Real Vampires Know Hips Happen Part 19

"Gloriana, we don't need to interfere in Ian's love life." Jerry pulled me away from Ian. He'd probably noticed that the doctor was about to blow. Ian's stare would have killed me if he'd had the powers some paranormals had. Of course Jer didn't care if Ian spent forever tied to a shrew. "Why are we here, anyway?"

"Ian asked for my help before but why should I come to his aid? I don't owe him anything." My mother had obviously endured my red Keds long enough. I suddenly had on cute red heels. "He decided to use you two as leverage to get what he wants. The favor you owe him, Jeremiah, is the connection he needed. I have come to terms with the fact that my daughter will do anything for you." My mother clearly didn't like being manipulated.

"Thank you, Mother." I was glad that she finally got that.

"Now you say that the Storm G.o.d has hurt you, Gloriana. No eyebrows! If only I had known, you wouldn't have suffered for even a moment." My mother grasped my hand. "Achelous has always been an arrogant b.a.s.t.a.r.d. It will be fun to bring him down a few pegs. I think I'm going to enjoy this night." She tossed her hair and looked out at the storm that still raged. "Look at his little temper tantrum. All this just because his Siren asked to be released. Ha! I can do so much better. I could make a water spout that would lift your Texas capitol building and set it in Arkansas. Would you like to see?" She turned to us, obviously eager to show off her "talents."

"No! We'll take your word for it, Mother." I had to admit she was d.a.m.ned scary when she was worked up. "Awesome." I made sure she knew I was impressed.

"Yes, well. He should know better than to harm my loved ones." She stomped her foot. "You wish to no longer be a Siren, Aglaophonos?" She stepped up to Aggie, her eyes gleaming. "Do you have any idea of the consequences? You will become mortal, you know. Powers, song. Gone."

"Yes, I do know. But Ian has promised to make me vampire." She cuddled up against him. "So I'll still be with him forever. And vampires have powers. I've seen them at work."

"That's illegal in Austin, Ian. Making a vampire." I felt it my duty to at least mention it. The vampire council had strict rules against turning new vampires. Flo's brother Damian was head of the council. They'd already staked one vamp who'd broken that rule.

"You think I give a d.a.m.n about rules? And it will be to save her life. They can make an exception. I know my way around petty officials." Ian seemed ready for whatever came next. I pitied him. He had no idea what he might be facing. The council was the least of his worries. First, he'd have to contend with the Storm G.o.d.

"Brace yourselves, my dears. Here comes Achelous now." My mother smiled, obviously itching for a fight. "Oh, look, he managed a tiny water spout on the lake. Huh! I could do such a one in my sleep by wiggling my pinky toe."

The air s.h.i.+mmered with golden light. The French doors blew open letting in wind and rain but that all stopped suddenly when the man appeared. He strode into the room, his sandaled feet thudding against the tile.

"Come here, Siren." He stretched out his hand and blue sparks flew from him to Aggie. She screamed and leaped away from Ian. Uh-oh. I knew just how she felt. No wonder her hair was standing on end.

"Don't hurt him, Sire." She threw herself down on the floor, prostrating herself at the Storm G.o.d's feet.

"I will if I want to." He wore the formal Olympus dress of toga with a crown of leaves on his golden hair. He zapped Ian with a bolt of lightning and we all saw the vampire jerk, his Italian leather loafers steaming.

"Still a bully, I see." My mother strolled up to Achelous, obviously not intimidated by the shower of sparks around him or his golden glow. "Let her go, Achy. I have a bone to pick with you."

"Oh, really?" He kicked Aggie out of the way. "Wait over there." She slid to the side. Ian rushed to help her up but Achelous gestured and Ian was turned to stone. "Vampire, you will not touch her again. Disgusting."

This made my mother glance back at me. I narrowed my gaze. She obviously didn't need a reminder of my feelings on that subject because she just turned back to him.

"Mind your tongue. My own daughter is a vampiress. You will not speak ill of her." She flashed me a smile which I returned. Progress.

"You can't be serious. You're claiming Gloriana? Announcing it upstairs?" Achelous laughed. "You will be a laughingstock."

"No one will dare. You forget who I am." My mother tossed lightning around like it was confetti and we all reeled from the pulses of electricity in the air. Since it was aimed at Achelous, he was the only one who seemed to be hurt by it. Blackened holes appeared in his toga but they disappeared with a motion of his hand.

