Real Vampires Know Hips Happen
Chapter Fourteen
The next night came all too soon. I hadn't called Ray back yet and had two more messages from him. He was high on my to-do list but first I had my mother and Ian to deal with. Jerry strapped on his knives as usual when we were getting ready to go pay back that favor he owed Ian.
"I don't have time for this. I need to deal with some business issues." He slipped a stake into a holster under his arm before he put on a dark sports coat. I hadn't seen him carry a stake before. Did it have Ian's name on it? I was afraid to ask.
"I know, neither do I. Can you sit a minute? I hate to bring this up now, when your plate is so full, but I have one more thing to add to it."
"Now what?" He wasn't exactly in the mood for another problem. Too bad. This couldn't be put off.
"Jer, I caught Lily stealing, or trying to."
"What?" He shoved a knife into his boot. "Explain yourself."
"Come into the living room. Sit and I'll bring you some synthetic. I don't think you're back to full strength yet." He looked a little wobbly to me though he shrugged off my hand.
"I'll do." He strode into the living room. "You sit and tell me about Lily."
"I was taking a deposit to the bank. My clerk had warned me there had been robberies lately at the ATMs in town. I no sooner got to the night deposit area than a masked burglar snatched my bank bag. I gave chase of course. I can't afford to lose even a dollar with the bills I have to pay. Being gone so long really set me back." I headed for the kitchen to fetch two bottles of synthetic. I remembered he had preferred his warm and nuked his for a few seconds.
"Go on, finish. Where does Lily come into this?" He stood in the doorway, snatching the bottle from me as soon as I pulled it out of the microwave. He took a deep swallow.
"Well." I headed back to the living room but he stopped me with a hand on my shoulder. "Okay, I'm getting there. Let me sit." I shrugged away and settled on the couch. I knew he wasn't going to take this well so I waited until he was seated in the chair across from me.
"I ran down the thief a few blocks away, had to shift to catch her because it became clear immediately that this was no mortal thief." I sipped my drink. Jerry just kept staring at me. "Anyway, I froze her, with that statue trick I know, and jerked off her ski mask. Imagine my horror when I realized Lily was the thief."
"Son of a bitch." He slammed his bottle down on the coffee table and jumped to his feet. "Did you get your money back?"
"Yes, of course. She had no choice. She was paralyzed. I had her dead to rights. And she knew better than to try to get me to promise not to tell you."
"I should hope so." He paced the living room and ran a hand through his hair, his go-to move when he was upset. "This is my fault. I left her here without money, no resources."
"Wait. Hold it." I was on my feet now. "The woman is four hundred years old. She is able-bodied, more than. Why can't she work for a living? I sure do. She can mesmerize any store manager up and down Sixth Street into hiring her. Stealing from hardworking people..." I jumped in front of him when he started a third lap of the living room. "You know as well as I do that it's dead wrong."
"Yes, of course. But she expected an allowance from me. I didn't follow through." He shook his head. "Damn your mother. This is her fault."
"I won't deny she started this. But come on, Jer. Lily showed no remorse when I caught her. She doesn't have her head on straight. Where's her moral compass?"
Jerry sat again and picked up his synthetic. "Damned if I know. I wonder if there's any hope for her."
"Of course there is. Mara and Mac raised her. Mac was a fine man."
"Yes, he was. He would have taught her the difference between right and wrong. I'm sure, though, that since he died Mara has let Lily run wild." Jerry stared down at the floor. "If I'd known..."
"You didn't. And Lily isn't a child. Running wild? Please. She chose to keep bad company. I'm wondering why she wasn't left some kind of trust from Mac. What do you bet Mara made sure she got all of Mac's fortune?"
"That's something I should look into. Mac's will, his estate. Though vampires don't usually bother with those formalities, since he had a child, I'll bet Mac did." Jerry looked up. "Good notion, Gloriana. But I've got to do something with Lily in the meantime."
"Can you pretend you don't know about the thefts? If Lily knows I told you, she'll hate me. I would like to work with her, try to show her a way to earn her own living. I am sort of an expert on the subject. If she knows I've been a snitch, I won't stand a chance."
"You're right about that. No one likes a tattletale." He stood and pulled me into his arms. "But you had to tell me. A parent has the right to know what his child has been up to, especially when it involves breaking the law."
"I thought so." I leaned against him.
"Yes, I'll keep it between us. And start investigating Mac's records. The MacTavish family may very well have copies of his last wishes. He could have left Mara in charge of a trust for Lily and she's kept it a secret." Jerry kissed the top of my head. "Have I told you lately how sexy I find your mind?"
"That too?" I smiled and lifted my face for a better kiss.
"Want to call and cancel?" He said it but I knew he wouldn't do it.
"Tempting. But this is something I think we'd both like to get over with." I patted his cheek.
"I can't cancel but you could stay here, go down and work in your shop. I'll make your excuses." He pulled me to him. "Seriously. This is my debt, not yours. I know you aren't eager to mix it up with your mother again."
"No, I'm not. But I can't miss this. My mother won't help anyone if she doesn't feel like it. If I don't show up, she's liable to just disappear like she did last night." I smiled up at him. "Besides, Ian asking a favor is unusual enough, but needing Olympus? This is huge. Let's go see what this is about."
"Huge is right, Gloriana. You can quit smiling about it. It's bound to be dangerous." Jerry put me from him. "If you insist on going, arm yourself." He handed me a knife. "This can slow someone down. Remember how I taught you to throw it?"
