All I Want For Christmas Is A Vampire (20 page)

Toni hunched down beside her. “Bri, can you hear me?” She touched her shoulder.

Bri moaned. “Leave me alone, you creep.”

“Sabrina, it’s me, Toni.”

“Toni?” She rolled onto her back. “You can’t be Toni.”

“I am Toni. I’ve come to get you out of here.”

Sabrina rubbed her eyes. “I’m just dreaming. I’m so delusional.”

“No, you’re not.” Toni grabbed her hand and squeezed. “It’s really me. Now come on. We’re leaving.”

Bri struggled to sit up. “I’m kinda sleepy. Can’t you come back in the morning?”

“No, we’re leaving now.” Toni realized her friend was too doped up to think clearly. She located her slippers beside the bed and shoved them on her feet.

“This is taking too long,” Ian whispered. “I’ll just grab her and go.”

Bri squinted at Ian’s dark shadow. “Who are you?”

“He’s a friend,” Toni explained. “Ian. He’s going to help you escape.”

Bri giggled. “Escape? You can’t escape from here.”

“No’ so loud, please,” Ian whispered. He leaned out the door to check the hallway. “Hurry. I hear someone coming.”

“He talks so cute,” Bri whispered.

“He’s Scottish.” Toni pulled Bri to her feet and led her to the doorway. “Ian will take you first, then come back for me.”

Bri glanced at the back door. “We can’t get out that way. It’s locked.”

“Ian can get you out.” Toni removed her jacket and put it on Bri. “It’s cold outside.”

“Sabrina, do you have visitors?” A male patient shuffled toward them. His Batman pajamas were faded to a dull gray, but the gold bat on his chest still gleamed.

“Hi, Teddy,” Bri answered.

Ian groaned.

“I’m going to escape,” Bri announced, then giggled.

Ian stepped close to Toni and whispered, “Keep him quiet. When I come back for you, I’ll erase his memory.”

“Okay.” Toni buttoned up her jacket on Bri. “Don’t be afraid. You can trust Ian.”

Sabrina startled when Ian wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “What are you—”

She vanished, along with Ian.

Teddy gasped. “Oh my God!”

“Not so loud,” Toni whispered. “I can explain.”

“He’s a superhero!” Teddy exclaimed. “He rescued her with his superpowers!”

“Teddy, are you out of bed again?” a male voice boomed in the distance.

“Aw shoot, it’s Bradley,” Teddy muttered. “I wouldn’t have to roam around if he wasn’t so—”

Toni grabbed Teddy by the shoulders. “Don’t tell him Sabrina escaped. Do you understand?”

He blinked. “Okay.”

Toni ran into Sabrina’s room, climbed into bed, and covered herself up to her ears.

“Teddy, what are you doing out of bed?” Bradley’s voice sounded closer.

“I—I saw a superhero! He was just here, and then poof! He vanished.”

“You are crazier than hell,” Bradley muttered. “Get back to your room.”

“I’m not crazy,” Teddy mumbled. His shuffling footsteps grew dim.

Toni exhaled with relief. Sabrina’s escape was still a secret. She froze when she heard a sound. Was Ian back so soon? Her skin prickled as all her senses went on alert. Something was wrong. Footsteps approached her bed. She squeezed her eyes shut.

“Sabrina,” Bradley whispered and stroked her hair.

Bile rose in Toni’s throat. Oh God, she wanted to leap out of bed and slam a fist down his throat. But she didn’t dare. She couldn’t let him know that Bri had escaped. She needed to buy some time to give them a chance to get away.

She swallowed hard. Was this why Bri had called her a creep earlier? Bradley must have touched her before while she was groggy on medication.

“Sabrina,” Bradley whispered again.

There was a dull thud, and a body fell on top of her.

Toni scrambled out of bed and away from Bradley’s body. He was sprawled across the bed, unconscious.

Teddy stood there, holding a thick book. “I don’t like him. He’s a bad man.”

“Thank you, Teddy.”

He smiled sheepishly. “I haven’t been taking my meds. I knew I needed to watch that creep.”

Ian zoomed into the room, and his gaze fell on the unconscious nurse. “What happened?”

“It’s a long story,” Toni said. “But Teddy saved me from being molested.”

Ian stepped toward Bradley. “This man was taking advantage of the women here?”

“He’s been trying to,” Teddy said. “That’s why I roam the hall at night.”

“Bastard.” Ian placed a hand on Bradley’s head. “There. He’ll sleep till morning. Let him explain his presence here in Sabrina’s bed.”

“Cool,” Teddy whispered. “You have some kick-ass superpowers, man. What’s your name?”

“Ian.”

