“Down, woman! Down!” She heard K.L. command.
She’d better not dally. Gabriella yanked the flowers and ivy from her coffin. The weight of the coffin was inconsequential to her; she grabbed it by the handles and tossed it into the house.
“We need to be quick about this,” K.L. said.
Barbara, sated, lay on her back, clutching the last emptied bag of blood to her chest.
“Here’s our opportunity,” Gabriella said. “I’ll grab her arms, you grab her legs, and on the count of three, we’ll toss her into the coffin.”
“Sleepy time, sweetie,” K.L. crooned to Barbara.
Gabriella counted. “One, two, three.”
They flung Barbara into the casket, slammed the lid, and bolted the padlocks.
Gabriella leaned on the sealed coffin. “Thank you, K.L. That’ll keep her, I hope.”
“A feral vamp is hard to contain. I’ll sleep here, just in case Barbara makes a surprise debut.”
Gabriella hugged him. “You’re the best.”
K.L. stroked her cheek. His fangs peeked out from his grin. “I know,” he teased. “After all that, I’m starved. I’ll help you clean up the mess your pet left behind. Then we’ll sit and have our own snack. I’m dying to find out how your evening ended with Barbara instead of Max.” K.L. chuckled. “No pun intended.”
Gabriella and K.L. picked up the collapsed bags of blood Barbara had left in the wake of her new vamp hunger and dumped them in the red hospital biohazard bags Gabriella had stored up. Between Gabriella working in the E.R. and K.L. employed in the lab, they took turns getting rid of the remnants of their blood bank meals. They sank into the kitchen chairs.
“I’m sorry, K.L., but Barbara plowed through all the blood I had in the fridge.”
Gabriella tapped her talons on the table. Neither a bang nor a howl came from the coffin. Barbara dozed like the dead. “Looks like we’ll have to go out to eat.”
She’d only drawn a snack from the woman in the restaurant’s restroom, and had counted on Max to supply her with the rest of her demands. But a taste of Max was unfortunately on hold. Gabriella’s body craved more. Barbara should stay put for a least few hours.
K.L. opened his backpack. “No need.” He reached inside and pulled out his stash of reserved blood and loaded Gabriella’s refrigerator. A vampire grin graced his face. He set two pints on the kitchen table. “I saved the best for us, AB neg.”
Gabriella’s eyes widened, and her fangs grew with anticipation. AB negative was to vampires what a bottle of Cristal was to mortals. Rare in every population, it was near impossible to randomly find a mortal with the type, especially on short notice. It normally took a lot of screening to find this gem.
“K.L! I can’t. Save this for a special occasion.”
“But this is a special occasion. You just turned a mortal.”
“This calls for my best stemware.”
Gabriella pushed back her chair and reached into her cupboard. Retrieving two crystal goblets, she set them onto the table. K.L. poured them each a glass, filling them to the brim. He raised his glass.
“Cheers, my friend.” He glanced at the coffin. “And cheers to our newest vampire.”
Gabriella clinked her glass to his. Perhaps turning Barbara wasn’t a mistake.
Chapter Five
Gabriella woke with a start. It was sundown and Halloween, the biggest vampire holiday. Instead of reveling in the spirit, she had Barbara sealed in her coffin and K.L. curled up on her couch. She rose and whisked into the living room. Knocking came from under the casket lid. Shoot! Barbara was awake. But K.L. continued to snore. Gabriella walked over to him and shoved him.
“K.L.!”
K.L. stretched and blinked. “What?” he mumbled.
“It’s Halloween!”
K.L. sat up and his eyes sprang open. “I can’t believe I overslept! Happy Halloween!” He stood and kissed Gabriella on the cheek. “I know we have to go to work, but I already decorated the lab. We’ll celebrate together. I’ll bring my hunk from radiology, and you can bring your hunk, Max.” He winked. “I have enough blood stashed away. We’ll go easy on the mortals.”
The coffin rattled.
“Well, look who’s awake,” K.L. said.
Gabriella winced. “That’s my fault. I’ve messed up the festivities. I’ll have to call in sick. I can’t leave her here by herself, especially on Halloween.”
“We’ll take her with us. I’ll dress her up in a lab coat. She’ll stay with me in the lab where I can feed her.”
