of the demon thing. I've been praying for you."
"Good. I appreciate it." I hugged her back. "And you've been coming along faster than most fledglings would have. Meeting Ian here?"
"Yep. I'll hang around and pick out a few things." She laughed. "I know. No horizontal stripes."
"Excellent. You really do learn fast." I walked with her through the shop, then fought the paparazzi horde as I headed down the sidewalk to N-V. I'd agreed to meet the crew there rather than be bombarded with questions from the photographers about Jerry or Ray.
Rafe's club was jumping as usual. Trey met me at the door and pointed me toward the bar. Rafe waved and downed a glass of Jack Daniel's.
"I'll be glad when this night is over." He lifted his glass in a mock toast, then drained it.
"Man, way to shove it in my face." Ray came up behind me and signaled the bartender. "Give me some of your vamp special, without the alcohol." He smiled at me. "I'm staying on the wagon."
I turned and smiled back at him. "Love to hear it's still holding. What are you doing here?"
"Got to see this all the way through. Am I right?" He glanced at Jerry, who'd come up on my other side. In true Ray-style, Ray slung an arm around me and drew me close. "You want something stronger?"
"Why not?" Jerry smiled grimly. "Glory?"
"As you say, why not?" I was proud of Jerry for not doing his usual jealousy thing, trying to wedge himself between Ray and me. Not even a growl. I kept things cool myself, easing away from Ray. But I had to go to Rafe and check in with him.
"How are you doing?" I bumped him with my shoulder.
"I'm still wondering if this will all go down like it's supposed to. You can't trust a demon to keep his word. Or Simon. Bet the fact that we demoed his golden dome didn't sit well." He gazed around the crowded club. "Man, just when things were going great. Isn't that always the way?"
"Think positive. We did what we set out to do." I dredged up a smile.
"Yes, we did. Let's go." Rafe took a fresh drink that I hadn't even seen him signal for and tossed it back. He pushed away from the bar. "Clock's ticking." He nodded toward Jerry and Ray. "Maybe I should do this alone. In case things go bad."
"No, no way!" I grabbed his arm and looked back at Jerry and Ray.
"We're coming. I didn't dirty my broadsword to sit out the finale." Jerry grabbed his drink and mine, Ray right behind him as we headed for the stairs.
The music was loud and a recent hit. It was about having it all. Yes, that's what I dreamed of - having everything, these three men who were so important to me, my friends and security with my business. Why couldn't I ever get it all together? Rafe was right. The timing here sucked.
We got to the deserted balcony, which Rafe had had roped off with a Closed sign at the bottom of the stairs and looked around. It didn't take long for the telltale sweet smell to fill the area.
"Ah, what have we here? The gag-me gang and the demon child." Caryon materialized next to a round table, Spyte right beside him. They were both dressed in their disco best, as if they'd been back in the seventies. Cary had on the full bell-bottomed pants and matching vest in white with a red and gold print shirt with full sleeves. He could have been Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. Spyte had done a white suit with an open-collared red shirt.
"Look at you two. Did you forget to check a calendar?" I couldn't help taunting them. I hated them so much I wanted to spit, then kick them with my pointed-toe shoes if it wouldn't have damaged the leather.
"It's a dance club. We got into the spirit. And this is an homage to you, Glory. You do love the vintage look." Cary grinned at me with fangs showing.
"Spyte? Not saying much. How are your eyes?" I felt Jerry's hand squeeze my shoulder. I'd told him about the confrontation in the back room. Guess he thought I was pressing my luck now.
"I can see, no thanks to your chubby cherubs." Spyte cackled. "Oh, I love that. Chubby like your chunky self, eh, Glory? Now you'll never be a size six. We've got orders from Lucifer himself. You are on our no-fly