"Jerry, I can freeze people in their tracks now. Just like my mother froze you at Ian's." I wouldn't take it. I hated his knives, always had. "And I can dematerialize unless one of the gods gets involved and takes my powers away."
"Really? That's new. Your mother give you that power? Or is that from the Sirens?" He put the extra knife somewhere on his own body.
"Apparently I've had it all along I just didn't know it. It's an Olympus thing. A gift from the goddess herself. Watch." I concentrated and poofed. Then showed up again behind him. He whirled when I touched his back.
"I always knew you were an amazing woman, just not how amazing." He brushed his thumb down my face. "Don't forget to use it if we get in a tight spot. Promise you'll be careful. I don't trust MacDonald and neither should you. The only reason I'm letting you go is that I'm sure your mother won't allow anyone to hurt you."
"News flash, Jer. You're not 'letting' me go anywhere." I tempered that with a smile. "I'm going anyway, even if I have to shift to get out there." I strutted to the door. "Now I can ride in the car with you or do my bird thing. Your choice. What's it going to be?"
He watched my hips move then shook his head. "You are really full of yourself, aren't you, woman?"
"You'd better believe it." I unlocked the door and flung it open. "Get used to it, Jerry. If we're going anywhere with our relationship, it will be as partners. Glory the little woman is old news. I'm not meekly obeying your commands again."
"I can see that." He walked past me into the hall. "Can't say I mind it either. Strong women are sexy." He ran his hand down my hip. I'd worn snug jeans and a scoop-necked sweater in a deep red. "Took me a long time to figure that out and get on board, but I'm there now. Lock the door and let's go. You can drive."
"Now you're talking." I snatched the keys he tossed me out of the air and used one of them to lock the door. We grinned at each other then headed down the stairs arm in arm. It was about time Jerry gave me credit for holding my own. Because of my new skills? Who cared? The main thing was that he was treating me as an equal. I hadn't thought I could love him more, but the feeling that swelled inside me and made tears clog my throat convinced me it was possible.
When a rain shower started, I was glad the top was up on the convertible. It got worse as we neared Ian's place in the hills outside of Austin. The roads were slippery and I had to watch my driving. For once Jerry never said a word, though I thought I saw his grip on the armrest tighten a few times. How about that? He was trusting me to get him there without his usual backseat driving. When the car hydroplaned across a slick spot, he grunted and held on to the dashboard but never complained about the way I rode it out. Of course if we'd ended up in that ditch a few yards away, I'm sure it would have been a different story.
"You okay over there?" I couldn't resist asking.
"You're doing fine. You don't need me to tell you how to drive." What a liar. I knew he was itching to do that very thing. He peered out the side window at the pouring rain and finally pointed up ahead. "There's a low water crossing coming up. See it?"
"Sure. Thanks." I slowed down. Low water crossings were notorious around Austin and dangerous. The markers next to them would tell drivers how deep the water was where the road dipped. Thank God for the warning sign up ahead. Water rushed across the road and the sign indicated the usually dry ditch now held five feet of water. No way was I driving into that death trap. The current could sweep the car downstream toward the lake not far away.
"I'm pulling over. We can't cross now." I made sure we were on a high spot on the shoulder and stopped the car. The skies were still dumping so much rain it was hard to see even though the wipers were on high. I had the fleeting thought that this could be something the Storm God had whipped up. But why would he be here tonight? No, it was probably just one of Austin's freak storms. Could we wait it out? I glanced at the dashboard clock. We were already running late. Did I care? Not really. But I didn't like the idea of Ian giving Jerry a hard time about it.
"What do you think?" I turned off the motor. I hated the idea of leaving the cozy warmth of the car and shifting out into the storm.
"Do we have a choice?" Jerry pulled out his cell. "Let me check with Ian. Maybe he's called this off for tonight. These aren't ideal conditions for much of anything." He started to make a call. "No signal. Try yours."
I opened my purse. I should have already stuck my phone in my pocket anyway. When I tried to make a call, I realized I couldn't get a signal either. Decision time. The wind blew the rain almost sideways against the car, shaking it. The convertible top was holding but I didn't feel very safe where we were. Have I mentioned how much I hate storms? I shivered thinking about getting out of that car. The motor was still running and I turned the heater on.
"We'll be soaked before we can shift. My clothes..." I really, really hated the thought. My sweater was bound to shrink and it was one of my favorites. Vintage cashmere, high quality and a good color on me. And don't get me started about my jeans. They'd barely zipped as it was. Wet, they'd be a lost cause.
"You're right. The rain will ruin your clothes. We should shift naked." Jerry grinned. "Stow the clothes in my backpack. It's waterproof. I can carry it during the shift. I've done it successfully before." He reached for the backpack, already on board with the plan.
"You just want to see me strip." I couldn't stop my own smile. It was a good idea. I pulled my sweater off over my head and stuffed it into the pack while he took off his jacket and tossed it into the backseat.
"Wonder if we could be really, really late." Jerry reached across the console to open the front fastener of my bra.
"Not happening, Blade." I slapped his hands away when he fondled my breasts. "Check the time. We're already late."
"I'll be quick." Jerry pulled me toward him and licked the tip of my right breast.
"Stop." I grabbed his hair. Pull, no, push. How could I let go right now when I had no idea what we'd be facing at Ian's? Men. Jerry saw boobs and thought sex. Whatever came next wasn't even on his radar. "Please, Jerry. We can do this all you want later and take all the time in the world. All of this" - I gestured at my breasts - "will be here when we get back to the car."
