All I Want for Christmas Is a Vampire - By Kerrelyn Sparks Page 0,60

chuckled. "That's my girl."

She nestled her cheek deeper into his thick sweater. He was surprisingly warm and wonderfully solid. When he released her and stepped back, she wanted to throw herself back into his arms.

"We need to go, lass." He dragged her suitcase off the dresser.

She pulled on her coat and grabbed her handbag. "Are you driving?"

"Teleporting. It's faster." He grasped the handle of her suitcase with one hand and extended the other toward her. "Ye'll need to hold on to me."

"Oh." Not a problem. She slid her arms around his neck.

"Closer." His arm tightened around her waist.

She pressed against his solid chest. "Like this?"

He closed his eyes briefly. "Aye."

Her breath caught when his eyes opened. "What's the deal with your eyes? They keep turning red."

"It's a normal reaction for a vampire."

"I don't think so." She studied the red, glowing irises. "None of the other Vamps do that."

"Good. I wouldna want to fight any of my friends."

"What are you talking about?"

He gave her a wry smile. "Toni, when my eyes turn red, it's because I'm wanting you verra badly."

She swallowed hard. "But it's been happening for days."

"Aye, since I first met you. But doona let it worry you. I know ye hate our kind."

"I don't hate you, Ian. I don't hate any of the good Vamps. Maybe I did at first, but now..." He watched her carefully. "How do ye feel now?"

A flood of emotions brought tears to her eyes. "I--I have a lot on my mind. Not just you, but my friend Sabrina. I'm so very worried...and confused." She shouldn't feel so damned attracted to a vampire.

"Tell me what's going on. I might be able to help you."

She studied his handsome face and saw genuine concern and compassion. She wanted to trust him. Dear God, she wanted to stay in his arms forever. "I'll think about it."

"Good. Hang on, sweetheart." He pulled her tight, and everything went black.

As soon as Ian was assured that Toni was safely ensconced in the silver room at Romatech, he teleported back to the townhouse with Dougal and Phineas.

When they materialized on the back porch, they heard the high-pitched buzz of the alarm inside the townhouse. They instantly drew their swords. There were only two explanations for the alarm--either a mortal had broken into the townhouse and didn't hear the alarm, or a vampire had teleported inside and didn't know the proper combination required to turn the alarm off.

Dougal quietly unlocked the back door and let it swing open. They waited, swords ready, for someone to poke his head out the door and look. If it was a Malcontent, his head wouldn't stay attached for long.

No one fell for the bait. Ian moved to enter, but Phineas pulled him back.

"It's you they want, bro. Stay between us." Phineas entered first.

The kitchen was a mess. Cabinets and drawers hung open, and the contents were scattered on the countertops.

"They must be looking for the drug." Dougal started to punch in the combination to turn off the alarm.

"Nay." Ian stopped him. "If we turn it off, we'll be announcing our arrival."

Dougal grimaced. "Ye're right, but the noise is bloody annoying."

"Yeah, sounds like a cat on crack," Phineas muttered. He positioned himself by the swinging door.

"Ready?"

Ian nodded, and the three Vamps zoomed into the foyer. A quick glance assured them that the intruders were not on the first floor. Books were tumbled onto the floor in the library, and the parlor had been ransacked.

They zipped downstairs to the cellar. Phineas's bed had been slashed, and the coffins ripped apart. "Shit." Phineas studied the broken picture frame of his family. "We're too late."

"We should check Roman's office," Ian suggested. "I'm sure they've realized that he invented the drug."

"We go together," Dougal said. "Aim for the fifth-floor landing."

The trio teleported to the landing outside Roman's office and bedroom. The two doors were open, and inside, voices were speaking in Russian.

Ian eased toward the office door and spied Jedrek Janow at Roman's desk, fiddling with the computer. The Malcontent cursed and pounded a fist on the keyboard. Then he started rifling through the desk drawers.

Dougal peeked into Roman's bedroom, then raised two fingers to indicate two men. Ian lifted one finger. It was three against three. He gave Dougal and Phineas a questioning look, and they both nodded.

Ian charged into the office, headed straight for Jedrek. The assassin glanced up and reached for the sword he'd left on the desk. Ian was already swinging his sword down for a killing blow