Real Vampires Know Size Matters (21 page)

“Sorry. Coming or not?” He finally settled down.

“Yes. But not tonight. I guess I should say thanks for offering despite finding me hilarious. It’s late and my bodyguard has too much going on. Tomorrow night. I’ll tell you more then.” I saw Rafe smile with relief and go back to his papers. Nate had taken off for upstairs, muttering about signatures. Apparently their deal had been hammered out.

“Bodyguard? What kind of trouble are you in now?” Ian dropped the teasing.

“Voodoo trouble. That’s why I need to make this potion. I’ve got a book here that has a recipe to help me get rid of someone. You ever had a run-in with voodoo?” I settled back. It would be a bonus if Ian had some experience.

“You don’t want to mess with that stuff, Glory. You need to get rid of someone, tear out his or her throat. If it’s a mortal, it would be for your dining pleasure.”

“First, yuck. I don’t kill mortals. Second, I want her to leave us alone, not die.” Honestly, Ian had no conscience whatsoever.

“Fine. But forget voodoo and let me call my sorcerer again. Of course you know that comes with a price.” Ian had his groove back now, definitely figuring out an agenda. “We can work together. I told you I was interested in getting to know you better. Your powers fascinate me. Especially your Olympus connection. Perhaps in exchange for my help, you’d spend some quality time with me. Just the two of us.”

I heard it in his voice. Unbelievable. Ian had seduction on his mind. Apparently my goddess parentage suddenly made me desirable. I bit back the names I really wanted to call him and took a breath.

“Ian, I’m with Blade. Period. I’m not about to get cozy with a MacDonald, feud or no feud.” The Campbells—Jerry’s Scottish clan—and MacDonalds had called a truce but Ian’s history didn’t inspire trust. Too bad he was the go-to guy in Austin for all things science related when you were dealing with the weird and wacky in our world.

“Glory, you wound me. Shutting me down before you’ve given me a chance? Aggie always swore I was the best lover she had ever had. High praise coming from a Siren with a cast of thousands for comparison. Ask her. I’m sure she’s still there sponging off of you.”

“Aggie isn’t singing your praises about anything, Ian. Scrubbing a man’s toilet kills the love every time.”

“From the looks of things around here, I doubt she’s done much scrubbing. But she’s been busy. I’d like to know what the hell she’s done to my bed linens. They feel like cardboard, no, make that sandpaper. I think I’m developing a rash too.”

It was my turn to laugh. “You’re whining, Ian. Surely you didn’t expect a pampered Siren to be good at housework, did you?”

“Not really. I just wanted her to suffer. Is she suffering, Glory?” His whine had disappeared. He was back to Ian as usual.

“We both are. Now about this voodoo. I
am
messing with it. The person I need to get rid of is making my life miserable. Jerry’s too. I know you’re already working with Bart. So will you help me too? I’ll pay you for whatever ingredients you can find for me. That’ll have to be the deal.”

“I don’t think you can afford my rates, Glory. Here’s my usual fee for consulting work.” Ian quoted a figure and I gasped. “Thought not. But we’ll work out something. I’ll see you tomorrow night. Be sure to bring the book. Voodoo. I suppose this could be interesting. But I hope you aren’t getting in over your head.”

“Yeah, well, so do I.” I realized I hadn’t sounded grateful when he was actually doing me a favor. Too bad there were always strings attached when dealing with Ian. “Thanks, Ian. Seriously. But don’t expect anything more from me than a business relationship. I’ll see you tomorrow night.” I ended the call. Memo to Glory: Ian was a hard man and could be an even harder enemy. I needed him but I also needed to watch my back when I was around him.

“You’re going to see Ian tomorrow night?” Rafe pulled me up out of my chair.

“You heard. Yes. Guess you’re going to insist on being there too.” I slipped the book back into my tote.

“Wouldn’t miss it. Now let’s head upstairs. We don’t want to miss Aggie’s audition either, do we?” Rafe aimed me toward the door.

“No way.” I left the book and my purse in his office, which he locked, then followed him to the practice room. Even before we got to the room, which was supposed to be soundproof, we could hear the arguing. I should have known getting rid of Aggie wouldn’t be that easy.

“You want me to be quieter?” Aggie’s voice could probably be heard blocks away. “Maybe I should turn off the mic, or, hey, lip-sync. I could just stand back here and be stage decoration.”

Rafe and I slipped inside. Ray, Sienna and Aggie were standing close to the band. Those guys saw me and waved, but their attention stayed on the argument going on beside the makeshift stage.

