Real Vampires Know Hips Happen

Chapter Seventeen

Of course Ian called me as soon as he got notice that the council wanted to see him. I ignored the call and then deleted the message that contained more bad words than good. He knew I'd show up there with Aggie. I tried to call Jerry, sure he'd be interested in this. I got voice mail. Dodging my calls or just busy? I'd drive myself crazy wondering about it so I left a message that I missed him, which was true, and hung up.
I'd been thinking about our relationship. I had secrets so why couldn't he have them? If the reason he'd hotfooted it to Texas and changed his name didn't concern me, then I should probably let it go. I'd done things I wasn't proud of in my past. When we'd taken breaks, it had been tough for me to make a living. During gold rush days I'd been a saloon girl who'd always promised more than I'd given. I had never prostituted myself but had come close. And there had been a few mistakes, especially when I'd been with mortals, that I would be ashamed to trot out into the light of day.
I decided then and there that when Jerry got back I was going to let this little rift go. No more questions. Rafe had tried to make trouble and I knew why. I wasn't going to let him break Jerry and me apart. We'd been through too much to have that happen now.
So when the night of the council meeting rolled around, I was feeling pretty optimistic. I should have known that was a bad sign. Whenever things are going well for me, that's when it all goes to shit. But if I could get Aggie out of my apartment and on her own somehow, I'd be a happy camper.
"Glory, I'm counting on you." Aggie was beside herself with nerves. It had all started when she was trying to decide what to wear to this showdown. Of course she couldn't fit into anything of mine, still too loose. Her happy dance over that made me want to pick her up and toss her out my third-story window. But the few pieces I'd brought up from the shop in a size eight were too tight. Hmm. How's that diet book working for you, Aggie?
We'd finally trucked down to the store and she'd tried on clothes until she settled on a pair of black pants in a ten and a black tunic.
"I look like I'm going to a funeral," she declared. "But that's okay. It will be Ian's if I play this right." She turned around for me to inspect her. "Are you sure you can't see that bulge at my waistline?"
"No, the tunic is your friend. Now let's go. You don't want to be late." The hearing was set for midnight.
"Aggie really is lodging a complaint against Ian?" Lily had been an interested spectator. "I wonder if he'll be represented by counsel."
"What? A lawyer?" Aggie had learned a few things from Judge Judy. She grabbed my arm. "I should have one. Do we know any? Who can we call, Glory?"
I could think of only one vampire who would be qualified. I'd hoped to keep him and his wife out of it, but Lily was right. Aggie needed someone to speak for her. She tended to get emotional, more so since she'd gone up another size.
"I'm calling Richard." And of course he'd tell Flo. They didn't keep secrets from each other. Not like Jerry and I did. I ignored the catty voice inside my head and punched in the number. "Richard, you ever been a lawyer?"
"Among other things. Why? You're not in jail, are you, Gloriana?" I heard a sudden burst of rapid Italian in the background.
"No, I'm fine. Tell Flo to relax. I've got Aggie here and we're scheduled to go in front of the council in about an hour. She's lodged a complaint against Ian." I glanced around. "Can you meet us at Damian's? I'll explain it all there."
"That is freaking awesome. Richard Mainwaring is legendary." Lily slapped Aggie on the back. "You go, girl. What's the case? Sexual harassment? These guys can't get away with it."
Several customers crowded around. Lily hadn't exactly whispered.
"I've been to night court about that. Had a boss once who kept feeling me up." A woman who'd been on her way to the dressing room with a pair of leather pants leaned in. "Asshole. Just because I wear short skirts doesn't mean I'm issuing an invitation, you know?"
"You tell it, sister." A woman nodded and looked down at her own mini. "I ain't going to dress frumpy just because a man don't got no control."
There were murmurings of agreement. Aggie looked around. "Sister? Are we? Like a sisterhood?"
"That's right, honey. Girls got to stick together." A woman held up a book on feminism. It was decades old and collectible. "I still don't get equal pay. Do way more work while my boss sits on his can. Of course then he gets all the credit."
"I hear ya. Just got passed over for promotion. Again. You want to guess who got the job? That good-old-boy system is still going strong." The angry murmurs were getting louder.
