"I've never believed in ghosts," Vicki mused. And then she looked at Antonio and smiled. "But then, I never used to believe in vampires, either."
Leaning forward, he touched the bandage at her neck. "I am sorry you had to learn of us in such a painful manner."
"Me, too. But then, if it weren't for Falco, I never would have met you, would I?"
"Perhaps not. Or perhaps fate would have managed to bring us together sooner or later."
"I'd like to think so. Is there really a ghost? Have you ever seen it?"
"Of course."
"You're kidding, aren't you?"
"No."
"Did she try to hurt you?"
"No. She is a lovely, lonely soul."
"And you really saw her? Did she speak to you?"
"Yes. We are kindred spirits, Lady Kathryn and I. We have spent many a lonely night keeping each other company."
Vicki stared at him, not knowing whether to believe him or not.
"Will you come with me to Maine, Victoria? I can protect you there until Duncan destroys Falco."
She shivered at the mention of the vampire's name. "What if he follows us?"
"My home is well protected. He will not be able to enter… " Antonio looked at her, one brow raised, "so long as no one invites him in."
"I suppose it was foolish of me, what I did. But it never occurred to me that he would come to my house disguised as Darth Vader, of all things."
"Now you know better. You will not make that mistake again."
"That's for sure!"
"You will come with me, then?"
"Yes, I'd love to see your castle. And your ghost." She blew out a sigh. Talking about ghosts made her think of the four men Falco had hypnotized.
Antonio squeezed her hand. "What is it that troubles you?"
"The police came to see me today."
"Indeed?"
"They wanted to know how I got hurt. They had the manacles Falco used. I didn't know what to tell them, so I didn't tell them anything. What should I do?"
"You did the right thing. Telling the police about Falco will only start a panic. Even though people claim that they do not believe we exist, given the right catalyst, they can soon turn into a mindless mob eager for blood. I have seen it happen before," he said.
"Many times. When it happens, innocent people die. Sometimes, ignorance is best."
"I guess so."
"We will leave as soon as… " He glanced over his shoulder at the sound of footsteps.
Vicki followed his gaze, and a moment later Bobbie Sue and Duncan entered the room.
"Hey," Bobbie Sue said. "Saints be praised, you're looking a lot better tonight. How are you feeling, hon?"
"Better, thanks. Why aren't you at work?"
"Gus gave me an hour off so's I could come and visit you. He acts so tough, but he's just an old softie, you know that."
Vicki nodded. Everyone in town knew Gus was a soft touch. He contributed to every charity known to man, bought Girl Scout cookies by the case, supported the local Boy Scout troop, donated money to the hospital building fund and the PTA.
She looked at Duncan, who was staring at Antonio. Only then did she feel the tension in the room.
Apparently Bobbie Sue felt it, too. Tugging on Duncan 's arm, she said, "Come on, Tom, I think we should go."
He grunted softly. "I'll wait for you outside."
Bobbie Sue bent down to give Vicki a hug. "Don't worry about anything, hon," she said.
"Everything will work out."
"Listen, Bobbie Sue, I'm going away with Antonio."
Bobbie Sue's eyes grew wide. "You are? When? Why?"
"As soon as I get out of here. Because I want to. I need you to tell Gus for me, okay?
Just tell him I'm taking my vacation a few months early."
"Well, sure, but"— Bobbie Sue lowered her voice—"are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, I know you're attracted to Antonio and everything, but Vicki, he's a vampire."
"Yes, I know," Vicki replied dryly. "I'll call you, okay?"
"I hope you know what you're doing, hon."
"Me, too." Reaching up with her free arm, she gave Bobbie Sue a hug. "Just be sure you know what you're doing, you know, with Tom."
Bobbie Sue grinned. "We sure picked a pair, didn't we?"
"That we did."
"Night, Vicki. Antonio." With a wave and a smile, Bobbie Sue left the room.
When they were alone again, Antonio again took Victoria 's hand in his. "So, you will come with me?"
She nodded. "How soon do you think we should leave?"
"Tomorrow night. Can you be ready by then?"
"I think so."
But later that night, alone in bed, when doubts and fears are the strongest, she couldn't help wondering if she was putting distance between herself and a killer or walking blindly into the lion's den.
The doctor okayed Vicki's release the next morning. As soon as she knew she could leave, she called Bobbie Sue and asked if she'd mind driving her home, and if she would please stop off at her house and bring her something to wear since all she had was her bloody Tinkerbell costume, which she intended to get rid of as soon as possible. Once she had a ride home, Vicki asked the nurse to distribute the roses Antonio had sent her to some of the patients who didn't have any friends or visitors, all except for the dozen he had given her personally.
Now she sat on the bed, waiting for a nurse to bring her a wheelchair. Bobbie Sue sat beside her, idly thumbing through an old magazine.
After a few minutes, Bobbie Sue tossed the magazine aside. "So, where are you and Antonio going?"
"He has a house somewhere in Maine. We're going there. Should be interesting," Vicki said with a grin. "It's supposed to be haunted."
Bobbie Sue stared at her. "You're going to a haunted house with a vampire? Have you lost your mind, hon?"
"I know what I'm doing," Vicki assured her.
"You don't sound all that convinced to me," Bobbie Sue retorted "Are you sure you know what you're doing? He's a vampire, Vicki. It's not like he just thinks he's one, you know.
He really is, and they kill people."
Vicki took Bobbie Sue's hands in hers. "I love him, Bobbie. What else can I do?"
"Sakes alive, hon, I can think of a lot of things that would be smarter!"
"I know, so can I."
"Where is this house of his?"
"I'm not sure. Somewhere on the coast. He said it's a castle."