Chapter 23
"Can they see me?" Shanna watched the scroungy assortment of vampires through the window.
"No." Gregori stood next to her in the viewing room. "Not as long as you keep the lights off. It's one-way glass."
Shanna didn't know anything about market research, but she figured it had to be more interesting than watching television all night. "I'm surprised there's such a thing as poor vampires. Can't they use mind control to wheedle money out of people?"
"I suppose," Gregori answered, "but most of these people were already broken before they became vampires. They only think about their next meal, like a junkie and his next fix."
"That's so sad." Shanna observed the ten vampires who had come to Romatech for a free meal and the fifty-dollar incentive. "Vampirism doesn't change a person very much, does it?"
"Nay." Connor stood at the door. He had insisted on coming along as her personal bodyguard. "A man will stay true to his heart even after death."
So Roman was still trying to save people, and the Scottish warriors were still righting for a just cause. Shanna wondered what Roman was doing now. He hadn't even tried to see her since his declaration of love. Maybe he'd realized their situation was hopeless. "So how does this work?"
"We've divided them into two groups." Gregori motioned to the group on the left. "That group will be watching a power-point presentation and filling out a questionnaire about the new restaurant. The second group will be testing different formulas and rating them according to taste. When they're done, the two groups switch places and start over."
"What do you want me to do?"
"They'll be testing the drinks here in front of the window. They'll rate each drink themselves, but I'd like you to watch their expressions and jot down their reactions."
Shanna noted five legal pads. "Are there five drinks?"
"Yes. Three new formulas that Laszlo put together, and then, Blood Lite and Chocolood. Just put a mark under the headings Like, Neutral, or Dislike. Okay?"
"Sure." Shanna picked up a pencil. "Bring on the Vamps."
Gregori grinned. "Thanks for your help, Shanna." He opened the connecting door and entered the participant room.
Shanna heard him go into a lengthy dissertation regarding the new restaurant. Then the first vampire came to taste the drinks. He was an old man in a stained raincoat. A scar ran down his face, zigzagging through the gray whiskers. He finished the first drink, then burped.
"Was that a dislike?" Shanna asked.
"Neutral," Connor replied.
"Ah." She marked the notepad and followed the old vampire to the next drink. He took a big gulp, then spewed the contents all over the window.
"Yeech!" Shanna jumped back. Blood everywhere.
"I would say that was a dislike," Connor said.
Shanna snorted. "Brilliant observation, Connor."
He smiled. "'Tis a gift."
At least all that blood wasn't making her nauseous. She really was improving. Gregori wiped the window clean before the next vampire's turn. This one was a plump, elderly woman with gray, tangled hair. She worked her way down the line of drinks, clutching her big bag to her chest. At the end of the line, she put her bag on the table. She looked around, then grabbed a bottle off the table and stuffed it into her purse.
"Oh, my gosh." Shanna looked at Connor. "She just stole a bottle of Chocolood."
He shrugged. "The puir woman is hungry. She can have it."
"I guess so." Shanna had finished with the first group when the bag lady doubled over and moaned.
Gregori rushed over to her. "Are you all right, ma'am?"
"I.. Do you have any restrooms here, young man?" she asked in a gruff voice.
"Yes, of course." Gregori escorted her to the door. "This man will take you." He motioned to one of the Highlander guards who stood by the door.
The bag lady left in the company of a Highlander. It was the second group's turn to test the new formulas. Two hours later, Shanna was relieved when the whole process had finally finished. The back door to their room opened and Radinka peeked inside.
"Are you done yet?" she asked.
"Yes, finally." Shanna stretched. "I had no idea these things were so tiring."
"Well, come with me for a bite to eat. That'll perk you up."
"Thanks." Shanna picked up her purse. "I have a feeling Connor will want to come, too."
"Aye, I have sworn to keep you safe, lass."
"You're a sweetie." Shanna smiled at him. "Is there a little lady vampire waiting for you somewhere?"
He blushed and followed the women into the hall.
"Where are we going?" Shanna asked.
"The employee cafeteria." Radinka walked briskly down the hall. "They have fabulous cheesecake."
"Sounds wonderful."
"Yes." Radinka sighed. "It's to die for."
As soon as the phone rang, Ivan Petrovsky grabbed it. "Yes?"
"I'm in Veszto's lab," Galina spoke quietly. "I need help."
"I knew I shouldn't have sent a female." Ivan motioned to Alek. "Keep this line open till we get back."
"Yes, sir." Alek reached for the receiver.
