Tuesday night, Toni walked into a ballroom full of Santas. The dancing had already started, and several Santas whirled around the dance floor, waltzing with their partners. The women's costumes were a bit more varied. A few were dressed like Mrs. Claus with long, full skirts, white aprons, and white frilly bonnets on top of silver wigs. Other women wore outfits reminiscent of the costumes worn by the Rockettes in their Christmas show.

Toni did a double take. The two Rockettes by the reindeer ice sculpture looked male.

She headed toward the table with real food. As far as she knew, only mortals who knew about Vamps had been invited to the ball. The other mortal employees at Romatech had gone to a party for them earlier in the afternoon.

She scanned the room, searching for Ian, but all the Santas looked alike. They even wore padding inside their red velvet coats to give them fake bellies. Under their red hats, they sported bushy white wigs and beards. The only departure from the norm were a few Santas sporting swords--in case the Malcontents showed up uninvited. Even Toni had a few wooden stakes in her belt.

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She noticed one Santa who was different. He was about a foot shorter than the others, and he fidgeted with the black buttons on his jacket. That had to be Laszlo, the scientist who had helped in the operating room and delivered a bag of stuff to the mystery room.

At the mortal table, there was a Mrs. Claus and a little girl who were having a snack of cheese and

fruit. The woman smiled at Toni and extended a hand. "Hi. I'm Heather Echarpe, and this is my daughter, Bethany."

"I'm Toni." She shook hands, then smiled at the little girl. "What a beautiful dress."

"My new daddy made it for me." Bethany's face lit up, and she pointed across the room. "Look, Mama. It's Constantine. Can I go see him?" "Sure, sweetie." Heather gazed fondly at Tino, who was dressed like a miniature Santa without the

beard. Bethany dragged Constantine onto the dance floor while the waltzing adults managed to avoid

running over them. Tino and Bethany reached the middle of the dance floor, where they started jumping and giggling. Toni popped a grape in her mouth. "So you must be the one who married the famous fashion

designer." "Yes." Heather smiled. "Jean-Luc is here somewhere. Lost in a sea of Santas." "Yeah, I can't tell who's who." Heather bit into a strawberry. "It's for the best, I suppose. It would totally confuse any Malcontent

who crashed the party." She stepped closer to Toni. "I hope you don't mind, but Shanna told me about you."

"Oh?" Heather smiled. "Don't worry, it was all good stuff. I just wanted to say that Ian's a great guy, and I hope it works out for you."

"We--we're not going out or anything. I'm a guard, so it's against the rules for us to get

involved." "Since when does love follow the rules?" Heather lowered her voice. "Ian was in Texas when he took the drug to grow older. He was in so much pain, it nearly killed me to watch. I begged him to stop, but you know what he said?"

"What?" Heather's eyes grew moist. "He said all the pain was worth it if he could find true love." Toni's heart squeezed in her chest. "I'm going to look for him. Excuse me." She started across the

ballroom.

The band switched to a modern song, and she noted a disco Santa on the dance floor. Gregori, she thought with a smile. He was back to his normal self. She'd arrived a bit late to the ball because she'd spent too much time in the silver room, fussing

with her hair and makeup. She wanted to look good for Ian.

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She'd had a late night, making sure Sabrina was all right before Ian had teleported her back to Romatech. She'd been so tired, she'd gone straight to bed. Today she'd called the hotel twice. Carlos had told her that Bri was sleeping most of the time, and Teddy was watching television. She hoped to see Bri tomorrow, but for now, she was eager to see Ian.

All day long, her heart had been light with joy. She couldn't wait to see him. It was just a shame

she hadn't been able to dress a bit sexier. Shanna had insisted she wear this specific costume. She wandered toward a group of Santas who were talking to one another. They noticed her and smiled.

She quickly checked their eyes. No Ian. "Excuse me." She backed away. "Bellissima, don't run away." A Vamp Santa with sparkling brown eyes took her hand. "Allow me

to introduce myself. I am Giacomo di Venezia. Please call me Jack, like my other English- speaking friends do." "I'm Toni Davis." He kissed her hand. "Bellissima, you are the guard Connor hired? He didn't tell me you were a

goddess." He turned to the other men. "She is a vision of beauty, no?"

