Real Vampires Don't Diet (44 page)

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"I think there's something out there." Sienna pointed at the French doors.

Now if those weren't words to freeze me in my tracks. I glanced at Simon. This was it. Could I get him to go outside and check?

"Gloriana, why would I want to go out in that weather when I just got in out of it?" Damn, I'd forgotten the mind blocking trick. "You're the most powerful person here, Simon. If it's something dangerous, I figure you're the one best able to handle it." I saw that everyone in the room was moving toward the doors, though my friends were smart enough to realize that this was probably what we'd been planning for. Flo and Richard made room for Drac and Benny at the glass, while Damian practically pushed Greg Kaplan toward the door. I was frantically counting the tiles on the floor near my feet when the door opened.

"It's Will!" I was the only one who ran forward to help the vampire as he staggered inside. Everyone else jumped back when rain blew inside. Damian finally wrestled the door shut for me.

"Who's Will?" Drac brushed raindrops off his suit and nodded at Benny who went back to the piano and started playing again.

"He's one of my bodyguards." Ray grabbed Will's arm and helped me drag him toward the hall. "What the hell were you doing outside, man? I never told you to patrol the grounds in this weather." Ray waved at the startled guests. "We'll be right back. Please help yourselves to drinks. Thanks, Ben, for playing. Maybe Sienna and I will sing in a few minutes." This last got everyone back to talking and dancing. Even Simon smiled and introduced himself to Dracula. Ray and I managed to get Will into a downstairs study where he collapsed on a couch. He wore the same ripped jeans and Tshirt he'd had on when Aggie had captured him days before.

"How did you
get
away from Aggie?" I ran to the bar and returned with a couple of bottles of synthetic. Will gulped one down, then sighed and looked at Ray, then me.

"Bad news. She sent me here with a message. You got an hour to get Casanova and two others here or she's calling the three of us to her." Will shuddered. "I didn't think she'd do it. I've gotten to know her, and she's not that bad if you look past the creepy exterior."

I put my hand to his head. "Are you sick? Crazy? She just sent you in with a death threat."

"Yeah, yeah, but you see this weather? That's her boss going nuts. The woman's got problems. Achelous is way more powerful than anything
I've
ever seen before. Aggie's in big-time trouble because she dealt with Circe."

"So why don't we call her bluff? Maybe the boss will pull Aggie out of here and she won't be able to give Circe anything." Ray looked back toward the living room. "Frankly, I don't think anyone in there is willingly going outside in this weather. If Aggie can't lure them out with her singing"

"She tried. Didn't you hear her earlier?" Will grimaced, pulled off his wet T-shirt and wiped his face. "She's lost her voice. She can still draw the three of us to her, but that's about all the power she's got left unless someone flies right over the lake. The Storm God zapped her a good one when he saw what she looked like. He takes pride in his beautiful Sirens. Then when he heard it was because she'd been dealing with Circe Man, he really flipped out. He
hates
the goddess."

"Why does he hate her? Did you see him? What's the story?"

"Yeah, I saw him. Yelling at Aggie. He's a big dude. Looks like a statue straight out of one of those museums." Will grabbed another bottle of synthetic and took a swallow. "Man, I'm weak. I just could
not
drink from Aggie. She smelled sorta human, but fishy too." Will made a face. "She offered, believe it or not."

"Come on, Will. Did you find out anything that could help us?" I wanted to shake him when he took another drink.

"Don't know if it'll help, but Achy and Circe used to be an item back in the day. Not clear who did the dumping, but it was an ugly breakup. Then the goddess started throwing lightning bolts and thunder around, getting on Achy's turf. That really pissed him off. Now she's messing with one of his Sirens. The dude's gone ballistic." The house shook with an especially loud boom of thunder to prove the point.

I had an idea. "You think he's stronger than Circe? Maybe if someone talked to him, he could help us get off the hook."

"Are you nuts?" Ray jumped in front of me and put his hands on my shoulders. "You're not going outside and that's final."

"Did I say I was going outside?" I looked at him until he released me. Just in time. Jerry appeared in the doorway, summoned by Valdez no doubt. You didn't think they'd let me out of their sight for long, did you?

"For once, Caine and I agree on something. You sure as hell aren't setting one foot outside." Jerry nodded at Ray. "Your guests are restless. I think you'd better sing, Caine, and keep Ms. Star next to you or she's going to end up with someone's fangs in her neck."

