"That's nice." He pried his eyes open, but they fell shut again. "I sleep at night. Guard during the day."
"I know. But all that exercise left me with an appetite."
"That's nice." He drifted off.
"Phil."
"Mmm."
"I'm hungry." She traced his carotid artery with her finger.
His eyes popped open.
She grinned. "I thought that would get your attention. I was going to call Connor, but I thought I should let you know first, in case one of the guys teleports here with synthetic blood and sees you sprawled naked on the floor."
He sat up. "I see what you mean." It would be obvious that he and Vanda were engaging in forbidden activities. He blinked, realizing for the first time that she was wearing flannel pants and a man's T-shirt. "You're dressed."
"Yes. I found these clothes on the dryer. And I took another bath. Vamps have a really strong sense of smell."
Werewolves did, too, and Vanda's scent was all over him. "I'd better wash up." He hurried to the bathroom to scrub himself clean.
When he came out with a towel wrapped around his hips, he discovered she'd loaded the washing machine with the blanket and everything else that smelled of sex.
She paced around the room. "I think I got everything. I don't want to lose you as my guard. If Connor figures out what we're doing, he might reassign you."
"Then I would quit." Phil found one last T-shirt and pair of flannel pants on the dryer. He pulled them on. "I'm not leaving you."
"Phil." She looked at him with so much love in her soft gray eyes. Then her gaze shifted to his neck. Her eyes gleamed, and she turned away. "Make the call, please."
"Right." He wasn't afraid of Vanda's fangs, but he knew if she bit him, she'd realize he didn't taste like a normal human. That wasn't the way he wanted her to learn the truth. He'd tried to tell her earlier, but she'd refused to listen.
He was halfway to the bathroom to retrieve the cell phone he'd left in his pants when he remembered it never got good reception at this cabin. It would be dangerous to have a Vamp teleport here using an unstable beacon. He went back to the phone on the kitchen counter, then punched in the number for the security office at Romatech.
Connor answered. "How is it there?"
"Quiet. Vanda's hungry, so we could use a delivery."
"I'll send Phineas. Expect his call in a few minutes." Connor hung up.
Phil frowned as he set down the receiver.
"Something wrong?" Vanda asked.
"Connor seemed more…curt than usual. There must be something going on. We'll find out when Phineas comes."
Vanda nodded and paced toward the fireplace. The fire had dwindled, leaving a few glowing coals in a heap of ash.
The phone rang, and he grabbed the receiver. "Hey, Phineas. I'm glad you made it out of the nightclub."
By the echoing sound of his voice, he realized he was on speaker phone. He continued to talk so his voice could guide Phineas to the right place. When the young Vamp appeared, his arms filled with a big cardboard box, Phil hung up.
"Hey, bro." Phineas set the box on the kitchen counter and turned to greet Vanda. "Whoa, dudette. Looking a little crispy."
She gave him an annoyed look. "Thanks a lot." Her expression softened as she approached the kitchen. "Actually, I do want to thank you. Not just for bringing the food, but for helping everybody get out of the club."
"No problem," Phineas said. "Sorry about it blowing up. You know, your bouncer was really pissed. Insisted on teleporting back with me to Romatech so he could volunteer to fight the Malcontents. Angus was glad to hire him."
"Angus is at Romatech now?" Phil asked.
"Oh yeah." Phineas removed a plastic case from the box and set it in front of Phil. "These are some weapons Connor wanted you to have."
"Good." Phil opened the case and found two handguns and numerous clips.
"I wish I could have brought you some silver bullets," Phineas said, "but I couldn't teleport with them."
"I understand." Phil loaded a clip into a handgun.
"What about my food?" Vanda peered inside the box.
"Right here, Miss Toasty." Phineas began unloading bottles of synthetic blood and setting them on the counter.
Vanda grabbed one, yanked off the top, and chugged the contents down.
"Whoa, baby." Phineas slanted an amused look at Phil. "I wonder why she's so hungry?"