Real Vampires Know Size Matters

• • •

Back at the club, I hurried up to the practice room. I could hear Ray and Aggie singing when I got to the door. So he’d really agreed to give her a chance to take Sienna’s place. Had Miguel used some kind of persuasion technique on him? Ray was still a relatively new vamp. I bet Miguel could mesmerize him and Ray wouldn’t even know it.

“Ah, Gloriana. What do you think?” Miguel stood by the doorway, listening. “Pretty good for an early run-through. Of course Caine is being hard on her. He’s disappointed that Ms. Star let him down.”

“I’m not letting anyone down. We got it all fixed. Didn’t you hear? The vamp thing was a publicity stunt. It’ll be all over the regular newspapers tomorrow. I doubt the tabloids will print it.” Sienna strolled in. She calmly stood in front of the stage until Aggie noticed her. To her credit, the former Siren finished the song then jumped off the stage.

“Shouldn’t you be on your way to rehab?” Aggie put her hands on her hips. “As you can see, I managed to fill your shoes.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not on drugs and won’t ever go there again. Also, my shoes aren’t the issue here, chickie, so get out of my way.” Sienna brushed past her and took Ray’s hand to climb onto the stage. “Sorry, I’m late. I guess you heard I had a kind of meltdown last night. It’s all good now. Glory helped me see the light.”

Ray stared at me. “Yeah, she’s pretty good at that. You okay?” He glanced back at the band. “Sienna looks good, doesn’t she, guys?” Their answer was a raucous cacophony of sound and cheers.

Aggie flounced over to Miguel’s side. “I quit. If they can’t appreciate me, they can do without a backup singer.”

“No, you will not quit. There is publicity. Right, Glory?”

“Yes, national publicity after tonight. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone from Sienna’s label shows up just to make sure she isn’t using. A good backup singer won’t go unnoticed.” I felt kind of sorry for Aggie. She looked pale and had lost weight. The weight thing was a positive, still leaving her far from skinny. However, if it was because Miguel was taking too much of her blood each night, then I had to hate that.

“But they keep disrespecting me.” Aggie was in a full pout now.

“Earn their respect. Be a professional. Now get back on the stage and do what you’re paid to do.” Miguel swatted her bottom. “Do you hear me?”

“Yes.” Her lower lip quivered but she did what he said.

“Wow. You’ve got her trained.” Bully. Aggie wasn’t a friend, but no one deserved to be brought so low.

“She responds to a firm hand.” Miguel shook his head. “The rock star managed to clean up her mess?”

“Yes. I can assure you, the contracts for the hits will be withdrawn. Wait and see.” I smiled at his look of disappointment.

“Lucky for her.” He glanced at the stage. “Because I got two more calls since we talked. I hate to miss such lucrative opportunities. I will leave the clients hanging until we’re sure the matter is properly taken care of.” He smiled and glanced at his phone like he was waiting for a text.

“I’m sure you can afford the financial loss.” I couldn’t help noticing that his clothing was of the finest quality. His silk shirt, fine woolen trousers and leather shoes were custom Italian. He was all in black, a habit with him apparently. He seemed to like to disappear into dark corners and alleys.

“Glory! Here you are. Rafael sent us up.” Flo tugged on my arm. “Come out here and talk to us. Richard had a friend call him. He heard on the radio that you’re singing here on Halloween. I couldn’t believe it. First, because he has a friend who actually listens to the radio, and second, that you would do such a thing and not tell me.”

I began to explain the strange happenings that had led to my performing on the N-V stage. I found myself pouring out the entire Mel situation too. Even Jerry’s plan to make her dump him.

“No! I can’t imagine Jeremiah loving anyone but you. I don’t think he’ll be able to fake it and make her believe him.” Flo hugged me. “And how will you stand seeing him pretend to adore the woman you hate?”

“I’ll just have to suck it up. If they do come here on Halloween.” It would be a great way to prove to Mel that she could have Jerry. But could I calmly sing my songs while Mel watched and gloated?

“Have you seen him? Talked to him lately?” Flo’s look of sympathy just about broke the layer of calm I kept covering the worry that was eating a hole in my heart.

“No, he’s committed to staying with her every waking moment until she tosses him aside.” I flashed back to that gutted goat. A woman who had such disregard for life . . . I had no idea what more she was capable of. No idea at all. And Jerry was with her. At her mercy.