I glanced at my watch. "Fifty percent off anything green for the next half hour only!" I shouted to break up the crowd. The discount got the women diving for the racks and shelves. Shouts of "Green blouse. That's mine." and "Here's a scarf. Isn't that green? Close enough." meant I might lose some money but at least we could move on out.
"We've got to go, Aggie." I pulled her toward the door when I saw she was heading for a green and white robe that I'd have to give her. She sure couldn't pay for it.
"You know I think I'd like to be a lawyer." Lily followed us to the door. "It would be megacool to preside over a court, decide who's right or wrong."
"Like Judge Judy." Aggie smiled. "Yeah, that's a great job. Lawyer first, then you move up to the bench."
"If you're interested in the law." I tried not to roll my eyes. This was the girl who had embraced a life of crime only days ago. "Tell your dad. I'm sure he'd be happy to send you to school. There's a great one, several of them in fact, here in town." I smiled, imagining her safely in night classes hitting the books.
"Maybe you'd end up on that council here. The first woman. You said they were all men, didn't you, Glory?" Aggie snatched a green bracelet off the display near the register before another woman could add it to her pile. "There. This adds some color. I don't want to be dowdy." She ripped off the tag, dropped it on the floor and clipped it onto her wrist.
I gritted my teeth then picked up that tag. I was keeping a running total of Aggie's debt. If a miracle happened and she actually squeezed some money out of Ian, I was getting paid first.
"We've got to take off. Looks like you're going to have a busy night here, Lily. Me and my big mouth. You make sure that green is green, nothing bluish green or yellow." I hustled Aggie toward the door.
"Got it, Glory." Lily actually looked happy for a change. "Good luck, Aggie. Come by and tell me afterward how it went. I want all the gory details."
"Yeah. Maybe we can celebrate." Aggie sighed. "I hope so. I realize I'm in the minority. Everybody else there will have..." She leaned in and whispered, "...fangs. Is this Richard really any good?"
"He's the best, just wait and see." I dragged her outside to where I'd pulled my car out front earlier. We needed to hurry. Knowing Richard, he would be able to argue Aggie's case well, but first we had to fill him in. I listened to Aggie complain about the seat belt wrinkling her tunic as we set off. Just like Flo. Who I bet would be there too.
Luckily Damian's place wasn't far, just a few blocks away, on a hilltop with a killer view of the state capitol building. He lived in a castle. Yep. In Austin. Trust Damian to find the only castle in the city. He was one of the few vampires I knew who didn't mind being noticed. Mortals who wondered about the man who only came out at night and gave lavish parties usually finishing with a bat flight always ended up with amnesia if they saw anything they shouldn't.
We pulled into the circular drive already crowded with cars. The house was lit up from top to bottom and there was almost a party atmosphere. I was surprised Damian didn't have a servant at the door offering the blood with a champagne kick. Instead, we were ushered into his library, a large room I'd been in before. Richard was waiting for us.
"There you are. We don't have much time. The council is set up in an upstairs room. Apparently Damian always holds his meetings there. We have a little while to confer before they're scheduled to begin." He gestured and we sat on the sofa while Richard sat across from us. "Aggie, what's this about?"
She told him the whole story. Of course she left out an important detail.
"Aggie, you have to tell Richard everything. Especially why Ian is so mad at you."
"I don't want to. Can't I plead the fifth amendment? I shouldn't have to incriminate myself." She kept tugging at her tunic like she didn't think it was covering her new lumps and bumps. I could relate. My own dress felt snug.
Richard stood, his hands behind his back as he paced in front of her, just like he might in a courtroom. "First, Aglaophonos - "
"Call me Aggie. My real name is such a mouthful. Now that I'm mortal, I want to be called just Aggie. I need to pick a last name too. Still thinking about that."
"All right, Aggie. Here's the bottom line. You don't have any rights here. This isn't an American court of law. This is the vampire council. You can't plead the Fifth. Second, if Ian knows this information you're withholding and it helps his case, he's going to tell it anyway. Best if it came from you."
"Well, hell." She nibbled on her thumbnail, a bad habit she'd started recently. "This doesn't seem fair, just vamps deciding things. Where's the jury of my peers?"
Richard shook his head. "Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't you ask for this hearing?"
