Real Vampires Know Hips Happen (22 page)

This was the only thing that mattered. That we were together. The world could end in a minute, a day, a week. The plane could plummet to the earth. None of that mattered. Because we were together. We’d found what we needed. Each other.

I opened my eyes and stared at Jerry. He smiled and let go of my hand.

“I think we must be up in the clouds now.” He brushed my cheeks with fingers that were no longer shaking. “Is it possible?”

I reached across him and slid open the window covering. “Look.” Sure enough there was nothing to see but black night sky and white clouds down below us. The plane was rock steady and the others were opening their seat belts and getting up. Flo stood next to me and held out a goblet.

“Try this. It’s probably the best thing you ever tasted.”

I leaned forward and kissed Jerry’s lips. “Nope. This is the best thing I ever tasted. Right here.” I laughed and leaned back. Life was good.

Until dawn hit everyone around me, and I was still wide
awake. I looked around and saw a familiar figure strolling down the aisle like she owned it. She gestured to me and I followed her to a pair of empty seats near the restroom.

“What the hell is going on, Mother? Why are you dropping in here? And why am I still awake? I assume this is your doing.” I plopped down in the seat. Okay, staying awake past the dawn is cool. My friend Ray pays big bucks for a drug that lets him do that very thing. But in a vampire it’s downright unnatural. The lights were dim and everyone else had pulled their chairs back until they were reclining. It was almost creepy the way they were laid out, still as corpses. Which is what I’d expected to be about now too.

“I thought you’d appreciate a little extra awake time.” She smiled and waved her hand. My jeans and sweater morphed into a stylish pantsuit, black silk with a red and black print tank underneath.

“Stop that! I don’t want to explain the wardrobe change. And I don’t like surprises. I wish you’d get that.” I glanced around. “Seriously. Put me back in my own clothes.”

“But you look so much better now. Your friend Florence certainly knows how to dress for travel. Vintage Givenchy.” She kissed her fingertips in a French gesture of appreciation. “And the countess looks divine in that new number from Chanel. Obviously she knows how to shop in Paris.” She sighed. “Your friends have style and money. And look at you.” She flicked her wrist and I was back in my jeans and old sweater. What could I say? It was the end of a long trip and I hadn’t wanted to explain any of the clothes she’d given me to my friends.

“I’m a working girl. I do all right. Eventually I’ll run across a nice Chanel of my own on consignment. Leave me alone.” I tried to get up. She froze me in place.

“No, we need to have a little chat.” She blinked and a glass of champagne appeared in her hand. “Want one?”

I licked my lips. I could have used a drink but didn’t trust her. “No thanks. What are we discussing? Did you
bring an antidote to that horrible spell Jerry is under? Can you cure him before we touch down in Texas?”

“Would that I could.” She took a sip. “Mmm. Delightful. I only drink the best. Sure you won’t have a glass?” She materialized a second flute and I took it in spite of better intentions. I sniffed and figured if it was good enough for her, it was okay for me. Hey, Mars had allowed me to eat, so why couldn’t my mother figure out a way for me to enjoy champagne?

“Yes, you did dine with Mars.” She smiled as she watched me sip. “He liked you.”

“I kind of liked him.” Uh-oh, her eyes lit up. “Not to run away to Olympus with but he was pretty cool. A warrior like Jerry. We came to an understanding. I could reason with him.”

“Yes, he indicated as much.” She frowned as she polished off her champagne and the glass disappeared. Mine she refilled.

“He give you a hard time?” Now this was good news.

“You could say that. He wants me to back off. Let you live your mundane little life with the vampire of your choosing. Can you imagine that?” She examined her nails and they changed color, a gold to match the trim on her beige wrap dress.

“I knew I liked him. He was sensible. Pay attention, Mother. Maybe he could help you find a cure for Jerry’s amnesia.” The chilled champagne tasted really good, the bubbles tickling my nose, and I finally started to feel sleepy.

“I suppose we could work together. He
is
a powerful ally. You did well there.” She patted my hand. “Now I brought something for you to try. A sorcerer I know thought it might jog your man’s memory.” She opened her purse, a tiny jeweled number that had to have cost a fortune, and handed me a vial full of a bright green liquid. “Slip this into your lover’s next meal. Blood I suppose.” She shuddered. “Then see if he shows signs of remembering anything. If it works,
I can get more, though the cost is high.” She smoothed down her skirt. “The man is a freak and he likes me.” She shuddered again. “He’ll want me to, um, play his games in trade.”

