(Glory St Clair 11) Real Vampires Say Read My Hips (9 page)

“This is amazing.”

“You look wonderful, darling. Now why would you ever leave here when you have this kind of magic at your fingertips? Up here you are a goddess with awesome powers. Unfortunately, on Earth, you lose many of them. Why, I don’t know. Something about gravity, I think. I’m certainly no scientist to explain such things.” Mother smiled and led me out of the room. “Lose this fabulous trick for a man? Believe me, I can find you some wonderful, sexy men right here. Give me a chance. I promise to make you forget that vampire.”

“Quit pushing me, Mother.” I stopped in my tracks.

“Very well. I won’t mention it again today. The boys are supposed to be guarding Olympus. That is their assigned task though you will see it doesn’t really occupy them. Please, come with me. You will absolutely love them.” She leaned close to whisper in my ear. “Remember, they were cursed with eternal youth. My fault. Please do not remark on their short stature or the fact that they never became, um, men. It is a sensitive subject.”

“How sad.” I took her hand, seeing the deep sorrow in her eyes. “Are you sure it’s your fault?”

“I’m the goddess of youth. Of course it is. Why you grew to adulthood is a mystery. I can only think that Mars is just so virile…” She looked dreamy for a moment. “Well, it’s something to think about. What a twist of fate if it were somehow to be laid at Hercules’ door.” She sighed deeply. “But whoever is to blame, it is a fact we deal with daily. The boys are always boys and have been for millennia. Be kind.”

“Of course. I hope they accept me. They may resent my very existence.” I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach.

“Yes, they might. I’ll be careful to warn them to be on their best behavior. They have their father’s own temper.” She sighed. “Come. Cheer up. If they have any sense at all they will adore you.”

I walked by her side down yet another glittering golden path. Twin brothers. I hoped I wasn’t walking toward double trouble.

In moments we arrived at a large field. Teams were playing soccer--one in red shirts, one in blue--and I saw what appeared to be identical twins captaining the opposing teams. Mother and I watched the rough play for a while until a referee finally called a halt. One player lay still on the field, knocked unconscious by a particularly vicious hit.

“Boys, come meet someone.” My mother waved a scarf at the field and the twins ran to the sidelines.

“Did you see, Mother? I got a goal on Alex’s team just a few moments ago.” One of the boys was grinning and kissed Mother on her cheek.

“After you laid out one of my players. Illegal as hell, Anni.” The other boy kissed Mother as well. “Who’s this?”

“Darlings. I thought you might have heard the gossip. This is your, um, sister.” Mother pulled me closer. “Gloriana, these are your brothers, Alexiaares and Anicetus.”

“Sister?” Anni looked me over. “This is news indeed. Does Father know you have acknowledged this by-blow as yours?”

“Manners!” Mother tapped him lightly on his uniform shirt. “He will know soon enough. Be aware that Gloriana has already been accepted by Zeus and is under his protection. You know your grandfather’s word is law. It will be in your best interests to embrace her as family.”

“Of course. Any bastard child of our mother’s is a sister of ours.” Alex laughed. “Gods, but I can’t wait to see Father’s reaction to the news.”

“This isn’t funny, Alex.” Mother touched a handkerchief to her eyes. “He will of course be displeased.”

“And Father displeased is a world of hurt for whoever crosses him.” Anni put his arm around her. “If he tries anything, send for us. Alex and I will stand between you.” He glanced at me. “I don’t care about this girl, but we love you, Mother, and will protect you from him. Never doubt it. We have felt the lash of his temper too often ourselves.”

The hanky was soaked now. “Boys, you cannot know what it means to hear you say that.” Mother ignored me as she linked her arms with the twins. “I don’t want you brawling with your father. Trust that Zeus will make sure I am safe from Hercules’ anger. But do me the kindness of at least pretending to accept Gloriana. Please?”

“Who is her father?” Alex glared at me. “Why is she fully grown and we..?”

“Darling, I don’t know why she is the way she is but her father is Mars.” She brushed a fingertip across Alex’s cheek. “This ties our family to him, does it not? I would say you can use that alliance to your advantage.”

“Yes, we can. Mars.” Anni gave me a measuring look. “She’s the image of you, Mother. I suppose we can pretend to love her, for your sake. And it will be fun to watch Father stew over this new development. At least there’s no way his anger can turn to us for this.” He and his brother stared at each other, maybe with some silent communication. “I think I’ll send a runner to give him the news. Do you mind?”

