All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire

CHAPTER 18

"Carlos." Toni peeked around his broad shoulders. "There's nothing wrong."

"Who is that?" he whispered, motioning with his head toward the large man at the far end of the foyer.

"That's my supervisor, Howard," Toni whispered back.

Howard suddenly stiffened and turned to face them. His nostrils flared as his gaze riveted on Carlos. He limped forward. "You are Carlos?"

"Yes." Carlos watched Howard carefully.

"I'm Howard Barr. Can we have a word in private, please?" He motioned toward the security office.

Carlos nodded and strode down the hall with him.

What the hell? Toni inched forward so she could see the two men disappear into the security office. Was Howard gay? Though she could have sworn their reaction to each other had been one of suspicion, not attraction.

She wandered down the hall toward the security office. Sheesh, she didn't dare barge in on them. Her attention was momentarily snagged by the mysterious locked room across from the nursery. She tried the doorknob, but no luck.

She waited awhile, then the security office door opened. Carlos exited with a perplexed look on his face.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yes." He strode toward her, carrying his laptop and roll of paper. "Something very strange just happened."

Toni winced. "You don't have to tell me."

"Howard just offered me a job."

"What? You would work as a day guard like me?"

Carlos nodded. "I happen to have some…skills that are highly valued at MacKay Security and Investigation."

"Like martial arts?"

"That, too." Carlos ran a hand through his long black hair. "I warned Howard that I've always been a wanderer, but he said they had clients all over the world who needed guarding, and I could transfer from one place to another."

"Did he tell you about the Vamps?" Toni whispered.

"No, he called them clients. I'm going to consider it. The pay is excellent, and I have a lot of expenses."

"That's true." Toni knew Carlos was supporting a few orphans in Brazil. It was one of the things that had first attracted her and Sabrina to him. He was also paying for his education and research trips to South America and Malaysia. "Howard's a nice boss. He used to be a defensive lineman for the NFL, but he's as sweet as a teddy bear."

Carlos gave her a sharp look. "Yeah, I noticed. So where can we discuss the plans for Sabrina?"

Toni led him down the hall till she spotted a room labeled Conference. She peeked inside and flipped on the light. "This will do."

Carlos strode into the room and went straight to work, setting up his laptop, then spreading out the roll of white paper. "I drew the layout for Shady Oaks, so Ian will know exactly where to teleport." He tapped his finger on a rectangle labeled Ward Three.

Toni leaned over to study the map. "This is very good." Carlos would make an excellent employee for MacKay Security and Investigation.

"Menina, I know I've been teasing you about Ian, but I'm wondering if it's wise to get involved with him. Don't get me wrong, he's a nice guy, but he is a vampire."

"He wouldn't bite me." Toni blushed as memories of last night's glorious kiss filled her mind. "At least, not for food."

Carlos frowned. "After we rescue Sabrina, you should quit your job here and forget these vampires exist."

"That would be rather rude, don't you think? To just use Ian for his super abilities, then tell him adiós. And how can you tell me to quit when you're planning to work here?"

"You have special plans with Sabrina. I don't. And the truth of the matter is Ian is not your kind."

She planted her hands on her hips. "I'm surprised at you, Carlos. I would expect you, of all people, to be more understanding and tolerant."

"I am tolerant of anything two humans want to do with each other, but he's not exactly human."

"He's more human than anyone I know. And I love him."

"You've known him exactly a week."

"And a hell of a lot has happened in that time." Toni pressed a hand to her chest. "I'm becoming a different person now. I feel like I'm finally growing into a whole person—one who's capable, strong, and worthy. I'm not a wounded child anymore. And I like what's happening to me. I'm not going to give it up."

"All right, then." Carlos touched her shoulder. "I'm very happy for you."

She gave him a hug, then wandered to the window to peek out the blinds. "The sun has set. I'll go get Ian."

"Okay. And change clothes. Dress all in black." Carlos moved to his laptop. "Give me your cell phone."

"Why?" She removed it from the pocket of her khaki pants.

"Because you need a new ringtone." He took her phone. "Love is no longer a battlefield for you."

"Put on something nice," she warned him, then left to find Ian.

He was in the silver room, still in his pajamas, finishing his breakfast.

