Read Online (Glory St Clair 11) Real Vampires Say Read My Hips by Gerry Bartlett - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Gerry Bartlett
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learned that you don’t disobey Zeus or make him mad.” I was into the wine again. False courage. I felt someone at my back and turned. Dionysus.
“Put on your happy faces, people. You are the guests of honor, you know. Gloriana, you have many aunts, uncles and cousins to meet. Allow me to do the honors. Mars, quit glowering at me and follow along like a dutiful papa. But first go placate your wife. She has picked up a knife and seems likely to do murder. Can you calm her? Or should we send her to your rooms with a pair of soldiers as escort?” He laughed merrily. “This is one of my best parties yet. Great gossip, perfect food and wine and Hera looks like she could eat ground glass.” Dionysus clapped his hands. “Start the music!”
To my surprise an indie rock band began playing on a stage that emerged from one side of the massive marble hall. I guess I’d expected lutes and lyres. But this group had obviously evolved and several couples got the dancing going. One god let loose a few lightning bolts with his extreme dance moves. Obviously he’d hit the wine too hard. He was helped outside by soldiers.
“My wife. Excuse me, Gloriana. I need to do something about this. Zeus has his ways and I know he is our leader, but a warning here might have helped prevent some pain and embarrassment.” Mars frowned and hurried over to a woman who had her own group of sympathizers surrounding her while she waved her arms and shouted. Yes, she did seem to have a knife in one hand. The music drowned out their conversation but clearly it was heated. Finally Mars gestured for that pair of soldiers and the woman who must be his wife was led weeping out of the room.
“Don’t worry about her, Gloriana.” Dionysus led me to a group of people across the room. “Roxanne is unstable at the best of times. No one blames Mars for seeking the comfort of another woman’s bed.”
I had nothing to say to that and was soon surrounded by dozens of gods, goddesses and nymphs, all eager to meet Hebe’s daughter. There were also wizards and other assorted creatures that looked human but obviously weren’t. I had goddess radar now and it was buzzing warnings constantly. After three hours Dionysus finally whispered in my ear that I could leave since Zeus had slipped out with one of his many mistresses and Hera had retired with one of her famous headaches.
“Thank goodness. I can’t wait to get out of here.” I had filled my plate twice with goodies from the buffet but not even the delicious aroma of roasted pig could get the food past my closing throat. Being the center of attention in this crowd was too much for me. Plus I’d never keep all the Greek or Roman names straight.
“Let me walk you to your rooms.” Mars hadn’t left my side for even a moment once his wife was gone.
“Thanks.” I headed for the doors. As soon as we were outside, I relaxed. I’d been “on” for hours.
“You were vampire when we met before.” Mars said this quietly.
“It was how I managed to stay alive, Mars.” I glanced at him. “Would you let me call you Dad?” I braced myself for the vampire talk. He didn’t look happy. “Or Father?”
“Call me whatever you wish.” He stopped in the middle of the path directly in front of me. “Daughter. I am amazed and delighted. I don’t know what your mother told you about our relationship…”
“That you love each other. She’s not happy in her marriage. I’m glad she has you.” I reached out and took his hand. “Dad. You can’t know how I’ve longed for a family. This is a miracle.”
He squeezed my hand then looked away. “A complicated one. Damn Hebe. Why did she hide you from me? It drives me mad to think of you fending for yourself. All the dangers on Earth you had to face. So horrible that you had to rely on a vampire!” He tugged me into his arms. “I’m sorry you weren’t here, with me.”
“I think Mother did what she thought was best at the time.” I couldn’t
“Put on your happy faces, people. You are the guests of honor, you know. Gloriana, you have many aunts, uncles and cousins to meet. Allow me to do the honors. Mars, quit glowering at me and follow along like a dutiful papa. But first go placate your wife. She has picked up a knife and seems likely to do murder. Can you calm her? Or should we send her to your rooms with a pair of soldiers as escort?” He laughed merrily. “This is one of my best parties yet. Great gossip, perfect food and wine and Hera looks like she could eat ground glass.” Dionysus clapped his hands. “Start the music!”
To my surprise an indie rock band began playing on a stage that emerged from one side of the massive marble hall. I guess I’d expected lutes and lyres. But this group had obviously evolved and several couples got the dancing going. One god let loose a few lightning bolts with his extreme dance moves. Obviously he’d hit the wine too hard. He was helped outside by soldiers.
“My wife. Excuse me, Gloriana. I need to do something about this. Zeus has his ways and I know he is our leader, but a warning here might have helped prevent some pain and embarrassment.” Mars frowned and hurried over to a woman who had her own group of sympathizers surrounding her while she waved her arms and shouted. Yes, she did seem to have a knife in one hand. The music drowned out their conversation but clearly it was heated. Finally Mars gestured for that pair of soldiers and the woman who must be his wife was led weeping out of the room.
“Don’t worry about her, Gloriana.” Dionysus led me to a group of people across the room. “Roxanne is unstable at the best of times. No one blames Mars for seeking the comfort of another woman’s bed.”
I had nothing to say to that and was soon surrounded by dozens of gods, goddesses and nymphs, all eager to meet Hebe’s daughter. There were also wizards and other assorted creatures that looked human but obviously weren’t. I had goddess radar now and it was buzzing warnings constantly. After three hours Dionysus finally whispered in my ear that I could leave since Zeus had slipped out with one of his many mistresses and Hera had retired with one of her famous headaches.
“Thank goodness. I can’t wait to get out of here.” I had filled my plate twice with goodies from the buffet but not even the delicious aroma of roasted pig could get the food past my closing throat. Being the center of attention in this crowd was too much for me. Plus I’d never keep all the Greek or Roman names straight.
“Let me walk you to your rooms.” Mars hadn’t left my side for even a moment once his wife was gone.
“Thanks.” I headed for the doors. As soon as we were outside, I relaxed. I’d been “on” for hours.
“You were vampire when we met before.” Mars said this quietly.
“It was how I managed to stay alive, Mars.” I glanced at him. “Would you let me call you Dad?” I braced myself for the vampire talk. He didn’t look happy. “Or Father?”
“Call me whatever you wish.” He stopped in the middle of the path directly in front of me. “Daughter. I am amazed and delighted. I don’t know what your mother told you about our relationship…”
“That you love each other. She’s not happy in her marriage. I’m glad she has you.” I reached out and took his hand. “Dad. You can’t know how I’ve longed for a family. This is a miracle.”
He squeezed my hand then looked away. “A complicated one. Damn Hebe. Why did she hide you from me? It drives me mad to think of you fending for yourself. All the dangers on Earth you had to face. So horrible that you had to rely on a vampire!” He tugged me into his arms. “I’m sorry you weren’t here, with me.”
“I think Mother did what she thought was best at the time.” I couldn’t
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