We're called Chiropterans, if that matters at all. I think it's a scientific term for a bat, which is biologically closest. One of my shift forms is batlike, for example, and a hybrid shift form has wings like one. A silver bat.

Vampire is just a word I use that is more familiar to most of those from other worlds that gets the point across. Of course then I have to contend with ridiculous stories about not having a soul or having garlic as a weakness. Mortal stories are bizarre. [ She pulls a bit of a face. Not her favorite thing, having to explain herself to humans. ]

There are Queens, and there are Chevaliers who serve us. That's it. Queens give birth to other Queens, Chevaliers we make from humans. And I don't do that anymore.

[ She peers at his hand on her knee, but doesn't comment. She doesn't smile despite wanting to, though her mouth twitches a little. ] It's all right. It was before my last hibernation or even several cycles ago, so all those memories are far away. Unless they're screaming at me out of a ghost's mouth, of course.