"Ye're embarrassing her, Jack," a second Santa said with a Scottish accent. He extended a hand. "Welcome to MacKay Security and Investigation. I'm Robby MacKay." Toni shook his hand. "You're related to Angus?" "Aye, but he's much, much older than me," Robby said with a grin. "How do you do?" The third Vamp in the group held out his hand. His eyes were almond-shaped,

and his accent was thicker. "I am Zoltan Czakvar from Budapest." "Oh." She shook his hand. "I'm Attila the Hun." The men laughed. "Will you dance with me, Attila?" Zoltan asked. "Perhaps later. I'm...looking for someone right now." "Ah." Jack nodded his head. "Amore. I'm afraid her heart is already taken, Zoltan." Zoltan bowed. "Then we will hope he is worthy of you." "Okay." Toni smiled as she left the three guys. There was something definitely appealing about

Vamp men. She wandered by another group of men, but none of them looked familiar. Then she saw someone

who was easy to recognize. He was the only black Santa in the room. He was drinking blood from a wineglass, along with another Santa. "Phineas." She lifted a hand. "Hey, sweetness." He gave her a high five and a knuckle pound. "What's up?" She recognized the second Santa as Dougal. "Hey, Dougal. Have you seen Ian anywhere? I can't

find him."

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"The last time I saw him," Dougal said, "he was at the refreshment table, having a Bleer."

Phineas eyed Toni's costume. "Girl, what are you supposed to be? You look like the Jolly Green Giant's little ho." Toni gritted her teeth. "I'm an elf." Dougal laughed. "She makes a good elf." "Thanks," Toni muttered. Phineas snorted. "So do you live in a tree and bake cookies? Whatcha got for me in your oven?"

He winked. She swatted his arm. "I'll sic the Jolly Green Giant on you." She marched off, feeling even more ridiculous in her costume. She had a red feather in her silly

green hat, and jingle bells on her green slippers that made noise with every step. If anyone else

made fun of her costume, she might have to stake him into oblivion. She circled the dance floor. The music had changed to a slow, modern dance. She spotted Heather dancing with a Santa, probably her husband, Jean-Luc. And Shanna was dancing with another Santa, probably Roman. As she neared the Vamp refreshment table, she saw the two questionable Rockette ladies talking with another Santa.

One of them pressed a hand against the Santa's chest. Her fingernails were painted a bright red. "Oh my God, look at you! You're all grown up!"

Toni winced. The Rockette's voice was definitely male. "Our sweet little boy," the second male Rockette said. "All grown up and so handsome." He waved a hand in front of his face. "I'm think I'm going to cry."

"Don't you dare, Tootsie," the first Rockette warned. "If you start crying, I'll completely lose it,

and I just hate runny mascara. Don't you, Ian?" "I wouldna know," he growled. He spotted Toni, and relief flooded his face. "Toni, I've been looking for you."

"Oh my!" The Rockette named Tootsie looked Toni over. "Has our little Ian found a sweetheart?"

Ian pulled her to his side. "Toni, let me introduce you to Tootsie and Scarlett. They teleported here from New Orleans." Toni smiled politely. "How do you do?" Scarlett pressed a hand to his chest. "Oh my God, isn't she just the prettiest thing?" Tootsie's red-painted lips trembled. "They're so precious together. I--I can't help it. I'm going to

cry!" Scarlett huffed. "Well, don't get me started." Ian backed away, dragging Toni with him. "Excuse us, but I promised Toni I would dance with

her." Scarlett sighed. "That's so sweet."

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"And romantic." Tootsie dabbed at his eyes with a lacy handkerchief. Ian led Toni farther away. She glanced back, and the two male Rockettes were still watching them with tears in their eyes.

"They seem very fond of you." "They're verra friendly." Ian put his hands around her waist. "Thank you for rescuing me." She rested her hands on his shoulders and matched his steps as he swayed to and fro. "Where did

you meet them?" "In New Orleans, a few years back. I was doing an investigation for a Vamp with amnesia." "Really? Did you find out who he was?" Ian nodded. "He was a cowboy with a secret baby." Toni laughed. "I'm serious." Ian grinned, and it made his white beard twitch. "And what are ye supposed to be?" "An elf, and don't you dare make fun of me." "Are ye kidding? Yer red tights are driving me crazy." She bumped against his fake belly that stuck out above his belt. "Is that padding in there, or are

you happy to see me?"