"Spoilsport." He sat back and unbuttoned his cotton shirt. "I'm holding you to that. Hot sex in this car. Here on the side of the road. It'll be awkward, but worth it."
I touched his chest, then ran my hand down the fine hair on his stomach. "Oh, yes, I promise you it will be totally worth the wait."
"Undress or we won't make it to Ian's at all. When we get there, we'll find a spot where we can dress and stay dry. A place without an audience, hopefully. I'll be damned if I'll let Ian see you naked." Jerry toed off his shoes and stuck them in the pack. It was already pretty full.
I wiggled out of my jeans, deciding to leave my shoes in the car. I could always hit my mother up for another pair when we got there. I left on my panties. I could go commando when we got to Ian's.
"I'm ready." I glanced at Jerry. "That rain is going to be ice cold."
"No doubt. Be brave." He grinned, obviously enjoying this. "On three. Try not to get the car soaked." He shrugged on the backpack and put his hand on the door handle. I braced myself as he counted. Then we threw open the doors and slammed them at the same time. I locked the car, tossed Jerry the keys to slip into the backpack then shifted. Soon we were hurtling up into the air as fast as we could go.
I could tell my hair was already wet, the rain pounding my wings as I flew beside Jerry up the hill toward Ian's. Thank goodness it wasn't too far away. Amazing that Jer could shift and the backpack would merge with his bird form. But then I had shifted with my purse strapped across my body many times and never lost a thing either.
Ian's house came into view below us. Jerry led the way, swooping down to land under a walkway that led from the five-car garage to the house. None of the guards were in sight but the security lights were blazing. We both shifted near the back door.
"Hurry, hand me something." I tried to wring out my wet hair. I was shivering and sluiced water off my body with both hands.
"Here's your sweater. I left the bra in the car, not enough room for it." Jerry tossed me my sweater while he stepped into his jeans. They clung to his wet legs.
"Great. Now everyone's going to see nipple." I whipped off my panties and tossed them aside then struggled to get my jeans up my own wet legs. It wasn't easy.
"Need some help?" Jerry moved closer, sliding his hand between my thighs.
"Are you kidding me? You're making a move now?" I tried to wiggle away but he had a pretty firm and intimate grip. He jerked me to him and kissed me, his fingers moving inside me.
I didn't want to feel anything. This wasn't the time or place. But there was something so dangerously exciting about leaning against Ian's back door and knowing that we were just feet from the man himself and a half dozen guards. Jerry pushed his knee between my legs to give himself more access, his other hand under my sweater so he could massage one of my breasts.
"Gloriana. The sight of you almost naked in the rain took my breath away." He ran his tongue along the edge of my jaw and down to my throat while he kept up his rhythm, the heat building inside me until I raked his bare shoulders with my fingernails.
"Jerry, please." I hiked one leg around his hips, my own hips shoving against his hand. I was close, so close. He kissed me again, pushing harder, deeper until I fell apart, screaming his name inside my head.
I leaned my cheek on his chest while the rain still poured, rushing over the roof in sheets to splash our bare feet. I let my leg collapse, sliding down his until my foot landed on the flagstone walkway. Could I even stand on my own? He kissed me one more time, lingering long enough to make me grasp his hair and press against him before he eased his fingers from me. Then he pulled up my jeans, carefully zipping them closed.
"Well, well. That was quite a show." Ian stood in the open back door. "I do have security cameras, you know." He laughed and gestured. "If you're through pleasing your woman, Blade, I could use you in here. There's action coming. All hands on deck. Gloriana, good to see you are still a lusty woman." He turned on his heel, still laughing.
My cheeks burned. Jerry just pulled his shirt out of the pack then began to rearm himself. Of course. No room for a bra, but knives and stakes aplenty. I saw the wisdom in that. I rescued my cell phone from the pack and checked. I had service. And a new message. Ray again. I turned off the phone and stuck it in my back pocket. No way was I going to be interrupted tonight.
Jerry stopped me before I could go into the house. "I'm sorry, Gloriana. I didn't mean to embarrass you. MacDonald's an ass."
"No argument there. But I will never regret a minute with you, Jerry." I kissed his lips then walked past him. My mother would be inside. Had she seen the video? I dreaded facing her if she had. Me with a vampire. I could only imagine her reaction.
We stepped into a scene I'd never have expected. My mother obviously didn't have a clue about a security video. She was too busy with something else. She looked stunning, dressed as usual in a designer dress and heels. Tonight's ensemble was my favorite shade of green. I was tempted to compliment her but she barely acknowledged my entrance. Instead, she was focused on someone I hadn't seen in a while.
Aggie, or Aglaophonos, as she was formally called, was a Siren. Tonight she was in human form, tossing her long blond hair around while she talked to my mother. Her very presence made me think that this horrible weather was courtesy of her boss, the Storm God.
"Ladies, they're here. Aggie, darling, calm down." Ian walked over and pulled the Siren into his arms. "I told you we'd fix this and we're going to."
I could only stare. Ian had called her darling. Had his arm around her in a loving gesture I'd never seen him make. Could it be that the cold, calculating Scot had finally fallen in love? I glanced at Jerry. He grinned like he'd just won the lottery.
"What have we here? Heard the Siren's song, have you, MacDonald?" He strode forward. "Aggie. Don't believe I've seen you since Florence and Richard's wedding."