Teddy frowned. “Dude, you gotta get a better name than that. And you need a cape.”

Ian chuckled. “Like a vampire cape? I have one of those somewhere.”

“That would be awesome, man.”

Ian approached Teddy. “I have to erase yer memory now.”

Teddy stepped back. “No! This is the coolest thing that’s happened to me in ages. I want to remember it.”

“Ian.” Toni gave him a pleading look. She understood how Teddy felt. She didn’t want to lose her memory, either.

“Toni, he knows we helped Sabrina escape.”

“Take me with you,” Teddy begged.

“Nay.” Ian shook his head.

“Seriously, dude. If you take me with you, then I can’t tell anyone what you did. Not that I would, but they might try to hypnotize me or something. I’m not really crazy, you know. I was just depressed, ’cause I didn’t have anything to look forward to, but with you guys, I could be really happy.”

Ian hesitated. “Once ye know our secrets, there is no going back.”

“Cool.”

Ian frowned. “You must understand the danger of being with us. We are at war with some evil creatures.”

Teddy shook his fist. “Awesome!”

Ian gave Toni a questioning glance.

She shrugged. “Teddy, do you know what you’re doing?”

“I’m not stupid,” he grumbled. “I was head of the math department at St. Bartholomew’s Academy.”

“Ye’re a teacher?” Ian asked.

“Yes.” Teddy eyed them warily. “Does that mean I’m not cool enough to hang out with superheroes?”

“Actually, I think ye’re exactly what we need.” Ian motioned for him to follow. “Come.”

“Cool.” Teddy followed him into the hall. “Are we beaming up to the mother ship?”

Toni peeked out the door and saw them teleport away. Beam me up, Scotty. She wondered why Ian was interested in Teddy’s teaching background. And while Teddy certainly had good credentials, he seemed a little shaky on reality. She didn’t want to find fault with him, though, not when he’d saved her from the perverted nurse.

Bradley had fallen across the bed sideways. She tugged at his body to align him better with the bed.

She noted Bri’s belongings on the open shelves. Two sets of clothes and another set of pajamas. She slipped on Bri’s jacket, then spotted some underwear on the shelf.

She glanced at Bradley, and inspiration struck. She grabbed a pair of Bri’s panties, then stuffed them into Bradley’s hand. Then she took one of Bri’s bras and fastened it around his head like a cap. Let him try to explain that in the morning.

Ian zipped into the room. “I think Teddy’s a bit disappointed to be sitting in a car instead of a spaceship.” He eyed the nurse. “That’s interesting.”

“I like it.” Toni gathered up the rest of Bri’s belongings. “Shall we go?”

Ian smiled. “There’s never a dull moment with you, Toni.” He teleported her to the parking lot.

Toni opened the Jaguar’s passenger door and peered inside. Teddy was squashed into the tiny backseat with Sabrina. She leaned against him, her eyes droopy with medication.

“Bri, Carlos is going to take you to a hotel where you can rest,” Toni told her.

Bri blinked at her. “I thought I was in bed. How did I get here?”

“You’ll be fine,” Toni insisted. “You just need some rest. I’ll come see you tomorrow.”

“No.” Bri struggled to sit up. “Don’t leave me.” Her face crumpled. “I think I’m going crazy. I don’t know how I got here.”

Toni winced. “All right. I’ll come with you. Just a minute.”

“We have to hurry, menina,” Carlos warned her.

Ian touched her shoulder. “It’s all right. Go with yer friend. Ye can call me later, and I’ll teleport over to bring you home.”

She threw her arms around him and kissed him. “How can I ever thank you?”

His mouth twitched. “I’ll think of something. I’ll see you later.” He stepped back and vanished.

Toni climbed into the Jaguar. “Let’s go.”

“Were you kissing that man, Toni?” Sabrina asked.

“Sure she was,” Teddy replied. “The superheroes always get the girl.”

Jedrek sat at his desk, studying the photo of Roman Draganesti and his family. How could a man be so smart and stupid at the same time? His Stay-Awake drug was fantastic. But the idiot had used the drug so he could babysit? If the moron had any sense at all, he would give the drug to his Highlander thugs, and they would spend the daytime killing their enemies who rested helplessly in their death-sleep.

It could happen. Jedrek had ordered twice as many daytime guards. But as tough as the Russian mafia guys were, he didn’t like depending on them for safety.

What he needed was that damned drug. Then he could spend a few days killing Vamps. He thumbed through the stack of photos, relishing the thought of staking them all. MacKay and his wife. Buchanan. MacPhie.

“Master?” Yuri entered the office, followed by Stanislav. “You wanted to see us?”