“You don’t have to babysit her. Barbara is my responsibility.” She waved him on. “Go have fun.”
K.L. shook his head. “Not without you.” He took her hands. “Stop furrowing your forehead. It’s not becoming! Everything will work out. She’ll be fed. She’ll be happy. We’ll be happy.” He shrugged. “What could go wrong?”
“For starters, she could kill my patients.”
“If she gets antsy, I’ll lock her up in the morgue. She can’t do any damage there.”
Gabriella chuckled. “You’re right.”
K.L.’s blue eyes glowed in the dim evening. “That’s my girl. Go get ready. Then we’ll spring Barbara.”
Not only did K.L. and her Uncle Claude have the same shade of translucent eyes, they looked after her in the same fashion. K.L. had become her comforter. How fortuitous it had been for her to accidentally walk in on him in the lab that night. He was just like her, blending in with the mortals to the chagrin of his vampire clan. He distanced himself from them, but he was careful not to sever ties; he arrived bearing bags of blood as an appeasement at their gatherings. Gabriella was not a member of the family. They let her be. She was more useful to them as a vampire doctor. K.L. and Barbara were her family now. That suited her fine.
Gabriella rocketed into her bedroom and threw on a pair of crisp maroon scrubs. After cinching her hair into a ponytail, she tied it with a black silk ribbon. Her hair was as thick as the day she died. Her uncle used to give it a teasing yank as they walked along the shore. Gabriella grinned. She thought of Claude and tugged her hair. Her heart clenched. She missed him so!
She returned to the living room with a cheerful bounce. It was her favorite holiday, and soon she’d see Max. She’d find an empty and secluded room, and pull him inside. Then she’d make up for lost time last night. She’d be vampire quick. He’d be mortally exhausted. He’d also be the perfect date to K.L.’s shindig in the lab. Afterwards, she’d tuck Max into a hospital call room bed. She rubbed her hands with glee. He’d think he dreamt it all.
Gabriella strode into the kitchen to find K.L. putting the final touches on Barbara’s chignon while she sucked on a pint of blood through a straw.
She grinned. “Now, there’s a picture!”
“Yes, I’d say she’s picture perfect.” K.L. shook his head. “I couldn’t take that rat’s nest hair any longer. And we couldn’t bring her to the hospital in her former condition. They’d take her straight up to the pysch ward where she’d drain the staff and patients.” K.L. looked at Gabriella. “I think she’ll blend. What do you think?”
Barbara slurped the last drops of blood mixed with air bubbles through her straw. Sated, she stared at Gabriella, giving her maker a fang-toothed grin.
“A little bronzer to polish off your fine work, and we’ll be off.”
Gabriella took the bloody juice box from Barbara and patted her on the head.
“Hey, watch the hair,” K.L. protested. “I worked hard on that.”
She cocked her head toward him. “And it looks stunning.”
K.L. shrugged with faux humility. “I did what I could.”
Gabriella twirled her ponytail with her finger. “Maybe you can do me next.”
“My dearest, you look beautiful as you are.”
Her heart pinged. Uncle Claude used to say the same thing.
K.L. snapped his fingers. “Earth to Gabriella!”
She startled to attention. “Yes, um,
you’re right. It’s more practical this way.”
Her blonde creation was certainly no Bride of Frankenstein. Barbara’s new updo revealed a milky slender neck any mortal or vamp man would surely drool over. Even Max would probably take a bite of it. Her vampire confidence plunged. That hadn’t happened before. Suddenly, feeling truly pale in comparison to glam Barbara, Gabriella searched for her normal seductive self.
“I’ll be right back,” K.L. said. He returned from the bedroom with another black silk ribbon. K.L. reached around Gabriella’s neck and swung her ponytail across her shoulder. He tied the end of the ponytail with the ribbon. The two black bows not only neatly upgraded her standard “doctor-do” but they added just the right holiday flare.
K.L. raised his palms with pride. “Perfect.”
That’s exactly how she now felt. Her mojo was back! After locking her front door, she snuck up behind Barbara and mussed her hair. She would not risk her protégé upstaging her. The problem was that her uncalled for move made Barbara look even more seductive.
She roved a consternated glance to K.L. “You are going to keep her in the lab, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely, sweetheart,” he lovingly replied.