"Okay, Galina. Talk." Ivan focused on her voice and teleported to Veszto's lab at Romatech. The small chemist lay on the floor, watching them. He was still conscious, terror making his eyes large and glassy like a deer caught in headlights.
Ivan inspected Galina. She looked like a frumpy old hag. "Excellent. I would have never known that was you."
She smiled, displaying a blackened tooth. "It's been fun. I acted like I needed to go the restroom. A Highlander escorted me, and when he opened the door, I pricked him with a dart."
"Where is he?"
"He fell into the restroom. I wasn't so lucky with this one." She opened the door to reveal a Highlander on the floor.
"Shit! You can't leave him out there in the hallway."
"He's huge. I couldn't budge him."
Ivan took hold of the Scotsman under the arms and dragged him into Veszto's lab. "How long was he out there?"
"Not long. I pricked him, then ran in here and pricked Veszto. When I couldn't move the guard, I called you."
Ivan dropped the Highlander on the floor, then shut and locked the door. "Did you set the explosives?"
"Yes. The guards at the door checked my bag, so it was a good thing we hid the C-4 in my clothes. I stuck it under a table in the cafeteria. It'll go off in about forty minutes."
"Excellent." Ivan noticed the Highlander watching them, listening to their plans. "I've always wanted to do this." He knelt and withdrew a wooden stake from his jacket.
The Scotsman's eyes widened. A strangled sound vibrated in his throat as he struggled in vain to move.
"He can't defend himself," Galina whispered.
"You think I give a shit?" Ivan leaned over the Highlander. "Look into the face of your murderer. It's the last thing you'll ever see." He plunged the stake into the Highlander's heart.
The Scotsman arched. Pain registered on his face, then his body crumbled into dust.
Ivan brushed the stake against his thigh to clean off the dust. "This will make a good keepsake." He slipped it into a jacket pocket. "Now for the little chemist."
He walked over to Laszlo Veszto. "Your weakling of a coven master couldn't protect you, could he?"
Veszto's face had paled to a deathly white.
"You shouldn't have helped that Whelan bitch escape. Do you know what I do to people who get in my way?"
"Come on." Galina rushed to the phone. "We need to go."
Ivan hefted the chemist up in his arms. "Hold the phone for me." He listened to Alek's voice, then teleported back to his house in Brooklyn. Galina followed.
Ivan dropped Veszto on the floor and kicked him in the ribs. "Welcome to my humble home."
Shanna enjoyed another bite of cheesecake as she looked around the dimly lit cafeteria. She and Radinka had taken a table by the window. Connor roamed about for a few minutes, then found a newspaper to read. They were the only customers there.
"I like working at night. It's so peaceful." Radinka emptied a packet of artificial sweetener into her tea. "In another thirty minutes, this place will be crammed full of people."
Shanna nodded and looked out the window. Across the garden, she could see the lights of another wing of Romatech. Roman's lab was over there.
"Did you see Roman tonight?" Radinka asked.
"No." Shanna took another bite of cheesecake. She wasn't sure she wanted to. Or that he wanted to see her. It had to hurt when a guy confessed to loving a girl, and she ran away, crying.
Radinka sipped her tea. "For the last two nights I've been doing some research for Roman. I left the information in his lab, but he says the final decision will be yours."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I know that, dear. So, you should discuss the matter with him. Connor can take you to his lab."
Jeez. As a matchmaker, Radinka was relentless. Shanna glanced at the large clock on the cafeteria wall. It was already five-ten. "I don't have time. I came here with Gregori and Connor, and they said we were leaving by five-fifteen, right?" She looked at Connor for support.
"Aye, but we came in a car." Connor folded the newspaper. "Ye can teleport back later with Roman, if ye like."
Shanna made a face at him. Some help he was. "We'd better find Gregori. I hope he's done with all those poor Vamps."
"Did the research study go well?" Radinka drizzled some dressing over her grilled chicken salad.
"I guess. It was sad, seeing people that downtrodden.There was this one bag lady who - " Shanna stopped. She searched her memory. "Oh my gosh. She never came back."
"What?" Connor leaned forward. "Who was this?"
"The old lady who stole a bottle of Chocolood. She left with a guard to go the restroom and never came back."
"Och, this is bad." Connor stood and removed a cell phone from his sporran.
"Perhaps she was ill and went home," Radinka suggested.
Shanna doubted that. "Can vampires even get sick?"
"Yes, if they drink infected blood." Radinka stabbed at her salad with a fork. "And the new Fusion Cuisine doesn't set well with all of them."
