Fara laughed and poured Riley a mug of coffee while taking a cup of tea for herself. She pointed to a tray in the middle of the kitchen island. “Bella left out coffee fixings if you need any creamer or sugar.”
After fixing her coffee and drinking half the cup, Riley started to feel a little bit more herself. Though it wasn’t every day she got to sit down and talk with an actual fae. Max would geek out when she told him.
“I hope it’s not impolite to ask, but Fara, what kind of fae are you, exactly?”
“I’m a dusk elf. We’re pretty rare since the light and dark elves don’t really get along. We’re not supposed to exist, so living in the mundane plane is a lot safer than living in the fae world. Plus, my mate is here.” Fara gave a toothy smile. “Have you met Varu yet?”
“Um, no, I don’t think so. I know Kraft.”Do I.“ I met Mormo last night, and some arrogant ass named Khent.”
Fara snickered. “I’m sorry.”
Riley had a lot more to say about that particular fanger so she sipped her coffee instead. “Yeah.”
“He’s not so bad once you ignore all his references to ‘lesser beings.’ All the vampires have a charm to them, actually. Kraft is the cute, innocent one of the bunch.”
Riley just stared. “He ripped the head off a vampire last night.”
“Oh, well, he’s deadly. He’s a vampire, after all. But he’s really sweet. Have you seen his wolf? It’s beautiful.”
She was annoyed not to recall what Kraft’s wolf had looked like beyond big. She oddly remembered him as smelling right, whatever the hell that meant. “Maybe you can help me, Fara. Do you know anyone named Sebastian DM or Seb DM? This guy would have something to do with dark magic or direwolves, I’m thinking. He’s involved in the theft I’m helping to track down.”
“Oh, sorry. I don’t know a whole lot of people in the magir community. Macy might, though.”
“Macy?”
“She’s our Bloode Witch.”
“What exactly is a Bloode Witch?”
“We’re still working that out. She mostly performs magic for the Night Bloode and liaises for us with MEC. I’m not sure exactly how it works, but she’s tied to the clan through her mate, Duncan.”
“Another vampire I haven’t met.” Riley sipped her coffee, wondering how far she might prod Fara for answers. “Can I ask, how is it that vampires from different tribes all live together without killing each other? And you live here, right?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re not kin.”
“I am, I’m just not a vampire.”
“I’m so confused.” And hungry. Riley’s stomach rumbled. “I admittedly don’t know as much about vampires as I know about lycans, but I do know there are ten vampire tribes. Vampires are grouped down into clans, like family units. Anyone outside their clan, even in the same tribe, will kill each other instinctively.”
“That’s true.”
“So how do six vampires from different tribes live together?”
“Magic.” Fara shrugged. “Seriously, it’s a magical spell. Hecate needs the Night Bloode to fight against the coming Darkness. You stick around, you’ll hear the story. But we’re more than just different tribes of vampires. My brother and I, both dusk elves, live here. Macy’s a witch, and Bella, our other human, works here in the house. Orion’s mate is a sea witch. Hecate’s a goddess, Mormo, well, we’re not sure what he is. But all of us make up the Night Bloode.” Fara paused. “I think because we all bring something different to the table, this clan is more powerful than any other in the mundane world.”
“Really?”
“My mate is this clan’s patriarch. Varu’s also strigoi and a master vampire.”
Riley swallowed her coffee and tried not to choke. “And you’re not worried?”
“An enemy to the Night Bloode should be worried,” Fara said, and Riley read the implied threat. “Not me. I will always do whatever anyone in this family needs, no questions asked.”
“Like pack,” Riley mused. “I’m with the Crimson Claw pack, and we oversee the lycans in the northwestern region of the country. Pack is strong because the dires all work together. I understand family very well. But vampires are known for not playing nice with anyone, especially their own kind.”
“Yes, well, that’s true. Every now and then Khent or Rolf will try to treat me like I’m less than they are. Then Varu reminds them whoheis, and who I am to him. We all get along.”
