Real Vampires Hate Skinny Jeans (34 page)

“Don’t know. Wouldn’t tell you if I did.”

“Talking to Ray really got a bug up your butt, didn’t it?” Lucky sniffed.

I just sipped my drink and decided to test one of my so-called powers. I reached out with my mind. Of course Lucky’s thoughts were blocked. I tried to punch through that block and bam! I made it. I saw her startled look as I read that she was bored in Austin and needed to get back to New York. Ian had made a pass and she’d played it coy. Now she was aggravated and confused. Siren magic or Lucky as usual?

“What the hell did you just do?” She aimed a shaky finger at me.

“Pushed through your mental block. How’d you like it?” I grinned and set my bottle on the coffee table. “Ta da! Siren power.”

“I don’t believe you. What was I thinking?” She grabbed her tablet out of her purse and turned it on.

“For one thing, when Ian made a pass at you, you didn’t know if it was the Siren thing or if he was really attracted to you. It pissed you off.” I crossed my legs like this was no big deal.

“I’ll be damned.” Lucky tapped in notes.

“Maybe it’s from my Siren blood. Or it could be a holdover
from when I had a demon inside me. My life’s been a nonstop party since you’ve been gone, Lucky.”

She crossed herself. “A demon? I hope you got rid of it.”

“Let’s get down to business, Lucky.” I stood and loomed over her, clearly startling her. “Yes, you probably have Siren blood and I don’t give a damn if you do. Because I swore to Ray that I would not, under any circumstances, help you. And I will definitely not take money from you.
Capite?
”

“What did you just say to me?” Lucky jumped to her feet.

“The deal is off.” I pulled her check out of my purse and ripped it in half. “Forget it. I won’t mentor you. Not for any amount of money. Ray’s friendship means too much to me.”

“We have a contract.” Her face turned red and she fisted her hands. Was she actually going to get violent about this? I zipped across the room in a vamp move as I read her thoughts. No, she wasn’t, but her “boys” were about to.

“You know what you can do with your contract and it won’t do you any good to call in the troops. I have a weapon now that will make them useless.” I smiled and leaned against the wall next to the kitchen.

“Oh, yeah? I’d like to see that.” Lucky stalked over to jerk open the door. “Get in here. We’ve got a deadbeat. Show her how we deal with those.”

“You got it, boss.” Bodyguard number one, who could have been a poster boy for steroid use and a bench press championship, ambled toward me. I had him frozen in place before he’d taken two steps.

“What the—” Lucky glanced at her second guy. “Get her.”

The second bodyguard nudged his partner then, obviously puzzled by his lack of response, shrugged one massive shoulder and started toward me. I let him get pretty close, playing with him, before I turned him to stone.

“How’d you like that demo, Lucky? Impressive, isn’t it?” I dusted off my hands, like I’d just finished a messy piece of work. I strolled around the men to admire what I’d done. “When I thaw them, I want you to take them and get the hell out of here.”

“Hold it. That statue trick. Is that because of the Siren blood? You think I could do it?” Lucky grabbed her purse, going for that damned tablet again.

“Maybe, though it could have come from the demon.” I grinned when Lucky dropped her purse and crossed herself again. “I’ve even had personal business with Lucifer. Seems he took a shine to me.” I glanced at my wooden floor. “Maybe the Siren allure works on the Devil too.”

“Blasphemy! I won’t listen to this. But turning people into statues. I just bet a Siren can do it. I want to know how.” Lucky picked up her purse again.

“Then you’ll have to work with another Siren because I’m not telling you a damned thing.” I pointed at her men. “I’m counting to three then thawing these fireplugs. Take them and get out. Or do you want to become part of my decorating scheme too?”

“You wouldn’t.” Lucky narrowed her eyes.

“Wouldn’t I? Imagine being stuck where you stand, not able to even blink. I’ve been paralyzed like that more than once and it’s hell. Once I was on a boat and almost fell overboard.” Her eyes widened. “Yeah. Imagine going under water and you can’t do anything to save yourself.” I shivered, remembering. “How would you like a long walk off a short pier, Lucky?”

“We’re going. But this isn’t over. No one welches on a deal with Lucky Carver and gets away with it.” She threw her purse strap over her shoulder and opened the door. “Thaw ’em. I’m out of here.”

“Good. Just remember that I’m stronger than you are, Lucky. As your sire my blood is way more potent. You might think you can do what I can do, but I doubt it.” I thawed her men and she ordered them out to the hall when they cursed and started toward me like they were planning to take me apart.

