Real Vampires Have Curves (4 page)

Freddy and Derek were having a whispered conversation which of course I could hear every word of because of my more than excellent hearing. Derek had hunted near the university dorms and Freddy was furious.

“You did wipe his memory, didn't you?”

Derek flung Freddy's hand off his arm. “I'm not a fool. Leave it alone. It meant nothing. Now introduce me to your friend Gloriana.”

I smiled and stretched out my hand. “Glory to my friends. It's a pleasure to meet you.” Oh, God, Derek carried the scent of fresh blood. How long had it been since I'd allowed myself to sink my teeth into a sweet young neck? I inhaled then felt my fangs swelling against my gums and had to take a steadying breath.

“You see what you do to us?” Freddy's fists were clenched. “Glory's an inch away from going hunting because you come home smelling like O positive.”

“I'm okay, Freddy. Really.” Or I would be as soon as I downed a Bloody Merry. That's right, Merry, not Mary. My Merry's a canned synthetic blood, not a tomato juice cocktail. Another vamp invented it in the fifties, the nineteen fifties, that is. You get it at Merrymealsdotcom these days. Mortals think it's just an energy drink and depressed housewives claim to love it. It does pump you up, but not like the real thing.

Derek stood mere inches away. I inhaled again. Oh, I had to get away from that delicious aroma before I raced out of the house to search for the nearest warm body.

“Sorry, Glory.” Derek gave Freddy a look that said go to hell. “But hunting is what we do. Why deny yourself? I can show you around if you like. The students here are wonderful. Young and healthy if you avoid the druggies and certain frat houses. We can check out Guadalupe Street or around the library.”

“Enough, Derek.” CiCi sat on an emerald green velvet art deco couch. Valdez settled at her feet and gazed up at her adoringly. Traitor. He looked over at me and thumped his tail against the Oriental rug. Shameless traitor.

“Gloriana just got here. Can't we have a civilized conversation? She doesn't really need to feed, do you, Gloriana?”

“No, I'm fine.” Or would be once I got into my stuff and popped open the bright green can. Did you expect red? Too obvious.

“Ah, here's Sheba.” CiCi looked down at Valdez. “You'll not bother the cat, sir. Or your stay here will be a short one.”

Valdez sprang to his feet. I could feel his horror as a beautiful gray cat with bright blue eyes strolled into the room. She looked my way, obviously dismissed me as uninteresting, then headed straight to Valdez.

"CiCi, maybe I'd better book a hotel room.” If fur flew I had no doubt we'd all be attending a kitty funeral.

CiCi placed a hand on Valdez's head. “You will
not
hurt my Sheba.”

I had a feeling there was more than a bit of whammy going on. As for the cat, she sidled up to Valdez and rubbed her head against his chest. He practically vibrated with the urge to swallow her in one gulp. To my relief, Sheba moved on to jump into CiCi's lap. I sent Valdez a mental message to chill, but it wasn't necessary. He lay down at CiCi's feet.

“Now sit, all of you. Gloriana, tell us your plans.”

I perched on the edge of a striped silk chair, as far away from Derek as I could get. I saw a tattoo on his muscular forearm, fairly modern looking spider webs. So he wasn't centuries old. No wonder he hunted so enthusiastically. Everyone was staring at me. Oh, yes. My plans.

“Vintage Vamp's Emporium. What do you think of the name?”

CiCi smiled. “Quite clever, my dear.”

“You want everyone to
know
you're vampire?” Derek still stood, obviously wired from his night out. Feeding did that to you. Energized you. I did
not
miss the real deal.

“A vamp in the 1920s was a siren. A hottie to your generation. ” Freddy was clearly still pissed with his partner. He looked at me and forced a smile. “You should have seen Glory back then. Right, Mother? No one could Charleston like Gloriana St. Clair.”

“Oh, I get it.” Derek moved closer to Freddy and put his hand on his shoulder. He scored because at least Freddy didn't shrug it off. “Cool name. A vamp who's a vamp.”

“That's the idea.” I rolled my shoulders. “Sorry, folks, but would I be rude if I went to bed now? I've been driving all night.”