“We need to plan our next move,” Jedrek announced.

“They’re having their Christmas Ball tomorrow night at Romatech,” Stanislav suggested.

Jedrek shook his head. “Too predictable.” His hand paused on the photo of the black Vamp. “Remember this one?”

“Yes,” Stanislav answered. “Phineas, the traitor.”

Jedrek arched a brow. “You haven’t killed him yet?”

Stanislav gulped. “I will, Master.”

“See that you do.” Jedrek resumed flipping though the photos. He stopped on the mortal girl with blonde hair. He’d seen her last night after the bombs had gone off. She’d run across the parking lot, screaming MacPhie’s name. The ground had been littered with wounded men, but she’d gone straight to MacPhie.

“What do we do next?” Yuri asked.

Jedrek stroked his finger over the photo of the blonde mortal. “I know exactly what to do.”

Tuesday night, Toni walked into a ballroom full of Santas. The dancing had already started, and several Santas whirled around the dance floor, waltzing with their partners. The women’s costumes were a bit more varied. A few were dressed like Mrs. Claus with long, full skirts, white aprons, and white frilly bonnets on top of silver wigs. Other women wore outfits reminiscent of the costumes worn by the Rockettes in their Christmas show.

Toni did a double take. The two Rockettes by the reindeer ice sculpture looked male.

She headed toward the table with real food. As far as she knew, only mortals who knew about Vamps had been invited to the ball. The other mortal employees at Romatech had gone to a party for them earlier in the afternoon.

She scanned the room, searching for Ian, but all the Santas looked alike. They even wore padding inside their red velvet coats to give them fake bellies. Under their red hats, they sported bushy white wigs and beards. The only departure from the norm were a few Santas sporting swords—in case the Malcontents showed up uninvited. Even Toni had a few wooden stakes in her belt.

She noticed one Santa who was different. He was about a foot shorter than the others, and he fidgeted with the black buttons on his jacket. That had to be Laszlo, the scientist who had helped in the operating room and delivered a bag of stuff to the mystery room.

At the mortal table, there was a Mrs. Claus and a little girl who were having a snack of cheese and fruit.

The woman smiled at Toni and extended a hand. “Hi. I’m Heather Echarpe, and this is my daughter, Bethany.”

“I’m Toni.” She shook hands, then smiled at the little girl. “What a beautiful dress.”

“My new daddy made it for me.” Bethany’s face lit up, and she pointed across the room. “Look, Mama. It’s Constantine. Can I go see him?”

“Sure, sweetie.” Heather gazed fondly at Tino, who was dressed like a miniature Santa without the beard.

Bethany dragged Constantine onto the dance floor while the waltzing adults managed to avoid running over them. Tino and Bethany reached the middle of the dance floor, where they started jumping and giggling.

Toni popped a grape in her mouth. “So you must be the one who married the famous fashion designer.”

“Yes.” Heather smiled. “Jean-Luc is here somewhere. Lost in a sea of Santas.”

“Yeah, I can’t tell who’s who.”

Heather bit into a strawberry. “It’s for the best, I suppose. It would totally confuse any Malcontent who crashed the party.” She stepped closer to Toni. “I hope you don’t mind, but Shanna told me about you.”

“Oh?”

Heather smiled. “Don’t worry, it was all good stuff. I just wanted to say that Ian’s a great guy, and I hope it works out for you.”

“We—we’re not going out or anything. I’m a guard, so it’s against the rules for us to get involved.”

“Since when does love follow the rules?” Heather lowered her voice. “Ian was in Texas when he took the drug to grow older. He was in so much pain, it nearly killed me to watch. I begged him to stop, but you know what he said?”

“What?”

Heather’s eyes grew moist. “He said all the pain was worth it if he could find true love.”

Toni’s heart squeezed in her chest. “I’m going to look for him. Excuse me.” She started across the ballroom.

The band switched to a modern song, and she noted a disco Santa on the dance floor. Gregori, she thought with a smile. He was back to his normal self.

She’d arrived a bit late to the ball because she’d spent too much time in the silver room, fussing with her hair and makeup. She wanted to look good for Ian.

She’d had a late night, making sure Sabrina was all right before Ian had teleported her back to Romatech. She’d been so tired, she’d gone straight to bed. Today she’d called the hotel twice. Carlos had told her that Bri was sleeping most of the time, and Teddy was watching television. She hoped to see Bri tomorrow, but for now, she was eager to see Ian.

All day long, her heart had been light with joy. She couldn’t wait to see him. It was just a shame she hadn’t been able to dress a bit sexier. Shanna had insisted she wear this specific costume.

