Real Vampires Don't Wear Size Six (24 page)

Ray pulled me down on top of him, showing surprising strength. “I’d rather have some of what you’ve got. You know vampire blood heals us faster than anything.”

“Ray, this isn’t a good idea.” I lay on top of him, inhaling him. This brought back some memories in a rush, some good, some not so great. He had the same charisma that always pulled me in, but then he could be a world-class jerk, especially to the man I loved.

“Please?” He ran his hand up under my hair and just smiled, such a sad smile, like he knew he’d never have me now. Okay, of course I was being manipulated but I went along with it anyway.

“All right. Take what you need. But this isn’t foreplay.” I started to offer my wrist but didn’t bother. Why not let him take what he wanted from where he wanted it? It might keep him from turning back to the alcoholic stuff. I still couldn’t get the visit from Spyte out of my mind. No way did I want Ray to sell his soul to Lucifer and there were things he’d do it for. Spyte had nailed it with that chance to live in the light as Ray used to as a mortal. Or maybe he’d choose to get his mortality back.

“There you go, Glory. Now you’re thinking like one of us.”
Caryon stood beside the couch, watching as Ray sank his fangs into the vein at my neck.

I expected Ray to jerk and react but he started drinking with a sigh of pleasure, his hand on my back anchoring us together.

“Oh, he can’t see or hear me. Just you can. But now’s your opportunity. Yes, we can give him his mortality back. Or, if he wants to stay vampire? He can get that gift of sunlight. Just like we gave you your reflection. If Israel Caine will sell his soul to Lucifer, he can become a vampire who can walk and play in the sun.”
Caryon laughed and I got chills. He was talking in my mind and I answered him the same way.

“Need proof?”
Caryon gave me one of his full-on creepy fang smiles.
“Just look in your bathroom mirror.”

“Then Ray . . .”
I felt his other hand slide down to pull me closer, our chests and hips pressed against each other as his mouth worked on my throat. I couldn’t let him drink much longer. He was enjoying this, his mind open as he wondered if making a move on me now was worth risking being shot down again. But it was a brief thought, most of him caught up in the pleasure of taking in ancient vampire blood.

I knew how Ray would react to an offer of daylight. He wouldn’t hesitate. Hell? To Ray that would be an abstract when he was all about the concrete, the here and now. And he’d easily blow off immortality if he could have his old pleasures back. Ray was all about pleasures.

“Oh, I see you know how seductive that would be to the rock star. Do you dare make the offer? Think about it. You say you love the man. If you truly do, why not give him his heart’s desire?”
Caryon began to fade away. He’d been in his usual dark suit and tie, not a hair out of place.
“Make the offer, Glory. Then Caine won’t need to lose his mind and dull his pain with alcohol. How do you like this proof that I can stay away from your friends? This one, anyway.”
That had sounded like a taunt just before he disappeared.

I probed Ray’s mind again and got a glimpse of yearning that made me sigh. I knew what that felt like, to crave something just out of reach. But I also knew that this evil bargain wasn’t the way for Ray to get it. I shoved at him, suddenly sure that I’d been so distracted that I was in danger of letting him take too much of my blood. I sat up and the room swirled around me.

“You okay?” Ray held on to me when I bent over and rested my head on my knees.

“Bring me one of the synthetics out of the fridge.” I took a breath, feeling queasy. I wasn’t sure if it was from blood loss or Caryon’s offer. Both were a possibility. Ray put a cold bottle in my hand, then went to answer the door when I hadn’t even heard a knock.

“What the hell has been going on here?” Rafe was by my side. “Did you drain her dry, asshole?”

“Didn’t think so.” Ray sat on my other side. Seemed it was my night for being surrounded by hot guys. “Drink, Glory. Hell, I’m sorry. Guess I got carried away. You should have stopped me.”

“You should have stopped yourself.” Rafe looked like he wanted to start a fight with Ray when I glanced at him.

“No more fighting in here. I appreciate the concern, but I’m already living in a war zone with almost no furniture. I swear, if I inhale any more testosterone, I’m going to start scratching my crotch and craving Monday-night football. Now, chill.” I drank my synthetic and felt better immediately, though Rafe’s neck looked awfully tempting.