Ray just stood there, not exactly inclined to jump to Jerry's command.

"What about Simon? Is there a chance we can get him near enough to the doors to push him out?" I realized how stupid that sounded the minute the words left my mouth. No one pushed Simon Destiny anywhere.

"I'm going to my room to shower and change. I'll be right down and maybe we can figure out something. I wouldn't lay odds on who's stronger out there." Will stood and stretched. "One good thing. Aggie's so busy juggling the god and the goddess, I think we really got more than the hour. And if she was listening in right now, I figure we'd be getting hit with some serious pain. Either of you feeling it?" Will glanced at us.

Ray and I looked at each other. Not a twinge. It was a freakin' miracle.

"Me either. Okay then. We've still got time. Hours before dawn. I know Aggie's impatient, throwing out ultimatums, but I don't think she'll follow through." He smiled. "Hey, what can I say? I've been working my mojo on her. The lady's crazy about me." He winked and headed for the stairs.

"I so don't want that picture in my head." I looked at Ray.

"No kidding. Will's lost his freakin' mind." Ray shook his head.

"Makes you wonder whose mojo was working, Will's or the slime sister's?"
Valdez bumped Ray over so he could stand in front of me.
"You stay away from her, Blondie."

"I hear you." I looked at Valdez, Ray, then Jerry. "All of you. Now we'd better
get
back out there. Ray, you can sing and I can keep the synthetic coming." I walked up to Jerry. "You'd better remind your daughter of her promise. Lily was looking at Nathan like he was one of the last Cheetos in the bag."

"I noticed." Jerry shrugged. "I'm afraid she's got a lot of her mother in her."

"Yep, Mara's daughter would tend to be all about 'me first,' wouldn't she? You'll have to go some to rein that in." I smiled. "You can do it." I jumped when Ray slid his arm around my waist.

"Let's go, Glory. We have guests."

"Oh, right. Later, Jerry." I hoped my smile took the sting out of the way I let Ray hold on to me. We headed out to the living room just in time to hear a double volley of thunder that made the electric lights flicker and then go out. Most of us had vamp vision, but I found some matches and lit candles around the room so Nate and Sienna could see. It did add some charm to the setting when Ray sat at the piano, pulling Sienna down beside him. They sang their hit song just like they'd been practicing it. A love song. Even heartless Simon seemed moved. Not that I could really concentrate on what everyone was doing or feeling. I was easing my way around the room and out to the kitchen. I wanted to get to Aggie. There had to be a way to settle this without sending the good guys, including me, to hell. I picked up a long hooded slicker from the utility room and shrugged into it then struggled to open the back door against the wind and rain. I immediately heard Aggie's Siren song, if you could call the pathetic croaking a song. The sound was pretty weak, but I felt the pull. It was wasted on me because she was who I was headed for anyway. Was this stupid? I didn't think so. Circe wasn't interested in a female sacrifice. And Aggie had just let Will go. I saw this last as a sign that the Siren really wanted to wiggle out of making the wrong choice.

"Aggie, where are you?" I held on to the railing and took the stairs down to the dock below. Sure enough, Aggie was huddled under the overhang, trying unsuccessfully to stay out of the blowing rain.

"I'm here. Are you the only one coming? Damn, this is a disaster." She laid her snout on the deck, a pink tear trickling down her scaly cheek.

"Where's your boss? I'd like to talk to the Storm God."

That got her attention. "Are you freakin' insane? He could blow you to hell before you even got close enough to say hello." Hmm. Maybe this had been a bad idea. "What? He's not open to a logical discussion?" Aggie looked around like she figured we were both destined for a lightning bolt. "Shut up. Of course he's open to logic. He's brilliant, charismatic, the best boss a woman could have." She rolled her eyes at me. "And he's a man with a capital M, vampy, with a harem of Sirens. Does that tell you anything?"

The deck shook with a tremendous crash of thunder. "Harem?"

A light shimmered in front of us, finally taking shape as a man. Not just an ordinary man, but a Greek god complete with toga and laurel wreath. Great body, of course. I couldn't look away.