Appeased, Gabriella shot past K.L. and Barbara and spun around to face them. She shoved out her hands in a halt gesture. “Wait. I have an idea. If we really want to blend in, especially tonight, we should arrive at the hospital in mortal fashion. Let’s take Barbara’s car. She told me she left it at the top of the road.” Her eyes met Barbara’s glazed over hazel ones. “Barbara, do you remember where you left your car?”
Barbara nodded.
Gabriella swung out her hand. “Lead the way.”
K.L. nudged Gabriella. “Did she talk much before you turned her?”
“Enough to take our orders,” she joked. “I think her catharsis last night wore her out. For now, let’s enjoy the quiet. I have a feeling that once she settles into vamp life, we won’t be able to shut her up. Besides, it’s best if she keep mum tonight. That way, it will be easier to sneak her into the hospital.” She waggled her finger at K.L. “Remember, take her straight to the lab.” And away from Max!
K.L. bowed. “Yes, my queen.”
Her green eyes glowed in the dark. “Don’t call me that!”
“Sensitive about that, are we?”
“Not we. Me. And you know why.”
“Easy,” he said softly. He put his arm around her shoulders. “Relax. He hasn’t found you in centuries. You have me, and now Barbara.” He hugged her tighter. “I won’t let anything happen to you. You also have those vampires you’ve tended to on your side. You’re not as alone as you think.”
Gabriella shuddered.
“What’s the matter?” K.L. asked.
Barbara stopped.
K.L. ushered her along. “Keep going, dearie. Trust me. We’re right behind you. Go get your car.”
Barbara walked ahead of them to find her car.
“You’re tense, Gabriella. I know we’ve been distracted with Barbara, but something’s up. Something you haven’t told me.”
“I think I saw Volk last night, in the parking garage.”
K.L. shook his head. “He wouldn’t slink around. Volk would surely make a grand entrance.”
“You’re right. It was just my imagination.” Gabriella willed her heartbeat to slow. “It was probably Barbara stalking me.”
“You did luck out that she was an avid follower. She’s loyal to you, and you will be an exemplary...” His voice faltered, “and a generous progenitor.”
K.L. paused. His hand slid from her shoulders. “We better get going,” he said flatly.
Gabriella recognized his pain. K.L. had once divulged his past to her. He had loved and respected Nicholas, his progenitor. Not every vamp was as lucky. But his fortune fell to grief when he discovered townspeople rallying joyously around a burning barn where Nicholas and he had taken up residence. He’d left Nicholas to hunt for prey. While he was gone, his beloved maker was incinerated. He hadn’t killed or turned anyone since. He’d only snacked on victims, pilfering the Red Cross for his sustenance. Landing a primo position in the lab at Fang Hospital was perfect.
Grabbing his hand, Gabriella pulled K.L. out of his funk. She kissed him on the cheek. “Happy Halloween, my friend.”
K.L. nodded with renewed spirit. “Same to you, sweetheart!”
They caught up with Barbara. She halted and grinned, pointing to none other than a Volkswagon Jetta. “There!”
Gabriella pumped her fist in victory. “Bingo!” Now she could truthfully tell Max she had a Volkswagon in her garage. What a perfect way to start the holiday! She and Barbara were indeed meant to cross paths.
They scurried to the car. Gabriella grabbed the driver’s side door handle and gently clicked the door open. If she’d given it a vampire tug, she would have broken it off its hinges. That would be hard to explain to Max. She peeked inside. Kismet! Not only had Barbara left it unlocked, but the car keys were dangling from the ignition.
“Hop in, everyone,” she cheered.
Gabriella slid into the driver’s seat while K.L. ushered Barbara into the back seat.
“I’ll sit next to her in case her urge to feed causes an impromptu evacuation.”
“Good idea.”
K.L. tightened the seatbelt across Barbara’s lap. He patted her thigh. “Safety first.”
Gabriella and K.L secured their seatbelts. Not that it mattered for vampires, but she couldn’t risk getting stopped for a traffic violation. Then they’d have to subdue the cop, making matters more complicated.
She tapped the steering wheel with her talons.
“Remind me to trim these,” she said to K.L.
“No problem. Pass the clippers when you’re done to me and Barbara.”
