Bri gave Ian a suspicious look. "Why are we here? I just want to go home."
"We can't go to the apartment, Bri," Toni said. "Your uncle would look for you there. We need to hide you here for a while."
Bri cast a nervous glance at the huge bouncer. "What is this place?"
"I bet it's their secret Batcave!" Teddy exclaimed.
"It's more like a nightclub," Toni explained. "Vanda is expecting us, right?"
"Aye," Ian answered. "She agreed to let you hide in the VIP room. She even had some mortal food delivered."
"Mortal?" Bri whispered.
"I knew it!" Teddy leaned close to her. "He's from another planet. That's why he has superpowers here."
"I'm no' a superhero," Ian grumbled.
"Of course you are!" Teddy insisted. "You have superpowers, man. And I'm gonna be your sidekick."
"Ian, we have to tell them the truth," Toni said.
He frowned. "Are ye sure they can handle it?"
"Sabrina deserves to know that she was right all along." Carlos looked at Sabrina. "Menina, you were never delusional."
Bri shook her head. "No, I was wrong. Vampires aren't real."
Ian glanced at Carlos. "Ye know the truth then?" He gave Toni a disappointed look. "Ye were no' supposed to tell anyone."
"Carlos needed to know what was going on," Toni said. "And besides, he knows how to keep a secret."
Ian regarded Carlos curiously. "Aye, he certainly does."
Carlos exchanged a quick look with Ian before turning back to Sabrina. "Menina, remember how you were attacked by some vicious vampires?"
She shook her head. "I was mistaken."
"You asked me to go to Central Park and find them," Toni said. "Those same vampires jumped me."
Bri gasped. "No!"
"Yes. I was attacked. And I might have died if a guy with a sword didn't come along and save me."
"Did he have superpowers?" Teddy asked.
"Yes," Toni replied. "He stabbed one of the attackers, and he turned to dust. The other two vanished. Then the guy with the sword teleported me to Romatech."
"Is that another planet?" Teddy asked.
Ian groaned.
Toni smiled. "It's Romatech Industries. They manufacture synthetic blood. Connor, the guy who saved me, told me he was a good vampire."
"Whoa," Teddy said. "A good vampire?"
Bri shook her head. "There's no such thing."
"Yes, there is," Toni insisted. "Just like mortals can be good or bad, vampires can be good or bad." She motioned to Ian. "He's a good vampire."
Bri backed away, a look of horror on her face. "He's one of them? He bites people?"
"Nay." Ian frowned at her. "I drink bottled blood from Romatech."
"And you have superpowers," Teddy added. "That is so cool. I guess you're fighting the bad vampires?"
"We call them Malcontents," Ian explained. "They call themselves the True Ones."
"Toni." Bri sidled up close to her and whispered, "Why are you hanging out with…him?"
"Ian's one of the good guys," Toni whispered back. "I've been working for them since I was attacked."
"Why? Are they controlling you?"
"No. I wanted to find a way to prove you were right. You were never delusional, Bri. Your uncle's been holding you prisoner and keeping you drugged so he can control your money."
"But he—he's my uncle…"
It was sad to watch. Toni could see Bri figuring it all out step by step as the emotions flitted across her face. Disbelief, then shock, then horror, then anger.
Her face flushed. "I was never sick."
"No, sweetie." Toni gave her shoulders a squeeze.
She gave Ian a wary look. "And vampires are real." She closed her eyes and shuddered.
"Let's go inside," Ian suggested. "Hugo, these people are with me."
Hugo grunted and opened the door.
Ian strode inside with Carlos and Teddy. Bri hung back, clinging to Toni.
"It's okay," Toni insisted. "This is a nightclub for Vamps." When Bri's face paled, she continued, "They all drink from bottles. It's perfectly safe."
Bri let Toni pull her inside. Bright flashing lights and loud music greeted them. Bri stayed close to Toni, and her gaze flitted nervously about. Toni noted the usual bunch of scantily clad girls bouncing to the music, close to the stage.