"Don't remind me. What a mess." Aggie smiled at me. "Thanks for coming, both of you. Ian told me you had quite a trip to Scotland, Glory."
"Can we dispense with the reunion?" My mother had been ignored long enough. "Gloriana, where are your shoes?"
"I had to shift out here, Mother. The road was flooded." I raised an eyebrow. "Maybe you could take care of it for me. Something in a medium heel. Designer of course. I know you won't go cheap."
"Of course not. A name brand." She smiled and moved one of her fingers. "What do you think?"
I glanced down. "Perfect. You do have exquisite taste." The shoes were red Keds. Her idea of a joke. I just played along. "Now why are we here?"
"This Siren, who claims she is a friend of yours, wants to stay in Austin. Is even thinking of defecting." My mother smiled and looked up at the sky. "As you can see, Achelous isn't too happy about it."
More dealings with the Storm God. Was it too late for Jerry and me to shift back to our car? I never wanted to mess with that egomaniac again. He'd fried my hair, tormented Jerry, thrown around lightning until I had only to hear his name and feel a tingle of electricity run through me. Of course he'd tried to kill me more than once too. Only the fact that he was afraid of my mother's wrath had saved me the last time we'd met. I smiled at the woman who'd given birth to me. Okay, this was going to be an interesting night.
"Ian and I are in love, Glory." Aggie had her arm around Ian and I couldn't believe he didn't shrug away from it. I knew she had the power to sing any man to her as a Siren. Obviously she'd done her thing and put him under her spell. Ian MacDonald and Aggie, a loudmouthed bitch if ever I'd met one, just didn't match up.
"Gloriana, Blade, quit looking at me that way." Ian frowned. "I'm not under some Siren's spell." Ian leaned down and kissed Aggie's lips. "She's beautiful, and has been misunderstood and held prisoner for years by that asshole she works for. It's slavery! Prostitution!"
All right, I could have gone all night without hearing the "P" word. I'd been a Siren myself once.
"Shut up, Ian. Sirens aren't prostitutes. They're victims of a master who makes them sing men to their deaths. Forget the sex. If it happens, it's because they are programmed that way. They can't help it. All of it, the song, the killing, is to enrich the coffers of Olympus. The women don't get a penny." I was hot.
"Now, Ian, Gloriana, calm down. She's right. We are cursed. It's horrible. A terrible fate. But, look, lover. They all came here to help. So I'm sure I'll be free soon. Just like Glory is." Aggie's smile was brilliant.
"They think you ensorcelled me, darling. Not so, damn it!" Ian stared at Jerry, then me. "You know me well enough to realize I'm too smart to be suckered by some Siren's song."
"Oh, yeah, you're a freaking genius." Jerry kept his arm around me, highly entertained.
"Stuff it, Campbell. I do love her. I've finally found a woman I want to be with for more than one night. Is that so hard to understand?" Ian was livid.
I bit my lip. Poor misunderstood beautiful Aggie. The only part that truly fit was the beautiful part. With her long blond hair, leaf green eyes and size-six body, she was close to perfect. She wore a deep green mini and matching top with high heels that I would have had trouble walking in. But forget beauty.
Aggie hadn't killed because she'd been ordered to, she'd enjoyed it, kept count and was thrilled when she hit a million with her body count. Ray and I had barely escaped being notches in her Gucci belt. Of course she'd been full of reasons why she'd been driven to making us her victims. Small comfort when we'd been fighting for our lives. Old grudge aside, I knew her as a vain woman who didn't know how to be a friend, plus she had a temper that made her use her powers in some pretty mean ways.
"Say something, Glory. Don't you remember the wedding shower I threw for Flo? I've tried to make up for how we met." Aggie looked at my mother. "We were in the lake here. Circe was mad at me and made me collect some vampire sacrifices. I'm sure you know Circe. She hates the night and anything to do with it, especially vampires."
"Oh, yes. I've heard her on the subject." My mother glanced at me. "It's a common prejudice on Olympus, Gloriana. Vampires are demons, to hear the gossip."
"Trust me, Mother. I've met demons. Vampires are vintage Chanel. Demons are last year's markdowns." I tried to put it in terms she could understand.
"Ah, I get it." She winked at me. "I must set Circe straight, I see."
"Whatever." Aggie had played sweetness and light as long as she could stand. "Anyway, I caught Glory and her pal Ray the first night. Glory thinks I was going to kill her."
"You aren't going to rewrite history, Aggie. It was only fast talking that got us out of there. That and Ray's singing. You always were an Israel Caine fan." I definitely wasn't an Ian MacDonald fan but he had helped Jerry so I felt I owed him a warning. "Ian, listen to me. You never saw Aggie the way she was then. A sea monster, cruel and disgusting. Are you sure you want to hook up with her or get Achelous on your case? I've been toe-to-toe with that guy and almost didn't come out of it alive. I can't tell you how long it took me to grow back my eyebrows."
"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 God 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 bastard. 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 damned 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 damn 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 God.
"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 shimmered 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 God'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 glass 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 goddesses 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. "Bastard. 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 embarrassment 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 breasts.
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 pass. 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 God 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. Gods 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 goddess 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 God. 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 bastard, always a bastard." 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 gods and goddesses 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 goddess from Olympus.
"Very well. I am known as the goddess of youth. Zeus is my father, Hera is my mother. I am also the goddess of pardons." She smiled. "That's why so many of the gods 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. Goddess 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 puberty? 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 glass 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 shifted, 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 sex 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 goddess's accident. This was crazy. I didn't feel magical or godlike. 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.
