Real Vampires Hate Their Thighs by Gerry Bartlett

products for you to take with you. Drink one before you sleep and one when you rise tomorrow. They’re clearly marked. This is very important, Glory, if you want the effects of your feedings from Trina to last.”
    “Babe, we’ve got to go.” Ray glanced at his watch. “I’ve got rehearsal and I’m not leaving you here.”
    “Right. I guess that means shifting again.” I hated the thought but felt pumped enough that I figured I could do it easily.
    “No need. I have a limo waiting to take you to the venue where Caine told me he’s rehearsing, then it will take you on to the hotel, Glory. I hope that’s satisfactory.”
    “Perfect.” I smiled at Ian. Now I was really liking him, MacDonald or not. He’d been nice about the weigh-in. And that feeding . . . Well, who knew? Shoot. Maybe I was high. I smiled at Ray too. Even Valdez got a head pat. Nothing could bring me down right now.
    “See you tomorrow, Ian. It’ll just be Valdez and me. Ray, you don’t have to come again. I know you’re busy.” I cuddled up to Ray. Part of the loving-engaged-couple thing, of course.
    Ray frowned. “We’ll see. Now, let’s hit the road. Forget the Campbells, MacDonald. Take care of my girl or there will be hell to pay from me. Are we clear?”
    “Of course. I find all this protectiveness toward your fiancée quite admirable.” Ian walked us to the stairs that led down to the driveway and the waiting limousine. “And think about that other product, Caine. It’s a vampire’s dream come true.”
    We settled into the backseat of the limo, the glass up and shielding us from the driver before I asked the burning question.
    “Okay, Ray, what’s the other product Ian’s trying to sell?” Maybe my good feelings were wearing off, because now I was a little tired. Running twenty miles will do that to you, I guess.
    “He says he’s got something that can allow me to go out in the sun.” Ray stared into my eyes. “I’d see daylight again. You know what that would mean to me, Glory?”
    I grabbed his arm on one side and Valdez’s fur on the other. “I know that if it doesn’t work and you try it, sweetheart, you’re toast.”

Five

    “ You’r e trusting him. Why shouldn’t I?” Ray leaned back on the leather seat. “I want this. Ian says he can make it happen.”
    “I don’t believe it. Not even the Energy Vampires have a formula for surviving daylight yet.” I remembered the head of the vampire cult, famous for their Vampire Viagra, telling me that. (Yeah, go figure. Even vamps enjoy a boost in their sex lives.) “The only way to test a drug like that is to send a vampire into the sun. Who’d be crazy enough to try it out?”
    “Ian says . . .” Ray shook his head. “Never mind. We’re here. I’ve got to go. We’ll talk about this later at the hotel.” He leaned across me to look at Valdez. “Take care of my lady.”
    “ Your lady. Yeah, right. Don’t let the act go to your head, Caine. And don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Valdez lifted his chin. “Blade’s at the hotel waiting for her right now. When he hears where you took her tonight, the shit’s goin’ to hit the fan.”
    “Let it. Glory’s going to do what she wants. Am I right, sweet thing?” Ray brushed his thumb across my cheek to my lips.
    “Yes, you are.” I held Ray’s hand for a moment. “Promise me you won’t do anything with Ian without discussing it with me first, Ray. Please?” I knew how much he missed the sun. He’d been a freak about his boat, his tropical island paradise, his beach. Even the fact that he’d now live forever hadn’t come close to making up for the loss of those hours he’d spent in the sun. He was a “live for the moment” kind of guy. Forever didn’t seem to matter that much to him.
    “I’m not an idiot, Glory. You’re still my vamp mentor, babe, but I don’t dance to your tune.” He leaned in and kissed my lips. “Still, I realize I owe you my life. Such as it is. See you later.”