"Those girls are hot," Teddy said. "Are they all—?"
"Undead, yes." Carlos looked curiously about.
The girls squealed when a dancer strutted onto the stage, dressed like a pirate. He tossed his tricorne hat into the crowd, and the ladies scrambled to claim it as a souvenir. More clothes flew through the air till the dancer was down to his bikini underwear. He turned his back to the crowd to show off the skull and crossbones printed on the back of his underwear. He rotated his hips suggestively.
"Oh my," Sabrina whispered.
"He's very talented," Toni agreed.
"Ladies, are ye coming?" Ian stood by Vanda's office, watching them with a wry look on his face. Carlos and Teddy were waiting with him.
"We're coming." Toni tugged on Bri's arm.
She glanced back at the dancer. "I'm starting to feel much better now."
Toni laughed. "It's good to have you back." She joined Ian at Vanda's office, and he arched an eyebrow at her. Her face grew warm. "I was just looking."
His mouth twitched, and he knocked on Vanda's office door.
She greeted them. "Come on in. I've got everything ready."
As Toni entered, she smiled. "Thank you for your help."
"No problem." Vanda regarded her sternly.
Toni had a feeling she didn't approve. As Ian introduced everyone, Vanda's gaze flitted over Bri and Teddy, then came to rest on Carlos. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
Carlos smiled slightly. "I like your cat suit."
"Thanks." Vanda adjusted the whip she used as a belt. She opened a door that revealed a narrow staircase. "This is the back entrance. I figured you don't want anyone to see you going up there."
"That is correct." Ian led them up the stairs.
Toni stepped through some hanging strands of beads and brushed back a gauzy curtain. "Good grief."
"Wow," Bri whispered. "It's beautiful. It looks like Princess Jasmine's boudoir."
"Glad you like it." Vanda swept into the harem-styled room. "As you can see, there's food and drink on the table and plenty of big cushions for resting." She pointed at two doors across the room. "That's the restroom and the main stairs."
"It's perfect." Toni wandered over to the carved wooden screen. She could see the club below. "Thank you, Vanda."
She adjusted her belt with an annoyed look. "Ian's a good friend. I'd do anything for him."
"So would I." Toni glanced at Ian. He was at the refreshment table, pouring himself a glass of Bleer.
Vanda stepped closer. "Would you give him up?"
Toni stiffened. "Why would I do that?"
"Because he wants a true mate," Vanda insisted. "Someone who can spend eternity with him. You can't do that."
"I don't know how things will work out," Toni said. "But I do know I'm in love with him." She heard a gasp behind her.
"You're in love with a vampire?" Sabrina screeched.
Toni winced as everyone stared at her with shock or dismay on their faces. Everyone except Ian. He was watching her intently, his eyes sparkling with emotion.
She lifted her chin. "Yes, I'm in love with Ian."
He walked toward her, a smile slowly forming on his lips.
Vanda scowled at him. "You said all you wanted was a vampire."
"I changed my mind." Ian was grinning now, and the sharp points of his fangs showed.
Sabrina pressed a hand to her chest. "Toni, how could you?"
"How could I not?" She pulled the heart pendant out from behind her green sweater. The gold chain and heart glimmered in the soft overhead lights. "Thank you for sending me your heart."
Ian halted and his grin faded. "I dinna send that."
Toni blinked. "But it came this afternoon with a note that said, All my love."
Ian zipped toward her, and with a quick wrench of his wrist, he broke the chain around her neck.
"Ian—" Toni gasped when he dropped the pendant on a low table and smashed it with his fist.
He picked up a small metal piece.
"That's a tracking device," Carlos said.
Ian dropped the device on the floor and crushed it with his heel. "I'll summon Phineas and Dougal here, and we'll teleport everyone to Romatech." He stepped away, closing his eyes briefly.
Toni realized he was sending out a psychic message.
Sabrina clutched her arm. "Who—who would want to follow us? Is it my uncle or the police?"