Chapter 4
Beth pulled into the familiar parking lot of the West Side Inn, nostalgia washing over her.
The restored Victorian's welcoming porch lights glowed in the early evening darkness, just as they had almost two years ago, when she'd first arrived here, scared and uncertain after her release from the Sanctuary.
The inn's front door opened before she reached the steps, spilling warm light across the wraparound porch. Renee's elegant figure filled the doorway, her dark eyes sparkling with warmth.
"Beth, honey! Come in out of the cold." Renee enfolded her in a tight hug that smelled of vanilla and fresh-baked cookies.
"It's so good to see you," Beth murmured, letting herself relax into the embrace. Renee had been like a surrogate mother during those first difficult weeks of freedom.
"Look who's here, Angus!" Renee called over her shoulder as she ushered Beth inside.
Through the open doorway between the lobby and lounge, Beth could see the warm glow from the fireplace. Angus's tall frame appeared in the doorway, silhouetted against the dancing flames. His white teeth flashed in a broad smile as he crossed the lobby to greet her.
"Welcome back, Miss Beth." His deep voice carried the same calm reassurance she remembered. "You're looking well."
Beth ducked her head at the praise, warmth flooding her cheeks. "Thank you. I'm feeling much better these days."
"As you should." Angus gestured toward the lounge. "The others are gathering in there. But first..." He exchanged a knowing look with his wife. "Renee just pulled a batch of her famous snickerdoodles from the oven."
"Can't have a proper meeting without cookies," Renee declared, already steering Beth toward the lounge.
Beth hung her coat and knit hat on the wooden pegs along the wall, grateful for the warmth radiating from the crackling fireplace in the lounge, just through the door from the lobby.
The flames cast dancing shadows across the polished hardwood floors, bringing back memories of countless evenings spent in this welcoming space during her recovery.
Beth followed Renee through into the dining room where people were already gathering around a grouping of tables that had been pushed together to form one long table.
She waved at everyone as Renee led her past the swinging door into the kitchen, breathing in the heavenly scent of cinnamon and sugar.
The industrial-sized kitchen gleamed with spotless stainless steel, but somehow still managed to feel cozy and welcoming.
A cooling rack on the center island held rows of perfectly golden snickerdoodles.
"Here, dear." Renee handed her a silver platter piled high with the still-warm cookies.
"Make sure these get put out on the buffet table.
" She fixed Beth with a stern look, though her dark eyes twinkled.
"And be sure to keep some for yourself before they all disappear. You know how quickly they go."
"Yes ma'am." Beth couldn't help but smile, remembering how these same cookies had helped coax her out of her shell during those first difficult weeks at the inn.
"Angus and I won't be here for the meeting tonight.
" Renee wiped her hands on her apron. "We have some business to attend to elsewhere.
But Katerina promised to keep us in the loop about everything discussed.
" She patted Beth's arm reassuringly. "That girl notices everything - she won't miss a single detail. "
Beth balanced the heavy platter carefully as she nodded.
The cookies' sweet aroma made her mouth water, bringing back memories of late-night conversations in this very kitchen, when nightmares had driven her from her bed and Renee had always seemed to know exactly when to appear with fresh-baked comfort.
Heading back into the dining room with the platter of cookies, Beth's gaze swept across the familiar faces.
The veterinary partners from the clinic where there - Troy Shelton deep in conversation with Suzanne MacPherson, while Douglas McCandliss listened intently to something his wife Jacinth was saying, her dark eyes animated as she gestured.
Sliding the cookies onto the buffet, and nabbing a couple for herself before finding a seat, Beth smiled at her friend's enthusiasm.
It still amazed her sometimes that Douglas had actually married a Djinn - how did that work, she wondered, loving someone who would never age, never die?
And what must it be like for Jacinth, falling in love with a mortal, knowing she'd have to watch him grow old and leave her behind?
Beth's pulse quickened when she spotted Tyr and Tobi among the group.
The vampire twins stood near the window, their fair hair catching the warm light from the crystal chandelier overhead.
Her mind flashed back to their encounter the other night, how carefully Tyr had examined her security needs without making her feel vulnerable or broken.
