She managed a small wave, grateful when Joe quickly moved on to indicate a group sitting together at the far end of the table arrangement. Beth counted four men and three women, none of whom she recognized.
"These are the rest of our security team members," Joe said. "All experienced in protection detail and crisis response."
Beth's attention shifted as another figure rose from the table - tall and commanding with shaggy blond hair and dark green eyes that swept the room with a predatory alertness that made her wild cat’s instincts prickle.
"I am Aleksei, second in command to Lord Damien," he stated, his voice carrying a hint of an accent Beth couldn't quite place. "These are Antonio and Dimitri." He gestured to two vampires seated near him - one with Mediterranean features, the other with the caramel skin and flashing dark eyes of desert peoples.
"Tyr and Tobi you all know already." Aleksei nodded toward the twins before continuing. "More of our clan will be joining us from New York City once the living quarters are completed."
Aleksei's commanding presence held everyone's attention. His dark green eyes swept across the gathered faces as he outlined their priorities. Watching how professionally Aleksei conducted himself, how seriously these vampires all seemed to take their protection duties, she couldn’t help but be impressed. These weren't at all the monsters of legend - they were highly trained security professionals who happened to be vampires.
She couldn't help but marvel at how much had changed in the past year. The vampires' decision to emerge from centuries of isolation had shocked the supernatural community. Their own laws had demanded absolute secrecy, yet when shifters were exposed to the human world, the vampires had stepped forward without hesitation.
Lord Damien himself had appeared at an emergency council meeting, pledging his clan's resources and expertise to help keep exposed shifter communities safe. The vampires' vast wealth and centuries of experience living undetected among humans had proved invaluable during those chaotic early days.
Beth's gaze drifted to Tyr, noting how intently he focused on Aleksei's briefing. These vampires could have maintained their secret existence, letting the shifters handle their own crisis. Instead, they'd risked exposure themselves to help protect complete strangers. She'd heard through Naomi that several vampire clans across the country had followed Lord Damien's lead, reaching out to local shifter communities to offer assistance.
The gravity of that decision wasn't lost on Beth. Vampires had survived for millennia by staying hidden, their laws regarding secrecy absolute. Breaking that tradition, especially for beings they'd historically kept their distance from, spoke volumes about their commitment to protecting the supernatural community as a whole.
"For now, our primary focus will be the veterinary clinic and Kazakis Restaurant," Aleksei continued, his accent giving the words a crisp precision. "Both locations have drawn increased scrutiny since Katerina's television appearance."
Katerina nodded. "It took them exactly zero days to figure out that Kester is my brother, and owns the restaurant," the Maine Coon shifter explained. "But we expected that, and were prepared. So far, there haven't been any issues, although," she grinned, "a few groupies are making Kester nervous."
"We'll expand coverage to include Carter Bank once Lydia makes her public statement," Aleksei continued. "By then, the additional members of our clan should have taken up residence here."
Movement caught Beth's eye as Jake exchanged a meaningful look with his brother. Joe gave a slight nod, and Jake rose to his feet, his expression grave.
"Actually," Jake's voice carried a note of concern, "we've already had one reporter track down Harper, the fox shifter from the Yosemite video. She relocated here, and works at the bank." He ran a hand through his hair. "The Djinn helped modify the reporter's memory, but I think we should include the bank in security measures from the start. Just to be safe."
Jacinth rose to her feet, her warm, chocolate-brown eyes sparkling with determination, drawing everyone's attention.
“I'd like to ask for help regarding Nathan and Harper's jackalopes," Jacinth began, her tone serious yet compelling. "As you know, they have a mother and baby living in their backyard pen, and…"
Tyr's head snapped up. "Jackalopes? Those are real?"
Jacinth nodded, her dark eyes brightening with enthusiasm. "Yes, they're real. Last year, Nathan found an injured baby jackalope in his yard. The mother appeared shortly after—as if sensing her baby was being cared for. They simply... stayed." She paused, her voice softening with wonder. "We thought they'd vanished from the world decades ago. Extinct. Finding two alive has been extraordinary."
She brushed a strand of silky black hair behind her ear. "Nathan and Harper became their kahu—their guardians. The jackalopes trust them completely."
"On weekends," Jacinth continued, "shifter children visit to see them. I've woven magical protections throughout the property. Humans peering over the fence see nothing but an ordinary yard with playground equipment, and security cameras capture the same illusion. The children can play freely in either form without worry. My magic also creates barriers againstnatural predators—no coyotes, hawks, or foxes can enter to harm Sage and Jill."
Her expression sobered, chocolate-brown eyes scanning the faces around the table. "My concern lies with how easily rumors spread. The children adore the jackalopes, and while they understand the importance of secrecy..." She sighed softly. "One excited slip to a human friend could draw unwanted attention. Children mean well, but accidents happen."
Aleksei nodded solemnly, his stern expression softening for a moment. "The survival of endangered species should concern all of us, and most especially such creatures as the jackalopes. To know two still exist is indeed encouraging." The ancient vampire's gaze swept across the gathered supernaturals. "We have witnessed too many extinctions across the centuries. They'll have our protection as well."
Rising from his chair, Tyr's powerful frame drew all eyes in the room. Her pulse quickened when his intense blue gaze swept past her before settling on Jacinth.
"We can install outdoor motion detectors and sensors around the entire property," he said, his deep voice carrying easily across the table. "The latest models are virtually invisible once properly placed. They'll alert us to any unauthorized intruder, human or animal."
He turned toward Aleksei, seeking confirmation.
Aleksei nodded in approval. "I'll send Dimitri to do the initial assessment tomorrow night. He has extensive experience with wildlife monitoring systems." His accent wrapped around the words with crisp precision. "Once we know exactly what's needed, we'll put a rush order on the equipment."
Tyr's shoulders slumped slightly, a flicker of disappointment crossing his handsome features. "I wanted to see the jackalopes," he grumbled, his voice carrying a hint of petulancethat seemed oddly endearing coming from such an imposing vampire.
Beth pressed her lips together, trying to suppress a smile at his obvious disappointment. Around the table, several others failed to contain their amusement. Soft chuckles rippled through the room.
Tobi elbowed his twin playfully. "Aww, does big bad vampire want to see the cute bunny?" His eyes sparkled with mischief as he dodged Tyr's retaliatory swat.
