"Please, call me Sai." The woman's smile was warm despite her formal posture. Her dark hair fell in elaborate, impossibly thick braids that somehow managed to look both ancient and modern.
"It's nice to meet you both." Beth was proud her voice didn't waver, given how their presence filled the lobby with an almost tangible sense of power.
Beth tried not to stare at the two vampires, but their presence commanded attention in a way she'd never experienced with Tyr or Tobi, or even Dimitri, whom she'd met any number of times when he was on duty at the clinic. Something about Jochi's bearing spoke of ancient battles and conquest, while Sai's delicate features belied the centuries of wisdom in her dark eyes.
She made a mental note to ask Tyr about them later, when they were alone. There had to be fascinating stories behind these two.
"I wanted to introduce them personally," Tyr said, his familiar voice helping ease some of Beth's tension. "They'll be shadowing Dimitri tonight while he patrols the area."
"We appreciate all the help," Beth managed, proud that her voice remained steady. "Things have been... unsettling lately."
"Yes, Tyr told us about the incident with that hateful woman the other day." Sai's musical voice carried notes of both sympathy and steel. "Such behavior cannot be tolerated, especially not toward children."
Beth's shoulders relaxed slightly at Sai's words. Despite their intimidating presence, these vampires were here to help protect her community. Just like Tyr and Tobi.
Beth waited until Jochi and Sai's footsteps faded into the night before grabbing Tyr's arm. "Okay, spill. Who are they? Andwhy do they make my skin prickle like I'm standing too close to a lightning strike?"
Tyr's blue eyes danced with amusement. "Remember how I told you I was considered young for a vampire at six hundred and change?" At Beth's nod, he continued. "Jochi is over eight hundred years old. He was born in the time of Genghis Khan - was actually one of his sons."
"What?" Beth's jaw dropped. "Like, the actual Genghis Khan? Ruler of the Mongol Empire? That Genghis Khan?"
"The very same." Tyr leaned against the reception desk. "Jochi conquered most of Siberia before he was turned. And Sai? She was nobility from one of the tribes he conquered. He turned her himself, back in 1224 or thereabouts."
Beth's mind reeled as she tried to process this information. "So they're... what? Master and servant?"
"No. More like partners." Tyr shook his head. "Their relationship is complicated - built on mutual respect forged from conflict. They've been working together for centuries."
"That explains the way they move," Beth mused. "Like they're always aware of each other without looking. And the power rolling off them..." She shivered slightly. "I've never felt anything like that from you or Tobi."
"You wouldn't." Tyr's expression turned serious. "That kind of presence comes from centuries of accumulated power. They're both ancient by vampire standards, and they've spent those centuries honing their abilities."
"Is that why Lord Damien sent them specifically?"
"Partly." Tyr straightened from his casual lean. "They're also extremely skilled at reading situations and people. Jochi was a military commander in life, and Sai comes from a warrior culture. Together, they'll be of real benefit should things come to an actual fight."
The color drained from Beth's cheeks. "God, I hope it doesn't come to fighting."
"So do I." Tyr's expression sobered. "But we've already had one nasty encounter here at the clinic. We've been lucky it hasn't been worse."
He saw the worry creeping back into her eyes and reached out to squeeze her hand gently. "It's not all doom and gloom though. There's an unexpected silver lining... the huge outpouring of public support for the shifter community. The pro-shifter movement is gaining momentum daily."
A grin spread across his face. "You should hear the conversations in the goth clubs in New York City these days. All anyone can talk about is how shifters are real."
Beth stared at him, her mouth falling open slightly. "Wait, what? What are you doing in goth clubs?"
"What, you think vampires only lurk in fancy penthouses and ancient castles?" His eyes gleamed with mischief. "The music's good, the lighting's perfect for us, and nobody looks twice at someone who's a bit too pale and has fangs."
Beth's mouth fell open as she tried to reconcile the image of ancient, powerful vampires mingling with angst-driven goth club-goers in dark clothes and dramatic makeup.
"Besides," Tyr's eyes sparkled with amusement, "where do you think we find the donors who end up becoming Pledges and Blood Sworn?"
Beth stared at him as the absurdity of it hit her. All those elegant ceremonies she'd heard whispered about, the formal bonds between vampires and their chosen human companions - and it all started in gothic nightclubs?
Tyr threw his head back and laughed, the rich sound echoing through the empty clinic. His entire face lit up with genuine mirth, making him look younger and more carefree than she'd ever seen him.
"Your expression!" He wiped at his eyes, still chuckling. "You should see yourself right now."
Beth mock-scowled at Tyr, crossing her arms over her chest. "Well, how was I supposed to know? It's not like there's a Vampire Dating for Dummies guide out there." Her lips twitched, fighting a smile. "Though now that I think about it, I suppose you can't exactly walk up to random people on the street and ask if they want to be a blood donor."