She offered them a small smile as their brilliant blue gazes found hers. Tobi grinned broadly in response while Tyr's expression remained more reserved, though his eyes held a warmth that made her cheeks heat slightly.
Beth's mouth fell open as she took in the twins' t-shirts. She hadn't noticed their casual attire at first, too caught up in their striking features and intense blue eyes. But now that she looked closer...
Tyr's black shirt had "Blood Type: Yes, please" emblazoned across the chest in bold red letters. The fitted cotton showed off his broad shoulders, making Beth's mouth go dry. But it was the slogan that had her pressing her lips together to hold back laughter.
Tobi's shirt was even worse - or better, depending on your perspective - "Vampires Do It In The Dark" stretched across his chest in gothic script.
When he caught her looking, he waggled his eyebrows suggestively, causing Beth to lose her battle with composure.
A giggle escaped before she could stop it, and she ducked her head, trying to get her giggles under control.
"Beth! Over here!" Katerina Shelton sat beside her husband Troy, and waved, beckoning her over to them.
Beth made her way over to where Katerina sat, settling into the empty chair beside her. The Maine Coon shifter leaned close, her wild dark hair brushing Beth's shoulder.
"I thought this was going to be more casual," Katerina whispered, her golden eyes sparkling with amusement. "You know, everyone standing around with cookies and coffee, getting to know each other. Not so..." She gestured vaguely at the formal table arrangement.
Beth nodded in agreement as she scanned the dining room. Beyond the familiar faces from the clinic, she counted at least six people she didn't recognize.
The sharp sound of hands clapping cut through the quiet chatter. Beth turned to see Jacinth standing at the head of the table arrangement, her long black hair gleaming in the chandelier light.
"Thank you all for coming tonight," Jacinth's melodic voice carried easily through the room as conversations fell silent.
Jacinth's gaze swept across the gathered faces, her dark eyes warm and welcoming. "We're here tonight so all our teams can get acquainted - security, veterinary staff, and support personnel. It's vital we work together smoothly, especially with vampires joining our community security forces."
At the mention of vampires, Beth noticed several people shift uneasily in their chairs. Dr. MacPherson's shoulders tensed slightly, though she maintained her professional smile. Even Joe seemed wary, gripping his coffee mug tighter, his knuckles whitening.
Only Douglas appeared completely at ease, probably due to being married to a Djinn. He sat beside Jacinth, nodding encouragingly as she spoke. Troy and Katerina also seemed relaxed, though Beth remembered they'd had more time to adjust to supernatural revelations.
Beth's gaze drifted to where Tyr and Tobi sat side by side a few chairs down from her.
If they noticed the undercurrent of tension their presence caused, they didn't show it.
Tobi maintained his easy smile while Tyr's expression remained neutral, though Beth caught a slight tightening around his eyes as he observed the room's reactions.
She understood how people could be wary - vampires had been the stuff of horror stories until recently. But after meeting Tyr and sensing his genuine desire to help protect them, she couldn't quite share their fear.
Joe rose from his seat, his tall frame commanding attention. The wolf shifter alpha's presence filled the room as he cleared his throat.
"I know this is unprecedented - vampires coming to our aid, shifters and vampires working together." His deep voice carried easily through the quiet room. A wry smile touched his lips. "Well, at least since the 16th century."
Soft chuckles rippled from where Tyr and Tobi sat, their blue eyes dancing with private amusement. Beth wondered what memories that date stirred for them, how many centuries of history they'd witnessed.
Joe's expression grew more serious as he continued.
"I realize many of you may have doubts about the vampires offering their help.
" His gaze swept across the gathered faces, acknowledging their concerns.
"But Lord Damien has worked tirelessly for centuries to keep vampires hidden from humans.
And if there is one thing he can be counted on, it is his word, his honor. "
Joe's voice rang with quiet conviction. "So when he offered the assistance of the vampires, the Shifter Council had no hesitation in accepting."
He glanced toward Jacinth, inclining his head. "With that said... I'll pass the floor back to you."
Jacinth smoothed her long dark hair behind her shoulders, her warm smile encompassing them all. "Let's keep introductions brief so we can move on to the important matters."