerry stepped to my side. He glared at my parents when he realized I couldn’t move. “When Gloriana was in their homeland, she was mortal again. No, not mortal, more than mortal.” He looked into my eyes and I’d have given anything if I could have smiled back with the same look of love. “She gave up a life that offered her a chance to have children, a normal family and power. For me.”

  Mag was now leaning against Angus and they both looked shocked to their toes. Finally Mag drew herself up.

  “We are not ashamed of being vampire.” But her voice shook and she flinched when my mother aimed a finger at her.

  “And I’m not ashamed of my daughter.” Mother had a way of smiling that made you want to beg for mercy. “Our children have made their choices. Now we must live with them. Agreed?”

  “I don’t know about that, um, Helen. This woman has obviously made Gloriana’s life hell for a long time.” Mars strutted around Mag and Angus, looking for a fight. “You, sir, what do you say? Is your woman doing all the talking here?”

  “By God!” Angus reached for his sword but of course we hadn’t allowed any weapons onto the property. In fact, Damian had employed security to check everyone at the door and they had confiscated a huge array of knives and other hidden weapons. “I’ll have you know I always liked Gloriana. You seem a man of the world. Are you telling me you control this fiancé of yours?” He nodded toward my mother.

  I would have laughed if I’d been able. Mother’s eyebrow was up as she waited for Mars to answer that.

  “Point taken.” Mars nodded. “Jeremiah, is it true that your father has been on Gloriana’s side in all this?”

  “Yes. Da has been fair to her.” Jerry ran his hand through his hair, suddenly tired of the whole thing. Who could blame him? “Now would one of you release Gloriana from the spell you have her under? She’s about to lose it, trapped as she is.” He held my hand. “Anyone who can’t allow this wedding to go on without objection, should leave now and not come back tomorrow night. Is that clear?”

  Mother turned and waved her hand so that I was suddenly free.

  “Thanks, Jerry.” I threw myself into his arms. “I agree with everything he said. If anyone,” I turned to face my parents, “Anyone, tries to stop this wedding again, we will make him or her very, very sorry. We tie the knot tomorrow night and that’s that.”

  “Good news.” The voice from the sliding glass door made everyone turn at once. “Dad, I’m glad you are finally marrying the woman you love. You need help keeping away the naysayers, I’m here for you.”

  “Lily. I thought you were on the other side of the world.” Jerry walked over to hug his daughter. “Come meet Gloriana’s parents.”

  “Are you sure it’s safe? I saw quite a display from the living room.” She smiled though and came out to get introductions. “Glory, I think I want to hear the story of how you suddenly got parents and such powerful ones.”

  “When we’re alone. Sure.” I was happy to see her. Jerry had been texting her, but had been disappointed when she hadn’t responded. “If you have a red dress, I’ll put you in as another bridesmaid.”

  “I’d love that.” She was suddenly surrounded by Campbells. “Well, look who else is here.” They took her off to catch up. I noticed she avoided Mag as she greeted her cousins.

  “Glory, another bridesmaid? We will not match.” Flo wasn’t happy.

  “I’ll say. And I didn’t like the attitude of those Campbells.” Charis was by Flo’s side and they both pulled me as far away from Mag and Angus as the space allowed. “Jerry’s mother seems like a real bitch.”

  “Welcome to my world. I’ve been putting up with her for hundreds of years.” I glanced at the huddle of Campbells around Lily. “Excuse me, ladies. If you get a chance, talk to Lily about your dresses.” I left Flo and Charis griping about changes while I went over to Mars.

  “Yes, the wine and champagne came earlier in the week and is chilling now.” Damian looked a little badgered. “The caterer has called me six times to confirm the food. Really, Max, it will all work out. I promise you. I have held many Winter Solstice Balls here. The wedding will go off without a hitch.”

  “It had better. I want everything perfect for my daughter’s wedding. Where the hell is the band?” Mars sounded like a general, ready to lay into a new recruit. “I want to see the setup.”

  “Dad, please trust Damian to know how to do this.” I smiled at Damian then kissed his cheek. “Damian’s parties are legendary. We are so lucky he’s letting us use his home.” I pulled Mars away from our host. “Come here. Let me talk to you.”

  “I’m sorry if starting that fire upset you, Gloriana. But I’ll not be pushed around by the likes of those Scots.” He looked over at the vampires, now taking glasses of synthetic blood with alcohol from a circulating waiter. Good call by Damian. Maybe it would mellow them out. Or not. “Notice, Daughter, that I did not call them by a name you could object to.”

  “Yes, you’re trying. I appreciate that. And the fire was necessary, I think. To prove to Mag that I come from extraordinary people.” I kissed his cheek. “You are really being wonderful about this wedding when I know you don’t approve of Jerry.”

  “I don’t dislike the man. Just what he is. If you love him and he makes you happy, then you’ll have him. At least he’s a warrior.” Mars couldn’t take his eyes off of Mag and Angus. “Wish we could dispose of the family. You know Zeus could arrange a little something. An earthquake or a rock slide at their castle. No one would have to know who it came from. I mean where, of course.” He smiled and rubbed his hands together. “Yes, I need to have a little talk with your grandfather.”