“Yeah, do that. ’Cause the way you’re blasting away back there, you obviously think
you’re
the headliner.” Ray examined her through narrowed eyes. “You may have the pipes and you’re not bad window dressing, but you’re disposable, Aggie. Quit stepping over my vocals. Sienna, back me up here.”

“I hate to admit it, but Ray’s right. Tone it down, Aggie. Are you looking at the music? You aren’t supposed to sing along with us. Instead just drop in at the chorus and hit the harmonies where it says to.”

“Screw it. I don’t need this. I’ll just go on down the street. There are half a dozen clubs where I’m sure I can talk my way into a gig.” Aggie stomped away from them and shoved past Rafe, headed for the hall. I stopped her before she could escape.

“Quitting already?” I wouldn’t budge, even though she slapped at my hand on her arm.

“This isn’t going to work.” She had tears in her eyes.

“She’s right. Let her go.” Ray was gleeful. “I gave her a chance and she blew it.”

Sienna ran over to wave sheet music in front of Aggie. “Just look at the music, girlfriend. It tells you when to go high, low, loud, soft. Easy as pie.”

Aggie shook her head. “Pie? I’d give my left tit for a piece of pie right now.” She leaned her head on my shoulder and I was too stunned to do more than allow it. “Help me, Glory. I can’t read music.”

We all just stared at her. How was that for a news flash?

“Quit looking at me!” She jerked away. “Why would I have to learn? I can hear a tune once and pick it up. That’s a good skill, isn’t it?”

“Sure, Ag, it’s amazing.” Sienna touched Aggie’s shoulder. “But it makes things tough here. There are marks on the page that indicate where you come in, when you should just hum, that kind of thing.” She glanced at Ray. He wasn’t looking sympathetic. “I’m sure we can walk you through it, if you’ve got such a great memory. That should—”

“You can’t be serious.” Ray wasn’t in a conciliatory mood. “Aggie is trying to take over the performance. That was clear from the first note out of her mouth.” Ray strolled over to my side. “She’s a stage hog, Glory. People are paying to see and hear Sin and me, not some unknown.” He glared at Aggie.

“Did you like her voice though?” I was relieved that Aggie had dried her tears and had her head close to Sienna’s where they were going over the sheet music. Apparently the rocker was explaining the various marks. Aggie could read words at least. For a moment there I’d wondered if she was illiterate. It wouldn’t have surprised me. When I’d been dumped out of the Siren system way back when, I hadn’t been able to read word one.

“Gloriana, you must introduce me to Israel Caine.” We all turned at the sound of
that
voice.

“Mother. What are you doing here?” I wished Sienna’s new bodyguard, who’d stepped forward, would bounce her right out of there. Unfortunately, when he heard me call her mother, Danny went back to his post next to the door. Mom had on her version of rocker chic—black leather pants and vest with a blue silk blouse, all of it with high-heeled boots. The result was more rocker stage mom. I smiled and sent her that mental message, earning a frown.

“Why, I came to tell your friend Israel something important since you seem reluctant to do it.” My mother held out her hand. “Gloriana’s told me so much about you, Mr. Caine. And I know a little about your history with my daughter.” She smiled, like she was eager to begin dropping some bombshells. “Steamy.”

“Mother!” It seemed like a good time to dematerialize. Of course I couldn’t. My mother had a habit of disabling my powers when she was around. “Forget Mr. Caine. You and I could hit the mall, do some shopping.” I grabbed her arm, desperate to get her out of there.

“Don’t be ridiculous. The mall has been closed for hours.” She lifted my hand off of her. “Careful, you’re wrinkling my silk. Now where was I?” She glanced around the room. “Ah, yes. Mr. Caine. May I call you Israel?”

“Make it Ray. What’s up?” He moved closer to me. Ray wasn’t stupid and he could tell I was worried and embarrassed. Rafe had my other side. It didn’t make me feel better. My mother had way too many powers for any intelligent person to relax around her.

“Ray, then.” Mother was practically purring. “Did you know that I restored Gloriana’s beautiful singing voice not long ago? Once I heard it had been taken from her, I had to right such a grievous wrong.” She threw out her arms, like she was bestowing blessings on all of us. I almost expected twinkling stars and fairy dust.

“No kidding!” Ray’s eyes lit up. “Glory? Is that true?”

“Mother, please. You sound like an actor in a bad superhero movie.” I glanced meaningfully at the group of humans on the bandstand. “Yes, it’s true.” I gasped when Ray grabbed me, almost knocking me down.

“That’s incredible!” He kissed my cheek then grinned at my mother. “You
are
a superhero.”