"Glory, meet my boss, Achelous, the Storm God." Aggie pulled herself up to a sitting position. "Yes, sir, I consider it a harem. Bunch of women serving one man." She smiled and fluttered her long lashes. "And you know we're willing to serve."

"That would play a lot better, Aggie, if you didn't look like a sea serpent who'd lost a battle with a coral reef." Achelous frowned. "Glory. I understand you've been involved in Aggie's misdeeds here in this backwater."

"Yes. Though involved isn't what I'd call it. We were dragged into it." I had to stifle the absurd desire to flutter my own lashes. I did throw back the hood and fluff my hair, which wasn't reacting well to the blowing rain. "Aggie wants to send me and two of my friends to Circe's hell."

"Maybe you should already be there." Achelous's deep voice made my stomach turn over.

"But, Achy, Circe doesn't"

"Circe? You dare speak her name to me?" The deck shook with thunder and lightning sizzled close by, taking out a sapling in a neighbor's yard.

I figured this was a good time for me to beat a hasty retreat. Achelous noticed my first step and threw a lightning bolt at me. I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest as I turned to stone. No! The world darkened and I knew this was it for me. Jerry!

"You're killing her because you're mad at me? Come on, Achy, ease up." Aggie's voice seemed to come from very far away. Suddenly I could see again. Aggie had actually saved my life. Why? I still couldn't move, but my heart was beating again, though my chest hurt like hell.

"Let me finish this thing with the, uh, goddess. You don't like Casanova either, do you, Achy?"

"He disrespects women. He deserves hell. So does this Charlie you are such a fool over. You should have come to me with your problem. Never to that bitch Circe." Achelous waved a hand toward the lake and a mini tidal wave headed toward the far shore. I hoped the residents on the other side had flood insurance. "And she stole your beauty. Is that worthless piece of excrement worth it?"

Aggie sniffled. "I don't know. I'm hideous. Please don't look at me. I'm a disgrace to my Siren sisters."

"And to me." The deck shook when he stomped a sandal. My statue self wobbled and I was terrified I was going to be swept into the lake. Water lapped at my knees and I felt something slimy touch my foot. I couldn't even scream.

"I know you and Circe have issues, but she won't let me out of this deal. Glory here's promised this will be settled before dawn. Can you give me this night? Please? Forget Charlie. You're my number one, always have been. But if I'm stuck like this I can't" I couldn't hear what she said, but Achy smiled so Aggie must have some hidden talents.

"Very well. To show you who is
really
powerful, Aglaophonos, I will give you your song back. You have until dawn. You're my Siren. Prove it." The Storm God's voice was cool. He narrowed his gaze on me, gestured, and I staggered, almost falling into the water. I was weak and shaky and wasn't sure I could walk, much less make it up the stairs. Suddenly Aggie and I were alone when Achelous shimmered out of sight.

"Okay, Glory, you sure Casanova's on his way?"

"Yes! But I'll have Damian call him again and check. And we've got two more vamps ready to go."

"Get out of here then. Because, you heard him, vampy. Both our fat butts are on the line." Yodeling a warm up, Aggie turned toward the lake. "My voice! God, I love you, Achy!" She shouted.

I found some strength from somewhere, tossed up my hood and ran for the stairs, bumping into Valdez and Jerry at the top.

"Get inside. Now!"

"What's going on?" Jerry grabbed my arm.

"What's that noise?"
Valdez tried to go around me.

"Aggie, trolling for vampires. Jerry, cover your ears and get inside, damn it." I shoved him toward the door. When we got back inside, I shed the slicker and wiped my wet feet off with a towel from the powder room. I still felt like my heart hadn't found its natural rhythm yet. Jerry and Valdez waited for me in the kitchen.

"What the hell was that about?" Jerry tried to brush my hair back from my face. Hopeless.

"Aggie and her boss had a showdown. Bottom line: We've got till dawn to finish this."

"Dumb stunt takin' on Aggie by yourself, Glory."
Valdez watched me load another tray with goblets of synthetics. My hands were shaking.

"He's right, Gloriana. Stop that and look at me." Jerry pulled me into his arms. "My God, I might never have seen you again." I leaned against him for a moment, the truth of what he'd just said hitting me like one of Achy's tidal waves.

"I I" The room spun and I sucked in air, then focused on Jerry's white shirt, now smeared with Flo's pink lipstick. Damn. I pushed back.