“Not at all. We might as well get it over with.” Mother released them. “Oh, I think the others are ready to resume the game. Good luck. But I know you don’t need it. What’s the score?”

“We are tied. Aren’t we almost always?” Alex grumbled, staring at the scoreboard which I’d just noticed.

“You are perfectly matched, my darling boys.” Mother kissed each of them, then watched as they trotted back onto the field.

“They are certainly handsome.” I felt compelled to say something, though neither boy had said a thing to me.

“Yes. But they never aged past ten or so. Very bright, of course. Especially Anni. When it comes to court matters, he is always thinking. Their father has been terribly hard on them. They will be very happy to see him taken down a peg by Zeus in this matter with you and Mars.” Mother clapped when Alex, whose team wore blue, scored a goal.

“Do you want to stay and watch them play?” I realized there were bleachers but no audience.

“No, they do this sort of sport on almost a daily basis. It is a dead bore but keeps them out of trouble. They are supposed to be guarding Olympus but it is a title, nothing more. They have an army, squads of soldiers, to do the actual duty.” She led the way along the path. “Come, I will introduce you to some of my friends. They are dying to meet you.”

“I’m sure the gossip has been flying.” I braced myself. It didn’t seem like there was much to do in Olympus but play and gossip.

“Of course, darling. You were a hot topic, as they say where you’ve been living.” Mother grinned.

“Oh, great.” We hadn’t gotten far when a soldier ran up to us.

“Your pardon, your highness.” He handed a note to my mother then ran away again.

“Well, I wonder what this was about.” She tore open the envelope then read the note inside. She didn’t say a word but I could tell it bothered her. 

“What is it? Zeus? Your husband?” I could tell she was thinking. I wanted to shake it loose from her but just waited. Finally she turned to me.

“No, it seems your father has a surprise for you. He asked us to meet him at his palace.” She crumpled the note and it disappeared. “I wish… But he is your father so he does have the right…”

“What is it?” Interesting that she could make the paper and envelope just vanish. I’d like to learn a trick like that. But more importantly, whatever my father had done made her bite her lip.

“Remember I told you once that time moves differently here than it does on Earth?” She faced me and took my hand.

“Yes.” My stomach rumbled. I was really going to have to watch what I ate. Now dread was giving me a really queasy feeling. “Why? How long have I been gone from down there? Jerry? My friends? How long have I been missing?”

“It’s only been a few days here, you know.” Her grip tightened and I jerked away from her.

“Answer me, Mother. How long have I been gone? From my shop? My life?” My voice rose and I was on my way to a full blown meltdown. “What does this have to do with Dad’s surprise?”

“I’ll not spoil his plans. But you’ve been gone from Earth about, um, two months.”

“No! I’d set a wedding day and now it’s past. What is Jerry thinking? He must be frantic.” I was sick but refused to give her the satisfaction of crying in front of her. “I missed the bridal party that Flo planned and, God! did Jerry remember to feed my cat?” I wondered what would happen if I slapped my mother across her selfish face. Oh, it was tempting. But she had powers I didn’t want to test. So I stared down at my feet. Was that where my home was? Was Olympus in the clouds? A hellish kind of Heaven? I couldn’t stand it.

“I need to go. Now!” I stomped my foot. “How could you do this to me, if you love me as you claim?”

“Darling.” My mother tried to take me into her arms. I was having none of it.

“Get the hell away from me.” I stormed off down the path with no idea where I was going.

She stayed next to me. “Keep walking. Straight ahead. We’ll be there soon. Your father’s gift will make you feel better. I swear it.” She thrust a snowy hanky into my hand. “Pull yourself together. You will want to look your best for this. I promise you.”

“Why?” I stopped dead. “What has Mars done?”

“I was beginning to think you’d never get here.” Mars appeared in the path in front of us. “So I came to fetch you.” He looked me over. I’m sure he wasn’t happy with my red nose and wet cheeks. “You’re upset. Why?”

“I just found out I’ve been gone for two months in Earth time. Two freaking months!” I wiped my cheeks and blew my nose. Now I was mad. “How could you do that to me? I have a life down there. The man I love probably thinks I got cold feet. On top of that my cat may have died of neglect!” I took a shuddery breath.

“No, Lacy took Boogie in and has been caring for him. He’s fine, Gloriana.” The deep voice came from behind Mars.