Connor punched in a number. "Angus? There may be a member of Gregori's focus group loose in the facility. An elderly woman."
"Maybe she's lost." Radinka took a bite of salad.
Shanna watched Connor pacing about. He seemed worried.
He dropped the phone into his sporran and strode toward them. "Angus has ordered a complete sweep of the building and a lockdown. They'll be starting at the storerooms where the last explosion occurred. Each room will be searched, then sealed, until the whole facility has been checked."
"You expect foul play?" Radinka asked.
"We're not taking any chances." Connor glanced at the clock and winced. "We havena much time before the sun rises."
He was anxious to help with the search, Shanna could tell, but the poor man was stuck babysitting her. "Go on, Connor. I'll be all right with Radinka."
"Nay. I canna leave you, lass."
Radinka stabbed a tomato wedge with her fork. "Connor, take her to Roman's lab. He can watch her while you join the search." Shanna winced. Radinka just never gave up. Unfortunately, Connor was giving her such a hopeful look, she hated to disappoint him. "I guess my ride back home has been canceled?"
"For now, aye."
"Okay." She grabbed her purse. "I'll go."
Radinka smiled. "I'll see you later, dear."
Shanna had to jog to keep up with Connor's long-legged stride. As they rounded the corner to the wing where Roman's lab was located, a loud, beeping alarm went off. "What's that?"
"Red alert." Connor started running. "Something's happened."
He stopped in front of Roman's lab and knocked. He opened the door and waited for Shanna to catch up. Gasping for air, she followed him inside.
Roman was on the phone, but looked up when she came in. His worried expression immediately cleared, and the smile he gave her took away what little air she had left. "She's all right. She's here with Connor." He listened on the phone, but his gaze never left Shanna.
Her heart was pounding, her mouth dry. It was from the running, though. It had nothing to do with the way Roman was looking at her.
She set her purse on a black-topped table. There was some music playing quietly. No instruments, just male voices singing. The soothing sound was in sharp contrast to the insistent beep of the alarm coming from speakers in the hallway. She peered through the open window blinds. She could see the cafeteria across the garden.
"Keep me updated." Roman hung up the receiver.
"What happened?" Connor asked.
"Angus found a guard in a restroom close to where the research study took place. The man was conscious, but paralyzed."
Connor paled. "Petrovsky is behind this."
"What about the bag lady?" Shanna asked.
"They're looking for her," Roman admitted. "We know you're all right, so our main concern now is Laszlo."
Connor paused halfway out the door. "I need to go."
"Go. Shanna will be safe with me." Roman closed the door and locked it. "How are you?"
"I'm okay." She seemed to be developing a healthy tolerance level for dealing with shock. Or maybe she was so past her limit, she was just numb. She looked around the room. She'd been here once before, but it had been too dark to see. A wall of diplomas caught her attention. She wandered over.
Roman had acquired advanced degrees in microbiology, chemistry, and pharmacology. After all this time, he was still a healer. Like Connor had said, death didn't change a man's heart. And Roman's heart was good. She glanced over her shoulder. "I didn't realize you were such a nerd."
He raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
"You have a lot of degrees."
"I've had a lot of time," he said dryly.
She bit her lip to keep from smiling. "Night school?"
The corner of his mouth lifted. "How did you guess?" A printer across the room started working with a clacking noise. He strode toward a computer screen where a tangle of lists and graphs were filling the screen. The data looked incomprehensible to Shanna, but Roman was following it with great interest.
"This is good," he whispered. He grabbed some finished pages from the printer and studied them. "This is really good."
"What?"
He dropped the papers on a black-topped table. "This." He picked up a beaker filled with greenish liquid. "I think I did it." A grin spread across his face. "I think I really did it."
He looked so young and happy. As if the cares of several centuries had suddenly lifted from his shoulders.
Shanna couldn't help but smile. This was the way Roman should be. A healer, hard at work in his lab, delighting in his discoveries.
She approached him. "What is it? A new toilet bowl cleanser?"
With a laugh, he set the beaker down. "It's a formula that will enable vampires to stay awake during the day."
Shanna halted in mid-stride. "You're kidding."
"No. I wouldn't kid about something like this. This is.."
"Revolutionary," she whispered. "You could change the world for vampires."
He nodded, a look of wonder crossing his face. "It hasn't been tested, of course, so I can't be sure. But it would be the biggest step forward since the successful manufacture of blood."
And his synthetic blood was saving thousands of lives. She was in the presence of a genius. And he claimed to love her.