"Calm down, my dear. It is certainly your news to share."

"Remember that." My mother's eyes blazed. "This face-to-face is long overdue. I have heard what you did to my daughter, Achelous. A girl I gave to you for safekeeping centuries ago. Did you conveniently forget where she came from?" She raised both her hands and the room shook from thunder so loud that a vase fell off the mantel. Jerry and I staggered and held on to each other. I heard more gla.s.s breaking in other parts of the house. It was a reminder that I needed to be careful not to make her mad at me.

"Oh. Yes. An oversight. I am responsible for so many young women, you see. Impossible to keep straight who each one belonged to when they were dropped off." Achelous glared at me. "You should be glad you didn't keep her. Nothing but trouble. I don't know who you mated with to create the girl, but big mistake, Hebe." He raised his own hands and the skies poured rain so hard that water rushed into the house through the open doors.

"Stop. We can play with the elements all night but that doesn't prove anything. We could also go to Zeus." My mother smiled and I had a feeling she knew who would win if that happened. Achelous frowned. It obviously wasn't him. The rain stopped suddenly.

Hebe. I finally knew my mother's name. I couldn't wait to get to a computer and look her up. So many G.o.ddesses and each with certain powers. Hebe. What? I wracked my brain but couldn't remember what she was famous for. Obviously she had a strong connection to Zeus, though. Achelous had almost cringed when she'd suggested going to the big boss.

"What do you want?" Achelous brushed his toga with his hand and the water on the floor evaporated. I guess he didn't like standing in it.

"First, you will apologize to Gloriana. Then you will make sure she has her song back." She smiled at me. "Oh, yes, I've heard you singing in the shower, darling. So sad." She turned back to him. "b.a.s.t.a.r.d. To strip the girl of her beautiful voice. It's disgraceful!"

"I had to punish her. You don't know what she was like, Hebe. She refused to kill. She was an embarra.s.sment to the sisterhood. Ask Aglaophonos there." He gestured and Aggie was at his feet again.

"I don't care about that, you stupid man. You think I'd be proud of a daughter for her kills?" My mother walked around Aggie's body toward me. "I am proud of her because she is beautiful and smart. Because she is not afraid to stand up to a man who tries to push her around." She faced Achy again and thrust a pink fingernail into his toga. Achelous just stared at her heaving b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

He grabbed her hand. "She is like her mother in that regard. Why don't we go somewhere private, Hebe? Where we can discuss these things to our"-he kissed her fingertips-"satisfaction."

For a moment she seemed interested. Then she jerked her hand away. "Men! All you think about is how to talk a woman into your bed. Don't you get enough of that sport with your harem?"

He grinned. "Never enough. And I'll not let you talk me out of Aglaophonos. She is one of my favorites. Very clever and with one of the best kill rates in the sisterhood." He glanced down at her. "Get up, child." Of course she obeyed instantly. "What is this about wanting to leave me?"

"I'm sorry, Sire. But I have fallen in love. With that man." She pointed to Ian. "I wish to be with him forever."

"Foolish child. It is infatuation. It will pa.s.s. You are used to variety. One man forever?" He laughed. "How dull that sounds. Kill him and be done with it. That will satisfy you." He stroked her hair. "Come with me and I'll remind you of why I am the only man who can truly satisfy you."

I glanced at Ian. His eyes were wild but he couldn't move. This had to be making him crazy. If he truly loved Aggie, the idea of her as this egomaniac's love slave...And how casually Achelous had ordered Aggie to kill Ian. Like it was no big deal. Sickening. Would Aggie do it? She didn't move, just stood there, clearly still held in some kind of thrall to her master. Her eyes were trapped by his.

"Let her go, Achelous." My mother touched Aggie's shoulder. The Siren shuddered and dropped to the floor.

"What did you do to her?" Achelous roared.

"Released her from your bondage." Mother smiled. "I am above you in rank. You owe me reparation for what you did to my daughter. I am claiming Aggie as payment. Now get out! If you complain about this to Zeus, I will tell him how you left his granddaughter in the mortal world with no protection. I'm sure Circe will back me up. We had a long chat in Olympus recently. She told me that she played a part in making sure Gloriana didn't die a mortal's death as you planned. Amazing, knowing how she feels about vampires, that she used one to save my daughter's immortal life." My mother smiled at me.

