That made things clear enough. And now I had to sit down. But I jumped up again immediately. The buzz from three glasses of Fangtastic will do that to you.

“I suppose they would trade power for the VV.” Will pressed on my other side. “Not that anyone in this room actually needs the stuff.”

“You don’t have to need it, to want it.” Bela spoke up. “I tried it many years ago. Before it took on the trendy name. ” He shrugged. “This Viagra craze is new. The EVs could enhance pleasure long before mortals realized they could do something about performance issues.”

“Why would you want it, if you don’t need it?” Thank you, Diana. Now every vamp in the room was on the edge of his or her proverbial seat.

“It takes sex to a whole new level. For a man or a woman. I won ’t deny it’s an unforgettable experience. I’d definitely try it again with the right woman.” Bela picked up Diana’s hand and I wanted her to jerk it away. His lips brushed her palm and, hello, Damian was right there, between them, before I could blink.

"We get it, Ralph.”

Ralph? Bela Lugosi’s name was Ralph? I hid a smile. There was nothing funny happening in this room. And nothing concrete being done about our problem either. At least we’d put these vampires on alert. Unfortunately, we’d probably also given them reason to run for the nearest VV supplier. I looked at Richard. He wasn’t getting the cooperation he’d hoped for.

“The VV can be addictive, people, and is as expensive as hell. I think it ’s time to put these drug runners out of business for good. Or at least get them away from here. But I can’t do it alone. I need your help. To find the EV headquarters for starters.” He nodded at several male vamps who maybe were thinking about jumping on the “run the EVs out of town” bandwagon. It was a start anyway. “I know you’ll all spread the word to be careful to any vampire who couldn’t be here tonight.”

“Are only vampires at risk? Can the EVs take power from other paranormals?” I was thinking about Lacy or even Valdez.

“They seem to prefer vampires. I don’t know if they’ve taken power from a shifter. But I suppose it’s possible.”

“They’ll have to catch me first.” Valdez showed some teeth.

“We’ll be careful.” I rubbed the dog’s ear. “What do you want us to do, Richard? Maybe if we all promise not to buy from the EVs, they’ll move on.” I checked the crowd for reaction. Hmm. Not exactly a groundswell of support. Addictive drug or not, a vamp, always sensual anyway, would hate to pass up a chance at better sex. The EVs were obviously sitting on a gold mine.

“Hoo-kay.” I’d had about all the vamp togetherness I could take. Even with top drawer refreshments. These meetings weren’t that great without Flo and Blade.

Richard frowned and looked around the room. When no one stepped forward with an “annihilate the EVs” plan, he nodded. “I guess this meeting was a waste of time. But I thought I owed all of you fair warning.”

“Some of us appreciate it, Richard.” Damian exchanged hard looks with some of the men. “Ignore this information at your own risk. Richard and I intend to proceed with or without your help. I hope you’ll think about how you would feel without your power. Remember, drugs can make anyone careless. We enjoy Austin and intend to stay here. Anyone risking our lifestyle will be dealt with.”

That threat was clear enough. I felt antsy, ready to get out of there. Too many vamps together must create a hell of a power surge. Could the EVs sense it? Could they be surrounding the house right now?

“If you need to meet again, meet somewhere else.” CiCi must have felt the same way I did. “Damian, they can come to your castle, can’t they? You have such excellent security.”

“Of course.” Damian exchanged looks with Richard. “But I see no reason to meet again. Not unless more of you step up.”

I put my hand on Richard’s arm. “You two be careful. You can’t take on these EVs by yourself. And while Flo didn’t take your power pulse, I bet both of you’ve got more than enough to interest the EVs.”

Richard squeezed my hand. “I haven’t lived this long by being careless, Gloriana. I will do what I can to keep all of us safe.” He smiled at me and I got a nice warm feeling in the pit of my stomach.

“You and Damian won’t have to do this alone.” Frederick stepped forward. “I’ll help you, Richard. Stay. Sit down with me. I want to know more about my father’s organization. ”

“Thanks.” Richard clapped Frederick on the shoulder, instantly forgetting all about me.

“Damian, will you take me home?” I turned to Damian who, in typical Damian fashion, had morphed from fearless EV fighter to Casanova, to flirt with Diana.