She grinned at him. "I got your note. Thank you for helping us." She rummaged through her suitcase and found some black cargo pants. "Carlos wants us to dress in black."

Ian's eyebrows rose. "Are we doing it tonight?"

"Yes. Is that all right?"

"Aye." Ian set his empty bottle in the sink. "I should stay here most of the night in case Jedrek tries something, but it shouldna take long to teleport yer friend out."

She located a black T-shirt, but unfortunately it had bright white letters on the front. Am I Crazy or What? She showed it to Ian. "The perfect shirt for breaking into a mental institution."

He chuckled. "Ye do want to be properly dressed for every occasion." His face grew more serious. "I'm sorry for the way I reacted last night."

"There's no need to apologize. I was wrong to ever consider telling your secret."

His eyes gleamed. "Ye've gone to amazing lengths to help yer friend. Ye've survived a brutal attack, ye've taken a job with the Undead, and ye're about to do some serious breaking and entering. That kind of loyalty is verra rare."

Her eyes grew misty as her heart swelled with love. "You tell me the loveliest things." He made her realize how worthy she truly was.

He glanced at the surveillance camera, then motioned with his head to the bathroom. "Ye need to change clothes?"

"Right." Toni gathered up her black clothes and dashed into the bathroom. She gasped when Ian followed her in and shut the door. "What—?"

He pulled her into his arms and planted his mouth on hers. Her clothes tumbled to the floor as she melted into his kiss.

He suckled her bottom lip, then nibbled kisses down her neck. "Did ye need help getting out of yer clothes?"

"You rascal." She slid her fingers into his soft hair.

He tugged her navy polo shirt up and slipped his hands underneath. "I want you." He surveyed the tiny bathroom with his red, glowing eyes. "This is…a challenge."

"Ian." She placed her hands on his cheeks. "We don't have time right now. And I don't really want a quickie in the bathroom."

His mouth curled up. "No' verra romantic, huh?"

She grinned. "I think you're very romantic, but Carlos is waiting upstairs, and we have a job to do."

"I understand." He kissed her quickly on the mouth, then exited the room.

She changed clothes, then found him in the kitchen pulling a black sweater over his head. He had on black leather pants and looked deliciously naughty. She almost called him back into the bathroom for a quickie.

"Let's go." She grabbed her coat and took the elevator with Ian to the first floor. "We were getting the ballroom ready today for the big party."

He nodded. "Phineas said he would teach me how to dance more modern, so I could dance with you. I only know how to do the minuet and waltz and a few country dances."

She grinned at him as they exited the elevator. "You want to dance with me?"

"Aye. Phineas said I needed to know how to do pop blocking and jam-on-it."

She laughed. "You're going to hip-hop in a kilt?"

"Actually I'll be wearing a Santa costume, along with ninety-nine other men."

"How come there are so many Santa costumes?" She motioned to the locked door across from the dental office. "What's the deal with the secret Santa thing?"

"If I told you, it wouldna be a secret."

She swatted his arm. "I told you my secrets."

"No' all of them. I still doona know yer full name."

"I see no reason to divulge that at this time."

"It canna be that bad. My name is Ian David MacPhie."

"That's a good name. It's easy to confess." She opened the door to the conference room. "Here we are. Carlos has everything planned."

"I'm used to making my own plans." He marched inside, frowning. "Good evening, Carlos."

"Hi, Ian. Nice pants. Love the leather. Here's your phone, Toni."

She slipped her cell phone into a pants pocket.

Ian examined the map of Shady Oaks.

"This is Ward Three." Carlos pointed at it. "That's where they're holding Sabrina. There's a guard just inside the front door, but I spotted a back door here. Do you think you can teleport in undetected?"

Ian gave him a bland look. "I've teleported into Langley undetected."

Carlos arched a brow. "Then I'll take that as a yes."

Toni stifled a grin. She hoped these two guys wouldn't get into a pissing match.

Ian nodded. "I can do it."

"I'll wait for you in the car. I can park here or here." Carlos indicated the front parking lot and the back service entrance.

"Use the parking lot," Ian said. "It'll be less conspicuous."

"Agreed."

Ian slanted a look at him. "Ye've done work like this before."