“Oh, we are thoughtless!” CiCi glanced at the gilt and marble clock ticking on the mantle. “Less than an hour till the sun comes up. Of course you're tired. Frederick, show Gloriana to her room and help her settle in.”

“Thank you for having me, CiCi. I hope to be more entertaining tomorrow night.” CiCi just smiled and waved me out of the room. Valdez was hot on my heels. I could already see that I was crowding them in this house. With CiCi's large collection of furniture and knickknacks and three people already living here, there wasn't much space for me and my dog. I would have to make other arrangements as soon as possible.

Freddy picked up my bag again and gestured toward the stairs. “I've got it all fixed up for you. No trouble at all. You
will
stay with us. It's too dangerous for you to be on your own.”

“Don't read my mind, it's not polite.” I huffed up the stairs in his wake. “I'd rather not waste my energy blocking you.”

“As if you could.” He stopped in front of an open door. It was a charming bedroom with a four poster bed done up with a pretty vintage quilt. Heavy curtains had been drawn across the two windows.

“Okay, so I suck at some kinds of mental telepathy. I have other talents.”

Freddy patted my hand. “Of course you do. Actress, dancer and soon to be shop owner. I think I've found the perfect location. We can go see it tomorrow night.” He turned as Valdez trotted into the room. “Good, your protector is here. Promise you'll keep him with you whenever I'm not around.”

“You sound like my ex. Blade said he'd talked to you.”

Freddy got a grim look. “Yes. He told me about MacTavish. This Westwood isn't the only hunter out there, either. Two vampires were killed in Houston the same day Westwood attacked Blade in Lake Charles.”

I shuddered. I knew my geography. Houston was only about three hours away from here by car. “But not in Austin?”

“No, not here. But we're safer in groups, Glory. You can't just depend on a damned dog to keep you safe.”

“Back off, vampire. Blondie's safe with me.”
My damned dog had sniffed out the room, then jumped on the bed to settle on the foot.

“Ah, now you speak.” I walked over and tugged his ear. “Good job downstairs, with Sheba.”

“Yeah, I don't know what came over me.”
He looked around the room.
“But if that cat tries to sleep with us, all bets are off.”

Freddy laughed. “Don't let Mother hear you say that. This is your
guard
dog?”

“Yes, he is. He really took care of me on the road. I even had to pay extra at one motel because Valdez scared the life out of a cleaning lady who tried to come in during the day.”

I smiled and patted Valdez's head. “Of course I did sleep through what was apparently a ‘vicious attack' according to the desk clerk. I had to take his word that the woman ran screaming across the courtyard and almost fell into the pool. I never heard a thing.” Yes, we really do sleep like the dead and thank God for Valdez.

“You just made my point, Glory.” Freddy ignored Valdez's “woof.” “The mutt's probably mortal. Westwood wouldn't hesitate to shut up a barking dog.”

“Valdez!” I hugged Freddy again. “Don't worry. I'm staying. At least for a while. Thank you.” I looked up at him. “Don't be so hard on Derek. We've been where he is. It takes centuries to develop the kind of self-control it takes to give up hunting. He's obviously not as old as we are.”

“No, he's not. But he can be careless, Glory. He could endanger all of us.”

I couldn't argue with him when he was probably right. Freddy ran a hand through his thick black hair. CiCi couldn't complain about her son's looks. He was pale, with bright blue eyes that could mesmerize you if you let yourself look into them too long. He was handsome, sexy and I'd have invited him into my bed in a heartbeat if I thought he'd be interested. He reached out to stroke my cheek.

“Nice to know, sweetheart.”

“Damn it, quit reading my mind.” I would have flushed if I wasn't about a quart low. I pulled a can of Bloody Merry out of my bag and popped it open. The older I get, the less often I have to feed. But smelling Derek . . . I took a swig, then sighed. “It's not the same, you know.”

“Don't I just.” Freddy grabbed my can and took a deep swallow, then handed it back. “You run out, just ask. Mother's got about fifty cases stockpiled. ‘In case of emergency.' She still doesn't trust the Internet.”

“Who does?” I sat on the bed and watched Freddy pace. It didn't take a mind reader to know he was still upset with Derek.