Aggie sighed. "Yes. I thought...Never mind. Here's what happened. I used my song to make him love me." She stared down at her lap. She went on, telling of a temper fit by Ian, her fear when he found out the truth. Big dramatic story. She wiped tears. I should have loaned her my waterproof mascara.
Then she segued into the blood slave thing, big emphasis on the forced feeding and no cheekbones. Finally she ended with a flourish. "And he said, 'At least you have blood I like. I'll keep you until I get tired of you. Then I'll just drain you dry!'" She bent her head and covered her face with both hands.
"Very affecting. Tell it just like that." Richard nodded to me. "The tears are a nice touch."
"Richard! Come on. You're supposed to be on her side." I patted her back, sure that last line was pure fabrication. Ian was more likely to toss her out on the streets to starve when he tired of her.
Aggie looked up. "You don't believe me?"
"Oh, I'm sure that's probably your version of what happened. The problem is no one up there is going to like a Siren, Aggie. And the fact that you tricked Ian isn't going to play well." He frowned. "Glory, what happened when you got involved?"
"I saw Ian before and after he was under her spell. As soon as Aggie was made mortal it became obvious the spell had worn off. He got interested in her blood. Just like we all do when a mortal is around. He'd lost that loving feeling." I gestured at Aggie. "I agree that what she did was despicable." I ignored the noise she made when I said that. "But then he held her prisoner. She had to sneak out of his place, past his guards, and hitchhike to town."
Ian nodded. "I can use that. Then I assume he came after her."
"Yes, practically knocked Glory's door down. Was going to drag me back whether I wanted to go or not." Aggie had the indignant act down pat. "Coercion!" She held up a finger.
"Why didn't he take you back? He's certainly powerful enough to overcome a mere mortal."
Aggie smiled. "Ian's afraid of Glory. She has mad skills." She patted my knee. "Like I used to have." Oh here came the waterworks again. "She gave me sanctuary. Such a wonderful friend." She threw her arms around me, soaking my good black dress with her tears.
"Dry up, Aggie." I peeled her off of me. "You chose to leave the Sirens and give up those powers. But she's right. Ian figured she owed him some donor time for deceiving him." I dug a handful of tissues out of my purse and thrust them at Aggie. She blew her nose and wiped her cheeks.
"Arrogant bastard. It's like I was an entitlement!" Finger up again. Where was she getting these words?
"Aggie, did he take your blood every night? Leave you weak? Force you to do other things? Sex, for example?" Richard had a tablet computer like Ian's and made notes.
"I wasn't weak because he practically force-fed me. Mesmerized me when I tried to go on a hunger strike. More coercion." She gestured down her body. "Made me fat against my will. It was all about my blood for him. The minute he found out I'd tricked him into loving me, he-he wouldn't touch me again. Like that."
"No rape then." Richard just kept writing. Obviously this kind of intimate detail didn't bother him.
"No. I wish..." She looked up. "Instead he'd look into my eyes, use that damned mind control and I'd be helpless, just sit there while he drank my blood. He'd use my wrist. I could have been a stranger." She wiped her eyes. I was going to have to steer her to the bathroom with a makeup bag before the hearing. She looked a mess.
"So what are you after here?" Richard set the tablet aside.
"I want him to suffer. He held me prisoner. He should pay for that. For my pain and suffering. I need money, Richard. He's rich. Have you seen where he lives? The cars in his garage? He can afford to throw a few million my way and never miss it." Aggie jumped up and grabbed Richard's arm. "He said many times that he'd turn me vampire. Then he didn't. That's breach of promise."
I knew she'd gotten that straight from Judge Judy.
"The council won't go for that. They have a rule - "
"Damn their rule!" She took a deep breath. "I heard him say that many times. He laughed at the council and their rules. Use that against him. He was really going to do it. Turn me. But then he got mad and refused. I never would have left the Sirens if I'd known I'd be stuck as a mortal." She batted her eyes at Richard. The effect wasn't what she hoped since her black mascara decorated her cheeks in splotches. "Can you imagine? I lost everything because he'd promised me my immortality back. Now I'm dying every day."