He crossed his arms, studying the greenish liquid. "You know, if this formula successfully invigorates a vampire who is clinically dead, it could possibly have applications for certain mortal conditions, like comas or catatonic states."
"Oh my gosh. You're such a genius, Roman."
He winced. "I've had a lot more years to study than most scientists. Or nerds, as you call us." He smiled.
"Hey, nerds rule. Congratulations." She reached out to hug him, then reconsidered and patted his arm before stepping back.
His smile waned. "Are you afraid of me?"
"No. I just think it's better for us not to.."
"Touch? Or make love?" His eyes darkened with a glint of hunger. "You know we have unfinished business between us."
She gulped and moved back. It was not a problem of trusting him. She knew he'd do anything to protect her from harm. The truth was, she couldn't trust herself. When he looked at her like that, her resistance melted. Twice she'd let him make love to her, and twice she should have refused. Logically, she knew a relationship with a vampire could never work. Unfortunately, knowing that fact did little to ease the longing in her heart. It sure didn't stop the physical attraction that flooded her senses and made her body ache for him.
She attempted to change the subject. "What is that music you're listening to?"
"Gregorian chants. They help me concentrate." He went to a small fridge and removed a bottle of blood. "We'll make sure I'm not hungry." He unscrewed the top and started drinking it cold.
Whoa. Did this mean he intended to seduce her? Surely not. The sun would be rising soon. Another fifteen minutes or so and he would be out cold. Of course, vampires could move really fast when they wanted to. She wandered about his lab while he stood there, drinking and following her every move. "This looks old." She examined an old stone mortar and pestle.
"It is old. I rescued it from the ruins of the monastery where I grew up. That and the cross you're wearing are all I have left of that life."
Shanna touched the crucifix. "Once I'm safe, I need to give this back. It must be precious to you."
"It is yours. And nothing is more precious to me than you."
She had no idea how to respond to that. I like you, too, seemed a little lame. "Radinka said she was doing some research for you and I should discuss it with you."
"Radinka talks too much." He took another sip of blood. "The red folder." He pointed to the lab table nearest her.
Shanna approached the folder slowly, wondering what on earth this research could be. She opened it and found herself staring at an eight-by-ten glossy of a golden retriever. "Oh. It's a.. dog." She turned to the next photo and the next. A black Labrador, a German shepherd. "Why am I looking at dogs?"
"You said you wanted a big dog."
"Not now. I'm on the run." She lifted a photo of an Alaskan malamute and gasped. Underneath it lay a picture of a house. A large, two-story, white-framed house with a big front porch and a white picket fence. Prominently displayed in the front yard was a For Sale sign. Her dream house.
But more than a dream house. It was a proposal of a dream life that Roman wanted to share with her. Shanna's throat constricted, leaving her speechless and short of air. She'd been wrong. Her tolerance level for shock was not nearly as tough as she thought. Her eyes filled with tears. Her hand trembled as she turned the photo over. There was another house with another picket fence. This one was an old Victorian with an adorable tower. It was also for sale.
She'd told him what she wanted most in life, and he was trying to give it to her. By the time she reached the eighth and last picture, she could hardly see. Her vision was blurred with tears.
"We could see them at night." Roman set down his empty bottle and walked toward her. "You can pick out which one you like. If you don't like any of them, we'll keep looking."
"Roman." Her hands shook when she closed the folder. "You are the dearest man. But - "
"You don't have to answer right away. The sun will be up soon, so we need to be going. We could teleport back to my bedroom. Will you come with me?"
And be alone with him. Even if he attempted a seduction, once the sun came up, he would have to stop. He wouldn't be able to raise a finger, much less his..
The door burst open and a huge Scotsman entered. He was breathing heavily. His green eyes glittered with unshed tears.
"Angus?" Roman turned toward him. "What happened?"
"Yer wee chemist is gone. The bastards have kidnapped him."
"Oh no." Shanna covered her mouth. Poor little Laszlo.
"The phone in his lab was off the hook," Angus continued. "We traced the call to Petrovsky's house in Brooklyn."
"I see." Roman's face paled.
"And Ewan. Ewan Grant was guarding him." Angus's expression hardened. "They killed him."
Roman stepped back with a stunned look. "Are you sure? They might have kidnapped him."
"No." Angus shook his head. "We found his dust. The bloody bastards staked him."
"God's blood." Roman grabbed the edge of a table. "Ewan. He was so strong. How could he.. ?"
