(Glory St Clair 11) Real Vampires Say Read My Hips (27 page)

“Gloriana.” My grandmother looked me over with a frown. “I’ve never been fond of trousers on a woman.” She flicked her wrist and my pants became a short skirt. “That’s better.”

I looked down. I had to admit she’d made it the right length to show off my legs. “Thank you, Grandmother. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“That you were in mourning already, Granddaughter? Not very optimistic, are you? I hope your man at least provides us with a good fight.” Zeus looked over the field. “Blade looks fit enough.”

“Yes, he’s ready and willing.” I started to beg for Zeus to stop this but his cold gaze warned me not to start with that. “Have you taken care of Kratos? Is he truly mortal now?”

“Yes, indeed. And don’t think it wasn’t difficult for him. I had him brought to my chambers first thing this morning.” Zeus laughed. “I could tell he had enjoyed a late night. The man has a demanding mistress.”

“Really, Zeus. I don’t think Gloriana needs to hear that.” Hera shook her head. “I’m sorry, dear.”

“No, it’s not news to me. Kratos is in love with Calista, Cornelius’s granddaughter. They were promised before this business with me came up.” I sighed and looked out over the crowd. “Look at her, Grandmother. There, standing with her father and Cornelius. She can’t take her eyes off of Kratos. You can tell she is devastated by this fight.” The three were near the area where the fights would take place.

I supposed Cornelius as head sorcerer was available to tend to a wounded fighter. There went my stomach again. No use asking Cornelius for a cure for that. The only way I would feel better would be to see this day through and end up back on Earth with Jerry safe and sound.

“Yes, the poor girl does not look well.” Hera glanced at Zeus. “Couldn’t you…”

“The fight goes on.” Zeus clapped his hands. “Bring on the first match.”

“Gloriana, come here. Take your place beside me.” Hera produced a low stool and gestured to it. “I want everyone here to see that
I
favor you.” She gave Zeus a raised eyebrow.

“I am honored, Grandmother.” I hurried to sit next to her. The fact that she had adjusted my clothes but hadn’t forced me to wear a toga hadn’t gone unnoticed and several women in the crowd now wore colorful outfits. Obviously I was starting a revolution of sorts.

“Careful, Hera. Next Gloriana will have you trading in your toga for pants and serving yourself since all your handmaidens will be free and leaving us for parts unknown.” Zeus flicked a wrist and a dancing girl twirled closer to him. She was almost naked and undulated her hips with a suggestive smile.

Hera sniffed. “There’s nothing wrong with progress, Zeus. I am certainly rethinking slavery.” She raised a finger and the dancer’s sheer scarf suddenly caught fire. A soldier ran forward and doused her with a pitcher of water. The fact that he’d had it handy made me think this had happened before.

Zeus turned his back on us. I leaned closer to my grandmother and spoke quietly.

“Thank you, Grandmother, for taking up the cause of the handmaidens. I know they are very grateful.” I shut up when Zeus began giving instructions for the coming fight to two slaves who came forward to stand stoically in front of the thrones. The men wore next to nothing and I saw many women in the crowd looking them over appreciatively. They had muscular bodies and seemed well matched in size and attitude. They glared at each other, clearly eager to get to the fight.

A chalk circle had been marked on the grass and the men were ordered to stay inside the line. These two weren’t given any weapons but were to wrestle for a certain number of minutes. A referee would determine the winner. There were other rules for the match but I didn’t listen because this time Hera leaned closer and started whispering to me.

“I found out who dared tried to hurt you, Gloriana. With the pillows.” She glanced at the elegant crowd which was divided between those who were interested in the fight and those who were hitting the buffet tables and drink trays. “Wait and see. Your grandfather and I plan to make an example of her.”

“Her?”

“Yes. Of course it is a woman. A man would have been more direct. Would have attacked you on a path and made sure you were dead.” Her lips thinned. I was reminded of how much I resembled her. Just this morning I’d looked almost the same when I was staring into my makeup mirror applying waterproof mascara and thinking about how Jerry might not survive this day and it was ALL MY MOTHER’S FAULT.

“Gloriana, don’t frown like that. People will think you aren’t having a good time.” My mother pulled up a stool on my other side.