“Maybe you should hunt
with
him. Then you can control the situation.” I sipped again. I could feel my strength returning.

“He'd love that, but been there, done that. You know?”

“Yeah, I know.” It was so much easier to pretend you were normal when you didn't hunt. Sorry, but the thrill of being vampire can wear off, at least it did for me. Like, oh, two hundred years ago. About the time Blade and I split the first go round, actually.

Freddy was nodding. Of course he'd been reading my mind. I called him a name in there and he grinned.

“Sorry. Bad habit. Forget hunting. Now about this shop of yours.” He quit smiling. “Maybe I shouldn't help you with it. Mother's right. Go back to Blade. He still wants you and can well afford to support you.”

“Not up for discussion, Frederick. Go to bed, make up with Derek and leave me to my canned”—I wrinkled my nose—“elixir.”

“Stubborn wench.” He kissed my cheek then walked to the door. “It
is
good to see you again. Rest well. I'll see you in the evening. Your bathroom's next door.”

“Rest well yourself, Freddy, and thank you for having me here. You're a good friend.”

I sat on the bed and took another drink. They made a Bloody Merry lite but I'd learned the hard way that no matter what I did to lose weight, I woke up the same old same old. The down side to our healing sleep.

“Friend? That guy's nuts. Turnin' down a fine lookin' woman like you.”
Valdez bumped my hand with his nose and I buried my fingers in his fur.

“He called you a damned dog.”

I sat there with Valdez close to me. He was warm, alive. As morning approached I felt more and more dead despite the rejuvenating effects of the Bloody Merry. I finished the drink and rummaged in my bag for a cotton nightgown. I was into comfort these days and looked about as sexy as a tree stump once I was ready for bed.

I found the bathroom and washed my face, studying my arms in the harsh light. CiCi was right, I looked stupid. I'd shower when I got up and use one of the loofas next to the tub/shower combo to start ridding myself of my loathsome tan. I
felt
pale, I should look pale.

What had happened to my high spirits? My optimism? I staggered into the bedroom and turned off the light. The room was black, just the way I liked it. I don't usually dream when I sleep, but I have to admit that knowing Freddy and his lover were down the hall in each other's arms got me all nostalgic.

Okay, okay, jealous. I needed a new lover, someone who would worship me and do whatever I wanted. Not someone like Blade, who knew just how to make me—God, yes— come apart in bed, but treated me like a lowly woman the rest of the time we were together. The next affair I had, I would be in control. And I was in Texas. It should be a cowboy. That thought was enough to make me smile as I sank into oblivion.

Three

"Wake up, Glory. It's dark outside.”

“Go 'way,” I muttered as I blinked and met green eyes that were disgustingly alert. I stretched and nudged Valdez with my foot. “I thought you were protecting me. Bite her.”

“She's cute.”
Valdez actually rolled over and moaned when my intruder rubbed his tummy.
“Harmless.”

“You want to bet on that,
signor
?” Florence da Vinci smiled and showed an impressive set of fangs.

I reached over to snap on the lamp next to the bed. “You don't want to mess with Flo, Valdez.”

“No kidding.”
Valdez sat up and eyed Flo who actually licked her lips.
“Yeah, I get your point. Hah. Hah.”
He jumped off the bed and trotted to the door.
“I'm goin'. Someone downstairs will let me out.”

“Sure, beat it, you wimp.” I sat up and held out my arms. “You look wonderful, Flo. Freddy didn't tell me you were in Austin.”

“Not just in Austin. Here, in the attic. It's pretty cool. We're one big happy family now.” Flo hugged me, then stepped back to look me over. She shook her head. "CiCi told me you painted yourself orange. What were you thinking?”

“I wasn't, apparently.” I threw back the covers and got out of bed.

“You sleep in
that
?” Flo drew back in horror. “You don't let the handsome Jeremy see you so ugly, do you? Where's your sexy negligee?”

“Jeremy's not here and I don't
care
if he sees me ugly.” Florence is an Italian Angelina Jolie look-alike who certainly knows her way around sexy. If anyone can put the vamp in vampire, it's Flo. No one knows her real name. I first met her when she'd simply shown up in Scotland one day.