His beard twitched again. "And what are these?" He fingered the wooden stakes in her belt. "Are

ye intending to use them on me?"

"Maybe. If Santa doesn't give me what I want for Christmas."

"And what do ye want?"

She almost said, You, but she hesitated. "It's a secret."

"Another secret?" His blue eyes twinkled. "Are ye ever going to tell me yer full name?"

She shrugged. "Maybe never."

"But I need to know. I'm making a list. And checking it twice."

She laughed.

"Tell me, Toni." He pulled her closer. "Have ye been naughty or nice?"

A warm feeling swept through her. She wanted this man so much. She curled her hands around the

back of his neck. He tightened his hold on her.

She glanced at his eyes, and suddenly felt the warmth ratchet up a few degrees. "It might be fun to get a little naughty." A red tint flared in his eyes. "We could go somewhere private. No one would notice one less Santa

in the room."

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Toni licked her lips. The thought of ripping his beard off to kiss him was very exciting. "Your

eyes are turning red." "Your heart is beating faster." He leaned close, his white beard tickling her cheek. "I'd like to peel those red tights down yer legs."

"I might let you," she teased. "If you give me what I need." His eyes glowed a deeper red. "Sweetheart, I have what you need." She grinned. "What I need is a few answers. I have some questions for you." "My favorite color is green. Like yer eyes." "Not that question." She smoothed her hands down his chest. "I could make it worth your while. If

you answer, I'll...take something off." His eyebrows rose. "Now that is naughty." "Of course you have to agree to the same terms. If I answer one of your questions, you have to

take something off."

"Agreed." He glanced around the room. "We'll leave separately. Meet me in the hall in three minutes." He strode away, leaving her alone on the dance floor. She wandered back to the refreshment table for mortals with her mortal heart pounding in her ears.

Good grief, what had she just agreed to? She wanted some answers, but stripping for them was

likely to get out of hand. Good. She smiled to herself. She wanted him. He wanted her. There was no denying that red glow in his eyes.

She took a few deep breaths to calm herself, then drank some punch. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a Santa leaving the ballroom. She drained her cup, then strolled toward the exit. She wandered down the hall in the direction of the chapel. Where was he?

A door to the right cracked open and an arm in a red velvet sleeve reached out and grabbed her. She gasped, then laughed as a Santa hauled her into a dark room. He shut the door and pinned her against it.

"You'd better be Ian." "Aye." He nuzzled her neck. "Take off that beard. I want to kiss you." He chuckled. "Ye're a demanding lass." He locked the door, then led her into the room. It was a conference room, she noted, with a long table surrounded by a dozen chairs. Ian had left

the lights off, so the only light came from the red exit sign over the door and the lights from the parking lot outside the large plate-glass window. "It's snowing outside." She wandered alongside the table. "Should we close the blinds?" "It's one-way glass." He sat in a chair midway down the table. "So what's yer full name, Toni?" "That again? Does it really matter?"

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"I'm only curious because ye'll no' tell me."

"Okay, okay." She perched on the table next to him and propped one foot up on the arm of his chair. "But it'll be worth two articles of clothing." He wrapped a hand around her ankle. "All right." She leaned back, bracing her weight on her hands. "I only know what my grandmother told me, so

my knowledge of the events is a bit sketchy. It appears my mother had a desire to marry a racecar driver when she was seventeen. She went to the Daytona 500 to find a driver and jumped a guy in a jumpsuit in a garage. She was a bit pissed to discover afterward that he was just a mechanic and even more pissed when she discovered herself pregnant."

Ian shook his head. "Yer mum continues to confound me."