“Mother.” I nodded toward the band again. The guys had started to stare at us.

“One moment. I can take care of that.” She flicked her wrist. “Now they can’t hear a thing we say.” Her smile was wicked. “Superhero. Yes, I can live with that. Thank you.” She focused on Ray. “You attract such handsome men, darling. Well done.”

“Mother, what’s the point of this little visit?” I realized we were now in a virtual cocoon. The band couldn’t hear us and we couldn’t hear the band, which had settled down and started playing something on the other side of my mother’s invisible wall. Even Nate, who’d been sitting at a table against one wall with his laptop, had gone back to work, apparently lulled by whatever spell my mother had cast.

“Gloriana. Absolutely glorious. I named her so aptly, don’t you think?” She gave Rafe and Ray measuring looks before smiling at me. I was wrinkling her silk again, trying to drag her out of the room. “Patience, darling. I have this situation well thought out.”

“When were you going to tell me, Glory? This is tremendous news.” Ray held me close.

“I’ve been busy, Ray. With Sienna, Aggie, a lot of things.” I dredged up a smile for him. “Sorry.”

“You know how that ate at me. Your loss. I couldn’t stand the fact that the Storm God . . .” He shoved back and looked over his shoulder, then seemed reassured that the band still wasn’t paying attention to us and that they were making music we couldn’t hear. Ray shook his head, obviously amazed that my mother could arrange such a thing. “Well, I hated what he’d taken from you. You know that.”

“I do know it, Ray.” I laid my hand on his cheek, the dark stubble covering it only making him more beautiful. No matter what Ray had done, I knew his love of music trumped almost everything else in his life. The loss of my song had hurt his artist’s soul. “Yes, she gave me back my voice. I can sing again and not hurt your ears.”

“That’s fantastic, Glory.” Rafe dragged me into his arms this time. His hug was fierce. “I want to hear it.”

“Yes! You should all hear her.” Mother was levitating she was so excited. I jerked her back to the floor.

“Calm down,” I hissed.

“But it’s so exciting.” She focused on the men. I had a feeling it was a habit with her. “Unfortunately Gloriana doesn’t have her Siren power anymore. So men won’t fall at her feet.” She winked. “Unless they just love her for herself, of course.”

“And who doesn’t?” Ray dragged me toward the band at the other end of the large room. Mother’s invisible wall suddenly disappeared. “Come on, babe. I know you’ve got every song I’ve ever recorded memorized. I’ve even heard you mangle a few when we were pretending to be engaged and shared a hotel room.” He shook his head. “You remember, Valdez. She sounded like a stomped chicken when she sang in the shower.”

“No lie.” Rafe was right with us. “Sing for us, Glory. I can’t wait to hear you.”

“No, seriously. This is embarrassing.” My mother’s hand landed on my back. “Mother, stop manipulating me.”

“But it’s what I do best, darling. Sing for the boys. It’s just not right that Aggie”—Mother frowned—“should get to sing with this band and not you. Who deserves it more?”

“The two of us don’t compare. Aggie needs the money.” I stopped at the foot of the stage.

“And you don’t?” Mother took Ray’s place by my side when he began conferencing with the band, deciding what I should sing without even asking me what I wanted. “You think I don’t know how you feel about your tawdry little apartment? How your friend Florence hurt your feelings when she insisted you take her gifts because she hated to see you wearing used clothes?”

“Mother, I’ve told you how I feel about you snooping into my thoughts and conversations.” My face burned. I was mortified that she would say this in front of Rafe. Sienna and Aggie were close enough to hear her too.

“But you don’t deny it.” Mother glanced at the others. “If you’re embarrassed, it’s your own fault. It’s high time you came into your own, Gloriana. If you won’t come to Olympus and claim the fortune owed you, then perhaps you’ll start showing off some of your other talents. Earn your own fortune here.” Mother shoved me up onto the stage where Ray handed me a microphone. “You could be a star, darling. Bigger than that Sienna girl.”

“Hey! I heard that.” Sienna had Aggie next to her. “Let’s hear what you’ve got, Glory. We don’t have to compete, you know. You mentor me for”—she glanced at the band—“you know. So maybe I can mentor you in the music biz. Even steven.”

“I, uh, I never thought . . .” My throat went dry and I caught Rafe staring at me. I’d known him for years. Sung show tunes to him when we’d driven to Texas from Las Vegas in my aging Suburban. He grinned, remembering how he’d been in his dog form then, howling to drown me out. That relaxed me a little. I could actually sing decently now and wouldn’t he be blown away? He nodded, like he was eager to hear me show off. That was my friend, always in my corner.