"You made the choice." Richard removed her hand from his sleeve. "I'm just telling you what you'll hear from the council. Now, Aggie, when we get up there, follow my lead. Try not to let Ian goad you. It will only make the council turn against you. Honestly? You don't have a very good case." He looked at me like "what have you gotten me into?"
"Aggie, here, take my makeup bag and hit the bathroom. There's one by the front door. You look terrible."
"Gee, thanks, Glory." She made a face but took the bag and walked off.
"I'm sorry, Richard. She set this up. I've had her living with me and I was desperate to get her out of there. Maybe with some income."
"I don't know, Gloriana. It'll be difficult. The one thing we've got going for us is that nobody here likes Ian either. Are you willing to testify?"
"Sure. If you think it will help."
He glanced out the window. "I'm not sure anything will. Just stand by. Here comes Florence. You knew she wouldn't miss this, didn't you?"
"Will they let her watch the proceedings?" Flo waved and I saw her walk around to where I knew there were glass doors into the house.
"These hearings are usually closed to spectators, but she's Damian's sister. She talked him into letting her sit in. She promised to stay quiet." Richard led the way out into the hall.
"Glory, what's going on? Richard wouldn't tell me anything. Attorney-client privilege. Pah!" Flo waved her hands. "This has got to be good. I heard him mention Aggie and Ian. You know I love gossip."
"Flo! Are you here for moral support?" Aggie grabbed Flo from behind and hugged her. She'd just washed her face, obviously going for the pale and pitiful look. "Remember how I stood up for you at your wedding? Just the best bridesmaid ever! And the wonderful bridal shower I threw for you. The water spouts, the high dives!" She leaned back, her eyes shining. "You can help me now. Testify. As a character witness."
"Your character? I remember other things you did not so nice." Flo sniffed the air. "What is this? You are mortal now. Disastro! Who did this to you?"
"I did it to myself. For love!" Aggie put her hand to her heart. There was nothing like watching two drama queens at work. Flo gasped and grabbed Aggie's arm. Then the former Siren proceeded to tell Flo the whole tale with appropriate gestures. All of it ended up being in rapid Italian. I really needed to download that free translator app for my phone.
"Keep your voices down. You don't want the council to hear all of this." Richard pulled them toward the staircase. "Remember what I said. Follow my lead, Aggie. Answer the questions. Don't get carried away. Tears won't sway them."
"Ricardo. We must help her. To be stuck in this dying body." Flo held on to Aggie. "My heart is breaking." She turned to her new buddy. "If you lose, there are people, rogue vampires, who will do anything for a price."
"My God, Florence. Am I going to have to send you home?" Richard stopped on the stairs.
"I don't have any money. The Storm God took everything from me. I told Glory once that there was a Siren fortune. Turns out the treasurers in Olympus won't give anyone who's fallen from grace - that's what they call it, Glory - a dime. I checked before I decided to take the plunge. Of course Ian's rich so I didn't think I'd have to worry." Aggie sighed then checked out Flo's designer pantsuit. "Now look at me, wearing an outfit scraped together from Glory's shop. God knows who wore this last."
Flo patted her hand. "I understand. It is hard. But if you want to win money, it is good to look pietosa." She frowned. "You look a little bigger than the last time I saw you. What size is that?"
Aggie jerked her hand away. "Never mind. Shouldn't we get up there? Richard? I'll say whatever it takes to get what's due me." She stomped up the stairs. Her only pair of Manolos looked a little worse for wear even though she'd spent an hour trying to repair a gouge in one of the heels.
I followed the rest of them up the wide staircase. I could hear Aggie and Flo whispering together about black market vampires. If Flo offered to pay...
Richard stepped in. "That's it. Not another word, you two. Or I walk. Understood?" He glared at his wife. "You will not be helping her in any way, shape or form."
"Now, Ricardo. If she loses a few pounds, I could let her shop in my closet. How about that?" Flo ran her fingers along the lapels of his gray suit.
"Fine. Now not another word. Go inside and sit in the back. Aggie, you're with me. Gloriana, sit next to Florence. If I need you as a witness, I'll call you." He opened a door at the top of the stairs. "Everyone just stay calm."
Aggie nodded. "You sound like Judge Judy. So...official. Will I get to go first? I'm the plaintiff, right?"