"I guess she needed a reminder never to make such a stupid mistake again, 'cause she named me after the racetrack where I was conceived." "Yer name is Daytona Five Hundred?" "No." She glared at him. "Just Daytona. Isn't that humiliating enough? Please don't tell anyone." His white beard twitched. "Daytona Davis. I like it." "Daytona Lynn, actually. It's a Southern thing. Now strip, Santa. Two items." He removed his red Santa cap with the attached wig. "That's one." He took off the beard. "And

that's two." He tossed them on the table. "Yer turn."

"What's the secret Santa thing? And what are you all hiding behind the locked door across from the nursery?" He circled his fingers around her ankle again. "That's two questions." "But they're related, aren't they?" "Och, now that's three." She nudged him with her foot, and the bell on her slipper jingled. "Just answer the question." He smiled. "Roman started the Secret Santa Pact in 1950 when he became coven master. We have

a few Vamps around the country who work the night shift, sorting mail for the post office. Each year, they gather the letters addressed to Santa, and we collect toys. Then on Christmas Eve, some Vamps dress up like Santa to deliver the goods, including places like halfway houses and women's shelters."

Toni sat silent for a while, absorbing this latest news. What more proof did she need that these

Vamps were kind and noble? "That is so awesome." "Thank you." He pulled both her feet into his lap and removed one of her green slippers. "We enjoy it quite a bit." He took off the second slipper. They jingled when he tossed them on the table.

"You mean you're one of the Santas?" "Aye. I've been doing it since I came here to work in 1955." He slid one of her fuzzy red socks off. "There are a hundred of us now." He pulled off her other sock.

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"What are you doing?" "I answered yer questions." He threw the socks on the table. "Two questions." "But you removed four articles of clothing." "Nay. Socks and shoes come in pairs." He wrapped his hands around one of her feet and began

massaging it. How could she argue when it felt so good? "Okay. Ask your next question." He sat there, quietly rubbing her foot while he considered. "Do ye want children?" That surprised her. "Yes." He removed his belt and sword and slid them down the table to the pile of clothes. "That's it?" she asked. "One lousy belt?" "'Twas an easy question for you." "Do you want children?" She knew the answer wouldn't be easy for him. He could never have

children if he married a Vamp. "If I ever have children, I would consider myself greatly blessed." "That's a bit evasive. But still nice." She uncinched her brown leather belt, and her wooden stakes

clattered onto the table. He stood and shoved the stakes across the table, so that they tumbled onto the floor. "A bit sensitive about those, aren't you?" "Aye." He plucked the feathered cap off her head and tossed it onto the pile of clothing. "What are you doing?" "Ye asked a question, and I answered it. In fact, I just answered another one." He tugged at the

lacings on her green elfin tunic.

"Stop that." She swatted his hand away. "Those questions didn't count. That was normal

conversation. Now ask an official question, please."

"Verra well." He sat back down in his chair and studied her. "What do ye want most in life?"

"That's a big one. You'll have to remove five articles of clothing for that answer."

"Four."

"All right, four. But I get to choose which ones."

He smiled. "Agreed."

What did she want the most? "Every morning, I start my day with four affirmations. I guess you

could say they're what I want most in life. Or what I want to believe the most. The first one is I

deserve to be happy."

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"Aye, ye do."

She slid off the table. "I'm taking your boots." She yanked them off and smiled at his argyle socks. So Scottish. "Yer second affirmation?" he asked. "I will accomplish my goals." He nodded. "Ye have worthy goals." She unbuttoned his red velvet jacket. "Take it off, Santa." He tossed the jacket on the table, along with the small pillow that had masqueraded as a belly. "Go

on." "Number three is I will achieve something meaningful with my life." "That is important. That's why I fight the Malcontents." He stood when she tugged on his white T

-shirt. He pulled it over his head and tossed it aside. She eyed his bare chest. The patch of black, curly hair, the strong pecs, the six-pack abs. His red

velvet pants were tied at his hips by a white drawstring. She took the end of the white cord in her fingers and gently pulled. "And the fourth affirmation?" She glanced up at his face. "It's always been the hardest one for me to believe." And the hardest to

confess. Her eyes stung with tears. "I am worthy to be loved." "Lass." He smoothed back her hair. "I have never met anyone more worthy of love than you." "Ian." She touched his face. "That's what I think about you." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She kissed him back with all the passion that had

grown inside her for days. He slanted his mouth over hers and invaded her with his tongue. Her knees grew weak. There was such hunger in his kiss. It made her feel desperate. Feverish.