“We’ll just see about that, won’t we?” Lucky huffed and puffed then strutted out the door and down the stairs.

I slammed the door and leaned against it. Trying to outbitch a bitch had plain worn me out. When there was a knock almost immediately, I admit I jumped.

“Glory, it’s Laurie. I waited until your company left. Are you okay in there?”

I threw open the door. “Yes, fine. But am I glad to see you.” I sagged against the door frame. “A few minutes ago I might have asked you to shift into your tiger. God, I hate that woman who just left. That was the infamous Lucky Carver.”

“Ray’s enemy. Glad I got a look at her.” Laurie looked thoughtful. “He told me you sired her. But the way she stomped out of here, I’d say there’s no love lost between you two.”

“Ray probably also shared how she turned him vampire against his will, then dumped him on me.” I paced the room, finally collapsing on the couch. “Sit. Can I get you anything?”

“I’d ask if you have any meat left but I know you don’t.” Laurie grinned. “I cleaned you out when I left.”

“You were welcome to it.” I sighed. “This Lucky thing. It’s a war now. She wanted me to act like her sire and teach her about Sirens. But I promised Ray I wouldn’t do it.” I put my feet on the coffee table, something I usually forbid anyone to do. At this point I could care less about my furniture. “Anyway, Lucky and I had a contract and I just broke it. To Lucky a contract is sacred so now she’s out for my blood.” I grimaced. “Well, you know what I mean.”

“Sure I do. Her type can’t stand to lose anything. She has to think she put something over on you.” Laurie got up and wandered into the kitchen. She came out with a pint of Chunky Monkey ice cream and a spoon. “May I?”

“Go ahead. I can’t eat it. Rafe’s not coming over now, so it’s up for grabs.” I rubbed my forehead. “When you left Ray was he still okay? Not rethinking that order for alcohol was he?”

“No, he was working on a new song, though this one
wasn’t upbeat like what he had been playing. You learn quickly in that job to gauge Ray’s mood by the tunes that come out of there. This stuff you two are going through has brought him down. I won’t pretend he’s not struggling. The guards are all talking about it.” Laurie swallowed a spoonful of ice cream. “To change the subject—since you’re keeping away from Rafe, I guess that means he’s fair game.”

“Sure. But will it do any good? If he’s under a Siren’s spell, can he actually break free of it?” I was up again, collecting my empty bottle and going back for a new one. I glanced at Laurie. So she was going to make a run at Rafe. Why not? Like I’d noticed before, they’d be good together. And I had no right to be jealous. No right. “I need to talk to Aggie. Get some details. Of course the men she traps with her song never have an opportunity to pull free, they’re doomed.”

“Aggie would say each man dies with a smile on his face.” Laurie sighed. “Sirens are a different breed, Glory. You can ask Aggie for help, but I’m not sure what she’ll offer. They don’t have much heart.” She smiled. “Not like you. I got to know you well enough to see that Achelous had a good reason to toss you out of their club. You’re way too humane for that gang.”

“Well, thanks.” I smiled back. It was a relief to hear from someone objective.

“As for Rafe.” She took another bite of ice cream. “Time will tell, I guess.”

And time for a subject change. “What’s up with you and Circe, Laurie? That was quite a trick you pulled, bringing her to the meeting the other night. How’d you manage it?”

“I have my ways.” The were-tiger played with her spoon. “Circe and I have a connection. I knew she had some old issues with Achelous so when you told me what was going down, I called her, told her the deal. She was eager to get into it with us.”

“Obviously I was just a pawn in her little game with him.” I twisted off the top of my fresh bottle. It was some of
my expensive stash that I hadn’t wanted to bring out in front of Lucky. “It’s great that she cared about his Sirens, but he’s still treating them like his personal slaves. I don’t know how Aggie stands it century after century.” I took a swallow and savored the smooth slide of the rich liquid down my throat. “I realize now how lucky I was to escape, even if I did lose my song and love of the water.”

“Those are big losses. But when he wiped your memory, Achelous actually did you a huge favor. Think how horrible you would have felt all these years, wanting what you couldn’t have.” Laurie and I were quiet for a few moments, each thinking deep thoughts.