  “Don’t you dare. If any harm comes to my in-laws, I’ll never forgive you.” I held onto his arm. “In fact, it would be wise of you to get one of your sorcerers to put a protective spell on the entire family.”

  “Now Gloriana, that’s a little extreme, don’t you think?” Mars patted my hand. “I’d better go see to your mother. She’s into the champagne and looks ready to take on that Campbell woman again.”

  “Yes, please keep them apart.” I had my own worries now. The band was arriving and, of course, Ray. I saw Jerry turn as if he had Israel Caine radar. Ray held some sheet music and walked over to the baby grand piano which had been wheeled out to the terrace a few hours before. Uh oh. Jerry had a determined look on his face. He was going to confront Ray about my confession.

  I had to practically fly across the stone floor to beat Jerry there. “Ray, thanks for coming. Did you get my text? About the songs?”

  “Sure, babe. Good choices. I’ve got a new song I’d like to sing for you tonight. See if it will work for your first dance.” Ray kissed me on the cheek then
looked over my shoulder. “Blade.”

  “Caine. We need to talk.” Jerry nodded toward the house. “Inside.”

  “No, you don’t.” I slid my arm around Jerry’s waist. “Jer, Ray has things to do. And you two have absolutely nothing to say to each other.”

  “Oh, don’t we?” Jerry stepped away from me. “I said inside, Caine.”

  “What’s this about?” Ray looked at me. “Glory?”

  “I told him. About us.” I had sworn I’d never freeze Jerry again and I wouldn’t now. So I just stepped between the two men. “Jer, it was nothing. Really. I love you.”

  “I won’t do this here. Every vampire can hear us.” Jerry gently moved me out of the way. “Are you coming in, Caine? Or do I have to force you to move your ass?”

  “You could try.” Ray grinned like he was looking forward to a fight. “But this is Glory’s party. I don’t want to upset her, so let’s go.” He strolled toward the house, hands in his pockets, like he didn’t have a worry in the world. The fact that those hands pulled his already snug jeans taut over his butt was just unfair.

  Jerry noticed me watching Ray walk and snarled. “Will you ever quit?”

  “What? I like eye candy. So do you. Are you telling me you don’t notice good looking women? Ever?” I teased his cheek with a fingertip. “And if you think I’m letting you two go in there without me, think again.” I sashayed after Ray, putting a twitch in my hips that I hoped would distract Jerry from thoughts of murder.

  “You could at least pretend to be over him.” Jerry grabbed my elbow and jerked me to a stop.

  “Ow! I am over him. I just like to watch. There are some Campbell cousins with great butts I’ve looked over tonight too. You mad about that?” I glanced at the way he gripped my arm. “Let go.”

  “Sorry.” Jerry marched into the house. “You know I want to kill the son of a bitch. I keep seeing him with you. Fucking you. It’s making me crazy.” He finally stopped at the same door where we’d met with the priest, Damian’s study. Ray was staring into the fireplace but whirled when he heard what Jerry said.

  “Yeah, that would bug the hell out of you.” Ray didn’t smile. “You won, man. You gonna begrudge me the few times I got to live my dream?”

  “Shit. You talk like one of your sappy songs, aesheʊl.” Jerry had his hands fisted but was holding himself back. I was proud of him.

  “She chose you. Made it clear to me. So let it go.” Ray strode past Jerry and out of the room, his face unreadable. He stopped and turned around, his fist raised. “But the next time you insult my music, I won’t let it go.” Then he was gone.

  “Thanks, Jerry.” I leaned against him, so relieved I was weak in the knees. “You want me to tell Ray to forget singing at the wedding?”

  “No, I can take it.” Jerry lifted my chin and kissed me hungrily. “He said it himself. I won.” He cocked his head. “Did you just hear thunder? Either the weather report was wrong or your parents are tuning up for a showdown.”

  I ran for the terrace, determined to keep things calm. Twenty-four more hours. Then I was escaping with Jerry to an island somewhere and a magical honeymoon. If we could prevent the war sure to come, that is.

  #

  My wedding day. Technically speaking, it was night, of course. I was getting dressed in one of Damian’s bedrooms. Flo was on hand to help me with all those buttons. She looked great in her red bridesmaid dress. To my surprise, she, Charis and Lily had decided to add a sash of Campbell plaid to the dresses.

  “The hem is perfect. You can just see the toes of your shoes.” Flo fluffed out my skirt.

  “I was lucky to find these shoes. You sure they look all right?” I was unbelievably nervous. I kept worrying something would go wrong. Since the showdown between the parents the night before, things had settled down. The rehearsal dinner had been a lively affair at N-V with an impromptu performance of the sword dance by Jerry and his cousins. They’d been accompanied by the bagpipers brought in for the wedding. I would never forget Jer’s face as he’d laughed and jumped over his sword. My man.

  “Earth to Glory.” Flo laughed and hugged me. “We have company.” She nodded toward the door. “The mothers are here.”