Richard sighed. "God save me from reality TV." He glanced at Flo. I knew she watched it too. "Yes, Ian is the defendant. Now hush."
We walked into the large room and saw a long table at the front. Damian sat in the center, facing us. He was flanked by two other male vampires. I knew them by sight, but not well. Two rows of gold and white chairs divided by an aisle down the middle faced the table. I could see Ian and two of his surfer type bodyguards sitting in the front row on the left side. Richard ushered Aggie to the right front, pointing to the back row for Flo and me.
"Shall we get started?" Damian said as soon as Richard stood in front of him, Aggie seated next to him. "Are you here representing Miss Aglaophonos, Mr. Mainwaring?"
"I am, Your Honor."
"Perhaps I should explain that we don't take oaths here, Miss Aglaophonos. As vampires we expect to be able to read each other's minds for the truth. If a witness chooses to block his or her thoughts, we take that as an admission of guilt." Damian was as serious as I'd ever seen him. "You, a mortal, of course are no challenge to us."
"Can we dispense with the formalities, Sabatini?" Ian stood. "I came here as a courtesy to the council. I like Austin and plan to stay. Why don't you explain to me what this is all about?" He turned to Richard. "Mainwaring, what is she claiming now?"
Richard glanced at Damian, who nodded. "That you kept her prisoner and used her as a blood slave. She's asking damages for pain and suffering."
Ian laughed until he had to sit down and wipe his eyes. "Pain and suffering?" He jumped to his feet so fast his chair toppled over. For the first time I noticed four guards at the door, obviously there to protect the council. They moved down the aisle.
Ian held up his hand. "Relax. I'm fine. But let me tell you what happened."
"Your Honor, I object. This is out of order. The plaintiff should testify - "
"Relax, Rich. Your client isn't a vampire. We'll hear from MacDonald first. Go ahead, sir." Damian nodded.
"Thank you. This creature, a Siren, tricked me. I was put under a spell, a victim of her Siren's song." He pointed a finger at Aggie, his finger shaking. "It's the kind of thing we all dread. To be made a fool of. But I'm a man with a weakness for a beautiful and willing woman and she was both. I would have said and done anything to have her. I was ensorcelled." He shook his head as if ashamed. The council members stared at Aggie, probably trying to see what she had that made her so irresistible.
Aggie lowered her head into her hands and sobbed. Richard kept a firm grip on her shoulder, probably to keep her in her seat.
"But her little trick backfired. She thought I'd turn her vampire so she asked to be released from the Siren harem." He curled his lip. "Yes, gentlemen, that's what they call it. I should have paid attention to that."
"Bastard!" Aggie struggled against Richard's hold.
"Order!" Damian banged a gavel. "If you want a fair hearing, Miss Aglaophonos, you will control yourself. Counselor."
"Sorry, Your Honor." Richard pushed her down into her seat and whispered in her ear. We could still hear her furious hissing.
"She became mortal and her spell was broken. I saw her for the manipulative bitch she was." Ian held out his hands. "Of course I wasn't going to turn her vampire. You have rules against that sort of thing. But I felt the least she owed me after such a humiliation was a few nights' feeding." He smiled, showing fang. "I'm sure any of you would have done the same."
"And what about this accusation that you held her prisoner?" This was from one of the other council members.
"Gentlemen, I have the latest in high-tech security around my home. As I'm sure all of you do. We are vulnerable during the daylight hours and I have valuable equipment and priceless art in my home as well. I brought witnesses here who can testify to the extent of that security." He gestured at his two companions. "And I have an affidavit here from the company where it was purchased." He passed papers to Damian, who barely glanced at them.
"Go on." Damian and the other two council members were riveted.
"Honestly? Aggie never could have escaped from my estate if I hadn't allowed it." He looked over at her and smiled. "I'd be happy to share the video of her 'escape' if you'd like to see it." He reached down and pulled out a laptop. "But I have to warn you, the part where she climbs over my gate is X-rated. Miss Aglaophonos doesn't wear underpants." He set the laptop in front of Damian, opened it and pushed a button. The three men leaned in and watched.
"Do you usually have guards on your gate?" Damian had to clear his throat before he got that out. One of the other men pushed a button. Obviously for a replay.
