inside that place is plain suicidal and out of their mind.”
“Really?” Gabrielle asked. “Neither you or Jubal looked as if you freaked out.”
“Of course we did. Bodyguards can’t show freak-outs, babe, that’s the bottom line and Jubal prides himself on never showing a freak-out because we’d tease him unmercifully until the day he died and maybe after as well.” Joie shared a grin with her sister. “Is Jubal hanging out in the bedroom? I need my clothes?”
“I’ll get you something presentable.” Gabrielle disappeared.
Joie heard her giggle. Gabrielle never did anything so undignified as to giggle. Unashamed, Joie listened to the murmured conversation in the next room. Gary had joined her brother and sister in her bedroom and Gabrielle had clearly forgotten her mission to produce clothes for her sister.
Joie stalked to the door. “Hello! I hate to remind you all, but I’m stuck here, naked in the bathroom. Vacate or toss me some clothes.”
Jubal groaned and covered his eyes. “You are so sick, Joie. I didn’t need that visual. Gary, you ought to try having a couple of sisters bent on tormenting you. They gang up on me like you wouldn’t believe.”
Gabrielle blew him a kiss. “We keep your life from being extraordinarily dull and boring.”
“Don’t believe her,” Jubal cautioned Gary.
Joie caught the bundle of clothes her sister tossed inside the bathroom. “Thanks for remembering me,” she hissed.
“I remembered,” Gabrielle replied with a smirk. “Getting your clothes just didn’t seem all that important all of a sudden.”
You are truly a hussy, Joie said and closed the bathroom door firmly on her sister’s teasing laugh. I know exactly what you were doing. That poor man has no idea you’ve got your hook out and you’re fishing.
I’m going to dose his drink with a love potion, Gabrielle shot back.
Gabrielle rarely was depressed or upset for long. She was naturally upbeat and had a sunny personality. Joie found herself smiling in spite of the deep dread in the pit of her stomach. Being with her family was exactly what she needed.
She dressed carefully, for war. She didn’t want to be unprepared for anything. She had weapons stashed in both the bedroom and her bathroom and she donned as many as she could carry without detection. Her clothes were loose enough to hide the weapons and to move in fast, yet wouldn’t get in the way should she need to climb or fight hand to hand.
Gary stood up when Joie entered the room. “Good evening.” He bowed slightly, a habit he’d acquired from the Carpathians. “I take it Traian left already? I figured he’d rise as early as possible. There were clouds blocking the sunlight. They sometimes arrange the weather to protect their sensitive eyes.” He smiled at Joie. “He wants me to get you to drink some juice this evening.”
Joie pressed a hand to her stomach. “I don’t think that’s going to happen, but I’m sure Gabrielle and Jubal are hungry.”
“Starved,” Jubal agreed instantly. “I thought Joie was going to sleep forever.”
“You’ll get used to the different hours they keep,” Gary said. “I work in the lab and forget the time myself. If I’m on to something promising, I don’t seem to need sleep.”
“I’m the same way,” Gabrielle said. “Sometimes I look up and it’s two days later.” She exchanged a long smile of complete understanding with Gary.
Jubal threw his hands into the air. “I’m starving. I need to get food and whether you’re hungry or not, Joie, we need to stick together. Let’s go down to the dining room.”
Joie rolled her eyes. “Big surprise that you’re starving, Jubal. I swear you were born that way. Are you armed?” Joie dragged on her boots and shoved a knife down into the leather scabbard built in.
Gary raised an eyebrow, but Gabrielle just shrugged, her grin sheepish. “We’re used to Joie. She’s nearly always lethal.”
“Of course I’m armed.” The smile faded from Jubal’s face as he turned to Gary with sober eyes. “Are you?”
There was a small silence. Gabrielle pressed her lips together. Joie and Jubal just waited for the answer. If Gary was even remotely interested in their sister, he’d better know how to protect her.
Gary gave them a small smirk, not in the least intimidated. “I carry weapons at all times. Here, working with the Carpathians, I have no choice. They rest during the day and if the undead send human puppets to find their resting places, they have to be protected.”
“Great,” Gabrielle said. “We don’t just have to worry about vampires trying