It was my turn to roll my eyes. “No thanks. I have my own problems to deal with. You guys go ahead.” I sat back down and pulled out my phone. I needed some ingredients and had an idea where I might be able to find them. I opened my voodoo book then hit speed dial, ignoring Ray’s grumbling as he left the room.

Maybe this wasn’t the best idea in the world, but I was desperate. If Mel still wanted Jerry, I had to do something to kill her interest and the potion was my best bet. If I had to deal with the devil to make that happen, so be it.

Ten

When the man answered, I got right down to business. “Hey, Ian, do you have any, um, Periplaneta americana? I need some. Two to be exact. Crushed. Though I guess whole ones would work and I could pound them out myself.”

He laughed. I mean, big guffaws. I could picture him wiping away tears he was so overcome.

“Hey, what’s so funny? Is it something gross? Tell me. Do you have it or not? I’m making a potion and that’s an ingredient.”

“Glory, Glory, Glory. Yes, I’m sure I could scrounge up a couple. And I’d love to watch you crush them. Need anything else?” He was still chuckling. Obviously there was a joke here I was missing.

“Yes, it’s a long list.”

“Then come on over.” He started laughing again. “I can’t wait to see what else goes into this, um, potion. What does it do? Or dare I ask?”

“Stop it. Obviously I pronounced it wrong or it’s the name of an extinct dinosaur.” I had to wait while he went into another fit of hysterics at my expense. Honestly, for a usually dour Scot, Ian was being downright out of control.

“Sorry. Coming or not?” He finally settled down.

“Yes. But not tonight. I guess I should say thanks for offering despite finding me hilarious. It’s late and my bodyguard has too much going on. Tomorrow night. I’ll tell you more then.” I saw Rafe smile with relief and go back to his papers. Nate had taken off for upstairs, muttering about signatures. Apparently their deal had been hammered out.

“Bodyguard? What kind of trouble are you in now?” Ian dropped the teasing.

“Voodoo trouble. That’s why I need to make this potion. I’ve got a book here that has a recipe to help me get rid of someone. You ever had a run-in with voodoo?” I settled back. It would be a bonus if Ian had some experience.

“You don’t want to mess with that stuff, Glory. You need to get rid of someone, tear out his or her throat. If it’s a mortal, it would be for your dining pleasure.”

“First, yuck. I don’t kill mortals. Second, I want her to leave us alone, not die.” Honestly, Ian had no conscience whatsoever.

“Fine. But forget voodoo and let me call my sorcerer again. Of course you know that comes with a price.” Ian had his groove back now, definitely figuring out an agenda. “We can work together. I told you I was interested in getting to know you better. Your powers fascinate me. Especially your Olympus connection. Perhaps in exchange for my help, you’d spend some quality time with me. Just the two of us.”

I heard it in his voice. Unbelievable. Ian had seduction on his mind. Apparently my goddess parentage suddenly made me desirable. I bit back the names I really wanted to call him and took a breath.

“Ian, I’m with Blade. Period. I’m not about to get cozy with a MacDonald, feud or no feud.” The Campbells—Jerry’s Scottish clan—and MacDonalds had called a truce but Ian’s history didn’t inspire trust. Too bad he was the go-to guy in Austin for all things science related when you were dealing with the weird and wacky in our world.

“Glory, you wound me. Shutting me down before you’ve given me a chance? Aggie always swore I was the best lover she had ever had. High praise coming from a Siren with a cast of thousands for comparison. Ask her. I’m sure she’s still there sponging off of you.”

“Aggie isn’t singing your praises about anything, Ian. Scrubbing a man’s toilet kills the love every time.”

“From the looks of things around here, I doubt she’s done much scrubbing. But she’s been busy. I’d like to know what the hell she’s done to my bed linens. They feel like cardboard, no, make that sandpaper. I think I’m developing a rash too.”

It was my turn to laugh. “You’re whining, Ian. Surely you didn’t expect a pampered Siren to be good at housework, did you?”

“Not really. I just wanted her to suffer. Is she suffering, Glory?” His whine had disappeared. He was back to Ian as usual.

“We both are. Now about this voodoo. I am messing with it. The person I need to get rid of is making my life miserable. Jerry’s too. I know you’re already working with Bart. So will you help me too? I’ll pay you for whatever ingredients you can find for me. That’ll have to be the deal.”

“I don’t think you can afford my rates, Glory. Here’s my usual fee for consulting work.” Ian quoted a figure and I gasped. “Thought not. But we’ll work out something. I’ll see you tomorrow night. Be sure to bring the book. Voodoo. I suppose this could be interesting. But I hope you aren’t getting in over your head.”

