“It’s more than just a sexual tool. I’m sure Mr. Blade fills up before he goes into battle, doesn’t he?” Penny was flushed, but determined.

“You did not just go there.” I jumped to my feet. But then I wondered. Had he? Used me for a jumpstart when he had a tough situation to face? No, surely not.

“Maybe we can work around you. I know you wouldn’t turn my twin sister, but you did turn someone vampire once, didn’t you?” Penny faced Ian. “What about using a vampire she made? Would that work?”

“Not sure. It’s possible, I suppose, but a long shot. If that theory held true, Campbell’s blood would be the source, since he made Gloriana vampire. But then we know she was never human so all bets are off on how that affected her blood.” Ian was scribbling in his notebook.

“Who was she, Glory? Who did you turn vampire?” Penny grabbed my hand. “I realize now you were right not to turn my sister Jenny when I begged you. She’s enjoying her cheerleading, wouldn’t want to miss out on all her sorority activities and normal college life. Being a vampire would definitely screw that up. And if she knew I’d been turned… Well, I am glad you talked me out of telling her.”

“Exactly. So trust my instincts now, both of you.” I patted her shoulder then glanced at Ian, who had his pen poised over his notebook. “You don’t want anything to do with the one vampire I did make. It was an emergency or I never would have done it. I found Lucky Carver bleeding out in the alley back here. After I made her, Lucky turned Ray vampire. A little act of revenge that ruined his life. That’s why Ray’s so crazy to get your sunlight drug, Ian. Yep, the one and only vampire I ever sired killed the famous rock star Israel Caine, then turned him vampire. How’s that for cruel fate?”

“Don’t know about fate, but it’s interesting.” Ian scribbled in his notebook. “So Ray’s got some of your blood in him too.”

“More than a little. I’ve had to feed him a few times since then.” I sighed, my brain on sensory overload.

Ian winked. “Relax, Gloriana, I don’t want to cut you out. You’re the source, the best option. Keep an open mind and we’ll meet again. When I examine this demon for you. See? I’m doing you a favor, so you’ll owe me.”

“I may need your help with Alesa, but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to become your blood donor.” I stalked over, ready to wrench open the door. “Good-bye, Ian. Penny, maybe you need to start looking for another job. This one has some requirements that you need to think about. Like becoming one of Ian’s guinea pigs.”

“There are no other jobs for paranormal scientists in Austin, Glory. Besides, I’m learning a lot from Ian. I’d never quit.” Penny smiled at her boss. “Think about his proposition. We’ve got a Web site ready to launch. Brochures set to print. Clarity could bring you millions. And make vampires all over the world happy.”

I hated to see my fledgling sucked into Ian’s world where money was king. Next thing I’d see Penny trying his weight-loss drug. Which would be a shame when she’d just learned to dress right for her size fourteen petite figure.

“Stop this runaway train. I will not help you make this drug.” I saw Penny’s smile fade. “I really don’t believe it will work anyway. Jerry’s certainly never mentioned any effects from it.”

“Back to Campbell, are we? Yes, he would be unhappy to hear we’re working together. But don’t let his attitude stop you, Gloriana. There’s plenty of money in this, you know.” He glanced around my cluttered workroom. “Think what that could mean. But if you’re afraid to go against your lover’s wishes… Are you?” Ian shoved the notebook in his back pocket and held the door while Penny scooted out of the room.

“Of course not. I please myself.” I lifted my chin. Not human. And I had weird blood that Jerry had never mentioned yet drank every chance he could. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I cleared my throat.

“Right.” Ian smiled and leaned against the door.

“About Lucky.” I met Ian’s amused gaze. He thought I was just changing an uncomfortable subject. “Pay attention, Ian. Don’t look her up. Lucky Carver, real name Luciana Carvarelli, is bad news. She’s a loan shark for paranormals. Last I heard she had the Eastern European territory working collections for her father. Trust me, she’s just tough enough to be able to handle the Transylvanian vampires and squeeze payment of bad debts over there.”

“Interesting.” Ian pulled out that damned notebook again. I was surprised he hadn’t switched to electronic note-taking, but guessed he was still old-school in this one way. “Interesting” seemed to be his favorite word. “Maybe I can send one of my guys over to get a blood sample, ask a few questions. What could it hurt to just reach out to her?”

Hah! Easy for him to say. I was sorry I’d ever given Ian Lucky’s name. But at least her father had forbidden her to come back to the States. So we were safe from her.