“Mother! Seriously? You’ll have to sleep with him?” I set down my empty glass. “You’d do that for Jerry?”

“No. I’d do that for
you
.” She smiled and touched my cheek. “But this man’s games aren’t exactly sexual ones, thank the gods. They are much more complicated.” She shrugged. “I can’t explain them but, trust me, they are not to my taste.”

“Well, thank you. I’ll let you know if it works. I have your number. I’ll text the results.” I held on to the vial and stood, moving into the aisle. I felt that pull of sunrise and almost fell.

“Go, lie back before your sleep overtakes you. I can only keep you awake so long though I’m working on that. I’m sure you’d like to see more daylight, wouldn’t you?” She stood and grabbed me for a brief hug. “Oh, how I have waited for a chance to do that.”

I shoved her away. “Tipsy on champagne or not, I haven’t forgotten why Jerry is in such sad shape that he’s terrified to fly. And quit with the bribes. Nothing you can do for me will get me to Olympus. Nothing.”

She frowned and the plane lurched. “Careful, Gloriana. I could make this airplane drop like a rock. Do you think your lover or any of your friends would survive a fall of thousands of feet into the ocean?”

“Neither would I. Are you ready to give up on me?” I held on to a seat back as the plane lurched again. Air pocket or Olympus temper tantrum?

“Stubborn brat. I could whisk you away in time to save you of course.” She tapped her chin as if thinking about it.

“All you’d gain is a daughter who would never ever forgive you. Mars is my ally now. I bet he’d help me make you pay for a trick like that.” I was getting woozier, stupid dawn.

“Look at you, into Olympus politics.” She smiled proudly. “All
right then. Try the potion. Let me know the results.” And with that she vanished, the woman did know how to use an exit line.

I wobbled my way back to my seat, the vial stowed safely between my breasts. At least she was trying for a relationship, but if she expected me to be a grateful daughter she would have to cut the threats and ramp up the cure efforts.

I looked at Jerry and sighed. He didn’t deserve this, any of it. That was my last thought before I fell into my death sleep.

•  •  •

I
woke up with a start. Everyone else was on their feet and milling around, pulling down their carry-on luggage from overhead bins.

“Where are we?” I pushed my hair out of my eyes.

“Austin.” Flo stopped next to me. “You slept past sunset,
amica
. I helped Jeremiah get out of his seat belt. He and Ricardo are outside. Both of them were eager to get out of here. My husband doesn’t like to admit it, but he’s not comfortable with little places. Spent too much time in a cell as a monk, I think.”

“I thought he was a priest.” I undid my seat belt.

“Priest, monk. Are they not the same?” Flo patted my arm. “Come. It is good to be home.”

“Sure. Just a minute.” I felt for the vial. It was still there. Then I grabbed my purse and dug for lipstick and a brush. I had to look horrible and didn’t want Jerry to see me this way. Oh, who was I kidding? I was stalling. I dreaded everything and everyone I’d have to face in Austin. Even if Jerry didn’t get his memory back, I’d have to clue him in on what he’d forgotten. One thing at a time. I’d take him home. We could probably get a taxi. I headed out.

Well, we wouldn’t need a taxi. Jerry’s daughter, Lily, stood next to her father, holding on to his arm and talking a mile a minute. He looked a little dazed when she pointed to his car sitting next to a hangar. I hurried to join them.

“Glory!” Lily grinned at me. “Dad was just telling me that I’d have to drive. He doesn’t remember how. Can you believe it?”

I couldn’t believe she was acting like this was good news. Spoiled brat. “Lily, your father has amnesia. He’s going to have to relearn some things. Give him some time to adjust.” I took his arm. “Jerry? I guess you know by now that this is your daughter.”

“Yes. And a bonny lass she is too.” He smiled down at her.

She laughed. “Knock off the accent, Dad. It’s just too quaint.” She quit smiling. “Oh, is that part of the amnesia? That you talk funny? I didn’t mean…”

“Sorry.” Jerry frowned. “I’ve been in the Highlands. At your grandda’s castle. Everyone speaks that way there. But the modern talk’s coming back to me. I’ll try not to embarrass you.”

I sighed. This was not going well. “Lily, thanks for picking us up. How did you know when we’d get here?”

