Just then, Ian walked into the room, carrying two vases of flowers. He grinned at Toni. "Ye're awake. How do ye feel?"
"I have perfect eyesight." She looked him over. He was looking great in his jeans and blue sweater that matched his eyes.
"That's good." He set the vases on the counter.
"I didn't have perfect eyesight before," Toni said.
"What did you do to her?" Sabrina demanded. "She—she's ripping the furniture apart with her bare hands!"
"She's Superwoman," Teddy added.
Ian looked at the broken railing on the floor.
"It was an accident," Toni said. "I didn't mean to. I just pushed a little and…"
Ian nodded. "We thought something like this might happen. Ye could have heightened senses and abilities."
Toni swallowed hard. "What kind of abilities?"
"Ye'll be verra strong and fast." Ian walked toward her. "Constantine was the one who made us realize it when he said ye would be like him—mortal but with special powers. I hope ye doona mind."
"Mind?" Teddy said. "This is so awesome! Toni will be like the bionic woman, but without the metal parts."
Toni sat there, stunned. She glanced at Sabrina, and her friend was staring at her with a shocked expression. "How—what did you do to me?"
"We gave you a blood transfusion." Ian perched on the end of the bed. "My blood."
"You filled her up with vampire blood?" Carlos asked.
"Awesome," Teddy whispered.
"Are you trying to turn her into a vampire?" Sabrina asked.
"Nay." Ian rested a hand on Toni's foot. "We were only trying to heal her. Ye see, vampires heal naturally during our death-sleep because of our blood. We thought my blood might be able to heal Toni. And it did. Sorta." He shrugged one shoulder. "Constantine helped, too."
Sabrina approached the bed. "That sweet little boy helped heal Toni? He—he helped me, too."
"You met Constantine?" Toni asked.
Sabrina nodded. "You were right. He's a very special child." She turned to Ian at the foot of the bed. "Then Toni is still mortal?"
"Aye. She's entirely normal except for having a few extra abilities. We're no' exactly certain what kind of powers she'll have."
Toni leaned back against the bed. Would she be able to levitate or teleport? "I–I'm really a Superwoman?"
Ian smiled. "I'm just grateful I dinna lose you. I've never been more frightened in my life."
"Oh, Ian." She reached a hand toward him, and he slid down the bed to take her hand and kiss it. "How are you? You had so many nasty burns."
"All healed." He leaned closer to kiss her brow.
"You must be hungry." Carlos motioned for Teddy and Sabrina to come with him. "We'll get you some food."
"We'll be back." Sabrina gave her a worried glance as she left the room.
Ian looked her over carefully. "How do ye feel, sweetheart?"
"I feel great." She flung her arms around his neck and hugged him. "I'm so glad it's all over. And I love those flowers. I can smell them from here."
"Aye, ye have stronger senses. The white lilies are from me, and the red roses are from Vanda."
"Vanda?"
Ian grinned. "They've been showing yer assassination of Jedrek Janow on DVN. Ye're a hero. And Vanda's verra happy that he's dead. I gather she had some bad history with him. Anyway, she wanted me to tell you that she was wrong about you. She says we're perfect for each other, and ye should jump my bones at every opportunity."
"She said that?"
Ian's mouth twitched. "Well, I added that last part."
Toni snorted. "I'm glad Vanda decided I'm good enough. I should be now that I have some super Vamp abilities. It always irked me that you guys were superior."
"Toni, doona say that. I have never considered you less than worthy. Ye've always been brave and fearless. Ye rescued yer friend from her greedy uncle. And look at what ye did last night. Ye defied Jedrek's mind control. He was desperately trying to stop you from staking him, and ye just kept coming. It was amazing. I doona know how ye did it."
"You don't know how?" She touched his face. "It was simple. My love for you was more powerful than his hatred."
Ian took her hand and kissed it. "I love you, Toni. I admire you and respect you. Just the way ye are. Ye doona need vampire blood running in yer veins to be worthy. Ye were always a superwoman."
Tears filled her eyes.I am worthy to be loved.
Ian squeezed her hand gently. "I have to tell you that yer new abilities may no' be permanent. Our bodies replenish themselves over time. Of course, if ye want to retain some Vamp power, I'll be happy to share my blood with you."
"I'll share mine with you, too." She grinned. "As long as our love is permanent, that's all that matters."
He pulled her into his arms. "Ye will always have my love."
EPILOGUE
Christmas Eve
Dressed in his Santa suit, Ian set down his bulky red bag on the threadbare carpet. He'd teleported with Toni, who was wearing her elf costume beneath a red woolen coat. The wood frame house in rural Virginia was small—small enough that they had to very quiet. He could hear the parents snoring in a nearby bedroom, their four children crowded in a second bedroom.
Sabrina had given them the information about this family. The father had been injured in a farm accident, and they were barely scraping by. Only four little presents, wrapped in newspaper, sat under the Christmas tree.
Ian opened his sack, and Toni helped him remove several boxes of warm winter clothes. A plastic bag contained a frozen turkey. Then came the toys—a video game set, some books, and a pretty doll for the little girl.
With his bag empty, Ian grabbed hold of Toni to teleport. She pointed up to the roof. With a wry look, he did as she asked.
They landed on the roof, ankle-deep in snow.
He held her steady. "Why did ye want to come up here?"
"It's more like Santa Claus. Where do we go now?"
"Back to Romatech. My bag is empty." He touched her red nose. "Are ye sure ye want to keep traveling with me? Ye look half frozen."
"I am, but this is just too cool. When I think about these people waking up in the morning to find all that stuff—I love it!" She flung her arms around his neck.
"Careful." He widened his stance. "These roofs can be verra slippery."
She cuddled up to him, then glanced down. "Either you have something in your pocket, or you're getting excited."
"Both." He reached in the pocket of his red velvet pants and felt the small black box. Should he give it to her now? Back at Romatech, they would be surrounded by noisy people, rushing to get all the presents out tonight.
He looked around. Stars twinkled in a clear sky. Moonlight gleamed off white, snow-covered pastures. The air smelled of cedar and fresh snow. "This is a lovely spot, aye?"
"Yes. Very peaceful." She rested her head on his shoulder. "I have a present for you at the townhouse. But before I give it to you, I was hoping you'd tell me about that dream you had of me."
He kissed her brow. "I dreamed ye were round with child. Our child."
"Really?" She leaned back to look at him. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I dinna want to push you into something ye might no' want." Although he hoped she did want children. He took the black box from his pocket. "I have a present for you, if ye'll accept it. I hope ye like it." He opened the box to show her the ring.
"Oh my." She took the box. "It's so…beautiful."
Ian went down on one knee. "Daytona Lynn Davis, will ye—" Snow shifted beneath him, then suddenly a block of snow went sliding down the roof, taking him with it.