Tyr leaned against the warehouse's brick wall, anticipation humming through his veins as he waited for Beth to arrive for their third date. He'd spent weeks orchestrating every detail of tonight's adventure, his thoughts filled with Beth's smile, imagining her wonder at each carefully planned surprise.
Tonight would be magical - not through vampire glamour or supernatural power, but through the simple joy of watching her face light up with delight, showing her the magic that existed in moments shared together.
The last hues of sunset lingered on the horizon, casting a dusky glow over the asphalt as Beth's Prius glided into the parking space. His enhanced vision caught every detail as she emerged from her car. She'd followed his suggestion perfectly - dark jeans paired with an emerald sweater that brought out flecks of green in her storm-grey eyes. The oversized leather purse slung across her body spoke of practicality rather than fashion. Perfect.
He pushed off the wall, offering a warm smile. "That sweater suits you."
A blush colored her cheeks. "Thanks. I wasn't sure what you meant by 'upscale casual' but I figured better overdressed than under."
"You got it exactly right."
Tyr guided Beth around the corner of the warehouse, his hand hovering near the small of her back without quite touching. The rhythmic thrum of helicopter blades filled the air, and he savored Beth's sharp intake of breath as the sleek Bell 206B-3 JetRanger III came into view.
The aircraft's black paint gleamed in the fading light, gold trim catching the last rays like liquid metal. Its blades cut elegant arcs through the evening air, creating mini-whirlwinds that tugged at Beth's blonde hair.
"A helicopter?" Her voice carried both excitement and nervousness.
Martin, their pilot, stood beside the craft in his crisp black uniform. He acknowledged them with a precise nod, his movements economical as he stepped forward to open the passenger door.
Tyr gestured toward their pilot. "Beth, this is Martin Chen. He's been flying for Lord Damien for the past five years."
"Welcome aboard, Ms. Kerrigan." Martin's professional demeanor softened with a genuine smile. "First time in a helicopter?"
Beth nodded, her eyes shining with excitement. "Is it that obvious?"
"Everyone has a first flight." Martin extended his hand, helping Beth into the passenger compartment with practiced ease. "Let's make sure it's memorable for all the right reasons."
Tyr slid into the seat beside Beth while Martin secured her harness, checking each buckle with methodical precision. The familiar click of his own seatbelt provided a counterpoint to the steady whump of the rotors overhead.
Martin passed them both headsets before moving toward the pilot's door. Tyr helped Beth adjust hers, his fingers brushing against her hair as he settled the padded cups over her ears.
"See this control module?" He pointed to the small device attached to her headset cord. "The dial adjusts your volume, and this button here connects to the intercom so we can talk without shouting over the engine noise."
Beth ran her fingers over the sleek control module, fascination replacing her earlier nervousness. "Like a private radio channel?"
"Exactly." Tyr demonstrated with his own headset, touching the push-to-talk button. "Press once to talk, release when you're done."
Tyr enjoyed watching Beth's face as she gazed through the helicopter's window, drinking in every detail of the experience. Her eyes sparkled with delight as Martin went through his pre-flight checks, the engine's vibrations thrumming through the cabin. Her unrestrained joy was exactly what he'd hoped to see.
"So where are we headed?" Beth's voice came clear through his headset, accompanied by that brilliant smile that never failed to captivate him.
"That would spoil the surprise." He grinned back at her, enjoying the way her lips curved downward in a playful pout at his evasion.
"Not even a hint?"
"Nope." He shook his head, watching her nose scrunch up in mock frustration.
Martin's voice crackled through their headsets. "Ms. Kerrigan, I need to review some safety procedures before takeoff. Please confirm your harness is secure and tight across your chest."
Beth tugged at the straps, then gave Martin a thumbs up. "All set."
"Excellent. Now, the emergency exit release is here." Martin pointed to the red handle. "And if you need air, these vents can be adjusted."
Tyr observed Beth paying careful attention to each instruction, though her excitement remained evident in the way she kept sneaking glances out the window. Her natural curiosity shone through in every movement, every eager response to Martin's safety briefing.
The pilot's methodical review continued, covering emergency protocols and communication procedures. Through it all, Beth's enthusiasm never dimmed - if anything, each new detail seemed to heighten her anticipation of the adventure ahead.
The interior took Beth's breath away again - cream leather seats accented with polished wood trim and gold fixtures. The cabin's sophisticated lighting cast a warm glow over the luxurious space.