Carlos rolled up the map. "My research has led me into some strange places and situations."

"What kind of research?"

"Unusual, primitive cultures, mostly in South America and Southeast Asia." He moved to his laptop. "This is the route I'll use to drive us to the hotel. It's an inconspicuous place in Queens. I paid cash in advance."

Ian studied it a moment. "Looks good. I need to check on things here, so ye drive there with Toni. Then she can call me, and I'll teleport there to meet you."

"Agreed." Carlos shut his laptop. "Let's do it."

At Shady Oaks, Carlos parked his Jaguar in a dark corner. Toni called Ian, and he materialized beside her in the parking lot.

"I'm coming with you," she told him.

"Nay. I canna teleport two people at the same time."

Stubborn man. "Then you can make two trips."

Carlos exited the driver's seat. "What's wrong?"

"Toni wants to put herself in danger," Ian muttered.

"You have to take me with you," Toni insisted. "How else will you know which one is Sabrina?"

"I expect she can tell me her name."

Toni gave him an exasperated look. "She could be asleep. Or if she's awake, she could scream and raise the alarm. If I'm there, I can keep her calm."

"I think Toni's right," Carlos said.

Toni shot him a grateful smile.

Ian's jaw shifted. "All right."

"You'll find it easier to approach from the west," Carlos suggested.

"I can manage," Ian growled. "Come on, Toni."

She strode alongside him as they moved through the parking lot, angling to the west side of the hospital. "Carlos just wants to help. He really cares about Sabrina."

"And you."

She wondered if he was jealous. "We're just good friends."

"I doona mean to be a grouch," Ian muttered. "I'm just used to doing this kind of work on my own."

"Why?"

He remained silent as they walked along the west wall. Finally he spoke, "I never wanted to work with the other guys, 'cause they would invariably treat me like a child."

"Oh. I'm sorry. It must have been terribly frustrating to look like a fifteen-year-old for so long."

"Almost five hundred years." He glanced at her. "I'm glad ye never knew me that way. Ye've always seen me as a man, as the man I felt like inside all those years."

"You're a wonderful man, Ian."

He took her hand. "Och, yer puir fingers are frozen." He sandwiched her hand between his.

"That's the oak tree Carlos climbed." She pointed with her free hand. "The courtyard is just over the wall."

He released her hand. "I'll take a look."

She blinked when he started to rise to the top of the wall.

"All right. Come." He extended his left hand toward her.

"I can't—" She stopped when his body dropped a few feet. He grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms. Then he levitated back to the top of the wall.

She flung her arms around his neck.

His teeth flashed white in the dark. "Ye doona need to choke me, sweetheart. I willna drop you."

"Sorry." She tried to relax. "I'm not used to floating six feet off the ground."

"That is Ward Three, aye?" He pointed.

She squinted to see across the dimly lit courtyard. "Yes." No doubt he could see much better than she.

"Ye see the shadowy area to the right of the building? It's close to the back entrance. We'll teleport there first."

"Okay." She steeled her nerves. The black, dizzying sensation sucked her in, then she stumbled as her feet landed on hard ground.

"Steady." He led her toward the back door. It was locked, of course, but through the glass window they could see a plain hallway, lined with doors on each side. The doors were open, and light spilled from several onto the shiny linoleum floor.

A female nurse padded down the hall in white athletic shoes. "Eight o'clock! Lights out!"

The lights clicked off, leaving the hallway dimly illuminated with a few emergency lights. The nurse walked away, presumably toward the nurses' station by the main entrance.

"Those must be the bedrooms," Ian whispered. He pulled her to his side. "Let's go."

Darkness swirled around her once more, then she found herself with Ian in the hallway. The air was hot and stuffy. She took the left side of the hall, while he took the right. They moved silently across the floor, checking the name tags next to each door.

Four doors down, she spotted the name Vanderwerth, Sabrina. She motioned to Ian, and they both slipped inside the dark room. She could barely make out the twin-sized bed on a raised platform. There were no dressers, just open shelves like bookcases. No place to hide anything. No lamps, no mirrors. A body was huddled under the plain blanket. Sabrina's blonde hair gleamed dully on the pillow.

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."