"Of course. I was tired of her complaining so I decided to see if she would take off if given the opportunity. I let her overhear me giving them the night off. She proved to be surprisingly enterprising." Ian looked back at me. "No surprise that she ran straight to another former Siren, Gloriana St. Clair."
"I think we've heard enough." Damian slammed the laptop shut when the man next to him started to replay the tape a third time. "We're going into the next room to deliberate now."
"But, Your Honor, you haven't allowed my client to speak. Or heard her side in this." Richard was on his feet.
"Do you really think that will be necessary, Counselor?" Damian stared at Aggie. "Do you deny you used your Siren's song on Dr. MacDonald?"
"No." Aggie didn't look up at him. She was probably afraid of his ability to use mind control.
"Did anyone try to stop you the night you escaped from Dr. MacDonald's home?" Damian passed the laptop back to Ian.
"No." Aggie spoke so quietly it took vampire hearing to pick up her answer.
"We'll return with our findings shortly." Damian stood.
"Wait. He promised to turn me vampire. What about that?" Aggie struggled against Richard's hold.
Damian shook his head. "He didn't do it. That's all we need to know." He led the other two men out through a side door.
"I can't believe you." Aggie glared at Ian. "You let me hitchhike in the middle of the night. I could have been killed! Worse!"
Ian smiled. "Worse than being killed? What's a fate worse than death? Oh, I suppose you mean some man might have taken advantage of you. Poor Aggie, stuck in a mortal body and no powers." He snarled. "Serves you right."
"That's enough." Richard stood between them when Aggie came out of her chair. "I don't suppose you feel like offering her a settlement. She gave up being a Siren for you. She did love you, Doctor."
"The woman doesn't know the meaning of the word." Ian turned his back on her. "She made her bed, let her lie on it and earn her living that way. Her talents always were in that direction."
"I hate you! Yes, I started our affair with my song, but I was sure you had real feelings for me, Ian. How can you be so mean?" Aggie stared at his rigid back, tears streaming down her face.
He whirled around and glared at her. "You wouldn't know a real feeling if it bit you on your ass, which is a bigger target now, isn't it?"
"Ack!" Aggie tried to claw her way past Richard. "You made me fat. This is all your fault!"
"Better shut up, Aggie. The council members are coming back in already. Not a good sign for you, my dear." Ian smiled and stood.
"Sit, please." Damian and the other two members settled into their chairs. "We have discussed this case and have come to a decision." He picked up a paper. "Miss Aglaophonos, we find that you were not held captive and are not owed damages. However, you are guilty of deceptive practices and have cruelly injured Dr. MacDonald. Because of this we are awarding him one hundred thousand dollars in damages. If you cannot pay this amount in cash, you will have to arrange a method of payment satisfactory to Dr. MacDonald. So ordered by this council. Court is adjourned." He banged his gavel, stood and walked around the table to shake Ian's hand.
"Good luck. You are quite right. We cannot condone paranormals using their powers to entrap the vampire citizens of our town. I think this will send a message that we have zero tolerance in these matters." Damian didn't smile. "But be careful promising women to turn them vampire, even if it's just to get into their biancheria intima. We have zero tolerance for making new vampires too. Understand?"
"Of course. We are men of the world, you and I." Ian slapped Damian on the back and offered him a cigar. "Pillow talk is just that. I have made many promises I never intended to keep when my blood is running hot. Know what I mean?" They both laughed.
"I can't believe this. My very own brother treating Aggie like she was a criminale. He will so hear from me." Flo and I were waiting in the back of the room for Richard and Aggie. The former Siren hadn't moved yet. I wondered if she had fainted. Richard was arguing with the other council members but all he got were negative head shakes. They were more interested in sharing a cigar with Ian than in Aggie's plight. Richard finally grabbed Aggie's arm and almost dragged her down the aisle.
"Let's get her out of here. This was a joke." Richard was furious.
"Aggie, are you all right?" I grabbed her other arm. She seemed barely able to walk.
"A hundred thousand dollars. Are they kidding me? Where am I going to get that kind of money?" Aggie looked dazed.
"It was a kangaroo court. Vampire all the way. You never stood a chance, Aggie." Richard hurried us down the stairs.