“You need to feed from me?” Rafe shot Ray a challenging glare. “Help yourself, sweetheart.”

“That’s all you need. Bite him, Glory, and let Blade walk in on that. There’d be a dog area rug here before you know it.” Ray sat back and smiled.

“Son of a bitch!” Rafe jumped to his feet. He’d stayed shifted into dog form as my bodyguard for five long, frustrating years, and Ray wasn’t inclined to let him forget it.

“I said chill. I mean it, Rafe. Jealousy is not sexy to me. And hurling insults is childish, Ray. A total turnoff.” I drained my bottle and handed it to Ray. “Thanks. That did the trick.” I sighed and leaned back. “Now, Ray, Rafe and I have some business to discuss.” I glanced at Rafe. “Maybe you could give us some privacy.”

“What? You have secrets from me? What’s the big deal?” Ray looked like he didn’t want to budge.

“We’re dealing with some demon issues. Nothing to do with you. If you must know, they’d like your soul. Interested?” There, I’d said it. He did what I thought he’d do, he laughed.

“You’re kidding, right? Demons from hell?” Ray got up and took the empty into the kitchen. “What else, angels? Are we living in a graphic novel?”

“No such luck.” Rafe looked like he was grinding his teeth. “Remember, you used to think vampires were fiction. How’s that working out for you?”

“Point taken.” Ray sat in one of the chairs. “So demons are real. Angels too?”

“A couple are guarding my shop right now.” I looked at Rafe. “Emmie Lou and Harvey Nutt are back and protecting it and us as long as we’re in there. Seems a higher power doesn’t like the pressure we’re under.”

“No kidding.” Rafe grinned. “That’s cool.” He glared at Ray. “You going to mock that?”

“Naw. I’m open to whatever you guys are selling. This is a whole new world to me. How can I help?” He actually sat back and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Stay sober. Let us handle this and don’t add to my load.” Oops that had popped out.

“Well, shit, Glory. Didn’t know I was a load.” Ray was on his feet in an instant. He never had managed to get any more clothes and he still just had the black jeans and his boots, which were by the door. No shirt. “If you call Nate and tell him I’m sober, he’ll pick me up.” He looked around. “No, to hell with it. I feel good enough. I’m shifting out of here. From the roof.”

“Ray, wait. I didn’t mean—” I jumped up. “Don’t shift. You haven’t had enough time to fully recover.”

“You got another idea?” He’d started pulling on those boots.

“Stop. You can’t leave.” I put my hand on his chest, knocking him back onto the couch. It was too easy; obviously he wasn’t ready to go anywhere yet.

“I’m sober. What else do you need?” Ray glared at me as he pulled on his other boot.

“Proof you can stay that way. Damn, I wish we had vampire rehab.” I stood in front of him, ready to knock him down again if he tried to get past me. Yes, I could call Nate to keep an eye on him, but a mortal didn’t stand a chance in that situation.

“Maybe we do. Have rehab. Call Ian. He can set something up. He’s a doctor and he’s coming here anyway. Would that satisfy your urge to watch over me?” Ray stomped into his boots, then leaned back. “Hand me your phone and I’ll put in his number, let you talk to him.”

Ian was a medical doctor. And could be relentless. Maybe this would work. I dug in my purse and handed Ray my phone. “Do it. Dial his number.”

“Shit. You really don’t trust me.” Ray obviously hadn’t expected me to call his bluff.

“History tells me I’d be an idiot if I did.” I smiled as he frowned and punched in numbers.

“Ian? Glory St. Clair here. I’ve got Ray Caine with me and he’s in need of your help.” I listened to the Scottish accent and ignored Ray’s muttered curses as I described Ray’s recent behavior and meltdown. “When will you be here?”

“That soon? Excellent. Oh, I’ll tell him. Thanks so much.” I ended the call, then smiled at Ray.