“Hebe, I didn’t invite you to sit.” Hera gestured and my mother was suddenly twenty feet away and looking dazed. “She is out of control. I indulged her too much as a child. I’m very sorry for some of the things she has put you through, Gloriana. This coming fight is just one of them, I understand.” She placed a hand on my shoulder. “Please believe me when I say I am doing my best to see that you get everything you want.”

“Really, Grandmother? Can you stop Jerry’s fight before it starts?”

A roar from the crowd made us both turn toward the field. One of the slaves had the other one face down on the grass, his knees on his back. We heard a crack that made my stomach heave. The one underneath went limp and the man on top jumped to his feet to do a victory lap around the circle, strutting with his arms raised over his head as the crowd cheered.

“Too bad. Guess that one was a fight to the death after all.” Zeus glanced at us then went back to watching the field. He smiled and handed out a laurel wreath to the victor as if this were the Olympics or something.

I felt my gorge rise and breathed through my nose, refusing to disgrace my grandmother by throwing up in front of her courtiers. Of course everyone was looking this way, checking to see how I took this turn of events. Fight to the death. Was Jerry’s fight going to end like that?

“Zeus, stop this nonsense. Can’t you see that Gloriana is truly distressed?” Hera pinched his arm.

“Woman, you forget yourself.” He hissed and glanced at the crowd. “If Gloriana is distressed, it is of her own doing.”

“She did not make herself a vampire. That came about because of her mother’s neglect.” Hera wasn’t backing down. “Surely the child has suffered enough. If you must punish someone, let’s take care of the one who tried to kill our grandchild.”

“I’m all for that, but the next fight
will
happen. You won’t interfere with my plans.” Zeus showed his perfect white teeth in what could only be called a snarl. He stood.

“Hear me, good people of Olympus. It seems that some of you have forgotten to respect the house of Zeus.” He folded his arms across his massive chest, his body language shouting “I mean business.”

Everyone on the field, courtiers and slaves, suddenly fell to their knees, heads bowed. You could have heard a bird sing except even those were mute. A nervous slave dropped a carafe of wine and everyone gasped.

“First, let me remind you who belongs to the house of Zeus. My dear wife Hera and her family of course. That includes her sisters, brothers and their children, both inside marriage and out of it. Please let yourselves be known.” He nodded and about a dozen people rose and bowed.

“Thank you, Zeus.” Hera smiled.

“Then there is my side of the family. My sisters and brothers, along with their children both inside and outside of marriage. Stand, if you please.” Another two dozen people stood and bowed. “Beloved family, I honor you.” Zeus nodded. “But dearest of all are the children of Hera and myself, both inside and outside of our marriage. This includes their children as well. I shouldn’t have to mention our newest member Gloriana is in that esteemed grouping.” He looked at me while at least twenty other people stood and bowed.

I got to my feet too, though my knees were weak and I wished I had something to hold onto. Hera smiled and took my hand. I felt her power surge into me and I stood straighter.

“I want to make something perfectly clear. If anyone does harm to a member of my family, you are harming me, your exalted leader. I shouldn’t have to remind you that my wrath is to be feared.
Do you understand?
” His roar was probably causing a Cat 5 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico on Earth.

I would have covered my ears if I hadn’t been afraid he’d have mocked me for such weakness. He gazed about the field so I did too. At first I thought no one had moved. Then there was a slight ripple in the sea of white togas.

“Seize her!” Zeus thundered. He pointed when a woman stood and darted as if to run from the crowd.

Her scream made the hairs on my arms stand up. When the soldiers dragged the woman out to the center of the field, I heard several cries of shock and horror. Charis reached out but someone dragged her arm down to her side. Oh, no, it couldn’t be.

“Lady Roxana,” Zeus said after the woman was thrown to the ground in front of him. She laid still, her face on the grass, eyes closed. “Do you deny you meant harm to my granddaughter Gloriana?”

She didn’t answer but I could see her shoulders move. Sobs? Breaths? Was she hyperventilating?

“Answer me!” Zeus snapped, lightning sizzling around her prostrate body.

“Sire!” She screamed when the soldiers dragged her to her feet. “Please. Understand. My husband humiliated me. He brought his bastard here and flaunted her. My daughter sought her out and called her friend. What am I? Nothing! Left to pretend it doesn’t matter that I am abandoned while Mars is jaunting about with his mistress.” Her eyes were wild when she grabbed a spear from a startled soldier. “I won’t have it!” She aimed the weapon and launched it straight at Mars who’d come to stand close to the thrones.

