Page 3 of Forever Midnight

“Good.” He presses a kiss to my cheek. “You’re going to be a perfect addition to my family.”

I don’t know how to respond to that, so I stay quiet for the remainder of the ride, until we pull up to a gorgeous home in London city center.

Yves leads me from the carriage, opening the door and calling out, “Alessio?”

A man comes down the hall, his long brown hair flowing in a breeze I can’t feel. He’s just as strikingly handsome as Yves, both of them in their French finery. Alessio has olive skin and honey eyes, and a face so nice, it calms my nerves even more. Alessio’s face lights up.

“Hello,” he says with a sophisticated Italian accent.

“Hello, sir.” I bow.

He waves his hand. “None of that. I am Alessio and your equal.”

Equal? “I am Leander.”

Yves puts his hands on my shoulders, beaming like he’s found some kind of treasure. “Leander is in an unfortunate situation, but luckily, I discovered him.”

Alessio bows his head slightly. “Our family grows.”

“Yes,” Yves says, gazing at me. His eyes seem to glow the longer I look at them. “Listen, Leander, if you wish it, I will take you away from Lord Arden and you will begin your life with me and Alessio.”

“But how? He said he will make my life hell if I don’t return.”

Alessio laughs at that. “Lord Arden has no idea what hell is.”

Yves leads me down the hall to a sitting room. The three of us sit on the sofa, me fitted between them both.

“You should know we are not regular men,” Yves says.

“That’s obvious.”

“But you don’t fear us. Your energy is calm and accepting,” Alessio says.

“Yves treated me with respect. That in itself is unusual.”

Yves takes my hand in his. “I have a gift I can offer you, Leander. A beautiful gift that will change your life as you know it. You will never be forced against your will. Never passed around like a toy, and if you accept, you will never return to Lord Arden’s estate.”

My stomach flutters. “Will I go to France with you?”

“You will go everywhere with me. Alessio and I will be your family.”

My mind swirls with chaotic thoughts. “What do you want in return? I have no money, no stature. Nothing to offer you.”

“Oh, you have something to offer me, Leander,” Yves whispers while Alessio rubs my back.

I watch in shocked awe as Yves parts his lips, revealing sharp white fangs. I can only gasp in response.

“If you accept my gift,” Yves continues, “I will give you eternal life. I will give you strength and power, and most of all, independence. You are not our slave. You are our companion.”

“Why me?”

“I sense something in you,” Yves says. “Something intriguing. Besides, I hate people who abuse their power. Lord Arden doesn’t deserve you.”

There’s nothing in me that wants to run or reject his offer. Some part of me knows I’m selling my soul to something I don’t understand, but following the rules hasn’t gotten me very far in life.

“All you have to do is say yes and I will change your life for the better,” Yves says.

Searching his eyes, Alessio’s warm presence behind me, I nod. I have no idea what I’m getting myself into, but anything has to be better than the life I have.

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