"Around sixty miles per hour," Tyr finished, his blue eyes dancing with amusement. "I know. And yes, we're faster. Eighty or so." He revved the motorcycle's engine. "Though this beauty helps when I want to blend in with traffic."
Beth's attention shifted to the sleek machine between his legs. The motorcycle was unlike anything she'd ever seen - all smooth lines and gleaming black chrome with subtle red accents. "Is that a Harley?"
Tyr's chest puffed with obvious pride. "No, this is one of my own designs actually. Tobi and I have our own custom motorcycle business." His gloved hand patted the fuel tank affectionately. "We've been building bikes for decades, improving the designs as technology advances. This is our latest model."
"You build motorcycles?" Beth couldn't keep the amazement from her voice. "Like, as a business?"
"Nighthawk Customs," Tyr confirmed with another grin. "Though most of our clients don't realize just how many decades of experience go into each bike."
"That's amazing," Beth breathed, her eyes tracing the motorcycle's sleek lines. The craftsmanship was evident even to her untrained eye - every detail seemed perfectly balanced and purposeful.
"Do you ride?" Tyr asked, his blue eyes bright with enthusiasm.
Beth glanced sideways at the powerful machine, her expression skeptical. The motorcycle looked like it could eat hertiny Prius for breakfast. "No, I've never ridden one. I guess I never thought about how they were made, either."
Tyr shook his head sadly, as if she'd admitted to never having chocolate. "You should come see our showroom sometime."
"You have a showroom?" Beth's interest piqued. She'd never been inside a motorcycle shop before.
"We bought an old Civil War era cannonball factory that's being renovated right now," Tyr explained, his face lighting up as he talked about the project. "Nighthawk Customs will be on the ground floor, along with the offices for Shadow Guard Security. The building has amazing bones - all brick with these incredible wooden trusses inside."
Beth rested her elbow on the window's edge, intrigued despite the early hour fatigue seeping into her bones. "A cannonball factory? That must be huge."
"Three stories plus a kind of observation level," Tyr confirmed. "The shifter construction crew is handling the renovation."
Beth perked up. The local construction business, owned and operated by shifters only, had become well-known in the area for their quality work. "I knew the vampires had bought a place and were renovating it. I didn't realize the shifters were doing the renovations."
"Makes sense to keep it in the community," Tyr said. "Plus, having an all-shifter crew means we don't have to worry about humans discovering anything... unusual during construction."
"Like vampire-specific modifications?" Beth asked, her curiosity growing.
Tyr nodded. "The upper floors are being converted into residential suites for clan members stationed here in the Hudson Valley. Some will be permanent residents, others rotating through on temporary assignments." His expression softened."Their Blood Sworn will have rooms there too, of course. We take care of our own."
"So it's not just a motorcycle shop, but a vampire..." Beth paused, the term hovering just beyond reach before clicking into place. "A Residence? That's what they're called, right? The buildings where vampire clans live?"
Looking pleased, Tyr nodded. "Exactly. This will be the Hudson Valley Residence for our clan. Although it's not our clan headquarters, Lord Damien wants a permanent Residence for those of us relocating here to help protect the shifter community. The security offices give us a legitimate cover for being so active at night."
Beth tilted her head, curiosity getting the better of her exhaustion. "What are the Blood Sworn?"
He shifted on his motorcycle, his expression growing thoughtful. "They're human donors who've taken formal oaths of allegiance to our clan. It's not a decision made lightly - they become part of our extended family."
"They're well compensated," he continued. "Full housing, meals, comprehensive medical insurance - everything is provided. Many have been with us for decades." His voice carried obvious pride. "Some even have children who grew up in the clan and chose to become Blood Sworn themselves when they come of age."
"That's..." Beth trailed off, struggling to wrap her mind around the concept. A whole community of humans willingly living with vampires, giving their blood, raising their children in that environment? "I mean, don't get me wrong, it sounds amazing but also kind of... scary? Not in a bad way," she rushed to add, not wanting to offend him. "Just the idea of humans choosing to dedicate their entire lives to serving vampires. It must take incredible trust on both sides."
Tyr's grin widened at her reaction. "Not quite what you expected from the stories, is it?"
"Not at all!" She stifled another yawn, realizing how long they'd been talking. The sky had begun lightening ever so slightly at the horizon - dawn wasn't far off.
"You should come see the Residence," Tyr said, his whole demeanor shifting from casual to animated. "The ground floor is mostly finished now except the workshop where we actually build the motorcycles. Then living quarters on the second and third floors, which they're working on now. The observatory lounge above the third floor is finished and it's spectacular. Would you like a tour on your next evening off?"
Beth perked up with interest, pushing aside her exhaustion. "Really? That would be amazing." She dug her phone from her coat pocket, pulling up her work schedule. "I'm off tomorrow, but that's probably too soon..."
"Tomorrow works perfectly," Tyr assured her. "I'll be there anyway, overseeing some deliveries for the shop. Come by just after sunset?" His fingers tapped the motorcycle's handlebar as he gave her the address.
"Sunset's around five-thirty now," Beth mused, making a note in her phone. "So maybe six?"
"Six is perfect." Tyr's smile warmed his entire face. "I'll meet you at the main entrance… you can't miss the big roll-up bay door. The construction crews will be gone by then, so I can give you the full tour without dodging ladders and paint cans. Not to mention all the noise."
