"That's just wrong." Beth's nose wrinkled in disgust. "What's the point of coffee without caffeine? It's like..." she searched for the right comparison, "like blood without the bite."
Tyr's laugh echoed through the kitchen. "Fair enough. Mark, make mine a double espresso."
Beth's eyebrows rose in surprise as she watched Mark begin preparing Tyr's espresso with practiced efficiency. "I didn't realize vampires could consume anything besides... well..." She gestured vaguely, her cheeks warming.
"Blood?" Tyr's blue eyes sparkled with amusement. "
"We can handle any clear liquids, actually." Tyr took a careful sip. "Water, coffee, tea. Alcohol too, though it doesn't affect us the way it does humans. We can drink wine and other alcoholic beverages. Our bodies process them differently than humans do. The alcohol doesn't affect us at all. Our systems simply absorb it. But being able to share a glass of wine with companions or business associates helps maintain a sense of normalcy." His lips quirked. "Tobi finds that particularly disappointing… no buzz."
She nodded, understanding dawning. It made sense - in a world where vampires needed to blend in, being able to participate in social drinking would be invaluable.
"But… no food at all?" Beth tried to imagine existing without being able to enjoy a good meal.
"Not unless we want to be violently ill." He grimaced. "Trust me on this. Immortality grants many advantages, but vomiting remains equally miserable whether you're human or vampire."
Beth wrinkled her nose. "That's awful. I mean, no chocolate? No pancakes drowned in maple syrup?" She shook her head. "Never tasting food again seems like such a harsh trade-off for immortality."
"There are other benefits," Tyr told her, chuckling.
Mark returned, respectfully placing the steaming cup before Tyr, bowing his head. "Your espresso, my lord."
He then turned a warm smile on Beth. "What did you decide on?"
"Do you have hot chocolate?" Beth asked hopefully, her sweet tooth winning out over more sensible beverages.
"Sure thing." Mark's face lit up as he moved to the industrial refrigerator, pulling out a glass bottle of milk. "I make it from scratch - none of that powdered stuff here."
Beth observed with fascination as he poured the milk into a heavy-bottomed saucepan, then began gathering ingredients from various cupboards. Rich cocoa powder, vanilla beans, a hint of sea salt, and what looked like high-end chocolate chunks joined the milk in the saucepan.
"You're making it completely from scratch?" Beth couldn't keep the awe from her voice. Her idea of hot chocolate usually involved a packet and hot water.
"Only way to do it properly." Mark whisked the ingredients together with practiced ease, the rich scent of chocolate beginning to fill the air. "The secret is using both cocoa powderand real chocolate. It creates the perfect balance of silky smoothness and rich chocolate depth."
"Wow, you really know your chocolate," Beth approved, earning her a smile from the man.
"It was my gram who taught me."
He delivered her drink to her with the same formal reverence he'd shown to Tyr.
"Will there be anything else, my lord?" Mark's eager expression reminded Beth of an overexcited puppy.
Tyr waved him off with a slight shake of his head. "That's all, Mark. Thank you."
Mark retreated back to his earlier task of organizing pantry supplies, though Beth noticed how he kept glancing their way, as if hoping to be called upon again.
Observing Mark's deferential behavior with interest, Beth waited until he was out of earshot to ask Tyr the questions burning in her mind.
"What exactly does 'Pledged' mean? Is that different from the Blood Sworn?
"The Pledged serve the entire clan," Tyr told her. "They handle everything from blood donation to the day-to-day running of our households - cooking, cleaning, errands, messages. Having trusted humans manage these tasks keeps our existence hidden while ensuring our needs are met."
"They're our most reliable workforce. Every Pledged member has sworn oaths of loyalty and secrecy to the clan. In return, they live here under our protection, receiving generous compensation and benefits." A slight smile touched his lips. "Some have served vampire households for generations."
His expression shifted to one of fierce protectiveness. "But make no mistake - every donor, whether Pledged, Blood Sworn, or Consort, stands under our protection. They're cherished members of our clan. We take care of our own."
Beth caught the flash of something ancient and dangerous in his eyes—a glimpse of the predator beneath his charming exterior. Her leopard also recognized the predator in him, and Whisper purred in approval, rolling over like a hussy, making Beth want to roll her eyes.
"So, do the… the Pledged… do they actually swear to Lord Damien?" Beth couldn't help picturing an elaborate reception with humans kneeling before an ornate throne while the ancient vampire lord accepted their vows. Her imagination painted quite the dramatic scene.
