Page 78 of Forever Midnight

He nods. “Syn tells me it can be different depending on the person. For me, it was…” He pauses, twisting his lips as he thinks. “It was like a release. I was so angry and bound by the past.”

“What do you mean?”

“My background is pretty shitty. My dad did bad things that left me alone. I struggled and kept all that rage inside until Syn entered my world. He showed me how to channel it into the work we do so that the rest of the time I can just be me.”

“You’re an assassin now too?”

“Yeah. I go out with Syn a lot. Sometimes with Thorn. He’s a blast to work with, by the way. I’ve also been working with Viper on the systems we use.”

“So they all accept you?”

“Right from the beginning. Yves just wants everyone to be happy and fulfilled. He feels responsible for them because he made them all.”

“Right.” I think of my next question for a second. “Can you tell me the best part of it?”

His face lights up. “The best part is knowing nothing can ever take me away from Syn. No one can hurt us, we won’t die. We get to be together for literal eternity.” He grins. “But the second-best part is the physical changes. None of the stuff that bothered you as a mortal does now. Sleep needs are minimal, you’re never sore or tired or worn out. You’re never sick. You can take a bullet and shake it off. And, if you don’t mind me getting personal, your libido is in overdrive. All you want is sex and blood.” He blows out a breath. “If I even think about it too much, I get agitated.”

“Wow. Is there a bad side?”

Bowie shrugs. “I have to hide it from my aunt Nelly. If you’re close to your family, it’s gonna be an issue someday. You won’t age, but they will.”

“Oh, right.” I nod, considering that for a second. “And you’re not allowed to tell them?”

“I don’t know if it’s a rule. It’s just that Yves and the guys know it usually doesn’t go well. Mortals don’t understand unless they’re deeply connected to it like we are. I would definitely talk it over with Midnight before you decide to do it.”

“Yeah, of course.”

He puts his hand over mine. “Are you considering it?”

“Absolutely. I want to be with Midnight forever.”

“Nice. It’ll be cool not to be the newbie anymore.”

We both laugh before I continue. “I’m kind of close to my family, but I’ve always felt separate. I never got into the whole status and money thing like the others.”

“You have siblings?”

“Two sisters. They love the lifestyle my dad’s wealth and name provide, but I never cared for it much. Maybe because it made me feel like I had to hide who I really am.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m gay, and I never told my parents. I came out to my mom recently, and she told me my dad would be okay with it.” I scoff a laugh. “Weird that I hid it for so long out of fear. Not that my parents would reject me, but that it would cause my dad issues. He lectured us so much as teens never to get into trouble. Never embarrass the family. That’s why I’m trying so hard to stop Vinni.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll find Vinni. It’s what we do.”

“I know.”

“As for hiding who or what you are, I hate to tell you, but it comes with the vampire territory. I mean, would you have believed we existed before you knew us?”

I laugh. “No.”

“Right, but we have our outlets. Being here helps. The club too.”

“Club?”

“It’s called The Lair. It’s a private club for vampires. The only mortals allowed are guests of other vampires. We also get some witches and other dabblers who are aware of what’s beyond the veil.”

“And it’s fun?”

---