Then she whirled to stab Achelous in the chest again with her fingernail. He actually winced. "How do think your original plan will play with our king?"

Achelous's face turned red and thunder roared. My hair lifted and the house shook again. I recognized a Storm G.o.d temper tantrum and wished I were miles away from it. I slapped my hands over my eyebrows. A blinding lightning flash lit up the room. When it was over, Achelous was gone.

"Well, that was fun." My mother smiled and walked up to me. "No apology to you but I'm not really surprised. G.o.ds are so ridiculously proud. What did you think, Gloriana?"

"You were totally amazing." I gave her what she wanted, a brief hug. "How's Aggie?" Ian was picking her up off the floor.

"She's dazed but seems okay." He held her in his arms. "She's coming around." He pressed a finger to her neck, taking her pulse. Then he leaned in and sniffed her. "You know, she is a mortal now. I can't believe it. Nice blood type, the same yet different."

"Oh, yes. Once you're pulled out of the Siren program, you're mortal, defenseless." I sank down on Ian's damaged leather sofa. "I found out much, much later that I still had my powers. But she may not. Mine came from my G.o.ddess connection-thanks, Mother. Aggie, well, who knows how she got dropped into the Siren program? Mother, maybe you can find out who left her there."

"I don't know. Achelous keeps the records. I doubt we're speaking." She smiled and ran a finger down the neckline of her low-cut dress. "Though I'm not without means of persuasion."

I tried to block that picture from my mind. "When are you going to make her vampire, Ian?"

He just stood there. "I don't know. She isn't really awake yet and no wonder. That Storm G.o.d. I've never seen anything like him." He shook his head like he was coming out of a fog. "I'm taking her to the bedroom. As to the vampire thing...Mortal blood. I'm in no hurry." He stalked off down the hall.

"Once a b.a.s.t.a.r.d, always a b.a.s.t.a.r.d." Jerry sat down next to me. "I hope Aggie gets her immortality before she's an old lady."

"Perhaps she'd be better off without the transition." My mother sat across from me.

"Don't start. I was actually feeling happy with you for a moment there. You handled Achelous really well. Thanks for standing up for me, Hebe." I grinned. "And now I know your name. Are you going to tell me your area of expertise, or do I have to go to the Internet for answers? You can't imagine how many conflicting stories I'll get on there. You might want to give me the straight scoop."

Jerry picked up my hand. "She claims you're Zeus's granddaughter? If I had good sense, I'd be intimidated, Gloriana."

"You should be." Mother frowned at him. "Gloriana really should make a visit up there. Be introduced around. It never hurts to have important allies. Of course Achelous was right about one thing, being a vampire will be seen by many as a negative, but she is my daughter. It will be overlooked. If she gets in a bind here, she can call on some of the G.o.ds and G.o.ddesses for help. Mars has already agreed to come to her aid."

"Really? Now, why would he do that?" Jerry was interested.

"I'll tell you later. You're stalling, Mother. What are your powers?" I leaned against Jerry, finally realizing that it was kind of cool to be related to a genuine G.o.ddess from Olympus.

"Very well. I am known as the G.o.ddess of youth. Zeus is my father, Hera is my mother. I am also the G.o.ddess of pardons." She smiled. "That's why so many of the G.o.ds seek me out for favors. Naughty men frequently need my services." She brushed back her hair which had been blown about by Achy's temper fit. "Oh, I must be a mess!" She pulled out a compact and brush. "Dealing with temperamental males can be such a trial."

"Go back. G.o.ddess of youth. What does that mean?" I leaned forward, itching to jerk the hairbrush out of her hand. Finally she put it away.

"It means I can make someone young again. A tired soldier. A woman who feels her beauty is fading." She smiled at me. "Would you like to look eighteen instead of twenty-two? I could make it so."

"No! I have enough problems blending with mortals as it is." I tried to picture how this worked.

Her face fell. "There is a downside to this gift, Gloriana. You have two brothers, my precious twins. Alex and Ani guard Olympus. I am very proud of them. But they are forever young boys. They will never become men." She dabbed at sudden tears with a linen hanky. "Their father, Heracles, hates me for this. We do not have a happy marriage. Fortunately he is frequently gone on his quests, as he calls them. He doesn't mind if I enjoy other men. I am told he has dozens of mistresses."

