All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire(32)

 

How old was he exactly? He'd mentioned the sixteenth century. It was fascinating once she thought about all the things he must have seen over the centuries. What kind of baggage was he carrying on his broad shoulders? What kept him going night after night through the centuries? Did he really want to share his long life with one special woman?

 

Stop thinking about him. She strode across the office and sat at the desk. The computer hadn't yielded any proof. Maybe there was something in the drawers. She rummaged through the desk and discovered a thin black book. The title, printed in white, read The Black Pages.

 

As she scanned the first few pages, her heart began to race. This could be it. Proof positive. The advertisements were clearly meant for the Vamp public.

 

Ace Aluminum Blinds and Shutters. Block out that annoying sunlight and enjoy the dark!

 

Aerobics and Weight Training. Is your body centuries old? Keep it in great shape with us!

 

Brooklyn Blood Bank. Catering to Vamp needs. Are you tired of synthetic blood and hankering for the real thing?

 

This was it!

 

She was so excited, she called Carlos. "It's called The Black Pages. It's perfect!"

 

"I'm not sure it constitutes proof," Carlos said with a yawn. "Anybody can print anything off a computer."

 

Toni groaned. "Don't be such a downer."

 

"I'm sorry, menina. I'll be happy to look at it, though. Can you bring it tonight? Let's have dinner at your place. I'll order in Chinese."

 

"That's sounds wonderful." She would switch to her biggest handbag, so she could sneak the phone book out of the house. "Have you found out anything more about Sabrina's uncle?"

 

"Not yet. I have a final this afternoon and a paper due tomorrow. But I'll find the time."

 

"Okay. Good luck with your stuff." Toni hung up.

 

It was eight A.M. and time for her first report. After she got off the phone with Howard, the phone started ringing constantly. She was relieved Ian had recorded the new message, and she didn't have to deal with all the girls who thought he was hot. Even if they were right.

 

By four-thirty that evening, she was ready to go. She had hidden The Black Pages in a big handbag. The minute Dougal and Phineas arrived in the kitchen, she said her good-byes and headed for the front door. Ian materialized in the foyer just as she was unlocking the door.

 

"Toni, wait!" He rushed forward and stumbled, nearly falling on his face. He righted himself just in time. "Bugger."

 

She hesitated before opening the door. "Are you all right?" Good grief, the poor man was blushing.

 

"My feet grew from a size nine to a thirteen in twelve days," he muttered. "I'm still getting used to it."

 

His feet weren't the only things that had grown. Toni's face grew hot as she attempted to override that memory. She was being shallow, she chided herself. The man must have suffered while he was growing that fast. "It must have been painful."

 

He shrugged one shoulder. "It was worth it to finally look like a man."

 

And what a man. "Well, you certainly got some good results."

 

His eyes started to twinkle. "Like a hot, hot studmuffin?"

 

She winced. That line was going to haunt her the rest of her days.

 

He stepped toward her. "We still need to talk."

 

Not that again. Maybe she should try a new tactic. "I'd love to talk, but can we do it later? I have to go now. My dinner date is waiting."

 

His eyes narrowed. "Ye have a date?"

 

She started to say it was just with an old friend, but why put the guy out of his misery? He looked kinda jealous, and she kinda liked it. "You're not the only one who dates around here, you know."

 

He frowned. "I have three dates tonight."

 

Great, studmuffin. Rub it in. "Have fun." Not. She marched out the door.

 

 

 

 

 

CHAPTER 7

 

 

 

 

Forty-five minutes later, Toni was in her apartment, wolfing down Chinese food and giggling with Carlos over the advertisements in The Black Pages.

 

"Look at this one." He pointed. "Undead Body Armor. Protect your chest against those pesky wooden stakes."

 

She nearly choked on a noodle. "I still like the Fang File the best. Gotta keep those fangs sharp."

 

Carlos chuckled. "You know what's good, menina? You're able to laugh at vampires now."

 

"Believe me, that awful attack still bothers me. I'm just getting better at not thinking about it." If she did think about it, she'd probably burst into tears. "I have a long history of learning to laugh at pain instead of cry."