She raked her hands down his smooth, bare back. "I want you." "Ye have me." He wadded her green elfin tunic in his fists and pulled it up and over her head. Her long-sleeved red T-shirt soon followed. Before she could lower her arms, he had her bra unclasped.

"You're very quick."

"Aye." He flung her bra aside. "Like you, I intend to accomplish my goals." He cupped one of her breasts. Her nipples hardened under the gaze of his red, glowing eyes. She squeezed her thighs together.

"What is your goal?" "To make ye moan." He rubbed his thumb over a tight nipple, and she did moan. "To make ye

shudder and scream." He leaned over to take her nipple into his mouth. He suckled, teased her with his tongue, then gently tugged. She shuddered and leaned back in his arms.

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"I want to feast on you." He gave his attention to her other breast.

Through a haze of sensual pleasure, she recalled that word feast. He was tormenting her nipple with his tongue. Were his fangs next? "You want to bite me?" He lifted his head and gave her a look of admonishment. "I'm no' doing this for food." "But you said feast." His mouth quirked. "I was referring to oral sex. Do ye have any objection to letting me kiss and

suck on you?" She gulped. "No, that would be fine." He slid his fingers underneath the waistband of her red tights and slowly tugged them down. "And

ye'll no' be shy about getting all juicy when ye come on my face?" "No," she squeaked. He smiled as his hands curved over her bare rump, dragging her tights down further. "Naughty

lass, ye're no' wearing undies."

"I learned that from you." She smoothed her hands over his biceps, then over his shoulders and onto his chest. "You're the most beautiful man." He snorted. With her tights rolled halfway down her thighs, he grabbed her at the waist and set her

on the table. Then he grasped her tights and finished dragging them down her legs. "I've been wanting to touch yer legs for days." He lifted them and rested her ankles on his

shoulders. "So long and golden, kissed by the sun." He slid his hands down to her thighs and turned his head to kiss her calf. Toni squirmed on her bare rump, becoming more and more aware of the slow, throbbing need

between her legs. He moved forward, coming closer to her core, kissing the inside of her knee, her

thigh. The red glow of his eyes in the dark sent a thrill through her. God, she wanted him. "Please." She fell back onto the table. She hooked her feet around the back of his neck to pull him closer.

He stroked his fingers across her belly, and she trembled. "By all the saints, I can smell yer scent.

It's so sweet. I canna resist tasting you." His words struck a primeval need inside her, making her even more wet. And ready. She opened her thighs to him.

His eyes burned red. He dragged his fingers into her curls, then leaned forward. "I want to see yer

face when I touch you for the first time." She focused on his red eyes, then gasped when his fingers slid between her legs. She shuddered as he stroked her gently, easing his way between her sensitive folds. She saw a flash of white teeth as he smiled.

"Ye're so verra wet." He inserted a finger inside her. "And verra warm." "Yes." She pushed against him.

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"Och, puir lass." He waggled his finger inside her. "Ye're in sore need of attention." With his other hand, he tweaked her clitoris. She squeaked. He pressed against her, and she pushed back.

She dug her fingernails into the table. "Please, hurry." He removed his finger. "We'll take it slow next time." He sat in a chair and rolled it up to the table. Meanwhile, he cupped her bottom and pulled her up to his face.

"This, sweetheart, is what I mean by a feast." He pounced on her, dragging his tongue over her

engorged skin, probing, tasting, licking. Toni squirmed, and he held her steady. She panted, closing her eyes as all sensation centered on her hot skin and his glorious mouth. He tickled her clitoris, then sucked on it gently. She cried out. Her legs tensed. His tongue flitted.

She screamed. A heart-stopping, delicious shudder crashed over her, then swelled up to crash over her again and again. "Och, Toni." He stood and pulled at the drawstring on his red velvet pants. "I'm dying for you." He stopped suddenly, tilting his head and frowning. "What is it?" She struggled to sit up. Her body was a melted heap of frazzled nerve endings. "Bloody hell," he muttered. "The alarm has gone off."