Real Vampires: Glory Does Vegas by Bartlett, Gerry (white hot kiss TXT) 📕

“We’re coming back later, V. You and Sherie will probably have to stay in the suite. We’re going to a show in one of the other hotels.” I glanced at Valdez. He had his head out the window, enjoying the cool night air as I drove.

“Whatever.” He clearly was sulking.

“Yes, whatever.” My phone chimed. I had a text. When I stopped at a light, I saw Dom was letting me know I had an hour before we met the Romanians. I threw the phone back in my purse and hit the gas as soon as the light turned green. I was getting the rest of the night off. Dom was taking me for granted.

“Dom?” Valdez looked my way.

“Yes. Caesar’s Palace in an hour. We’re meeting the scientists from Romania. Did I tell you about that?” I was glad to see the parking lot ahead and an empty space near our stairs. I pulled in and threw open the door. “I need to hurry.”

“At least we don’t have Davenport waiting for us.” Valdez hopped out and looked around. “Good God!” He sniffed the air and started coughing. “Do you smell what I smell?”

I was already halfway up the stairs. “Afraid so. Connie’s home.” I was surprised when Valdez didn’t follow me. “She must have smelled Davenport and she’s burning sage. It’s a time-honored way to get rid of demons. Aren’t you coming?”

Valdez coughed and sneezed then planted himself at the bottom of the stairs. “No thanks. I’ll wait here. Air out the place, please. I’m highly allergic.” He was wheezing.

“That’s obvious.” I unlocked the door and a cloud of smoke greeted me. “Connie! Enough sage!” I fanned my face. “My eyes are burning.”

“You had a demon in here? Or did one sneak in while we were both out? I smelled one as soon as I walked in tonight.” She held a bunch of flaming dried sage. She waved it around the room, chanting something. “I didn’t smell him in the bedrooms, but it’s really strong in here.”

“Yes, one followed me home. I’m sorry.” I wiped my eyes. “Please stop with the sage. I think you’ve done enough. Valdez is allergic. He can’t even get up the stairs.”

Connie stared at me. “Seriously? Isn’t that a little suspicious?”

“Oh, come on. What? You think Valdez, my shape-shifter, is a demon?” I laughed and grabbed the sage, throwing it in the kitchen sink and running water over it to douse the fire. “Get real. I’ve known him for a year now. He’s done nothing but protect me and he lives here. We’ve never smelled demon in here before, have we?”

“True.” She walked over to open the door. “Sorry, Valdez.” She called down to him. “We’ll open some windows, but I can’t have demons hanging out here.”

“I get it, Connie. Glory’s handling the situation.” Valdez sneezed again. “I’ll be up as soon as the place is aired out.”

Connie faced me. “What does that mean? You’re handling the demon situation? How did you get involved with a demon?”

“Long story. Right now, I have to get ready to meet Dom at Caesar’s Palace. The Romanian scientists are here and need to be reassured about our arrangements for the blood tasting. Dom thinks I can help him deal with them, they’re both vampires, of course.” I ran a hand through my hair. I’d have to wash it. “Turn on the fans and the air conditioner. I can’t go around other vampires smelling like sage. I really don’t want to have the demon conversation with them.”

“I don’t blame you.” Connie turned on the ceiling fan then adjusted the thermostat. “But you’re having that conversation with me. I’m scared of those things. You had one here. Is it coming after me next?” She shivered. “I’ll happily smell like sage if it keeps the creature away.”

“Let me try to fix this. It has nothing to do with you, Connie, I swear it.” Wait. That wasn’t true. Davenport would probably still be aiming to screw around with the blood tasting and Connie was going to be working there. I sat on the couch. “Okay, sit. Here’s the deal. This started when I asked a demon for a favor.”

“No!” Connie didn’t sit on a chair, she collapsed on it. “Are you crazy? Demons are dangerous. You sold your soul to one?”

“No, no! Nothing like that. I asked him to help a friend. My old roommate Misty.” I rubbed my forehead. The stench of sage had given me a headache.

“She quit gambling! Cold turkey. Is that why?” Connie was suddenly by my side, gripping my hand. “The favor you asked was for Misty?”

“Yes, it was.” I told her everything.

She hugged me. “Oh, Glory, that was wonderful. But what is he going to do to you?” She mopped at her eyes.

“He’s threatening my boyfriend, Jerry. He’s also said something about ruining Dom’s blood tasting, just for the hell of it.” I wanted to lean against her and sob. “You know anything about fighting demons?” I made myself get up. I didn’t have time to wallow, though I’d like nothing more.

“No, I’ve been lucky enough to avoid them, but Denny tells stories about them.” She got up, too. “Let me call him. He’s working at Dom’s tasting. This will affect him and Marlene. They’re counting on those tips.”

I glanced at the open door. “I guess it’s okay to leave the door open. Valdez is down there, guarding us. I don’t know what the deal is about the sage, but he couldn’t seem to catch his breath around it.”

Connie walked over to the door and looked down the stairs. “You okay, Valdez?” She got a woof as an answer. “He’s on the job. But I’m locking the door anyway while we get ready to go to work. I guess I do have a reason to be paranoid. Demons!” She picked up her phone while I hit the shower. It was going to take shampoo and a serious scrubbing