Page 75 of Forever Midnight

“Ooh, good one, vamp. You know how to charm a guy.”

Chuckling, I lift his hand to kiss it. “I just want to see you smile.”

Tru laughs too. “It’s funny to me now. All the times I thought I was seeing things. The way your eyes seemed to glow. Sometimes your skin would look so pale and flawless. Other times, you would clench your jaw. You were hiding your vampire.”

“Yes. It’s been difficult.”

“You don’t have to hide anymore. Unless I’m dreaming and none of this is real.”

“You’re awake, my fierce little kitten.”

He rubs his hand over his chest. “I feel different now. More…whole, maybe.” His brow creases as he shakes his head slightly. “I’m not sure how to explain it, but before what happened I always had this odd sense of disconnection. Like I didn’t know myself.”

“And now?”

“Now it feels like that’s gone.”

“Are you happy about it?”

“Yeah. Are you though?”

“Elated.” I smile. “I was a prisoner of the past until you came along to set me free.”

“It wasn’t me though. It was Benedict.”

“No. It was you. That’s why it happened now. Because you exist. Fate knew you would be the one for me. The man who would finally fill all the cracks in my heart. That’s why you were chosen.”

“That’s beautiful,” Tru whispers. “I didn’t really believe in any of this stuff, but I sure do now.”

“Right. Kind of have to.”

“So after we deal with Vinni, then what? Do we date like regular people?”

I snort a laugh, leaning down to nuzzle my nose against his neck. “I don’t do anything like regular people.”

“Fair.” He wraps his arms around me, holding me to him, as we lapse into silence for a few minutes until he speaks again. “I dreamed of being like you. I saw myself flying. Can you fly?”

“I wouldn’t call it flying, no. Not like a bird, but I can launch myself into the air. We like to jump across buildings at night.”

He nods. “I think I remember that a little.”

“Yes. What else did you dream?”

Tru curls into me, his warm body soothing to my beast. “I saw myself ripping Vinni apart like a wild animal. It felt so good.” He turns his face to me. “Does it feel good?”

“Letting my beast out feels more natural than good. It’s a relief to take the mask off and do as I wish. The job we do is perfect for what we are.”

“Is it difficult to hold back?”

“Only when highly aroused. It becomes easier over time. I can pass among the mortals.”

“Yeah, you can,” he says, laughing. “You always did seem different though. Unique. I guess that’s what drew me to you.”

“And fate. She made sure we would meet.” I brush my fingers across his cheek. “The minute I saw you, that was it for me.”

“I think it was the same for me. I tried to ignore you, but I couldn’t. I knew I should be focused on making things right for Lucia, but secretly I always hoped you would show up again.”

I nod.

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