All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire(75)

"We don't need to." Jedrek eyed the number of cars in the parking lot. There were more Vamps here than he'd expected. "Are they workaholics or holding an orgy?"

 

"They have a mortal priest who performs Mass for them on Sunday night," Yuri said.

 

"And you forgot to mention that to me?" Jedrek ground out between clenched teeth.

 

"We thought they stopped," Yuri protested. "They did stop for a while. We blew up their chapel last August."

 

So the sweet little bottle-sucking morons had started going to church again. They made him want to puke. "I hope they're praying for salvation. They'll need it." He glanced at Yuri's long duffel bag. "Get the RPG ready."

 

"Yes, Master." Yuri unzipped the bag and carefully removed the shoulder-launched rocket weapon. He loaded a grenade.

 

"I heard the Vamps have a party after Mass," Nadia whispered. "They give out free Chocolood."

 

"And how would you know that?" Jedrek asked softly.

 

She eyed him warily. "I never went. It was some of the other girls in the coven. They were curious."

 

"Stupid cows," Jedrek grumbled. "Tell me, Nadia, have you ever watched a vampire burn to death?"

 

She shook her head.

 

"Answer me."

 

"No, Master. I have not."

 

"You're in for a special treat. You will show your gratitude to me later tonight."

 

She hugged her knees to her chest. "Yes, Master."

 

He smiled. She was bending to his will now.

 

Yuri lifted the rocket-propelled grenade to his shoulder. "Ready."

 

"Good. We'll wait for them to return to their cars, then blow a few of them up," Jedrek said. "And when the survivors are running about like frightened little mice, we'll locate MacPhie or Draganesti and get the information we need." His attention snapped back to Romatech when the front door burst open.

 

A lone figure ran out.

 

"Jackpot," Jedrek whispered. It was Roman Draganesti. He was running around the parking lot, looking frantically for something. "The fool is unarmed. Take him."

 

Yuri set the RPG down and pulled a long silver chain from his duffel bag. He wrapped the ends around his heavily gloved hands.

 

Just then, two sword-wielding Highlanders zoomed out the front door, headed straight for Draganesti.

 

Yuri hesitated.

 

"Is there a problem?" Jedrek asked dryly. He recognized the Scotsmen as Connor Buchanan and Ian MacPhie.

 

"That's Buchanan," Yuri said. "He's the one who killed Sashenka."

 

"Then you should be eager to avenge him."

 

Yuri slowly drew his sword. "I'll be outnumbered."

 

Jedrek rolled his eyes. He was surrounded by cowards. He unsheathed his own sword. "Keep Buchanan busy. I'll grab MacPhie and teleport away with him."

 

Just then, Draganesti halted and cocked his head toward Romatech. He raced back inside, followed by the two Scotsmen. The door banged shut.

 

"You fool," Jedrek hissed at Yuri. "Your cowardice ruined our chance."

 

Yuri hung his head.

 

Nadia shivered. "It's cold. Can we go home now?"

 

"I still don't know what caused Ian MacPhie to age," Jedrek grumbled.

 

"Why do we need to know?" Nadia asked. "Nobody wants to age."

 

Jedrek wrapped a hand around her neck and squeezed. "You dare to question me?"

 

"I was wrong. Forgive me, Master."

 

Jedrek released her. His real concern was how Draganesti had managed to invade their Brooklyn headquarters during the day. He just had a sneaking suspicion that MacPhie's sudden aging was somehow connected. He wanted answers. Tonight.

 

After a few minutes, a lone car pulled into the parking lot. A young man emerged from the black Lexus. Jedrek recognized him from the photos he'd studied. This was Gregori Holstein, vice president at Romatech and good friend to Roman Draganesti.

 

"He'll know their secrets." Jedrek turned to Nadia. "Talk to him. Distract him, so Yuri can take him."

 

"Yes, Master." She edged toward the parking lot.

 

Gregori removed a stuffed black garbage bag from the trunk of his car. He was singing to himself, repeating two words. Staying alive, staying alive. How fitting.

 

"Teleport him here," Jedrek ordered. "I want some time with him."

 

"Yes, Master." Yuri crept toward the parking lot, keeping low.

 

"Excuse me." Nadia approached Gregori.

 

He turned toward her. "Miss, what are you doing here?"

 

"Is this where they have the party with free food?"