Harper's eyes widened. Lord?
Beside her, Nathan whispered, "What kind of arrangements does he mean?"
"Volunteers," she whispered back. "Blood donors. I'll explain later.
She knew about vampires cultivating vast networks of eager fans, willing—even desperate—to offer their veins. Groupies, really. The thought made her skin prickle with unease. She couldn't fathom willingly baring her throat to razor-sharp fangs, let alone craving such an encounter. A shiver raced down her spine as she imagined the cold touch of a vampire's hands, the sharp pinprick of teeth breaking skin. Nope, no way.
She found her voice, curiosity surging to the fore as she spoke up. "How long have vampires been in New York City?"
Tyr's lips quirked in a half-smile. "Longer than you'd believe, little fox. We've been here since before it was called New York. We haven't been up in this area much, though, except for…oww!" He broke off to glare at his brother.
Tobi smoothly redirected what his brother had been going to say; Harper suspected Tyr had meant they hunted for blood this far north of the city.
"Not to worry," Tobi reassured. "Before the night is out, we will know this community inside and out, every shadow and hidden corner. We've already scoped out the bank, and Kazakis Restaurant. The inn, too, although they have their own defenses. They should be easy enough to defend, and this clinic as well. There are many dark shadows for us to keep watch from. Anyone coming to make trouble will never see what hit them."
Harper and Katerina exchanged glances, their eyes conveying a mix of concern and uncertainty. Katerina cleared her throat, her voice steady but tinged with caution.
"We appreciate your willingness to help, but we don't want trespassers killed, particularly. Just stopped."
Aleksei's expression remained impassive, but his eyes flickered with understanding. He leaned forward, his movements fluid and deliberate.
"Of course. We have no intention of causing unnecessary harm. Our role will be to halt trespassers and turn them over to your shifters."
Aleksei went on, his tone deliberate, selecting his words with great care. His manner struck Harper as oddly formal, unlike the relaxed American discourse she was used to. "I am sure you are aware that we vampires possess a unique ability. We can glamour our prey and remove certain memories. This skill could prove invaluable in maintaining secrecy, should the need arise."
Harper's eyebrows shot up. She'd heard rumors of such abilities, but to have it confirmed so casually was jarring.
Aleksei's gaze swept across the room, taking in the wide eyes and furrowed brows of those gathered. He could almost taste their surprise, thick and palpable in the air. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, a rare break in his stoic demeanor.
"It's a limited magic," he explained, his voice low and measured. "We can't actually replace significant memories or alter a person's entire history. Our abilities are more... selective." He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. "We can erase the memory of being attacked and fed on, leaving behind only a vague sense of unease or confusion, or even pleasure. Or, in this case, we could potentially remove the recollection of being captured, should such a situation arise."
The vampire's green eyes flickered with an ancient light as he continued. "It's a delicate process, one that requires finesse and control. We are always cautious not to leave behind obvious gaps or inconsistencies that might raise suspicion. Vampires are skilled in this, using these glamours to stay undetected for millennia."
Tobi chimed in, his tone lighter but no less serious. "Your trespassers won't remember who captured them. They'll simply awaken in the custody of your security team, with no recollection of how they got there."
"They'll believe they were apprehended by standard security measures," Tyr agreed.
Harper's heart nearly leapt out of her chest as a sultry female voice cut through the tension in the room. "Or, you know, I could just eat them."
Everyone whirled around, startled by the unexpected intrusion. A figure emerged from the shadows at the back of the conference room, sauntering forward with an otherworldly grace. Harper's eyes widened as she took in the newcomer's appearance, and beside her, she heard Nathan's sharp inhale.
The woman, if she could be called that, had mottled red skin with darker patterns swirling across her body. Small, glossy black horns curled up from either side of her head, nestled in a cascade of arrow-straight hair that was an impossible mix of jet black and true red. But it was her eyes that truly captivatedHarper - they seemed to shift between green and blue, swirling with an alien intelligence.
Aleksei let out a long-suffering groan, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Kayja," he muttered, his voice a mix of exasperation and resignation.
In stark contrast to Aleksei's reaction, Tyr and Tobi's faces lit up with matching grins. "Kayja!" they exclaimed in unison, exchanging enthusiastic fist bumps. Remi was equally welcoming, calling out, "Hey, long time!"
Harper glanced around the room, noting the varying reactions. Jake looked tense, his posture rigid as he assessed the potential threat. Katerina seemed more curious than alarmed, while Jacinth appeared unsurprised by the dramatic entrance.
Sensing the confusion and alarm radiating from the shapeshifters, Aleksei cleared his throat. "Allow me to introduce Kayja," he said, his tone carefully neutral. "As I'm sure you can tell, she is a demoness... and also Lord Damien's half-sister."
Harper's mind reeled at this new information. Vampires were one thing, but demons? The world she thought she knew was expanding at a dizzying rate. She and Nathan exchanged glances, he looking equally stunned.
Kayja's lips curled into a mischievous smirk as she surveyed the room, her gaze lingering on each person in turn. When her eyes met Harper's, the fox shifter felt a shiver run down her spine. There was something ancient and primal in that gaze, a hunger that went beyond the physical.
Aleksei's voice cut through the tension, firm and unyielding. "Kayja, there will be no eating of anyone. We're here to protect, not to cause more problems."
The demoness pouted, an expression that looked oddly charming on her otherworldly features. "You're no fun, Aleksei. I was just offering my services."