Finally, I spoke my thoughts out loud. “But why did he leave me with any powers at all? I obviously can still draw men to me, can freeze people in their tracks and burst through mind blocks. Maybe I can do even more. I’ll have to talk to Aggie about that. The bottom line is that I have plenty of good stuff inside me that Achelous didn’t take.”

Laurie moved over to sit beside me. She put her hand on my shoulder and stared into my eyes. “Seriously? I think Achelous did all he could do to you, Glory. He couldn’t reach any deeper. And that, my friend, is news that Aggie and the sisterhood really should hear. You might hold the key to their freedom.”

We smiled at each other. Yes, Achelous was a bastard and I’d like nothing more than to pay him back for what he’d done to me. Free the Sirens? Suddenly I had a plan.

I
t
was a beautiful night, not a cloud in the sky, but I still shivered. Maybe because I was on the shore next to a lake again. Too many memories haunted me as I stared out at the calm water. That boat ride when Ray and I had met Aggie in the first place. Achelous’s temper tantrum on a terrace not far from here. I could go on. But tonight I’d called Aggie and arranged a meeting. Without telling Ray about it. He wouldn’t
like it when he heard, but this was
my
business. I’d give him a report later if there was anything he needed to know.

A quiet splash signaled that my date had arrived. Aggie emerged from the lake, for once bothering with a bathing suit. I knew she didn’t usually hide her assets when she was out trolling for victims. How, I didn’t know. Instinct I guess. Had she killed someone tonight?

“Quit staring at me like I’m some evil creature from a horror flick.” Aggie wrung out her wet hair, blinked and she was dry and dressed in a pair of skinny jeans and a snug red T-shirt. Her hair was dry too and it was beautiful, with golden waves down her back.

“Neat trick. Why didn’t you use it the other night when we were with Achelous?”

“I was going for his sympathy. Not that I got any.” She frowned. “And I hoped the wet look would take his mind off my misdeeds.”

“Snooping for my records in the archives?” I sat down on the blanket I’d brought along. “You’ve got to know the kill numbers you trotted out blew my mind.” I stared down at my hands. “God, so many.” I looked at her again. “How can you deny you’re evil, Aggie?”

“You used to kill too. Though your numbers were puny.” Aggie sat across from me. She materialized a leather bag and pulled out a compact and lipstick. “Guess we’re both evil. Deal with it.”

“I’m trying to.” Not that I was making any progress. Killing for sport? I just couldn’t imagine being part of that. I swallowed a nausea that had been with me ever since I’d found out I’d been like her once, able to kill and then just… powder my nose before looking for my next victim. God. I tried not to let her see how much all this was getting to me and lifted my chin. “Achelous is a piece of work. You really have to debase yourself like that every time you meet with him?”

Aggie closed the compact with a snap. “I pander to his
ego. It’s a game the Sirens play, to keep the peace. I don’t appreciate your attitude.”

“Sorry if I’m upsetting you.” Of course it had humiliated her that we’d seen her cowed by that god. The Aggie who strutted around Austin in her designer duds took no prisoners.

“Like you could.” She tossed her hair, determined to play the tough girl.

“Yeah, well, humor me. I have questions about myself. And maybe an answer for you. We could exchange information—if you care to share.” I put my hand on her arm. This was important, and I knew she could tell me to just stuff it and take off at any moment.

“I came here, didn’t I? I’ve actually felt kind of sorry for you, Gloriana. The sisters and I talked about you. We realize Achy did you dirty. All of us have had bad seasons when our numbers were down. The idea that he could toss any one of us out and wipe our memories? Hon, it’s sickening.” Aggie shuddered then carefully put away her lipstick and compact. “So I’ll cut you some slack. What do you want to know?”

“First, about my blood. I’ve made a vampire, then she turned Ray, Israel Caine. They have Siren blood now. Will that give them any Siren powers?”

“Don’t they wish. But we don’t get our power from the blood, it comes through the mind and the body.” Aggie ran her hands down her own perfect shape. “Which is one reason I was so freaked when Circe cursed me that time and took my beauty away. Bitch. But I have to admit she came through for us the other night. Women should stick together. Tell Ray and that other vamp they get nada, zip, from their Siren blood.” Aggie grinned. “Except maybe a little status. It’s a rare thing, don’t you know.”

“Of course.” I hit her hand when she offered it for a high five. Why not? She was right. But it made me wonder about Ian’s claims. Clarity. If nothing came from blood, then how
could he make a drug from it? I’d have to think about that later. Right now I had Aggie here and more questions.