"Can we appeal?" She looked up at him hopefully.
"No, they're the only game in town." Richard shook his head. "You'll have to see if Ian has an idea about how you can work off this debt or if it's enough justice for him that he won. It's given him bragging rights and entree into the power circle." Richard looked back at the men gathered around Ian, lighting up. "I think we need elections. Term limits. I don't care if Damian is my brother-in-law."
"Calm down, darling. I hate politics. Don't get involved in them." Flo patted her husband's arm as she pulled us down the stairs. "Perhaps Ian will surprise you and be satisfied with this night's outcome and forget dear Aggie."
"Satisfied? No way in hell. I want Aggie to work off every dime." Ian strutted down the stairs, his guards behind him. He was puffing on a cigar and stopped next to the former Siren. "I know just what you can do too."
"I won't sleep with you. Or give you my blood." Aggie pulled the tunic's neckline up to her chin.
"Don't want either one. Sick of both." Ian blew a perfect smoke ring up toward the ceiling. "No, I need a housekeeper. Someone to clean my toilets and scrub my floors. You'll do nicely." He looked her over. "I even have a uniform you can wear. Though I guess I'll have to send out for a bigger size now. What have you been doing lately, eating your way down Sixth Street?"
"Pig. I don't do housework." Aggie backed away from him.
"You do now." Ian nodded at Richard. "Tell her, Counselor. I just had a nice talk with Damian. He agreed that if Aggie doesn't pay off her debt to me that he'll slap her in lockup. Did you know they have one now?" He grinned. "Yep, a jail. It's really for vampires so you might have a little trouble being fed." He chuckled. "Which is one way to lose those extra pounds you've packed on. Hope you like tight spaces. It's a coffin in Damian's basement."
Aggie turned pale and looked like she was about to faint. "A coffin? Richard?"
"Housekeeping can't be that bad. I want something in writing, Ian." Richard was still in full counselor mode. "How many days does she have to do it before the debt's paid?"
"Well, let's figure the going rate for housekeeping is fifty bucks a day and you run the numbers. That's how long it'll take her." Chuckling, Ian headed for the door. "You're mine, bitch, for a long, long time."
"Two thousand days." Richard had pulled out his phone and used the calculator. "That's how long it will take you, Aggie."
"I'll be dead by then."
I heard a thump and looked down. Aggie had hit the floor and I didn't blame her. Payback really was a bitch.
Flo pulled on my sleeve. "Where are the kangaroos? I didn't see them."
Richard and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes. Between Flo and Aggie, we had our hands full. He took Flo, carefully explaining what a kangaroo court was. I knelt down next to Aggie and gently patted her cheeks.
Damian and the other council members stopped to watch.
"A little help here?" I glanced up at the men.
Damian handed me a bottle of water. "Flo told me you used to be a Siren. You haven't pulled any of the dirty tricks Aggie used, have you, Glory?"
I sighed and pressed the cold water bottle to Aggie's forehead. I could see she was waking up. I needed to get her out of here and without a scene.
"No. But I have some pretty awesome powers now." I smiled. "I suggest you guys clear out so you don't have to hear Aggie bitch when she comes around. You're not exactly her favorite people now."
"You get tired of Blade, call me." Damian moved closer. "I have always liked you, you know." He looked down when Aggie moaned. "We're out of here. She got what she deserved, I think. Be careful around her, Glory." He and his two council buddies strode off toward the library, trailing cigar smoke behind them.
"I can't believe this. So unfair. Judge Judy would never have run her courtroom that way." Aggie struggled to sit up. "Guess you're stuck with me, Glory. Toilets!" She checked her nails, painted in a bright red for court. "My hands will be ruined."
"Rubber gloves, Aggie." I pulled her up beside me.
"You'll have to teach me to drive. And loan me your car..." She kept chattering as we walked toward the parking lot.
All I heard were the sounds of my life falling to pieces. Stuck with Aggie. I had to get her some of that Siren treasure. Maybe I did need to take a trip to Olympus. I was surprised my mother didn't appear on the spot. It was almost as if she'd planted Aggie in my life as a way to get what she wanted. Oh. Surely not. Now I was just being paranoid. Or was I?