She wandered toward a group of Santas who were talking to one another. They noticed her and smiled.

She quickly checked their eyes. No Ian. “Excuse me.” She backed away.

“Bellissima, don’t run away.” A Vamp Santa with sparkling brown eyes took her hand. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Giacomo di Venezia. Please call me Jack, like my other English-speaking friends do.”

“I’m Toni Davis.”

He kissed her hand. “Bellissima, you are the guard Connor hired? He didn’t tell me you were a goddess.” He turned to the other men. “She is a vision of beauty, no?”

“Ye’re embarrassing her, Jack,” a second Santa said with a Scottish accent. He extended a hand. “Welcome to MacKay Security and Investigation. I’m Robby MacKay.”

Toni shook his hand. “You’re related to Angus?”

“Aye, but he’s much, much older than me,” Robby said with a grin.

“How do you do?” The third Vamp in the group held out his hand. His eyes were almond-shaped, and his accent was thicker. “I am Zoltan Czakvar from Budapest.”

“Oh.” She shook his hand. “I’m Attila the Hun.”

The men laughed.

“Will you dance with me, Attila?” Zoltan asked.

“Perhaps later. I’m…looking for someone right now.”

“Ah.” Jack nodded his head. “Amore. I’m afraid her heart is already taken, Zoltan.”

Zoltan bowed. “Then we will hope he is worthy of you.”

“Okay.” Toni smiled as she left the three guys. There was something definitely appealing about Vamp men.

She wandered by another group of men, but none of them looked familiar. Then she saw someone who was easy to recognize. He was the only black Santa in the room. He was drinking blood from a wineglass, along with another Santa.

“Phineas.” She lifted a hand.

“Hey, sweetness.” He gave her a high five and a knuckle pound. “What’s up?”

She recognized the second Santa as Dougal. “Hey, Dougal. Have you seen Ian anywhere? I can’t find him.”

“The last time I saw him,” Dougal said, “he was at the refreshment table, having a Bleer.”

Phineas eyed Toni’s costume. “Girl, what are you supposed to be? You look like the Jolly Green Giant’s little ho.”

Toni gritted her teeth. “I’m an elf.”

Dougal laughed. “She makes a good elf.”

“Thanks,” Toni muttered.

Phineas snorted. “So do you live in a tree and bake cookies? Whatcha got for me in your oven?” He winked.

She swatted his arm. “I’ll sic the Jolly Green Giant on you.”

She marched off, feeling even more ridiculous in her costume. She had a red feather in her silly green hat, and jingle bells on her green slippers that made noise with every step. If anyone else made fun of her costume, she might have to stake him into oblivion.

She circled the dance floor. The music had changed to a slow, modern dance. She spotted Heather dancing with a Santa, probably her husband, Jean-Luc. And Shanna was dancing with another Santa, probably Roman. As she neared the Vamp refreshment table, she saw the two questionable Rockette ladies talking with another Santa.

One of them pressed a hand against the Santa’s chest. Her fingernails were painted a bright red. “Oh my God, look at you! You’re all grown up!”

Toni winced. The Rockette’s voice was definitely male.

“Our sweet little boy,” the second male Rockette said. “All grown up and so handsome.” He waved a hand in front of his face. “I’m think I’m going to cry.”

“Don’t you dare, Tootsie,” the first Rockette warned. “If you start crying, I’ll completely lose it, and I just hate runny mascara. Don’t you, Ian?”

“I wouldna know,” he growled. He spotted Toni, and relief flooded his face. “Toni, I’ve been looking for you.”

“Oh my!” The Rockette named Tootsie looked Toni over. “Has our little Ian found a sweetheart?”

Ian pulled her to his side. “Toni, let me introduce you to Tootsie and Scarlett. They teleported here from New Orleans.”

Toni smiled politely. “How do you do?”

Scarlett pressed a hand to his chest. “Oh my God, isn’t she just the prettiest thing?”

Tootsie’s red-painted lips trembled. “They’re so precious together. I—I can’t help it. I’m going to cry!”

Scarlett huffed. “Well, don’t get me started.”

Ian backed away, dragging Toni with him. “Excuse us, but I promised Toni I would dance with her.”

Scarlett sighed. “That’s so sweet.”

“And romantic.” Tootsie dabbed at his eyes with a lacy handkerchief.

Ian led Toni farther away.

She glanced back, and the two male Rockettes were still watching them with tears in their eyes. “They seem very fond of you.”

“They’re verra friendly.” Ian put his hands around her waist. “Thank you for rescuing me.”

She rested her hands on his shoulders and matched his steps as he swayed to and fro. “Where did you meet them?”