• • •

Halloween night already. I’d agreed to let my staff close the shop at eleven so they could come to the show. Had even arranged tickets for them. Hey, if I was going to humiliate myself, might as well have a full house with plenty of friendly faces.

“Glory, I guess I’d better tell you about the table I booked last week in the center of the balcony.” Rafe had come backstage to make sure I had everything I needed. We’d laughed when I’d asked for a one-way ticket to anywhere else.

“The vampires? I know about Flo, Richard, Cait and Bart. Oh, and they’re dragging along Ian.” I added some more dramatic eye makeup. Sienna had warned me that the spotlight would wash me out otherwise.

“Damian too. He’s bringing Diana. But that’s not the one I mean.” Rafe pulled up a stool. “Your mother booked a table, a big one.”

“Why am I not surprised? But I wonder who she’ll bring? Not Zeus. She’s still trying to figure out how to break the news that she has a daughter. I can’t imagine that he comes down to Earth on a regular basis anyway.” I gave up on more eyeliner. My hand was shaking too badly.

“I hope to hell not Zeus. If he gets pissed off, I imagine everything around him takes a hard hit.” Rafe picked up a blush brush and grabbed my chin. “I’ve worked too hard to make this club a success. I won’t see it go down now. Hold still. You look even paler than usual. Nerves?” He expertly stroked blush over my nonexistent cheekbones. I guess he’d watched me do it enough over the years to get the hang of it.

“I’m terrified. There’s so much riding on this. Not that I want a music career. I think I’ve finally convinced Ray and Sienna that this is a one-time thing. But what if Mel and Jerry come? The idea of that bitch watching me . . . She could shoot one of her creepy creatures at me when I’m in the middle of a song!”

“Oh, they’ll be here. Blade called in a favor and asked me to book a table for two next to the dance floor. As for Mel, I’m sure she’s way too aware of her professional reputation to pull a stunt like that.” Rafe frowned at me when I handed him my eyebrow pencil. “What?”

“I think I made a mess of my eyebrows.” I should have brought along my computer mirror setup.

“Pretty much. Unless you want to look surprised.” He wiped them off and started over. “Blade sounded like shit, Glory. I actually feel sorry for him.” He laid down the pencil.

“I’m sure he’s going through hell.” I shuddered. “It freaks me out that he spends his death sleep in her bed.”

“That’s not good. If she decides he’s playing her, she could just stake him in his sleep.” Rafe stood. “Shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry. You have enough on your mind tonight.”

“Believe me, I think about that constantly.” I sighed. “Guess you’d better get out there and take care of business.”

“Yep. The first show was packed. Then we had to empty the place to get ready for this midnight gig.” He was trying not to let me see how happy this made him but I’d known him too long not to pick up on it.

“Sounds like it’s a success. I’m glad for your sake.” I took his hand. “Thanks for everything, Rafe. Lacy okay that I’m your date tonight?”

“Yep. It’s tough though. You should see her in a mermaid costume Aggie would kill for. I’d like to be out there right now beating off the single guys.” He frowned. “I guess she’s punishing me. This better be over soon.”

“It’s got to be. I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done. As usual.” I managed a smile and let him go. “All we have to do is get through tonight, get rid of Mel, and maybe we can both have what we want. If I survive this performance.”

“Cheer up, Glo. I’ve heard you practice. You’ll be dynamite.” He stopped at the door, suddenly very serious. “Now about this deal with Blade. I know you’re trying to trick Mel into thinking you two are through. But as a man who has loved you, I’ve got to tell you, that last song of yours is going to make it impossible for Blade not to show how he really feels.”

“Don’t say that! We need for her to think he’s over me, Rafe. What was I thinking?” I dropped my face into my hands.

“You were thinking that you don’t give in to any woman. You want Blade, you go after him. Voodoo? Forget about it. In a face-off, I’m betting on you.” Rafe leaned against the door.

“This is so screwed up.” I raised my head. He was right. I’d never wanted to meekly hand Jerry over to Mel without a fight.

“Pull yourself together, Blondie. You look beautiful. Knock ’em dead. I’ll help both of you, any way I can.” He opened the door before I could say another word. “You have company. I’ll leave you to it.”

“Thanks, Rafe. For everything. It means . . . so much.” I would always love him, as a friend. I pasted on a smile when Flo, Richard next to her, waved at me from the doorway. “Come in, guys. Rafe was just leaving. He’s the one who makes this place run smoothly, you know.”