Vicki parked the car, being careful to lock it, and then went window-shopping. Like most small towns, this one was friendly. The people she passed on the street smiled at her; most of them said hello.
She went into a quaint little cafe for lunch, and then went in search of a pay phone. Her first call was to her mother, but no one answered the phone. She left a message saying she was on a short vacation and that she would call back in a day or two. The second call was to Bobbie Sue.
"So, how are you and Duncan getting along?" Vicki asked.
"We're getting married."
"Married? When?"
"Well, we haven't set the date yet, but probably in the spring. He's going to give up hunting and become a teacher at some school that trains vampire hunters, if you can believe that. Anyway, I'm taking him home to meet my folks. We're leaving in a few minutes."
"That's great, Bobbie Sue. I'm happy for you?"
"Thanks. I'm pretty happy about it myself."
"How long will you be gone?"
"Not long. Gus would only give me a couple of days off. We'll be back Thursday night. I have to be at work Friday afternoon. Gladys is out with the flu. We could sure use your help at the diner. Do you think you'll be back soon?"
"I don't know. I hope so."
"So, how are things with you? He hasn't turned you into a vampire or anything, has he?"
Vicki lifted a hand to her throat. "Of course not."
"What's his place like?"
"It's a castle, and I mean a literal castle. You should see it, Bobbie Sue."
"Have you seen the ghost yet?"
"Not yet. How are things there? Have there been any more murders?"
"No, at least none that I've heard about. Tom thinks Falco must have left the area. I sure hope so. Oh, guess what? Maddy and Rex eloped! Can you believe that?"
"I think it's wonderful. How's Gus?"
"He's pissed off cause you're gone, of course. When are you coming home?"
"I don't know. I guess when Antonio thinks it's safe."
"Well, make it soon. I can't get married without you, you know."
Vicki smiled. "I'll call you soon."
Replacing the receiver, Vicki felt a slight twinge of jealousy. Bobbie Sue was getting married.
Out on the street again, Vicki spent a moment wondering what to do next. She wasn't ready to go back to the castle. Maybe she'd just go to the movies, even though she had already seen the movie that was playing. Still, you couldn't see Johnny Depp too often.
It was almost dusk when she left the theater. As the sky grew darker, she grew increasingly nervous. On the drive back to Antonio's, she kept looking over her shoulder. She told herself she was being foolish, that Falco couldn't possibly know where she was, but she couldn't help it.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she drove into the garage and parked the car, relieved to be home and more relieved that nothing had happened to the car while she was driving it.
She was walking up the stairs to the front door when she felt a sudden chill in the air that had nothing to do with the temperature and everything to do with the sense of being watched. Refusing to look over her shoulder for fear of what she might see, she unlocked the heavy wooden door and dashed inside, slamming the door behind her.
" Victoria, my sweet, what is wrong?"
"Nothing, I just… I felt like someone was watching me."
A muscle twitched in Antonio's cheek. "Did you see anyone?"
"No, but… " She took a deep breath. "It felt like Falco. Could he be here? Does he know where you live?"
"It would be easy for him to follow us," Antonio replied, "but as I said, you are safe within these walls." His gaze trapped hers. "You must not be out of the castle after the sun goes down, my sweet."
"I know, I didn't mean to be, but I went to the movies and I just forgot about the time."
He drew her into his arms. "You are safe now."
"And hungry." She smiled up at him, the expression dissolving when she saw the look in his eyes. He was hungry, too. But not for food.
"Do not worry, my sweet one, I do not intend to devour you, though I am sure you would be to my liking."
"Maybe."
"Something else troubles you."
"Well… " She shook her head. "It's just hard for me to think of you… "
"Drinking blood?"
"Yes. I'm sure I'll get used to it, in time."
"Perhaps," He drew his knuckles lightly across her cheek. "Go and have your dinner, Victoria, and I will have mine."
"Speaking of dinner, how'd you manage to get a stove and refrigerator here so soon?"
He grinned. "Have you not heard the expression money talks?"
"Bribery, eh?"
"Just the promise of a munificent gratuity. And now, I must go."
"Will you be gone very long?"
"No."
"All right."
Leaning down, he brushed a kiss across her lips. She tasted faintly of salt and butter.
"Remember, do not answer the door for anyone, not even if it sounds like me."
"Don't worry, I won't."
He kissed her again and then he was gone. She thought about that kiss while she fixed dinner. She wasn't really all that hungry after the popcorn and Coke she'd had at the show, so she made do with an avocado and tomato sandwich and a glass of milk.
Sitting there, she glanced around the room. She was in a castle, a real castle, with a vampire. It was exciting and a little scary and she wouldn't have missed it for the world.
It took only a few minutes to clean up the kitchen and then she went back upstairs and into the back parlor.
Antonio was already there, waiting for her.
"That was quick," she remarked.
He nodded, then gestured for her to join him.
The overstuffed chair was easily big enough for the two of them and she found it was quite cozy, sitting there with his arm draped around her shoulders, her thigh pressed intimately against his.
"What did you do today?" he asked, "besides go to the movies?"
"Well, I drove your Corvette. It was almost like flying! It's a great car."
"If you like it, it is yours, although you may want to drive the Jaguar before you decide."
"You're going to give me one of your cars, just like that?"
"Of course."
"But— "
He put a finger over her lips. "It pleases me to do so, my sweet. Pick whichever one you wish. I have no particular attachment to any of them."