Real Vampires Have More to Love by Gerry Bartlett Read Free Book Online Page A

“Fang girl? Look at me.” She pointed at her own impressive pearly whites. “Glory and I are vampires. Never forget it.” She turned to me. “And Aggie isn’t slimy now. She’s trying to make nice. Do me a favor? Make nice back.” Her mental message was more blunt, but I loved my best bud and bit the bullet.
    “Fine. Have at it, Aggie. A shower? Hell, throw a typhoon if you want to.” I knew a challenge when I heard one. “I’ve got the bachelorette party.” I smiled, full fang. “Flo, a hot male dancer and exotic synthetic brews. How does that sound? My party will blow Aggie’s right out of the water.”
    “In your dreams, sister. This is a lingerie shower, Flo. New undies and sexy nighties for your man to enjoy.” Aggie’s face was flushed, and if she’d had her fish tail, I’m sure it would have been whipping back and forth. “I’ve got a hundred bucks says our gal here goes for that over watching some random guy do a bump and grind while she drinks fake blood.”
    “You’re on.” I’d worry about where I’d get an extra hundred later. No, I wouldn’t. My party would beat hers all to hell. If I could find a hot guy to dance, that is.
    Flo was dancing around the room. “Yay! A party contest and I’m the winner.”
    Aggie stopped Flo with a hand on her shoulder. “You bet you are. I’ll have some kind of imported blood at my deal too. Maybe I can find margarita-flavored stuff for you on the Internet. Or I could bring in some mortals for you to suck dry.” She winked at me. “I’ve been studying human wedding customs, but maybe vamps do things differently. It’s my first time as a bridesmaid since I don’t count ancient rituals.” She smirked. “The sacrificial virgin thing is a blast but doesn’t exactly include a happily ever after for the bride.”
    Hmm. Aggie definitely had a dark side. But Flo sighed.
    “No mortals for drinking. The Austin vampires have rules against that, and my brother is on the council. I promised him I would obey their stuffy rules.” Flo smiled. “Margaritas for vamps though? Go for it.”
    “Why’s the Storm God involved in Flo’s shower? I figured he’d be back in the Mediterranean by now. Doesn’t he trust you on your own?” I’d had a run-in with him, and he was freaky scary. Any place where he hung out was a place I didn’t want to be.
    “Aw, Glory, afraid he’ll zap you with another lightning bolt?” Aggie laughed. “Flo, that would make your shower sizzle.”
    Flo shook her head. “Forget it, Aggie. Last time Glory got hit by lightning, her hair was ugly frizzy for days. I want her to look nice for the wedding.”
    “Not to mention it hurt like hell.” I sat on a stool. “I hope you have some control over Achelous.”
    “Yeah, right.” Aggie sighed and grabbed the magazine again to stare at the bridesmaid dress. “He’ll do what he wants.” She ran her hand down her perfect figure, which was poured into a green sweater and skinny black jeans. “I have to let him play weather guy at the shower, or it’s back to sitting on a rock in the lake with my fish tail, singing for my supper.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m so over that this century.”
    For a moment I almost felt sorry for her. Then she gave me an evil look and turned to Flo. “Flo, honey, I need a guest list and your sizes. I’ll send the invitations out this week. Here’s the date I’ve reserved. Will it work for you? I bet Glory hasn’t even started working on her party yet.” Aggie whipped out a pocket calendar from her designer handbag.
    “You’d be surprised at what I’ve got going.” I glanced at the date and made a note of it. “I’m going upstairs to nail down details right now. Flo, I’ll let you know all about it later.”
    My ex-roomie dabbed at her eyes. “I’m so lucky. Such thoughtful friends doing this for me. I can’t believe I never got married before. Glory, marry Jeremiah. We’ll throw many parties and a giant wedding. Lots of