"I'm sorry, Mother." And I was. Brothers stuck before p.u.b.erty? I couldn't imagine anything worse for them. And a husband who cared more about quests than his wife...Well, no wonder she had an edge.

"I'd like you to know them. Your brothers. They would love you. But they cannot leave their duties on Olympus. Perhaps someday you will come." She put away the hanky. "I hope you understand why I was so eager to know you. You are my only adult child. A woman who I could talk to, shop with." She smiled. "I loved you the moment I saw you."

I stood. "Then isn't it a shame you forgot about me all those years?" It was too much. A brother, a stepfather. Zeus as a grandfather. My mind was spinning. And I was in Ian's house, a place where I'd never felt comfortable. Through the open gla.s.s doors I could see his guard patrolling the grounds. I wondered briefly where Melanie was, then figured Ian must have sent her off somewhere so she wouldn't witness what had happened tonight.

"You don't understand how it works there. In Olympus time is nothing. And I am pulled this way and that constantly with the politics. My powers are important. Everyone is always wanting me for something. I have so many responsibilities." She was on her feet too. "Don't be angry, Gloriana. I wish to make it all up to you. Please, think about it. I won't pressure you. But someday, I hope you will come with me. Just for a little visit."

"Right. And time means nothing up there. A little visit could last centuries." I grabbed Jerry's hand. "Let's get out of here, Jer. The rain's stopped and I need some air."

"Gloriana!" I turned on my heel and stared at her. My mother. She looked beautiful but actually distressed at my rejection.

"Thank you for tonight. You did a good thing, saving Aggie. I don't particularly like her, but no woman should be the property of a man the way the Sirens belong to Achelous. I just hope Ian keeps his word so she doesn't regret this decision." I sighed. "Good night."

I heard her call, "Good night," but didn't look back as I tugged Jerry out of the house. We s.h.i.+fted, flying out the back door and to our car. The night was clear now and it didn't take any time at all.

This time Jerry drove. Neither of us mentioned that promise of hot s.e.x in the car. The mood had definitely changed. We were both silent. Jerry must have realized I had a lot on my mind. I just stared out at the scenery going by, my thoughts chaotic. I couldn't be some G.o.ddess's accident. This was crazy. I didn't feel magical or G.o.dlike. I was plain Gloriana St. Clair and wanted to stay that way. By the time Jerry pulled into the parking lot, I felt drained.

We headed upstairs and I was thinking of crawling into a hot tub and soaking away my worries. Then I saw the man leaning against my apartment door. Israel Caine. Of course. I hadn't had enough drama yet tonight.

Fifteen.

"Glory, Blade. What's up?" Ray smiled but I could tell he was on edge. Hey, so was I.

"Not a good night, Caine. Gloriana's had a bad one." Jerry unlocked the door and helped me inside. Seriously, my legs were wobbly. The reality of being around the Storm G.o.d had finally hit me in the car. Flashback I guess. I had been in that creep's harem myself for a thousand years and change. Working as a killer.

"What's wrong, babe? Anything I can do?" He followed us inside. Ray never felt like he needed an invitation.

"Aggie, the Storm G.o.d. Do you need to hear more?" I collapsed on the couch.

"That's enough. What's the b.i.t.c.h been up to now? You know I hate her guts." He settled next to me, ignoring Jerry, who handed me a gla.s.s of synthetic then sat across from us.

"She's at Ian's and she's mortal now. I don't think we have to worry about her for a while." I took a deep swallow. It tasted good. Jerry must have ordered in some of the premium that he liked and I couldn't afford.

"No s.h.i.+t? Bet that's quite a story." Ray laid a hand on my thigh. "Quit growling at me, Blade. I get that Glory has you back. You're here, aren't you?" He rubbed a circle on my leg, just above my knee. I was sure it was just to bug Jerry. "I came by to let you know I got the message. You dodged my calls. It doesn't take a neon sign to tell Israel Caine to back off." He stood. "One last hug?"

"I'm sorry, Ray. I wasn't dodging but we've been really busy since we got back. I wanted to get together with you. To talk. Tell you about my trip. We can still do that." I let him pull me to my feet. When Jerry started to say something, I stared at him until he subsided. "Tomorrow night. Meet me at N-V? I owe you that much."