“Yeah, well, so do I.” I realized I hadn’t sounded grateful when he was actually doing me a favor. Too bad there were always strings attached when dealing with Ian. “Thanks, Ian. Seriously. But don’t expect anything more from me than a business relationship. I’ll see you tomorrow night.” I ended the call. Memo to Glory: Ian was a hard man and could be an even harder enemy. I needed him but I also needed to watch my back when I was around him.

“You’re going to see Ian tomorrow night?” Rafe pulled me up out of my chair.

“You heard. Yes. Guess you’re going to insist on being there too.” I slipped the book back into my tote.

“Wouldn’t miss it. Now let’s head upstairs. We don’t want to miss Aggie’s audition either, do we?” Rafe aimed me toward the door.

“No way.” I left the book and my purse in his office, which he locked, then followed him to the practice room. Even before we got to the room, which was supposed to be soundproof, we could hear the arguing. I should have known getting rid of Aggie wouldn’t be that easy.

“You want me to be quieter?” Aggie’s voice could probably be heard blocks away. “Maybe I should turn off the mic, or, hey, lip-sync. I could just stand back here and be stage decoration.”

Rafe and I slipped inside. Ray, Sienna and Aggie were standing close to the band. Those guys saw me and waved, but their attention stayed on the argument going on beside the makeshift stage.

“Yeah, do that. ’Cause the way you’re blasting away back there, you obviously think you’re the headliner.” Ray examined her through narrowed eyes. “You may have the pipes and you’re not bad window dressing, but you’re disposable, Aggie. Quit stepping over my vocals. Sienna, back me up here.”

“I hate to admit it, but Ray’s right. Tone it down, Aggie. Are you looking at the music? You aren’t supposed to sing along with us. Instead just drop in at the chorus and hit the harmonies where it says to.”

“Screw it. I don’t need this. I’ll just go on down the street. There are half a dozen clubs where I’m sure I can talk my way into a gig.” Aggie stomped away from them and shoved past Rafe, headed for the hall. I stopped her before she could escape.

“Quitting already?” I wouldn’t budge, even though she slapped at my hand on her arm.

“This isn’t going to work.” She had tears in her eyes.

“She’s right. Let her go.” Ray was gleeful. “I gave her a chance and she blew it.”

Sienna ran over to wave sheet music in front of Aggie. “Just look at the music, girlfriend. It tells you when to go high, low, loud, soft. Easy as pie.”

Aggie shook her head. “Pie? I’d give my left tit for a piece of pie right now.” She leaned her head on my shoulder and I was too stunned to do more than allow it. “Help me, Glory. I can’t read music.”

We all just stared at her. How was that for a news flash?

“Quit looking at me!” She jerked away. “Why would I have to learn? I can hear a tune once and pick it up. That’s a good skill, isn’t it?”

“Sure, Ag, it’s amazing.” Sienna touched Aggie’s shoulder. “But it makes things tough here. There are marks on the page that indicate where you come in, when you should just hum, that kind of thing.” She glanced at Ray. He wasn’t looking sympathetic. “I’m sure we can walk you through it, if you’ve got such a great memory. That should—”

“You can’t be serious.” Ray wasn’t in a conciliatory mood. “Aggie is trying to take over the performance. That was clear from the first note out of her mouth.” Ray strolled over to my side. “She’s a stage hog, Glory. People are paying to see and hear Sin and me, not some unknown.” He glared at Aggie.

“Did you like her voice though?” I was relieved that Aggie had dried her tears and had her head close to Sienna’s where they were going over the sheet music. Apparently the rocker was explaining the various marks. Aggie could read words at least. For a moment there I’d wondered if she was illiterate. It wouldn’t have surprised me. When I’d been dumped out of the Siren system way back when, I hadn’t been able to read word one.

“Gloriana, you must introduce me to Israel Caine.” We all turned at the sound of that voice.

“Mother. What are you doing here?” I wished Sienna’s new bodyguard, who’d stepped forward, would bounce her right out of there. Unfortunately, when he heard me call her mother, Danny went back to his post next to the door. Mom had on her version of rocker chic—black leather pants and vest with a blue silk blouse, all of it with high-heeled boots. The result was more rocker stage mom. I smiled and sent her that mental message, earning a frown.

“Why, I came to tell your friend Israel something important since you seem reluctant to do it.” My mother held out her hand. “Gloriana’s told me so much about you, Mr. Caine. And I know a little about your history with my daughter.” She smiled, like she was eager to begin dropping some bombshells. “Steamy.”