Sexiest Vampire Alive

him if anyone ever tried to kidnap Madison, they’d give her back in ten minutes.

Madison looked her over, frowning. “Jeans and a T-shirt? And why do you always wear that ugly coat? It has no style whatsoever.”

“It’s a lab coat. I came straight from work.”

Madison sighed. “I wish there was time for you to change. First impressions are important, you know. But no matter, we need to hurry.” She strode down the hall, her high heels silent on the thick carpet.

Abigail walked beside her, and Josh followed discreetly at a distance. “So you wore that dress for the vampires?” she asked.

“Of course.” Madison marched across the Center Hall and into the Yellow Oval Room. “I want to look my best. Everyone knows vampires are extremely attractive.”

“I thought they were kind of pale and . . . dead.”

“Undead,” Madison corrected her. “And yes, they’re a bit pale, but in a sparkly sort of way. I thought they would like this sparkly dress. And Dolly’s rhinestone bag. It’s important to make them feel comfortable, you know.”

Abigail shrugged. “You’re the expert.” Her sister had always loved sparkly things, so much so that the Secret Service used Sparkle for her code name.

Madison slanted an annoyed look in her direction. “I know you don’t believe me, but you’ll see I’m right.” She opened a French door that led onto the Truman balcony of the South Portico. “This way.”

“But what about the meeting?” Abigail stepped outside into the cool night air. “Shouldn’t we go to the West Wing?”

“Yes, but we’ll see them here first.” Madison set the dog bag down, then strode to the edge of the upper balcony that overlooked the south entrance of the White House.

Josh stationed himself by the door and murmured their location into the communication device on his wrist.

Abigail rested her hands on the wrought-iron railing and peered down at the circular drive two floors below. “There’s no one here.”

Madison huffed. “Do you expect them to pull up in a car? They’re vampires! They’ll fly in. I expect they’ll want to land right here on the balcony.” She scanned the night sky. “Do you see them? They’ll probably be in bat form.”

Abigail crossed her arms and leaned against a thick white column. She could hear horns blaring and the hum of traffic in the distance, but here, they were in a small green oasis of quiet. The grounds were well lit and colorful with spring blossoms. She really ought to enjoy the gardens before the heat of summer invaded. Take time to smell the roses. But she could always feel the clock ticking, warning her she was in a race against time to save her mother.

She sighed. “You do realize it’s physically impossible for a full-grown man to shrink his mass down to the size of a bat?”

Madison gasped and pointed. “Is that one?”

“Looks like a crow.”

“Oh.” Madison pressed a finger to her mouth as she considered. “The meeting’s going to start soon. I wonder what’s taking them so long.”

“Well, it’s a long flight from Transylvania.”

Madison scoffed. “Don’t be silly. They’re already here in America. They’re all around us.”

“I guess I’ve missed them somehow.”

“Well, duh! Of course you missed them. We never know when we’re actually seeing them. They’re good at blending in. Oh!” Madison’s eyes widened. “I know what the problem is! They can’t enter our house until we invite them.”

“Really?”

“Yes! It’s a vampire thing. Trust me. I’m a bit of an expert. I’ve read all the latest books.” Madison stretched her arms out and raised her voice. “Oh, creatures of the night! I call upon the Undead! You are welcome in our humble abode!”

Humble? Abigail stifled a laugh. “Maybe it’s working.” She pointed to a limousine that was turning into the driveway.

“Don’t be silly, Abby. They’ll fly in as bats.” Madison scanned the horizon.

“What happens when they change into human form? Will they go into the Oval Office completely naked?”

Madison giggled. “That would be so cool! But no, they’ll be very well dressed. Tuxedoes, probably. They have expensive tastes.”

Abigail watched as the limo came to a halt on the driveway. A group of Secret Service agents swarmed the car with their high-tech gadgets, making sure it hadn’t been tampered with. The head Black Suit opened the door, and a man climbed out.

Her breath caught. There was something about him that immediately seized her attention. That alone was strange since she’d never been the type to ogle men. Maybe it was the way he straightened as he got out of the car. He was graceful, but manly, as if he had great strength and power that he kept quietly in control.

She could only see his back, but . . . wow. He was tall and lean, and his expensive suit fit his broad shoulders to perfection. His dark brown hair was a bit long, the ends reaching past his collar, but it looked soft and thick and so very tempting to touch. If only she could see his face.

A second man emerged from the limo. Shorter, stockier, older, with a reddish-blond buzz cut. He acted like he was in charge, talking urgently to the Secret Service agents. The mystery man seemed content to stand silently by. The shorter guy introduced him to the head Black Suit, and he turned to shake hands.

He was stunning. Abigail leaned against the railing for a better view. All she could see was the right side of his face, but what a profile. Good Lord, a man could melt butter with a profile like that. A sharp, straight nose, high cheekbone, and a jawline that curved into a strong chin. Wow. He should be on the cover of one of her mother’s books.

Who was he? He seemed too young to be a politician. Maybe the older guy was the politician, and this guy was his aide? But tonight’s meeting was being attended by experts in defense, so he might be from the CIA or the Pentagon.

She edged closer into the shadow created by the column so she could spy on him unnoticed. He was listening to the head Black Suit now. His skin was a bit pale in comparison to the other men. Hmm, pale skin, extremely attractive, well dressed, expensive tastes. She might be able to convince her sister that a vampire had indeed arrived at the White House.

“I don’t understand,” Madison mumbled, still scanning the horizon. “Why haven’t the vampires come?”

Something happened with the mystery man. It was a minute, subtle change, but clear as day to Abigail. His shoulders suddenly seemed broader, and his head tilted ever so slightly. Had he somehow heard Madison? Impossible! They were two floors up.

He turned and peered up at Madison. He had heard her! And his face. His entire face was visible now.

“Wow,” Abigail whispered.

His gaze immediately shifted to the side.

Straight at her! Good Lord! Abigail gasped and scrunched deeper into the shadow. How could he hear a whisper? And how could he possibly see her in the dark?

She waited. Any second now, his gaze would shift back to Madison. Men always looked at Madison. She was standing beneath a porch light, her blond hair gleaming, her pink dress glittering. She was the princess of the White House.

Abigail struggled to catch her breath. He was still looking at her. Oh God, she was feeling light-headed, like she might faint. Don’t be silly. You never faint. You’re a scientist. This was nothing more than a chemical reaction. It had never happened to her before, but she understood the process. Her brain was simply releasing dopamine. By the bucketful.

She edged around the back of the column. She was good at disappearing. After all, she was the forgotten