of the rescues, my man. My heart can't take much more of this."
"You got it. My demon side is staying down from now on." Rafe gave me an apologetic look. "I'll never forgive myself for putting Glory in harm's way like this."
"There you go. See ya, Glory." Ray shifted back into bird form and took off.
"Great idea. I'm going home to my own bath. We'll talk later." Rafe saluted me and put his hand out to Jerry. It was the one on his injured arm, but he didn't even wince. "Wouldn't blame you if you refused to take it, but you were quite a sight down there tonight, Blade. I owe you everything."
"I'll shake your hand. Got to start being civilized. Gloriana is right about that. And you acquitted yourself well. Let's not do this again, shall we?" He shook hands with Rafe, then put his arm around me.
"No problem. Good night." Rafe shifted and was gone.
"Well I have to agree with both of them. You were amazing, Jerry." I kept my arm around his waist. "I have never seen you in battle before. It was quite a turn-on."
"Oh?" Jerry grinned. "Shall we go to my house and try out my Jacuzzi tub, then you can show me how turned on you are?"
"Sounds like a plan to me." I kissed his lips. One more thing to do and I was free of all my demons. I felt like celebrating.
"CiCi's having a birthday party for Freddy later. First, Simon will meet us at the club and get his deal with the demons set up." I paced the back room. It was deadline night.
"I hope this is the last of your work with stuff from hell." Penny sat on the table. She was supposed to report to Ian in a few minutes. They were scouting lab sites tonight.
"So do I. Have you thought any more about what to do about Jenny?" I was still haunted by what Honoria had said about my blood. Of course I was ordinary Glory St. Clair. That had been typical goddess stuff, messing with my head. A distraction. I had to forget about it or it would drive me crazy.
"Yes, I'm not telling her now. Maybe after she graduates from school." Penny sighed. "She's got a full plate. Studying for finals. Boyfriend trouble. And now she's going home for the summer to work with Mom. Cheerleading camp."
"I'm proud of you." I put my arm around her. "That's a mature decision. Let her enjoy college life. You can keep doing what you've been doing. Meet her after dark, get to understand your new life. Help her if you want to. Guess the mind reading has given you a new perspective on your relationship."
"No kidding. I never realized what my 'gifts,' if you want to call them that, did to her." Penny made a face. "I was always jealous of Jen's popularity, the way she fit in everywhere. I had no idea she hated the way I got my parents' attention with my scholarships and school successes."
"You each have gifts. Now you are extra special, working for Ian." I rubbed my tummy, which still looked a little lumpy. "Any progress on my blood analysis? Figuring out why I'm the lucky one in a million who has a freaky reaction to the genius's drugs?" And could this be related to whatever the goddess had smelled or pretended to smell in my blood?
"Ian's onto something but won't tell me about it. I think he's waiting until he gets back a certain test result." Penny leaned against me. "Obviously you're the one who's special. You got me this gig and it's given me a new purpose. Introduced me to Trey too. We're really getting along."
I knew that. She was on the phone to the shifter or making plans to meet him every time I turned around.
"Good. Now I've got to go. Jerry's meeting me at the club for this last deal and the party." I jumped off the table and picked up a wrapped package. "Once this demon stuff is over, I'll make sure you get introduced to my friend CiCi, her son and his partner. Are you going to be at N-V later?"
"After Ian and I are through. Maybe I'll see you there." Penny hopped off the table too and gave me a hug. "Seriously, thanks for taking me in. I owe you for your patience. I realize I didn't make it easy. And I'll be so glad when you're free