“Aw, Glory, I’m sorry.” Penny put her arms around me. “It’s okay to go after the man you love. If Blade’s got any sense, he’ll be hoping you do that very thing.”
I sighed. “Circe put him in my path, but I had no song to bind him. He fell in love with me on his own.”
“There you go. You’re irresistible.” Penny glanced at Ian, obviously thinking he didn’t need in on this conversation.
“Thanks, Penny.” I patted her back. “I hope you’re right.”
“You have a safe trip.” She stood and walked toward the labs. “I’ve got to get my stuff together.” She stopped in the doorway. “How are you getting there anyway? I can’t imagine it’s easy for a vampire to negotiate such a long distance with the time differences and the death sleep.”
“Ray’s chartered a flight for me.” I couldn’t look at Ian this time.
He laughed loudly. “Oh, there you go. That will cap it off for Campbell. He’ll figure out what you had to do to get a plane from Caine and wash his hands of you, my girl. See if he doesn’t.” He wore jeans and a knit shirt tonight but I could imagine him in a kilt, attacking the Campbell fortress. “You may well get that castle door slammed in your pretty face, Gloriana. And if you’ve ever turned the man into a statue like you’ve done to me, it’s a certainty.”
“Thanks a heap, Ian. Ray and I are friends. He’s chartering the flight for me as a favor. I hope Jerry can understand that.”
“Just friends, Glory?” Ray stood in the doorway. “You can tell Ian the truth. We’re more than friends and you didn’t think I was going to let you get on that plane by yourself, did you?”
Eighteen
Ray turned to me as soon as Penny made her excuses and hurried out of the room. “I can’t believe you froze Ian. You have a death wish, Glory?”
I glanced at Ian. “I had some things I needed to say. Now I guess I’d better thaw him.”
“Yes, it’s past time.” Ian looked like he was going for my throat as soon as I did.
Ray was on his cell phone. I saw why as soon as his bodyguard, Will Kilpatrick, came into the room. He was a Scot Ray had hired who happened to be from a clan near Jerry’s. He was also brother to the mother of Jerry’s child, but I liked him anyway.
“What’s this now?” Will grinned at me. “Rumors are flying among the guards. Did you do this, Gloriana?” He came over to kiss my cheek. “Ah, lassie, ’tis a fine skill.”
“Yes, but now what?” I smiled at Ray. “Thanks for the backup, Ray.”
“Ian, I’m a valuable customer. Glory is leaving town for a while. And you know the council won’t stand for you hurting her. Neither will I. Can she thaw you now without reprisals?” Ray motioned to Will and he stood beside me, stake at the ready.
“No need for violence. Glory proved a point. I had a little fun at her expense. It’s over now and we’re done. I want nothing more to do with her.” Ian’s eyes flashed. “Just get me the fuck out of this, Gloriana. Now!”
“I didn’t really hear an apology.” I felt Ray squeeze my hand. Okay, so Ian had a dozen guards he could call in. “Fine.” I thawed him then braced myself.
Ian just strode around the room, obviously testing his freedom, then stopped to write something in his tablet.
“Son of a bitch but I hated that! Wish I could do it myself though.” He glared at me like it was my fault that I couldn’t transfer the power.
“Did she tell you she can also blast through your mental blocks when you’re trying to hide your thoughts?” Ray threw himself into a chair. “That one’s a real pisser.”
Ian blanched and frowned at me. I gave him a finger wave with a smile, not even pretending I hadn’t poked around in his brain.
Ray gestured at his bodyguard. “Will, you can go back outside now. Disaster averted.”
“I hope so. MacDonald, is he right?” Will waited until Ian nodded. “Too bad. While you were standing there frozen, I had a chance with my stake. But it wasn’t to be.” He ignored Ian’s growl. “Glory, good to see you. Glad you and Ray here finally hooked up. Though I’m sure Blade wouldn’t agree.” He winked at me. “Don’t see anyone’s ring on your finger, though, do I, lass?”
“Will, aren’t you supposed to be outside sharpening that stake or something?” I really didn’t need to hear Jerry’s name right now.“Sure. Guard duty. I’m on it. Just one more thing.” Will stopped in the doorway. “MacDonald, Blade sent ye a message from the homeland.” He said something in Gaelic that Ian obviously took exception to. Will grinned and saluted before taking off.
“Might be time to let that slacker go.” Ray grumbled.