“Car, go!” Gabriella commanded.
“I think you need to navigate it the old fashioned way.” K.L. sighed loudly. “This is what happens when you insist on traveling as mortals do.”
“Okay, keep your cloak on! Remember, we’re traveling with a “baby vamp.” If we morph, we may lose her along the way.”
“Good point.” He tapped the back of her seat. “Carry on!”
Gabrielle stared at the steering wheel. The last car she’d driven was a 1955 Ford Thunderbird. She searched around her seat. “Where’s the clutch?”
“Sorry, I can’t help. I’ve never navigated an automobile. Nicholas always drove.”
“Barbara?”
“I don’t think she’ll be of much assistance to you. The woman is still gurgling. We’ll have to feed her soon. Let’s take our chances and morph.”
Gabriella shook her head. “No. No.” She paused and then snapped her fingers. “I got it. There must be a manual in here.” She popped open the glove box. “And here it is!”
She flipped through the pages in seconds, absorbing all the details.
“Hmm. The human’s have made such progress. Car’s are so simple now.”
Gabriella twisted the key in the ignition and the Volkswagon engine roared to life.
“Next stop—The Fang!”
Chapter Six
Gabriella swung the car into a physician parking space with precise alignment. She tapped the steering wheel. “I kind of like driving.”
“Well, don’t get used to it,” K.L. said. “After tonight, this auto will be strictly for show...in your garage. We have to teach Barbara the proper vampire ways.”
“Agreed. But there’s no harm in taking a spin, every now and then.” She peered into the back seat. “I’ll even teach you to drive.”
K.L. rolled his glacial blue eyes. “As if I can’t read the manual.”
“Oh, K.L., I didn’t mean it that way. I know you could absorb the mechanics, but I thought it would be more fun...you and I, and Barbara, on the open road, taking turns driving. We’ll go on a vamp vacation!”
K.L. shrugged with a renewed smile. “Okay. Sounds fabulous.” He wiggled his finger
s. “I love spontaneity. Teach away.” He folded his hands. “I promise to be a good pupil.”
“That’s the spirit, K.L.!” Barbara chimed in.
Gabriella and K.L. clapped.
“Oh, our baby girl just spoke her first vampire words!” K.L. exclaimed.
Gabriella reached over her seat and patted Barbara on the shoulder. “I’m so proud of you!”
Barbara shot her maker a toothy vampire grin.
Gabriella sniffed. Max was approaching. She whipped out her clippers and snipped her pointy nails. She tossed the clippers into the back seat. “Hurry up, you two. Max is coming. Zip those nails down!”
K.L. sawed off his tips in a flash and trimmed Barbara’s to a perfect mortal manicure. She “oohed” at his fingernail artistry.
Max pulled into a parking spot, got out of his car and gave Gabriella a hearty wave. Her vampire vision revealed his wink. Her heartbeat skipped a few bars. He shut his door and clicked his remote. The car horn beeped in response.
Barbara winced and hollered, “Yee-ow!” She shot her palms to her ears.
Max glanced around as if to see where the noise had come from.
K.L. lowered Barbara’s hands.
“It’s all right, Barbara,” Gabriella said soothingly. “Vampire ears are sensitive, and yours are especially super sensitive right now. It will get better. You’ll learn to adjust to human noise.”
Barbara pouted, but nodded.
“Good, girl.” Gabriella held up her hand. “Now, shh. Max is approaching.” She shook her head. “No biting. When we go inside, K.L. will take you to the lab and feed you. But you have to behave.”
“I promise,” Barbara said.
Gabriella smiled at her. “Now you’re talking!”
Max continued to search for the howl. He bobbed his head in the air, investigating every direction.
Gabriella stuck her hand out the car window and quickly waved to Max. “Over here!”
She’d broken his distraction. Max trotted over to her like an excited puppy.
“I hope you teach him to roll over,” K.L. said.
“I will. Right after I teach him to lie down.”
“You’re getting me excited. Once I get Barbara situated, I’ll pay my prince in radiology a visit!”
Max lightly punched the hood of the Volkswagon. “I like it!”
With his elbows braced across the open window, Max leaned inside the car. His breath tickled the back of her neck. “You look like you’re feeling better.” He said it with a hint of a question in his voice.