"You don't owe me a d.a.m.ned thing, babe, but I would like to see you. Without the buzzkill here. If that's possible." He nodded at Jerry then pulled me into his arms. "Hmm. No bra, just the way I like it." He laughed when Jerry lunged to his feet. "Nine o'clock. See you then." And he was out the door.

"You just had to do that, didn't you? Hug him, arrange a date right in front of me. You know how I hate that guy." Jerry slammed the door and locked it.

"You're so cute when you're jealous." I patted his cheek then danced toward the bathroom suddenly reenergized. Guess having two men wanting me had done it. I tore off my sweater and tossed it behind me. "I'm going to sing in the bathtub. Try out my Siren's song. Want to see if you can resist it?" I laughed when he grabbed me from behind and swung me up into his arms.

"You know you don't need a song to bewitch me, Gloriana." He buried his face in my hair. "Skip the bath and come to bed. I'll show you what jealousy does to me. Caine had a look in his eyes I don't like. He loves you, Gloriana. But I'll be d.a.m.ned if I'll let him have you." He carried me to the bed and tossed me onto the mattress. Then he ripped off his s.h.i.+rt, b.u.t.tons flying everywhere. "Deal with it. You're mine, woman. And I'll fight any man who tries to take you away from me." Then he fell on top of me, ravenous.

I can't say I minded his declaration. What I did mind was a sense of impending doom. If he didn't like the look in Ray's eyes now, what would he think when he heard the whole story? I should go ahead and tell him. Could I make it sound meaningless? A minor b.u.mp in the long road Jerry and I had traveled and hopefully would still travel together? It wouldn't be easy because I'd be lying and Jerry would see right through it. Nothing with Ray had ever been trivial or meaningless to me. And hopefully Jerry knew by now that I didn't just use people and then cast them aside.

As I pulled Jerry into me one more time, I tried to shelve my worries. It would only make this night less than I wanted it to be. But I knew all this s.e.x was a cop-out. Sooner or later Jerry and I needed to sit down and have a conversation without touching each other.

The next night Jerry went home. To his house where Lily waited and he had plenty of business to take care of. So did I for that matter. I had put off the big talk. First, I would meet with Ray and get things settled with him. Yes, he knew we weren't going to have a future, but I wanted a face-to-face. To clear the air. I felt bad for dodging his calls.

I walked into N-V wearing that black and red dress my mother had given me. I knew I looked good. Rafe caught me before I reached the bar.

"He's waiting for you at a table upstairs. I've tried to keep the groupies away from him. It's not easy." Rafe gave me the once over. "Nice outfit. New?"

"Yes, my mother gave it to me. There are some perks to having a mother from Olympus." I grinned at him. Rafe knew my wardrobe well after five years as my bodyguard. Not that I had that many clothes. I had sold a lot of them when I'd started my vintage clothing business.

"She's got great taste. How's it going with your mother?" Rafe walked with me toward the stairs. I'd managed to call him and explain about my mother and what had happened in Scotland while Jerry had been in the shower. Rafe was still one of my best friends and a good listener.

"Better. I think she's finally figured out that I'm not going to Olympus with her. And I'm staying vampire. She isn't happy about either but it's the only way I'll agree to any kind of relations.h.i.+p with her." I put my hand on his arm. "She says I'm bossy. Which I realize I am. I'll try to work on that. How are you doing? Any new girlfriends?"

"I'm seeing someone. You know her." He frowned. "That's the problem. Any woman who knows my history soon figures out I'm still hung up on you."

"Who are you seeing? And you know you've got to stop being hung up on me." I realized I was being bossy again. I shook my head. "Okay, easier said than done. I get it. Who, Rafe?"

"Lacy. I've been hanging around your shop, keeping an eye on it while you were gone. The cat and I hit it off." He shook his head. "Probably was a bad idea. She wants more than casual and I'm not ready."

"Well, I have nothing to say. Except thanks for watching the shop." I kissed his cheek. "And good luck, I guess." I knew Lacy was thinking about dumping him. "Try, Rafe. She's a nice girl. Worth the effort."

"Yeah. And you're obviously sticking with Blade this time. So what's up with Caine? Why's he waiting for you?" He nodded toward the balcony.