“Couldn’t agree more.” Ian threw down his tablet. “I assume you’re here for the daylight drug, Ray. I’ll go get your order.” He left the room after sending a last angry look my way. An effort to read his thoughts just got me a bunch of indecipherable Gaelic. Ian had obviously switched languages, my hopelessness with any languages other than English no secret.
“I wonder what Will said.”
“Doesn’t matter. I won’t fire him. He’s a hell of an Xbox player and we have a tournament going. He’s on my team against Nate and one of the other guards.” Ray smiled ruefully at me. “No comment on the plane trip?”
“Let’s wait until we’re out of here for that discussion.” I sat on the arm of his chair. Before I could stop him, he’d pulled me into his lap. “I’m sorry, Ray, that you walked into the middle of that. But have to say I wasn’t sure how it was going to play out.” I didn’t let him know I could have vanished out of there.
“Glad to help. Ian was certainly pissed. Please don’t do that to me. Not sure I could take it.” He pulled me close, my head snug against his chest. I inhaled, savoring his nearness and realizing again how much he meant to me.
What was wrong with me that I could have such strong feelings for three different men? And be willing to use them so shamelessly? Because I had to talk Ray out of going with me on that plane yet it seemed like I was going to let him foot the bill. If I could pay him back somehow… Oh, sure. How many thousands of dollars did a charter flight cost? I’d end up like Diana, drowning in debt.
But I’d let Jerry pay for bodyguards for hundreds of years. Obviously using men was Siren behavior, I just hadn’t known that’s where it had come from. It was past time I let it go. I didn’t want to be that person anymore, always taking.
“My, oh my. Look at the cozy couple.”
“Get up, Glory,” Ray growled in my ear.
“No. Ignore her, Ray. Lucky, go away.” I noticed she hadn’t brought her bodyguards in with her.
“Are you kidding? Ian’s expecting me. We have a date.” She tossed her hair then smiled. “Hey, Ray. How’s immortality treating you?”
“Glory, I’m about to dump you on your pretty behind.” Ray stood and dropped me on the chair. “Lucky, I figure you don’t give a shit about me and my immortality.”
“But I do. Didn’t Glory tell you? I’m sorry, Ray. I’ve had time to think since I did the deed. Maybe I was hasty, turning you like that.” Lucky was smart enough to keep the couch between her and Ray, especially when Ray stepped closer to her.
“Maybe? You hadn’t seen me in what?—decades—and you rip out my throat and make me vampire on a fuckin’ whim?” Ray stalked her, fangs down, following her when she backed away from him. “Now ‘Sorry’ is supposed to clear the air? Some things are unforgivable, Lucky. You with me on that, Glory?”
“Ray, settle down. It can’t be undone so there’s no point in—” I stood behind him, trying to find the magic words to calm him down. He kept his eyes narrowed on Lucky like he was ready to spring.
“In what? Taking revenge? But it would feel so damned good.” Ray jerked a stake out of his back pocket and Lucky and I both gasped.
“What the hell are you doing? Vampires don’t—” Lucky’s eyes were saucers and she’d backed up until she hit a wall. A painting that had hung there fell to the floor with a crash. I figured the only reason that Ian hadn’t come running was because he was somewhere enjoying the show.
“Don’t stake each other? You wish. I figure sending you to hell would be a public service, Lucky.” Ray’s hand was steady as he aimed the stake at Lucky’s heart. There was still a leather chair between them but I knew it would be an easy leap for him to be on her.
“Ray, the council won’t stand for this. You know the penalty for taking out another vampire.” I kept my hand on his back, willing him to listen to me.
“Let them try to find me.” His smile was wry. “I have the resources to live wherever the hell I please.”
“I won’t run with you.” I squeezed his shoulder.
“I’ll miss you like hell, sweet thing, but that threat won’t stop me. And I’m warning you, Glory. If you freeze me now, I’ll never forgive you. You hear me?” Ray’s voice was cold and I believed him.
“I won’t do that to you, Ray. This is your decision. But she’s just not worth it. You’ve made a decent life here. I can’t bear the thought of you bringing it down over this worthless bitch.” I leaned my face against his shirt, too sick and terrified to cry.
“Freeze him, Glory. I know you can do it.” Lucky’s voice wobbled and I realized she was actually scared.
“No.” I rubbed his back, absorbing his pain, hurt and fury. If I were still a killer, a real Siren, I’d take her out for him. Obviously I was damned anyway. No wonder Lucifer had been drawn to me, wanted me for himself. I swallowed nausea at the thought.