"I don't have time for this. I need to deal with some business issues." He slipped a stake into a holster under his arm before he put on a dark sports coat. I hadn't seen him carry a stake before. Did it have Ian's name on it? I was afraid to ask.
"I know, neither do I. Can you sit a minute? I hate to bring this up now, when your plate is so full, but I have one more thing to add to it."
"Now what?" He wasn't exactly in the mood for another problem. Too bad. This couldn't be put off.
"Jer, I caught Lily stealing, or trying to."
"What?" He shoved a knife into his boot. "Explain yourself."
"Come into the living room. Sit and I'll bring you some synthetic. I don't think you're back to full strength yet." He looked a little wobbly to me though he shrugged off my hand.
"I'll do." He strode into the living room. "You sit and tell me about Lily."
"I was taking a deposit to the bank. My clerk had warned me there had been robberies lately at the ATMs in town. I no sooner got to the night deposit area than a masked burglar snatched my bank bag. I gave chase of course. I can't afford to lose even a dollar with the bills I have to pay. Being gone so long really set me back." I headed for the kitchen to fetch two bottles of synthetic. I remembered he had preferred his warm and nuked his for a few seconds.
"Go on, finish. Where does Lily come into this?" He stood in the doorway, snatching the bottle from me as soon as I pulled it out of the microwave. He took a deep swallow.
"Well." I headed back to the living room but he stopped me with a hand on my shoulder. "Okay, I'm getting there. Let me sit." I shrugged away and settled on the couch. I knew he wasn't going to take this well so I waited until he was seated in the chair across from me.
"I ran down the thief a few blocks away, had to shift to catch her because it became clear immediately that this was no mortal thief." I sipped my drink. Jerry just kept staring at me. "Anyway, I froze her, with that statue trick I know, and jerked off her ski mask. Imagine my horror when I realized Lily was the thief."
"Son of a bitch." He slammed his bottle down on the coffee table and jumped to his feet. "Did you get your money back?"
"Yes, of course. She had no choice. She was paralyzed. I had her dead to rights. And she knew better than to try to get me to promise not to tell you."
"I should hope so." He paced the living room and ran a hand through his hair, his go-to move when he was upset. "This is my fault. I left her here without money, no resources."
"Wait. Hold it." I was on my feet now. "The woman is four hundred years old. She is able-bodied, more than. Why can't she work for a living? I sure do. She can mesmerize any store manager up and down Sixth Street into hiring her. Stealing from hardworking people..." I jumped in front of him when he started a third lap of the living room. "You know as well as I do that it's dead wrong."
"Yes, of course. But she expected an allowance from me. I didn't follow through." He shook his head. "Damn your mother. This is her fault."
"I won't deny she started this. But come on, Jer. Lily showed no remorse when I caught her. She doesn't have her head on straight. Where's her moral compass?"
Jerry sat again and picked up his synthetic. "Damned if I know. I wonder if there's any hope for her."
"Of course there is. Mara and Mac raised her. Mac was a fine man."
"Yes, he was. He would have taught her the difference between right and wrong. I'm sure, though, that since he died Mara has let Lily run wild." Jerry stared down at the floor. "If I'd known..."
"You didn't. And Lily isn't a child. Running wild? Please. She chose to keep bad company. I'm wondering why she wasn't left some kind of trust from Mac. What do you bet Mara made sure she got all of Mac's fortune?"
"That's something I should look into. Mac's will, his estate. Though vampires don't usually bother with those formalities, since he had a child, I'll bet Mac did." Jerry looked up. "Good notion, Gloriana. But I've got to do something with Lily in the meantime."
"Can you pretend you don't know about the thefts? If Lily knows I told you, she'll hate me. I would like to work with her, try to show her a way to earn her own living. I am sort of an expert on the subject. If she knows I've been a snitch, I won't stand a chance."
"You're right about that. No one likes a tattletale." He stood and pulled me into his arms. "But you had to tell me. A parent has the right to know what his child has been up to, especially when it involves breaking the law."
"I thought so." I leaned against him.
"Yes, I'll keep it between us. And start investigating Mac's records. The MacTavish family may very well have copies of his last wishes. He could have left Mara in charge of a trust for Lily and she's kept it a secret." Jerry kissed the top of my head. "Have I told you lately how sexy I find your mind?"
"That too?" I smiled and lifted my face for a better kiss.
"Want to call and cancel?" He said it but I knew he wouldn't do it.
"Tempting. But this is something I think we'd both like to get over with." I patted his cheek.
"I can't cancel but you could stay here, go down and work in your shop. I'll make your excuses." He pulled me to him. "Seriously. This is my debt, not yours. I know you aren't eager to mix it up with your mother again."
"No, I'm not. But I can't miss this. My mother won't help anyone if she doesn't feel like it. If I don't show up, she's liable to just disappear like she did last night." I smiled up at him. "Besides, Ian asking a favor is unusual enough, but needing Olympus? This is huge. Let's go see what this is about."
"Huge is right, Gloriana. You can quit smiling about it. It's bound to be dangerous." Jerry put me from him. "If you insist on going, arm yourself." He handed me a knife. "This can slow someone down. Remember how I taught you to throw it?"
"Jerry, I can freeze people in their tracks now. Just like my mother froze you at Ian's." I wouldn't take it. I hated his knives, always had. "And I can dematerialize unless one of the gods gets involved and takes my powers away."
