Page 128 of Night Shift

"That's what family does," Layla said simply, her smile warm as she headed down the hallway toward the elevator.

Beth watched until Layla disappeared around the corner, her enhanced hearing picking up the soft ding of the elevator arriving. The familiar scents of her friend - jasmine perfume and the lingering aroma of the herbal tea she favored - gradually faded from the air.

"Oh!" Beth suddenly remembered something, and turned to her sister. "I have news. Lord Damien wants to meet me."

Naomi's eyes widened. "When?"

"Tomorrow night," Beth said, nerves fluttering in her stomach again at the thought. "He's coming up from New York. Apparently, it's customary for newly Turned vampires to be formally presented to the clan leader."

"Are you nervous?" Naomi asked, studying her face.

"Terrified," Beth admitted with a shaky laugh. "He's over five thousand years old, Naomi. He's one of the first vampires created… like, ever. Even Tyr and Tobi—both of them—go all respectful, even reverent, when they talk about him. What do I even say to someone like that?"

"Hello would be a good start," her sister suggested with a grin.

Beth swatted her arm playfully. "Very helpful, thank you."

"What are sisters for?" Naomi's expression sobered slightly. "Seriously though, you'll be fine. If he approved your Turning in the first place, he obviously thinks you're worthy of joining his clan."

"That's what Tyr says too," Beth sighed. "I just... I don't want to embarrass him. Or myself."

"You won't," Naomi assured her. "Just be yourself. That's always been enough."

Beth leaned over to hug her sister, breathing in Naomi's familiar scent. Her heightened sense of smell picking up new layers she'd never noticed before - the subtle notes of Liam's aftershave lingering on Naomi's clothes, the fresh spring air clinging to her hair, even traces of the coffee she'd had that morning.

"You're the best sister ever," Beth murmured, tightening her arms around Naomi's shoulders. "I don't know what I'd do without you,"

Naomi returned the embrace just as fiercely. "Good thing you'll never have to find out," she whispered back, her voice thick with emotion.

Beth smoothedher hands over her silk blouse for the hundredth time, trying to calm nerves that shouldn't exist anymore. Five thousand years old. How did you prepare to meet someone who'd witnessed the rise and fall of entire civilizations?

"Stop fidgeting," Tyr murmured, his hand settling at the small of her back. "You look perfect."

Beth shot him a grateful smile, though her stomach still churned with anxiety. "I'm meeting the oldest vampire in existence. I think I'm entitled to a little nervousness."

"Lord Damien isn't as intimidating as you might think," Tyr said, his fingers tracing soothing circles against her silk-covered spine.

"Unless you get on his bad side." Tobi said, lounging against the door frame.

"Not helping," Beth muttered, resisting the urge to tug at her skirt.

Tyr turned to scowl at his brother. "Get lost, Tobi. You're not helping."

"Just keeping things real," Tobi said with a grin, pushing off from the doorframe with fluid grace. He spun on his heel and strolled away down the corridor, whistling a tune that echoed off the stone walls.

Beth's enhanced hearing picked up the subtle crunch of tires on gravel outside, the quiet purr of an expensive engine approaching the Residence. Her fingers clutched at Tyr's arm, her supernatural strength making the gesture firmer than intended.

"Breathe," Tyr whispered, covering her hand with his. "Remember what I told you—just be yourself."

Beth forced herself to release her death grip on his arm, smoothing out the wrinkles she'd created in his sleeve. "Sorry," she murmured.

"Don't be." Tyr's gaze warmed. "You're adorable when you're nervous."

"I am not adorable," Beth protested automatically. "I'm a fierce predator. In three forms now, thank you very much."

Beth and Tyr waited in their newly finished salon, sitting together on a deep forest green loveseat. A stone fireplace crackled nearby, its flames casting dancing shadows across the room.

"This is our place now," Tyr murmured, his arm around her shoulders pulling her close. The familiar weight helped calm her anxiety as they waited for Lord Damien's arrival.