“Just listen to me for once, Ian. The woman is not worth the heartburn.” I practically shoved Ian out of the back room. He passed a sputtering Flo with a nod, collecting his bodyguards on the way out of the shop.

“What was going on back here, amica?” Flo followed me into the room and shut the door again. “You look strange. Did he do something to you?” She grabbed my arm and made me face her. “Mio Dio, you look like you have been given bad news. That man. He and Jeremiah hate each other. What did he say?”

“Uh, nothing.” I was tempted to cry on Flo’s shoulder, let it all out. But then what? Dump the whole “I’m not human” story on her? I couldn’t do that.

“Did he come over here to get even with Jeremiah about something?” Flo led me to the chair and forced me into it. “Was he trying to get you to take one of his drugs again? Pah! Who needs drugs? I am high on life, I say.”

I just shook my head, still overwhelmed by the last half hour. “Forget it, Flo. He’s helping me with something. For Rafe. No big deal.”

“Well. I hope it is worth it. You know Jeremiah won’t approve.” Flo glanced at the closed door. “He hates the doctor.”

“I know.” I wanted to scream, cry, break something. “Let’s drop it. I see you have on new shoes. Tell me where you got them. Was there a sale?”

I had asked the right question and Flo was happy to chatter away about her recent discovery of an Internet site with designer shoes at a discount.

“It is not as much fun as sitting down and trying on. Smelling the leather, touching the suede and walking around the shop, but I adapt. It is so easy, I click on the mouse thing and the shoes are on their way.” Flo slipped off the suede pump and handed it to me to inspect. “Almost too easy though. I find six boxes at my front door tonight. Six! And I don’t remember ordering but three.” Flo sighed.

“I have to stay away from that online shopping. For me it’s as addictive as the gambling.” I didn’t have much of a credit card limit either. I rubbed the place at my inner arm where Ian had taken my blood. It would be simple enough to solve my cash flow problem. No, not getting into the drug business, especially not with a MacDonald. I hadn’t listened to Jerry all these years without learning a few things about that devious clan.

“I can see how it can be. But Ricardo is so modern, I must try to be too.”

“Right. We should be aware of what makes our men happy.” I handed her back her shoe. And just what made Jerry happy? My blood that tasted like some kind of fine champagne and gave him super powers? I had to talk to him, get the truth out of him. Was he addicted to my blood? Did I really want to know?

Four

“No friggin’ way I’m going to some vampire doctor.” Alesa crossed her arms over her chest and plopped into a chair. “You fangers stick together. Next thing you know he’ll suck my baby right out of me.”

“He would not!” I was horrified. But leave it to a hellspawn to think of that. “Ian’s interested in your pregnancy. He’s brilliant and he’ll make sure whatever you’re having arrives safely.”

“Listen to you. Whatever? I’m having a child, Glory. Not a thing.” Alesa blinked back tears. “Damn, I’m so emotional these days. Bring me some of that chocolate ice cream Rafael put in the freezer.”

I stomped into the kitchen. Yes, Rafe had reluctantly dumped Alesa and five bags of groceries on me right after sunset. I’d insisted he rush back to the club. It was Friday night and he had an important band scheduled to play. Ian was supposed to meet us here for his first examination of Alesa. He was really getting into this and had even ordered an ultrasound machine but it hadn’t arrived yet.

Now Alesa was playing hard to get. So we were having a meet and greet. Somehow I was going to get her to go along with this. I thrust the pint of ice cream and a spoon at Alesa when I heard a knock on the door.

I made myself take a breath. I’d quit breathing as soon as Alesa had arrived. Now I could smell who was outside the door. No, not tonight. I thought I’d made it clear when I’d called her earlier to ask a favor that we’d get together later. But, just like all paranormals, this one worked on her own schedule.

I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. “Look, there’s Home Shopping. Baby stuff.” I pumped up the volume then tossed the remote to Alesa before I opened the door and slid out to the hallway.

“Not a good time, Aggie. Seriously. I have company.”

Aggie wiggled her perfect nose. When the Siren was in human form, she had perfect everything—from her size six figure, tonight poured into a pair of skinny jeans and a teal sweater, up to her long blond hair and sea green eyes.

“Yuck. Are you kidding me? More demon trouble? What now?” She grabbed my arm with nails done in a ruby red. “I thought you sent them all back to hell.”