"Really? That's new. Your mother give you that power? Or is that from the Sirens?" He put the extra knife somewhere on his own body.
"Apparently I've had it all along I just didn't know it. It's an Olympus thing. A gift from the goddess herself. Watch." I concentrated and poofed. Then showed up again behind him. He whirled when I touched his back.
"I always knew you were an amazing woman, just not how amazing." He brushed his thumb down my face. "Don't forget to use it if we get in a tight spot. Promise you'll be careful. I don't trust MacDonald and neither should you. The only reason I'm letting you go is that I'm sure your mother won't allow anyone to hurt you."
"News flash, Jer. You're not 'letting' me go anywhere." I tempered that with a smile. "I'm going anyway, even if I have to shift to get out there." I strutted to the door. "Now I can ride in the car with you or do my bird thing. Your choice. What's it going to be?"
He watched my hips move then shook his head. "You are really full of yourself, aren't you, woman?"
"You'd better believe it." I unlocked the door and flung it open. "Get used to it, Jerry. If we're going anywhere with our relationship, it will be as partners. Glory the little woman is old news. I'm not meekly obeying your commands again."
"I can see that." He walked past me into the hall. "Can't say I mind it either. Strong women are sexy." He ran his hand down my hip. I'd worn snug jeans and a scoop-necked sweater in a deep red. "Took me a long time to figure that out and get on board, but I'm there now. Lock the door and let's go. You can drive."
"Now you're talking." I snatched the keys he tossed me out of the air and used one of them to lock the door. We grinned at each other then headed down the stairs arm in arm. It was about time Jerry gave me credit for holding my own. Because of my new skills? Who cared? The main thing was that he was treating me as an equal. I hadn't thought I could love him more, but the feeling that swelled inside me and made tears clog my throat convinced me it was possible.
When a rain shower started, I was glad the top was up on the convertible. It got worse as we neared Ian's place in the hills outside of Austin. The roads were slippery and I had to watch my driving. For once Jerry never said a word, though I thought I saw his grip on the armrest tighten a few times. How about that? He was trusting me to get him there without his usual backseat driving. When the car hydroplaned across a slick spot, he grunted and held on to the dashboard but never complained about the way I rode it out. Of course if we'd ended up in that ditch a few yards away, I'm sure it would have been a different story.
"You okay over there?" I couldn't resist asking.
"You're doing fine. You don't need me to tell you how to drive." What a liar. I knew he was itching to do that very thing. He peered out the side window at the pouring rain and finally pointed up ahead. "There's a low water crossing coming up. See it?"
"Sure. Thanks." I slowed down. Low water crossings were notorious around Austin and dangerous. The markers next to them would tell drivers how deep the water was where the road dipped. Thank God for the warning sign up ahead. Water rushed across the road and the sign indicated the usually dry ditch now held five feet of water. No way was I driving into that death trap. The current could sweep the car downstream toward the lake not far away.
"I'm pulling over. We can't cross now." I made sure we were on a high spot on the shoulder and stopped the car. The skies were still dumping so much rain it was hard to see even though the wipers were on high. I had the fleeting thought that this could be something the Storm God had whipped up. But why would he be here tonight? No, it was probably just one of Austin's freak storms. Could we wait it out? I glanced at the dashboard clock. We were already running late. Did I care? Not really. But I didn't like the idea of Ian giving Jerry a hard time about it.
"What do you think?" I turned off the motor. I hated the idea of leaving the cozy warmth of the car and shifting out into the storm.
"Do we have a choice?" Jerry pulled out his cell. "Let me check with Ian. Maybe he's called this off for tonight. These aren't ideal conditions for much of anything." He started to make a call. "No signal. Try yours."
I opened my purse. I should have already stuck my phone in my pocket anyway. When I tried to make a call, I realized I couldn't get a signal either. Decision time. The wind blew the rain almost sideways against the car, shaking it. The convertible top was holding but I didn't feel very safe where we were. Have I mentioned how much I hate storms? I shivered thinking about getting out of that car. The motor was still running and I turned the heater on.
"We'll be soaked before we can shift. My clothes..." I really, really hated the thought. My sweater was bound to shrink and it was one of my favorites. Vintage cashmere, high quality and a good color on me. And don't get me started about my jeans. They'd barely zipped as it was. Wet, they'd be a lost cause.
"You're right. The rain will ruin your clothes. We should shift naked." Jerry grinned. "Stow the clothes in my backpack. It's waterproof. I can carry it during the shift. I've done it successfully before." He reached for the backpack, already on board with the plan.
"You just want to see me strip." I couldn't stop my own smile. It was a good idea. I pulled my sweater off over my head and stuffed it into the pack while he took off his jacket and tossed it into the backseat.
"Wonder if we could be really, really late." Jerry reached across the console to open the front fastener of my bra.
"Not happening, Blade." I slapped his hands away when he fondled my breasts. "Check the time. We're already late."
"I'll be quick." Jerry pulled me toward him and licked the tip of my right breast.
"Stop." I grabbed his hair. Pull, no, push. How could I let go right now when I had no idea what we'd be facing at Ian's? Men. Jerry saw boobs and thought sex. Whatever came next wasn't even on his radar. "Please, Jerry. We can do this all you want later and take all the time in the world. All of this" - I gestured at my breasts - "will be here when we get back to the car."