“He’s flying out tomorrow at sunset. Seems he wants to help you. And needs you clean and sober if you’re to be his lab rat for the daylight drug.” I punched in another number. “Nate, can you have two shifters in the alley in five minutes? Ray’s going home. He’s sober now, and if you can keep him like that for twenty-four hours, Ian MacDonald will take over after that.” I listened for a minute, smiled, then dropped my phone in my bag and pulled out a set of keys. “All set, Ray. Guess it’s safe to give you these.”

“What the hell?” Ray shook his head, then glanced at Rafe. “You hear a train whistle? I think I’ve just been railroaded.”

“When Glory gets a notion, don’t stand in her way. It’s a done deal.” Rafe grinned, obviously glad to see Ray headed out the door.

“Your car is in back. Your wallet is locked in the console.” I tossed him the keys. “I’m also calling Damian. No more booze deliveries.”

“Gee, Mom. What about my diaper change?” Ray got up and strolled over to face me.

“You’re welcome.” I knew Ray was mad, didn’t blame him. And treating him like a child right now didn’t sit well with me either. I reached out to touch his cheek. “I’m sorry if this seems unnecessarily rough, Ray. If I didn’t care about you, I wouldn’t bother.”

He tried for a smile and failed. “Yeah, I get that. Don’t think I don’t appreciate what you’ve done. I hit a low. Falling off the stage may have knocked some sense into me.” He glanced at Rafe, then pulled me into his arms. “Thanks, Glory girl, for everything.” He gave me one of his “you can have all I’ve got” kisses and my knees buckled. He grinned, settled me into Penny’s computer chair, and saluted Rafe as he walked to the door.

I watched him go, not sure it wasn’t to his doom. God, if Caryon or Spyte decided to approach him themselves and offered a trade—soul for sunlight—what would happen? I didn’t want to think about it. And then there was his drinking. He closed the door and I tore my gaze from it to Rafe. How many times had he watched a scene like that and felt left out of the mix?

I shoved myself to my feet and stumbled over to him. I collapsed on the couch and leaned against him.

“Rafe, hold me a minute? I swear I didn’t feel a thing just then.”

“You know, you could go to hell for lies like that.”

I
didn’t bother arguing with Rafe. When he was right, he was right. I just headed down the hall and scooped up a frantic Boogie who’d started clawing at Penny’s bedroom door.

“I have fifty-three white rats in my apartment. I think I’m already in hell.” I sat on the couch again and kept a firm grip on the cat, trying to soothe him.

“You’re kidding.” Rafe laughed. “I thought it reeked in here.”

I punched his arm. “Penny related to the little things after the hilltop encounter with our demons. Now she’s rescued the batch in her lab. Jerry’s gone with her to get more cages.” I sighed when Boogie finally relaxed and began to purr.

“I’ve been thinking about getting Simon away from his EV goddess. I sure hope he knows of a way to take her out, because gods and goddesses are notoriously hard to kill.” Rafe tried to pet Boogie and was rewarded with a paw swipe that drew blood.

“But if anyone knows how it can be done, it would be the king himself. That’s Simon. If he decides he wants to be free, maybe he can take Honoria out himself.” I fought back my fangs as I inhaled the rich scent of Rafe’s blood.

Rafe grinned and waved his bleeding hand close to my lips. “Go ahead, taste. I can see you’re dying to.”

“No, we’re having a serious discussion.”

“Which you can’t concentrate on because you’re staring at my blood.” Rafe shook his head. “Go for it.”

“What can I say? It’s my thing. Thanks.” I pulled his warm hand to my mouth and licked off the too few drops. “Now where were we?”

“I think this all hinges on whether Simon is willing to leave the EVs to have a relationship with his son.” Rafe leaned back into his corner of the couch like feeling my tongue on his hand was no big deal. Oh, yeah? Fine. I stayed in my corner and kept Boogie happy rubbing his ears.

“Who wouldn’t want to be close to a man like Freddy? He’s smart, successful and handsome. Any father would be proud to call him son. Simon even offered him the post as his second in command.” I realized that was a huge deal. There were others in the EV ranks who would have squawked about that if Freddy had accepted.