“Of course, Gloriana. Gather the beasts and I’ll meet you by the door.” Damian whispered something in Di’s ear and she nodded. Making a late date? Not my business. Not Will’s either and he was sulking about it. He really couldn’t compete for Di’s attention in dog form. And Diana wasn’t the only attractive female vampire in the room Will might have liked to hit on. Bela, no,

Ralph, had moved on to a redhead who looked like she could handle anything. I reached for my cell phone and turned it on again. Messages. I scrolled through the numbers. Jerry. Flo. Unknown, which I was afraid was Westwood. I might not ever listen to that one. But Jerry and Flo . . . Jerry first. Westwood had definitely skipped out on them. He and Mara were headed to Europe. Westwood ’s arm wasn’t healing well and he was going to a clinic in Switzerland. Jerry and Mara had cornered one of Westwood’s men and pulled that info out of him. His mind, that is.

My stomach in knots, I listened to Flo’s message.

“Glory, Simon is so sorry you’ve been worried about me. And that he might have frightened you with that man coming after you.” Flo sighed. “Kaplan’s been punished, Glory. And Simon wants to make it up to you. He’s sent you a case of your favorite Fangtastic. Please keep an open mind about him, Glory. He’s not the villain Richard claims he is. Remember, I dumped Ricardo not so long ago. He’s jealous of Simon. I’ll talk to you tomorrow night. Ciao.”

I stared at the phone for a moment. Well, as a peace offering a case of my favorite was a swell start. But I didn’t believe for an instant that Richard was acting out of jealousy. I glanced at him where he stood listening intently to CiCi. Flo needed to hear CiCi’s version of Simon and the EVs. I’d have to see that the two women got together.

“Richard, I’ll do whatever you need me to.” Damian glanced back at Diana who’d picked up her purse and was saying her good-byes. “Call me tomorrow.” He turned to me. “Gloriana?”

I nodded, then stopped to hug CiCi. She was looking overwhelmed. Well, who wouldn’t after finding out that your ex and the father of your only child was in town? The fact that he was Simon, king of the evil EVs, was just the icing on her crappy cake. Then she looked me in the eye and sent me a mental message. She was more than a match for Simon Destiny when it came to protecting her darling boy. Hmm. Made me wonder what kind of power rating the lady had.

When we got to the car, I told Damian about Flo’s message.

“She’s obviously hitting the VV too hard. After what we heard tonight, I ’m even more determined to get her away from that creep.” Damian drove fast and we were at the shop before either of us had come up with any kind of plan to help his sister. Damian stopped and shook his head. “No parking places. What the hell is going on at”—he glanced at the glowing clock on the dashboard—“four o’clock in the morning?”

“Looks like a block party.” I hopped out and let the dogs out of the back.

“A block party from hell, maybe.”

Eighteen

I scanned the crowd. Lots of black lipstick, black clothes and eyeliner, but none of that scared me. I could have done without all the piercings and tattoos, but, hey, maybe that was jealousy talking since I’d had no luck with either. And, trust me, I’d tried. Three hours for a sexy pair of lips in luscious red puckered up on my left butt cheek. After a day of vamp sleep? Nada. Talk about frustration.

“I’ll park and then I’m meeting Diana at Mugs and Muffins. Will you be all right?”

“Sure. These look like potential customers to me.” I smiled and pushed my way through the crowd. I’m nothing if not openminded. I mean, I travel with a shape-shifter and a vampire, both of whom were baring their teeth to clear a path for us to the door of the shop.

But why wouldn’t these people wear something other than black? Booorrring. I should know. I spent a century or so in black, blending into the night, hiding in the shadows. Trust me, I’m so over the lurking thing. Well, unless an EV or a hunter is on my trail. I heard the music even before the door opened. My usual oldies station? I don’t think so. Not with that bass beat. Obviously the TV Web site got more hits than I’d imagined. Inside, people crowded in front of Flo’s mural. Not everyone was in black either. A pair of women who looked like escapees from a PTA meeting elbowed a man in khakis and a pale blue polo shirt, a man who wore . . . tinted glasses.

“Glory, thank God. Could you see what’s going on in the dressing room? The same couple has been in the left one for way too long and don’t get me started about the noises coming from there.” Lacy, who had three customers in line, looked pretty frayed around the edges. She probably hadn’t even noticed the man with the glasses.

I felt a bump against my thigh. My dogs had sure noticed. Valdez nudged me on his way for a closer look, Will right beside him. I moved in to see if I could read the man’s mind.

“No! Stop him!” A scuffle, screams and one of the soccer moms had glasses guy on the floor.

“Hah! I haven’t sat through three boys taking karate lessons without learning something.” She held a can of spray paint she’d plucked from his hand triumphantly over her head. Applause broke out. My dogs barked and leaped on top of the man who had been struggling to get free. Will made a perfect landing and the man squealed and grabbed his privates. When Valdez growled in his face the guy froze, actually teary eyed.