"Spoilsport." He sat back and unbuttoned his cotton shirt. "I'm holding you to that. Hot sex in this car. Here on the side of the road. It'll be awkward, but worth it."
I touched his chest, then ran my hand down the fine hair on his stomach. "Oh, yes, I promise you it will be totally worth the wait."
"Undress or we won't make it to Ian's at all. When we get there, we'll find a spot where we can dress and stay dry. A place without an audience, hopefully. I'll be damned if I'll let Ian see you naked." Jerry toed off his shoes and stuck them in the pack. It was already pretty full.
I wiggled out of my jeans, deciding to leave my shoes in the car. I could always hit my mother up for another pair when we got there. I left on my panties. I could go commando when we got to Ian's.
"I'm ready." I glanced at Jerry. "That rain is going to be ice cold."
"No doubt. Be brave." He grinned, obviously enjoying this. "On three. Try not to get the car soaked." He shrugged on the backpack and put his hand on the door handle. I braced myself as he counted. Then we threw open the doors and slammed them at the same time. I locked the car, tossed Jerry the keys to slip into the backpack then shifted. Soon we were hurtling up into the air as fast as we could go.
I could tell my hair was already wet, the rain pounding my wings as I flew beside Jerry up the hill toward Ian's. Thank goodness it wasn't too far away. Amazing that Jer could shift and the backpack would merge with his bird form. But then I had shifted with my purse strapped across my body many times and never lost a thing either.
Ian's house came into view below us. Jerry led the way, swooping down to land under a walkway that led from the five-car garage to the house. None of the guards were in sight but the security lights were blazing. We both shifted near the back door.
"Hurry, hand me something." I tried to wring out my wet hair. I was shivering and sluiced water off my body with both hands.
"Here's your sweater. I left the bra in the car, not enough room for it." Jerry tossed me my sweater while he stepped into his jeans. They clung to his wet legs.
"Great. Now everyone's going to see nipple." I whipped off my panties and tossed them aside then struggled to get my jeans up my own wet legs. It wasn't easy.
"Need some help?" Jerry moved closer, sliding his hand between my thighs.
"Are you kidding me? You're making a move now?" I tried to wiggle away but he had a pretty firm and intimate grip. He jerked me to him and kissed me, his fingers moving inside me.
I didn't want to feel anything. This wasn't the time or place. But there was something so dangerously exciting about leaning against Ian's back door and knowing that we were just feet from the man himself and a half dozen guards. Jerry pushed his knee between my legs to give himself more access, his other hand under my sweater so he could massage one of my breasts.
"Gloriana. The sight of you almost naked in the rain took my breath away." He ran his tongue along the edge of my jaw and down to my throat while he kept up his rhythm, the heat building inside me until I raked his bare shoulders with my fingernails.
"Jerry, please." I hiked one leg around his hips, my own hips shoving against his hand. I was close, so close. He kissed me again, pushing harder, deeper until I fell apart, screaming his name inside my head.
I leaned my cheek on his chest while the rain still poured, rushing over the roof in sheets to splash our bare feet. I let my leg collapse, sliding down his until my foot landed on the flagstone walkway. Could I even stand on my own? He kissed me one more time, lingering long enough to make me grasp his hair and press against him before he eased his fingers from me. Then he pulled up my jeans, carefully zipping them closed.
"Well, well. That was quite a show." Ian stood in the open back door. "I do have security cameras, you know." He laughed and gestured. "If you're through pleasing your woman, Blade, I could use you in here. There's action coming. All hands on deck. Gloriana, good to see you are still a lusty woman." He turned on his heel, still laughing.
My cheeks burned. Jerry just pulled his shirt out of the pack then began to rearm himself. Of course. No room for a bra, but knives and stakes aplenty. I saw the wisdom in that. I rescued my cell phone from the pack and checked. I had service. And a new message. Ray again. I turned off the phone and stuck it in my back pocket. No way was I going to be interrupted tonight.
Jerry stopped me before I could go into the house. "I'm sorry, Gloriana. I didn't mean to embarrass you. MacDonald's an ass."
"No argument there. But I will never regret a minute with you, Jerry." I kissed his lips then walked past him. My mother would be inside. Had she seen the video? I dreaded facing her if she had. Me with a vampire. I could only imagine her reaction.
We stepped into a scene I'd never have expected. My mother obviously didn't have a clue about a security video. She was too busy with something else. She looked stunning, dressed as usual in a designer dress and heels. Tonight's ensemble was my favorite shade of green. I was tempted to compliment her but she barely acknowledged my entrance. Instead, she was focused on someone I hadn't seen in a while.
Aggie, or Aglaophonos, as she was formally called, was a Siren. Tonight she was in human form, tossing her long blond hair around while she talked to my mother. Her very presence made me think that this horrible weather was courtesy of her boss, the Storm God.
"Ladies, they're here. Aggie, darling, calm down." Ian walked over and pulled the Siren into his arms. "I told you we'd fix this and we're going to."
I could only stare. Ian had called her darling. Had his arm around her in a loving gesture I'd never seen him make. Could it be that the cold, calculating Scot had finally fallen in love? I glanced at Jerry. He grinned like he'd just won the lottery.
"What have we here? Heard the Siren's song, have you, MacDonald?" He strode forward. "Aggie. Don't believe I've seen you since Florence and Richard's wedding."
"Don't remind me. What a mess." Aggie smiled at me. "Thanks for coming, both of you. Ian told me you had quite a trip to Scotland, Glory."