“In New Orleans, a few years back. I was doing an investigation for a Vamp with amnesia.”

“Really? Did you find out who he was?”

Ian nodded. “He was a cowboy with a secret baby.”

Toni laughed.

“I’m serious.” Ian grinned, and it made his white beard twitch. “And what are ye supposed to be?”

“An elf, and don’t you dare make fun of me.”

“Are ye kidding? Yer red tights are driving me crazy.”

She bumped against his fake belly that stuck out above his belt. “Is that padding in there, or are you happy to see me?”

His beard twitched again. “And what are these?” He fingered the wooden stakes in her belt. “Are ye intending to use them on me?”

“Maybe. If Santa doesn’t give me what I want for Christmas.”

“And what do ye want?”

She almost said, You, but she hesitated. “It’s a secret.”

“Another secret?” His blue eyes twinkled. “Are ye ever going to tell me yer full name?”

She shrugged. “Maybe never.”

“But I need to know. I’m making a list. And checking it twice.”

She laughed.

“Tell me, Toni.” He pulled her closer. “Have ye been naughty or nice?”

A warm feeling swept through her. She wanted this man so much. She curled her hands around the back of his neck. He tightened his hold on her.

She glanced at his eyes, and suddenly felt the warmth ratchet up a few degrees. “It might be fun to get a little naughty.”

A red tint flared in his eyes. “We could go somewhere private. No one would notice one less Santa in the room.”

Toni licked her lips. The thought of ripping his beard off to kiss him was very exciting. “Your eyes are turning red.”

“Your heart is beating faster.” He leaned close, his white beard tickling her cheek. “I’d like to peel those red tights down yer legs.”

“I might let you,” she teased. “If you give me what I need.”

His eyes glowed a deeper red. “Sweetheart, I have what you need.”

She grinned. “What I need is a few answers. I have some questions for you.”

“My favorite color is green. Like yer eyes.”

“Not that question.” She smoothed her hands down his chest. “I could make it worth your while. If you answer, I’ll…take something off.”

His eyebrows rose. “Now that is naughty.”

“Of course you have to agree to the same terms. If I answer one of your questions, you have to take something off.”

“Agreed.” He glanced around the room. “We’ll leave separately. Meet me in the hall in three minutes.” He strode away, leaving her alone on the dance floor.

She wandered back to the refreshment table for mortals with her mortal heart pounding in her ears. Good grief, what had she just agreed to? She wanted some answers, but stripping for them was likely to get out of hand.

Good. She smiled to herself. She wanted him. He wanted her. There was no denying that red glow in his eyes.

She took a few deep breaths to calm herself, then drank some punch. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a Santa leaving the ballroom. She drained her cup, then strolled toward the exit. She wandered down the hall in the direction of the chapel. Where was he?

A door to the right cracked open and an arm in a red velvet sleeve reached out and grabbed her. She gasped, then laughed as a Santa hauled her into a dark room. He shut the door and pinned her against it.

“You’d better be Ian.”

“Aye.” He nuzzled her neck.

“Take off that beard. I want to kiss you.”

He chuckled. “Ye’re a demanding lass.” He locked the door, then led her into the room.

It was a conference room, she noted, with a long table surrounded by a dozen chairs. Ian had left the lights off, so the only light came from the red exit sign over the door and the lights from the parking lot outside the large plate-glass window.

“It’s snowing outside.” She wandered alongside the table. “Should we close the blinds?”

“It’s one-way glass.” He sat in a chair midway down the table. “So what’s yer full name, Toni?”

“That again? Does it really matter?”

“I’m only curious because ye’ll no’ tell me.”

“Okay, okay.” She perched on the table next to him and propped one foot up on the arm of his chair. “But it’ll be worth two articles of clothing.”

He wrapped a hand around her ankle. “All right.”

She leaned back, bracing her weight on her hands. “I only know what my grandmother told me, so my knowledge of the events is a bit sketchy. It appears my mother had a desire to marry a racecar driver when she was seventeen. She went to the Daytona 500 to find a driver and jumped a guy in a jumpsuit in a garage. She was a bit pissed to discover afterward that he was just a mechanic and even more pissed when she discovered herself pregnant.”

Ian shook his head. “Yer mum continues to confound me.”

“I guess she needed a reminder never to make such a stupid mistake again, ’cause she named me after the racetrack where I was conceived.”

“Yer name is Daytona Five Hundred?”

“No.” She glared at him. “Just Daytona. Isn’t that humiliating enough? Please don’t tell anyone.”

His white beard twitched. “Daytona Davis. I like it.”

“Daytona Lynn, actually. It’s a Southern thing. Now strip, Santa. Two items.”