Katelina and Jorick turned to see a vampire with long dark hair pulled back into a bun. He had soft brown eyes, and there was a lyrical cadence to his voice that was distinctly foreign, though eroded by time. His skin was smooth like marble, and though he might be younger than Jorick, it wasn't by much. Next to him was a woman with braided black hair and a cool expression. Her features were Native American and she had the same marble smoothness.

Jorick surveyed the pair, ...