"Can we dispense with the reunion?" My mother had been ignored long enough. "Gloriana, where are your shoes?"
"I had to shift out here, Mother. The road was flooded." I raised an eyebrow. "Maybe you could take care of it for me. Something in a medium heel. Designer of course. I know you won't go cheap."
"Of course not. A name brand." She smiled and moved one of her fingers. "What do you think?"
I glanced down. "Perfect. You do have exquisite taste." The shoes were red Keds. Her idea of a joke. I just played along. "Now why are we here?"
"This Siren, who claims she is a friend of yours, wants to stay in Austin. Is even thinking of defecting." My mother smiled and looked up at the sky. "As you can see, Achelous isn't too happy about it."
More dealings with the Storm God. Was it too late for Jerry and me to shift back to our car? I never wanted to mess with that egomaniac again. He'd fried my hair, tormented Jerry, thrown around lightning until I had only to hear his name and feel a tingle of electricity run through me. Of course he'd tried to kill me more than once too. Only the fact that he was afraid of my mother's wrath had saved me the last time we'd met. I smiled at the woman who'd given birth to me. Okay, this was going to be an interesting night.
"Ian and I are in love, Glory." Aggie had her arm around Ian and I couldn't believe he didn't shrug away from it. I knew she had the power to sing any man to her as a Siren. Obviously she'd done her thing and put him under her spell. Ian MacDonald and Aggie, a loudmouthed bitch if ever I'd met one, just didn't match up.
"Gloriana, Blade, quit looking at me that way." Ian frowned. "I'm not under some Siren's spell." Ian leaned down and kissed Aggie's lips. "She's beautiful, and has been misunderstood and held prisoner for years by that asshole she works for. It's slavery! Prostitution!"
All right, I could have gone all night without hearing the "P" word. I'd been a Siren myself once.
"Shut up, Ian. Sirens aren't prostitutes. They're victims of a master who makes them sing men to their deaths. Forget the sex. If it happens, it's because they are programmed that way. They can't help it. All of it, the song, the killing, is to enrich the coffers of Olympus. The women don't get a penny." I was hot.
"Now, Ian, Gloriana, calm down. She's right. We are cursed. It's horrible. A terrible fate. But, look, lover. They all came here to help. So I'm sure I'll be free soon. Just like Glory is." Aggie's smile was brilliant.
"They think you ensorcelled me, darling. Not so, damn it!" Ian stared at Jerry, then me. "You know me well enough to realize I'm too smart to be suckered by some Siren's song."
"Oh, yeah, you're a freaking genius." Jerry kept his arm around me, highly entertained.
"Stuff it, Campbell. I do love her. I've finally found a woman I want to be with for more than one night. Is that so hard to understand?" Ian was livid.
I bit my lip. Poor misunderstood beautiful Aggie. The only part that truly fit was the beautiful part. With her long blond hair, leaf green eyes and size-six body, she was close to perfect. She wore a deep green mini and matching top with high heels that I would have had trouble walking in. But forget beauty.
Aggie hadn't killed because she'd been ordered to, she'd enjoyed it, kept count and was thrilled when she hit a million with her body count. Ray and I had barely escaped being notches in her Gucci belt. Of course she'd been full of reasons why she'd been driven to making us her victims. Small comfort when we'd been fighting for our lives. Old grudge aside, I knew her as a vain woman who didn't know how to be a friend, plus she had a temper that made her use her powers in some pretty mean ways.
"Say something, Glory. Don't you remember the wedding shower I threw for Flo? I've tried to make up for how we met." Aggie looked at my mother. "We were in the lake here. Circe was mad at me and made me collect some vampire sacrifices. I'm sure you know Circe. She hates the night and anything to do with it, especially vampires."
"Oh, yes. I've heard her on the subject." My mother glanced at me. "It's a common prejudice on Olympus, Gloriana. Vampires are demons, to hear the gossip."
"Trust me, Mother. I've met demons. Vampires are vintage Chanel. Demons are last year's markdowns." I tried to put it in terms she could understand.
"Ah, I get it." She winked at me. "I must set Circe straight, I see."
"Whatever." Aggie had played sweetness and light as long as she could stand. "Anyway, I caught Glory and her pal Ray the first night. Glory thinks I was going to kill her."
"You aren't going to rewrite history, Aggie. It was only fast talking that got us out of there. That and Ray's singing. You always were an Israel Caine fan." I definitely wasn't an Ian MacDonald fan but he had helped Jerry so I felt I owed him a warning. "Ian, listen to me. You never saw Aggie the way she was then. A sea monster, cruel and disgusting. Are you sure you want to hook up with her or get Achelous on your case? I've been toe-to-toe with that guy and almost didn't come out of it alive. I can't tell you how long it took me to grow back my eyebrows."
"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 God 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 bastard. 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 damned 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 damn 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 God.
"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 shimmered 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 God'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 glass 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 goddesses 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. "Bastard. 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 embarrassment 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 breasts.
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 pass. 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 God 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. Gods 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 goddess 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 God. 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 bastard, always a bastard." 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 gods and goddesses 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 goddess from Olympus.
"Very well. I am known as the goddess of youth. Zeus is my father, Hera is my mother. I am also the goddess of pardons." She smiled. "That's why so many of the gods 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. Goddess 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 puberty? 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 glass 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 shifted, 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 sex 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 goddess's accident. This was crazy. I didn't feel magical or godlike. 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.