“Dad!” I threw myself toward him, knocking the spear off line and into the dirt where I fell too. The soldiers had Roxana in hand now and shoved the weeping woman back to the ground. Mars helped me up and pulled me into his arms.

“Gloriana, are you all right?” He looked me over. “What were you thinking?”

“She tried to kill you.” I was out of breath and turned in time to see the soldiers carrying a struggling Roxana away. “What’s going to happen to your wife?”

“The cells, I’m sure, and she’s lucky that’s all she’ll get.” Mars looked up at Zeus. “Thank you, sire, for not killing her on the spot.”

“She’s clearly mad. What would be the point?” Zeus studied me. “Impressive, Gloriana. I hope your man has as much courage as you just showed us.”

“Grandfather…”

“Don’t ask.” He looked back at the field. “I see they’re ready to start.”

Mars helped me back to my stool. Yes, they were ready. Jerry and Kratos were stripped down to loin cloths. They each had a sword in hand with two knives strapped at their waists. I swallowed, not sure I wasn’t going to throw up after all. Grandmother took my hand and squeezed it.

“There’s nothing you can do now, child. Let them decide your fate. They both look like fine potential mates.”

“But, Grandmother, I love Jerry. He’s the only man who will make me truly happy.” I heard Zeus begin the instructions again. This time he was firm. This was not to be a fight to the death unless an accident happened. There had already been one of those today and he hoped that wouldn’t happen again. Then he nodded and the men began to circle each other. I wanted to close my eyes but didn’t dare. If I could
will
Jerry to do well, then that’s what I had to do.

Swords clanged together and sparks flew. The men were well matched and the courtiers began shouting. Some actually yelled for Blade. But maybe they’d bet for him to last a certain number of minutes. I saw gold coins exchanging hands. I wanted to scream at them to quit betting on my lover’s life. I tried to get up but my grandmother’s hand was like a vise, holding me in my seat. I didn’t doubt she would freeze me in place if I moved again.

Zeus glanced at me and smiled. “He’s putting up a good fight. You should be proud.”

I didn’t answer him. I’d always been proud of Jerry. Of his strength, his integrity, the way he’d loved me all the years we’d been together, even when I didn’t deserve his love. I gasped when I saw a red line appear on his chest. First blood. Kratos had managed it and the crowd went wild. A movement at the edge of the throng caught my eye. Calista was struggling in her father’s arms. She clearly wanted to do what I was so desperate to do—run into the circle and stop this madness. I knew just how she felt, especially after Kratos took a chunk out Jerry’s thigh. Then Jerry managed to slice open a gash on Kratos’ arm. I could swear I heard Calista scream. My own mouth was sealed shut. Grandmother’s work, of course.

Jerry’s sword flew out of the circle. I covered my mouth, ashamed of the mewling sound of fear I managed to make but also afraid he’d hear me and get distracted. All I could do now was pray. Kratos laughed and threw his sword away as well, earning a cheer from the mob that had drawn closer to the circle, almost touching the chalk line. Of course they were careful not to block Zeus’s view. Now Kratos and Jerry had drawn their knives and were moving again, sizing each other up, Jerry would say. Oh, God, but I didn’t think I could stand to watch. But of course I couldn’t look away.

They lunged, going down in a tangle. Jerry was on top. No, Kratos. They strained against each other and the crowd hushed, intent on the play of muscles as the men seemed almost too well matched, trying to best each other. I glanced at Zeus. Could he call it a draw? He looked at me and shook his head. He wanted a winner.

“Please.” I stretched across Grandmother, reaching for my grandfather’s fist lying on the arm of his throne.

“No. One of them must win.” He stood and stalked toward the circle.

I still couldn’t move, of course. Grandmother made sure of that. We watched the men struggle, their faces reddened by the pressure of trying to take each other down. Finally Kratos hooked his leg over Jerry’s and flipped him, his knife plunging into Jerry when he landed on top of my man. The crowd roared again and Kratos staggered to his feet. Jerry laid still, bright red blood pooling under his body.

My silent scream had to have reached Zeus but he didn’t look back. Jerry! Oh, God. He wasn’t moving. Cornelius and Richard ran to his side while Zeus strode into the circle and raised Kratos’ hand when he tossed his bloody knife away.