I actually grabbed my father--the god of war, no less--and shoved him out of the way. Then I threw myself at the one man who could make it okay for me to stay here a while.

“Jerry.” I sobbed against his chest for a second then latched on to his mouth. He tasted the same, so dear, so perfect. But then we drew back, both more than horrified.

“Where the hell are your fangs?” He stared down at me. Even shocked he looked wonderful to me, so strong and unbelievably right in the short leather tunic similar to my father’s. I guess the Olympus garb had been necessary.

“Yours are gone too, lover.” I brushed his lips with my fingertips. “I don’t care, kiss me again. I can’t believe you’re here.”

“I’d go to hell itself to be with you, Gloriana.”

“I’m afraid that’s what you’ve just done.” I smiled when he pushed his hands into my hair then took my mouth with his. The kiss went on for a while as we learned how to deal with the new sensations. No fangs. Strange and exciting.

“You two can do more of that later. Let her go, Blade, and heed me. You too, Gloriana.” Mars’ voice boomed from only a few feet away.

I dragged myself out of Jerry’s arms but held onto his hand. “Okay, this is a wonderful surprise. But I hope you don’t expect this to make me content to remain here. Jerry can’t stay here either. He’s powerless in this land of gods and goddesses.”

“Gloriana…” Jerry started to speak but I wasn’t about to stop now. He had no idea what rat hole he’d fallen into.

“You’ve got to see reason, Mars. Please, please take us both back down to Earth where we belong. Now.”

The ground shook under our feet and I heard a sword slip from its scabbard right before the world went black.

Chapter 5

I woke up in one of those cells I’d been warned about. Flashes of lightning played across the ceiling down a hallway I could see through the bars of the door near my feet. I lay on the hard concrete floor, pains hitting me from head to toe.

“Jerry?” My voice came out as a croak. I was desperately thirsty. How long had I been here? I glanced around. No water, just a slop jar that was blessedly empty. For now. I suddenly had an urgent need to pee. Damn. I’d die before I squatted over that thing.

“Jerry!” I sat up, the effort costing me. The worst pain was around my chest. Had I been tortured? What I wouldn’t give for my vampire healing sleep right now. Seems a goddess was more like a mortal than I’d realized. My bare feet were filthy and my size two white jeans were now soiled and split down the sides. Well hell. While I’d slept my size had morphed into my usual twelve. I’d popped buttons and the zipper until I looked like a sausage left too long on the grill.

I reached back and managed to open the clasp on my bra. Instantly the searing pain around my chest was relieved when my breasts sprang free. My sweater would have to be peeled off of me but I had nothing else to wear. Misery, thy name is an outfit five sizes too small. I tried the “think thin and snap” trick. Nothing happened. Someone had really done a number on me. Someone? Two guesses. One or both of my parents. Damn them.

I heard a commotion coming from down the hall. Screaming. Female. A handmaiden ran past, her toga ripped and the ends of her hair on fire. She sobbed as she batted at the flames with a towel. I dragged myself to the barred door.

“Please. Help me. Is Jeremy Blade, a mortal, here?” I coughed as a cloud of black smoke filled the corridor. “Jerry!”

Mars appeared in front of my cell. “He’s down the hall next to Achelous. Mortals are usually kept away from the gods. But… Well, your mother didn’t like my little surprise.” My father frowned toward the place where the smoke was thickest. “Stupid asshole. Achelous is only making it worse for himself. Zeus may end him yet. Our leader is still figuring out where to send the god to spend his mortal time on Earth. Pity the mortals who end up with him. What do you say, Gloriana? Who deserves such a gift? Any suggestions?”

“Send him as far away from Texas as possible.” I groaned as I crawled to the iron door and dragged myself to my feet. “Wait. My
mother
sent Jerry and me here??” I really wasn’t surprised but it still hurt.

“Hebe
is
Zeus’s daughter. She needed to show you her power.” Mars frowned when there was another flash of lightning. “And show me too, I suppose. I love her but she has the devil’s own temper. She really hates what you were on Earth.”

“She’s made that very clear.” I dragged myself to my feet. “But I can’t help what I am, was. Neither can Jerry.” I reached toward him, through the bars. “Mars, I mean, Dad, please. Help me. I know I didn’t act thrilled that you brought Jerry to me but you clearly meant well. It’s just that you have to know we don’t belong here. Jerry’s a vampire and has to stay on Earth. His family and friends must be frantic.”