  The mothers indeed. Mag and my own mother stood side by side in the hallway. I could tell it was a test to see which one I would invite in first. I compromised, stepping outside the door.

  “How do I look?” I twirled in front of them.

  “Lovely.” “Perfect.” They looked at each other in surprise, for once agreeing on something.

  “We came by to help you put the finishing touches on your costume.” Mag held out a coin. “In Scotland a bride puts a sixpence in her shoe for luck.”

  “Oh, Glory, we almost forgot.” Flo exclaimed. “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence for your shoe.” She handed me the heart shaped diamond ring from her finger. “Wear this on your right hand. You can borrow it.”

  “Oh, Flo. I couldn’t. What if it slips off?” I shoved it on my ring finger anyway. No chance of that. The real question was how I was ever going to get it off.

  “I trust you.” Flo looked at my mother. “Do you have something for Glory, Helen?”

  My mother looked like she’d swallowed a porcupine. I was sure it was because Flo had addressed her so casually. “Yes. I brought something very old for you, Gloriana.” She handed me a delicate piece of lace, the trim like a spider’s web. “This handkerchief belongs to my mother. She wishes she could be here but never comes to Earth.” Mother glanced at Mag. “My mother doesn’t like to fly.”

  “So many elderly people feel that way.” Mag said. We all looked skyward when thunder boomed. “Oh, dear. I hope it doesn’t rain.”

  “It won’t.” My mother said decisively as I carefully tucked the handkerchief between my breasts. “Now, Gloriana, you need something blue and something new.”

  “Well, the new is covered. Jerry gave me this last night.” I held out my wrist and showed them the diamond bracelet Jerry had surprised me with. It was covered by my long sleeve but I wouldn’t have taken it off for anything.

  “My son is so thoughtful.” Mag preened.

  “Here’s something blue, Glory.” Charis rushed in with a small box. “I hit the Internet and found out you should have a garter. To toss to the single girls in the crowd.” She pulled off the lid and showed us a blue satin and lace garter. “You put it on under the dress.” She winked. “And, yes, I paid for it. At that little boutique down the street from you, Girly Things.”

  “Thanks, Charis.” I hugged her then held up my dress and set my foot on a chair so she could help me put it on. “I toss the bouquet to the girls though and the garter to the single guys. I did some research too.”

  “Oh, right.” She laughed. “I knew I had a chance somehow.”

  “Very nice of you, Charis.” Mother smiled. “You see, Magdalena, our family is thoughtful too.” Now it was Jerry’s mother’s turn to look like she’d swallowed something unpleasant.

  “I think it’s time to head downstairs.” Flo shooed everyone out. “Give Glory a minute to breathe. I remember my wedding. I was going crazy, so surrounded by people.” She walked outside and shut the door.

  I stared at the door, listening to the noises of the crowd as everyone went to get ready. I walked over to the window that looked down at the terrace. The moon was brilliant in the night sky and it was cool tonight but not too cold. The longest night of the year, always a great night to celebrate for vampires. There was a good crowd. Ian had been right—just about every vampire in town was here, plus a few shape-shifters, of course. Add the Campbells and the terrace was full.

  Ray’s band was playing quietly. As I watched, Damian began moving among the guests, urging them to take their seats. This was really happening. I was going to get married. My heart was pounding and my palms were sweating. I found a linen hand towel to blot them with. I couldn’t believe this could go off without a hitch. I saw Jerry,
Richard and Jerry’s brothers move to the front of the aisle where Father Tim waited. Jerry looked solemn and so handsome my stomach twisted with hunger. Would it always be so? Hundreds of years from now? I hoped so.

  Ray’s voice soared above the crowd. He sang of love, of waiting for your one true love. When Flo opened the door and whispered that they were starting down, I felt like I was floating on a cloud of that love. She handed me my bouquet then left. I headed back to the window to watch. Lily moved away from the door first. She was a beautiful copy of her father. She did the Campbell plaid proud and the spray of heather pinned on her shoulder looked perfect.

  Next Charis walked out onto the terrace. She’d pinned her plaid with a symbol from Olympus. Not many in the crowd would recognize the lightning bolt for what it was but my mother smiled and reached out to brush her hand when she got close to the altar.

  Then Flo stepped outside. She was the tiniest of the bridesmaids but you would never discount my best friend. She walked regally down the aisle. Her plaid was pinned with a beautiful jeweled brooch that must have set Richard back a pretty penny. Her smile at him surely was full of the memory of their wedding here not so long ago.

  Then the bagpipes began to play a traditional wedding song as I’d requested. I tore myself from my window and walked down the stairs to my father’s side.

  “You are beautiful, Gloriana. I couldn’t be prouder.” Dad kissed my cheek then tucked my left hand in the crook of his arm.

  We walked out onto the terrace and everyone stood. All eyes were on us but I couldn’t look at anyone but Jerry. He smiled and my heart turned over. He loved me. He was giving me his heart. When Dad placed my hand in Jerry’s, I never looked back. This was where I belonged. Forever.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6