“Mother texted me. She got it from someone. Count on Mother to have spies everywhere.” Lily picked up a bag. “Come on. Or do you need to tell somebody you’re going?”

“Yes, let me thank Flo and Richard.” I touched Jerry’s back. “Go on with your daughter. I’ll be there in a minute.” I hesitated. I didn’t live with them. Maybe…“Or I can catch a ride with someone else and you two can go on. Call me when you want to get together.” Jerry had mastered his cell phone though he had no idea how or why it worked. I’d shown him his contact list. I was first on it, of course.

“No!” Jerry grabbed my hand. “We stay together, Gloriana.” His grip was firm. “Don’t give me any nonsense about it. Come home with me or we’ll go to your place. Whatever you prefer. Lily, you understand, don’t you? Gloriana is working with me to help me get my mind back.”

“My place then.” I saw Lily’s face fall.

She looked from me to her father. “I get it.” She dropped the bag. “Glory, you take Dad’s car. I’ll shift for myself.
Mother explained everything. So I guess you owe him this TLC. Fix this, Glory.” She stormed off toward the private plane terminal.

“What’s wrong with her?” Jerry started to follow her. “What’s TLC? Glory?”

“She’s mad, Jer. Let her go. She’s right to hate me now. Mara told her it’s my fault you were hurt. I’m sure the way she spun it I practically gave the order. TLC is tender loving care. Which I’m glad to give you.”

“I have to set Lily straight.” He kept watching his daughter as she disappeared around the side of the large building. “Where’s she going?”

“Somewhere she can shift without being seen. You can talk to her later. Give her time to calm down. I’ll drive you over there and you can have a long talk. Right now let me thank Flo and Richard for the ride. Can you take care of our luggage?”

“Of course. I’m daft, not helpless.” He grabbed a suitcase in each hand and stalked toward the car.

I leaned down and picked up the car keys Lily had tossed on the ground before she’d stomped off. She looked and acted like a teenager even after hundreds of years. The girl definitely needed her strong father back. After a quick conversation with Flo and Richard and promises to get together soon, I slipped into the driver’s seat of Jerry’s Mercedes convertible. The top was down and it was a perfect cool Texas night as I drove us toward my place on Sixth Street.

“This is a big city.” Jerry had figured out the seat belt on his own and actually seemed fairly relaxed. He’d had plenty of practice riding in cars now. Compared to a jet, this was easy. Traffic got heavier as we got closer to downtown and my shop. My apartment was on a floor above it. “It’s not the Highlands but there are hills. The weather is good.”

“Yes, I enjoy this Texas climate. The winters are mild but the summers are terribly hot.” What was this? We were talking about the weather? But it was a safe topic since the major one, the vial I could feel hard and cold next to my
skin, was something to be discussed when we were alone upstairs. We arrived at our destination and I stopped in front of the shop. No parking places and the store looked busy. That was the good news. The bad news was that the window display hadn’t been changed since I’d left. Hmm.

A honk behind me got me going again and I pulled around back to the alley to park next to my own car, a nifty sports model I’d acquired after a deal with the Devil’s evil twin. Don’t ask.

“We’re here. I live upstairs. Look around. Is any of this ringing any bells?” I glanced at Jerry. He was in warrior mode, checking out the dark alley for predators. The light was burned out again. Not good. I can’t tell you how many ambushes I’d endured back here. It was death alley as far as I was concerned. But parking was at a premium on Sixth Street. I had no choice.

“This looks a little run down. Are you sure it’s a safe place for you to live?”

“No, but I can’t afford better.” I huffed, a little irritated. Not having this argument now. He didn’t realize this was an old one. “Let’s go.” I popped the trunk. “Help me with the suitcases.”

“I’ll get those.” The voice out of the darkness was achingly familiar.

“Rafe!” I lunged for him, hugging him tight. All the tears I hadn’t shed yet came pouring out—my pain at what had happened to Jerry, my hurt that everyone had believed the worst of me, even the isolation I’d felt in Scotland. I laid my head on Rafael Valdez’s broad chest and sobbed my heart out.

“Who the hell is this?” Jerry stood close, near my back, his voice edged with fury. “And why are you crying, Gloriana?”

“Rafael Valdez. You hired me to be her bodyguard. Glory and I are very good friends.” He rubbed my back. “She trusts me. Don’t you, Glory? So she knows she can let down her guard with me. Right, sweetheart?”