Angus's breath hissed between his gritted teeth. He clenched his fists. "We believe they may have used nightshade on him like the guard in the restroom. He.. he would have been defenseless."
"Goddammit!" Roman hit the table with his fist. "Those bastards." He paced across the room. "When does the sun rise? Do we have enough time to retaliate?"
"Nay. The bastards timed it this way on purpose. The sun is rising in about five minutes, so it is too late."
Roman muttered another curse. "You were right, Angus. We should have attacked tonight."
"Doona blame yerself." Angus looked at Shanna and frowned.
My God. Goose bumps spread across her skin. He thought she was at fault. Petrovsky wouldn't have targeted Laszlo if he hadn't helped her escape. And without Laszlo as a target, their Scottish friend would still exist.
Roman continued to pace. "At least they won't be able to torture him for long."
"Aye, the sun will put a stop to their evildoings." Angus paused with a hand on the doorknob. "Then ye agree. Tomorrow night, we go to war."
Roman nodded, his eyes blazing with anger. "Yes."
Shanna gulped. Then more Vamps would die. Maybe even Roman.
"The lads and I are taking refuge in the cellar. We'll be making our plans till the sun rises. Ye should find a place to sleep while ye still can."
"I understand." Roman stopped at a table.
As Angus closed the door, Roman propped his forehead onto his hand and closed his eyes. Shanna wasn't sure if it was grief or fatigue. Probably both. He must have known the dead Highlander for a long time.
"Roman? Maybe we should go the silver room."
"It's my fault," he whispered.
Ah, so he was feeling guilt, too. Her eyes welled with tears. She knew all about feeling guilty for a friend's death. "It's not your fault. It's mine."
"No." He looked surprised. "I was the one who made the decision to protect you. I called Laszlo on the phone and told him to come back. He was following my orders. How can you be at fault? You were unconscious at the time."
"But if it wasn't for me - "
"No. The trouble between Petrovsky and myself goes way back." Roman swayed on his feet.
She grabbed his arm. "You're worn out. Let's go to the silver room."
"Not enough time." He looked around the lab. "I'll be all right in the closet."
"No. I don't want you sleeping on the floor."
He gave her a tired smile. "Sweetness, I won't notice any discomfort."
"I'll have the daytime staff move you to the bed in the silver room."
"No. They don't know about me. I'll be fine." He stumbled toward the closet. "Close the blinds, please."
She rushed to the window. The sky was lightening to gray with a pink tint in the east. Just as she closed the blinds, a ray of golden sun shot over the rooftop of Romatech.
Roman had made it to the closet and was opening the door.
Suddenly a loud blast deafened her. The ground shook. She grabbed at the blinds to steady herself, but they swayed, causing her to stumble. Alarms rang out. And another sound that Shanna realized was people screaming.
"Oh my God." She peeked out the window. In the glare of the morning sun, she spotted a plume of smoke.
"An explosion?" Roman whispered. "Where?"
"I'm not sure. All I see is smoke." Shanna glanced back. He was sagging against the closet door, deathly pale.
"They timed it this way, so I couldn't do anything."
Shanna peered through the blinds again. "It's the wing across from us. The cafeteria! Radinka was there." She ran to the phone and dialed 911.
"There.. will be many people there." Roman pushed away from the door, stumbled forward a few steps, and fell to his knees.
When an operator answered, Shanna yelled into the phone, "There's been an explosion at Romatech Industries."
"What is the nature of your emergency?" the woman asked.
"It's an explosion! We need ambulances and a fire truck."
"Calm down. And your name is?"
"Will you hurry it up? There are injured people here!" She hung up and rushed toward Roman. The poor man was crawling across the floor. "There's nothing you can do. Go and rest."
"No. I have to help them."
"I called the paramedics. And I'll go over there myself, just as soon as I know you're all right." She pointed to the closet and tried to look authoritative. "Go to your room."
"I can't bear to be helpless when people need me."
With tears in her eyes, she knelt beside him. "I understand. Believe me. I've been there. But there's nothing you can do."
"Yes, there is." He grabbed the lab table and pulled himself to his feet. He reached for the beaker of greenish liquid.
"You can't! It hasn't been tested yet."
He gave her a wry look. "What could it do to me? Kill me?"
"That's not funny. Roman, please. Don't."
His hand shook as he raised the beaker to his mouth. He swallowed down several large gulps before setting the beaker back down.
Shanna curled her fingers around the crucifix he'd given her. "Do you even know what a normal dose is?"
"No." He stepped back and swayed on his feet. "I feel.. strange." He collapsed on the floor.