Gregor came to stand several feet from her side. “Allow me to introduce myself first. Although I did so at your restaurant, I did not do it fully. I’m Gregor. I’m a member of The Vampire Council, the working party which carries out the wishes of The Vampire Dominion.”

She was looking up to him, and when he finished, she nodded.

“Now, may I present my son in a more formal way than how you received at your restaurant,” Gregor continued. “This is Yuri.” He swept an arm to Yuri, who was standing by the window.

“Mrs. Jin,” Yuri murmured, then said in a way that made Gregor look sharply at him, which was to say in a way that was far from genuine, “Delighted to see you again.”

The woman took Yuri in astutely but made no reply. She simply inclined her head.

She read his tone.

Lucien looked to Callum and saw Callum’s eyes to him, his jaw hard, indicating they had the same thoughts.

Yuri was a pain in the ass.

Lucien returned his attention to Gregor when he again spoke.

“And also with us are Lucien.” Gregor tipped his head Lucien’s way, then gave her the information she needed in hopes of inciting trust. “Lucien is the mightiest of our vampires. By his side is Leah, his human bride.”

She reacted to that, her body gave a small jolt, her eyes darting between Lucien and Leah. Lucien saw a note of sadness pass through her gaze, the origin of which he couldn’t guess, before she dipped her chin to them.

“Mrs. Jin,” Lucien murmured from his place standing beside the arm of the couch.

Leah, sitting in it, said, “Lovely to meet you.”

“And this is Callum, King of the Werewolves, and his queen, Sonia,” Gregor carried on.

“Pleasure,” Callum said low.

“We’re all very happy you’ve decided to come and meet us,” Sonia stated.

Mrs. Jin remained silent even as she nodded to them.

“Please, if you’d like, take a seat,” Gregor invited.

She hesitated, looking around the room, before she moved to take the armchair across from the couch where Leah and Sonia were sitting, Lucien and Callum flanking.

Gregor moved to one of the other four armchairs, his to the narrow end of the coffee table, the wide edge facing the couch and Mrs. Jin’s chair.

“I hope you don’t mind me sharing that we’re most disappointed you have not brought your, erm…ward,” Gregor noted cautiously.

Mrs. Jin watched him as he spoke, but she said nothing.

Lucien sighed.

She was exceptionally cautious, which meant this would take some time. Time they did not have.

Leah heard his sigh. He knew it when she reached out a hand and touched the back of his.

Leah’s movements caught Mrs. Jin’s attention and she watched this gesture, keeping her expression clear.