Gerry Bartlett - Real Vampires Know Size Matters

“Good evening.” Will sat on a bar stool, sipping from a mug of synthetic. Obviously he’d heated his in the microwave. I liked mine cold.

“Nothing from the new vampire yet?” I opened the fridge and helped myself, twisting off the cap and taking a deep swallow.

“Not a peep. I figure Ray is up and just watching her.” He gestured with his mug. “I can nuke that for you.”

“No, I’m fine.” I drank some more. “Guess I’d better go see what’s happening.” I glanced up at a rap on the French doors that led to the deck outside. “It’s Jerry. That was fast.”

“And one of the guards.” Will grinned and walked over to unlock the door. He spoke to the guard who stood back but didn’t leave. “Are you here in peace or do I send you on your way again, Jeremiah?”

“I’m just here to see Gloriana.” Jerry frowned at Will. They were old friends but Will knew Jerry was not one of Ray’s fans. “I’ll not bother your boss as long as he doesn’t bother me.”

“He has much more on his mind tonight than you or your lady, Jeremiah.” Will nodded and the other guard took off. “Come in. I’d count it as a courtesy if you’d leave your knives here in the kitchen before you go with Glory back to see Caine.”

“You have to be kidding.” Jerry glanced at me. “Gloriana?”

“Humor him, Jer. He’s just doing his job. Surely you can respect that.” I walked up to him and put my arms around his waist, coming away with the knife he always kept at the small of his back. “Here’s one, Will.” I set it on the counter.

“Damn it, Gloriana.” Jerry scowled but leaned over and pulled a knife from his boot and set it beside the other one.

“Give me the one under your arm as well.” Will grinned. “Come on, you know Ray is going to say or do something that will make you go for his throat, it’s his way. I can’t have you tossing one of your knives into the mix.”

“You’re right about Caine. He’s an aggravating bastard.” Jerry pulled the knife from the sheath under his arm and set it on the counter. “There. Satisfied?”

“Good job, Will. I like to see Blade without his toys.” Ray strolled into the kitchen in jeans and a black T-shirt. He was barefoot of course. He stopped next to me and slung his arm over my shoulders. “Glory here saved Sienna last night. I hope you’re not going to cause a dustup over that.”

“No, I’m glad she could help.” Jerry shook his head. “Too bad you can’t control your urges though, Caine. What’s the woman going to say when she wakes up vampire?”

“What the hell are you guys talking about?” Sienna wandered into the kitchen dressed in one of Ray’s black silk shirts and nothing else. She rubbed her eyes. “Ray? You let me sleep all day again.”

“Yeah, sorry about that, babe.” Ray shot Jerry a look that said shut up , then took her hand.

“What’s to eat? I’m hungry. Any of that pizza left?” She headed for the fridge and pulled open the door. “Yeah. I just love cold pizza for breakfast. Anyone else?” She pulled out the box and set it on the counter then looked around.

The four of us just stared at her then each other. I knew this was on me.

“Sienna, I don’t think you really want pizza.” I pulled a fresh bottle of synthetic out of the fridge and twisted off the cap. Hot or cold? I dumped it into a mug and Will grabbed it, setting it into the microwave.

“Sure I do. Look, it’s pepperoni and mushroom, my favorite.” She flipped open the top and pulled out a slice.

“Don’t put that in your mouth.” I grabbed it before she could take a bite. “I guarantee it will make you sick.”

“It didn’t yesterday. It was delicious.” She frowned at me.

“Tonight it will.” The microwave beeped and Will handed me the mug. “Here, try this. You’ll be surprised how good this tastes. It’s just what you need.”

“If that’s the shit Ray drinks all the time, I want no part of it. I’ve tasted it when he was in the shower. It’s gross.” She made a face and wouldn’t touch the mug.

“Trust me. You will have a whole new appreciation for it now.” I took her hand and wrapped it around the mug. “One sip. That’s all I’m asking you to take.”

“Why are you all staring at me?” Sienna looked around the room. “Okay, I know I’ve got great legs.” She glanced down. “And maybe I should have buttoned a few more buttons, but I’m getting a different vibe than male appreciation here.” She sniffed the mug. “It does smell pretty good.” She took a cautious sip. “Wow. It does taste good. This must be a different brand or something.” She took a deep swallow. “I could get used to this.”

“I hope so.” Ray slipped his arm around her waist. “Because you’ll have to.”

“What do you mean, Ray?” Sienna leaned against him. “You know, I’m feeling a little funny. Wobbly.”

“That’s natural. It’ll take a while to adjust to this.”

“Adjust to what?” She sipped some more. “I’d like some coffee too. Will? Did you make some?”

“No, no need now. I only made it for you, Sienna.”

“Well, I’m still here.” She smiled at him. “So?”

“So, he doesn’t need to make you coffee anymore. You’re on the wagon now.” Ray kissed her cheek. “Something happened last night. You don’t remember because I did something to make you forget.”

“What the hell, Ray?” She jerked away from him. “I told you from the get-go that I’m over drugs. I went through rehab and I’m not going there again. It was hell. I thought you understood. We have that in common. Right?”

“It wasn’t drugs.” Ray sighed and looked at me.

“Sienna, maybe you should sit down.” She looked pale, not surprising, considering. And I knew my news was going to knock her off her feet.

“Why, Glory? If Ray didn’t drug me, why can’t I remember something from last night? And why are you all here staring at me?” Sienna’s voice was rising and her mug was shaking. “Damn it, what’s going on?”

“We’re vampires, Sienna.” I glanced around the room and we all were suddenly showing her our fangs.

“Oh, God!” She dropped her mug and ran out of the room. “Get away from me!”

“No, you don’t understand, baby.” Ray ran after her. “We’re not going to drink from you. Not anymore.” He caught her in the hall. “Come back. Let Glory tell you what happened.”

“Not anymore?” Sienna hit Ray on his chest as he carried her into the kitchen and thrust her onto a bar stool. “What the hell? Did you drink my blood? Ray? Is that why you slept with me? So you could drink my blood?” She slapped his face, tears running down her cheeks. “How long has this been going on?”

“Baby, please. Listen to me. I never meant—” Ray didn’t defend himself, just let her keep hitting and slapping him. “I’m sorry. I was an asshole.”

“He sure was,” Jerry muttered.

I gave him a quelling look. Not helping.

“Sienna, what Ray did was wrong. And it had consequences.” Consequences I knew she’d hate. I struggled for the right words. “We can’t turn back the clock. If we could, he never would have used you like that. I’m sure.” I stared at him, his cue to apologize again.

“No, of course not.” Ray shook his head. “I lost control. Stupid of me. But you were so fine.”

“Shut up!” Sienna lunged for one of Jerry’s knives on the counter and stabbed Ray in the arm. “Vampire? I can’t freaking believe it!”

“Damn it!” Ray backed away while Will, bodyguard that he was, wrestled the knife from Sienna and tossed it to Jerry. Jer, of course, instantly made sure his other two knives were back where they belonged, on his body.