Page 56 of Always Eros

“Not all vampires are bad,” Tru says softly, capturing Justice’s attention. “Some of them are just like regular people. They want the same things everyone does.”

“Like what?” Justice asks, his tone skeptical.

“Family, joy, fun. Love. They are misunderstood.”

“Like mortals, they are complex,” Midnight says, gazing lovingly at his mate. “Some are bad, some are good, some are pure evil, and others are… in the gray.”

“What does ‘in the gray’ mean?” Justice asks.

“Doing good through bad means,” Thorn says, grinning. “Not all heroes wear capes. Some of them have fangs, but they still make the world a better place. Don’t believe the myths.”

Justice shrugs. “I don’t know any myths. I grew up in a sheltered place. All I know about vampires is that they kill to eat.”

“Not true,” Syn says. “Not always.”

Justice doesn’t say anything, but he does lean into me, pressing his weight against my arm. I can feel his confusion and exhaustion, the questions he both wants to know the answers to and doesn’t simmering beneath the surface.

When we arrive home again, we enter the building in silence. Hale has calmed down now. Vivienne sure knows her stuff.

In the common area, we gather around Hale, who sits in a chair on his own. He’s offered a drink by Bowie, and after drinking it down, he puts the empty glass on the coffee table. Tru hands Justice a cup with a drink in it too. I assume the drop of blood to end the glamour potion. He drinks it and sets the empty cup down.

“I guess being there again triggered my memory to return,” Hale says.

Yves glances at me with a slight smirk. “That’s good,” Yves says.

“In a way, yes. What I couldn’t remember is as clear as glass right now. I was born in the American colonies in a village that no longer exists. Eventually, it and several others became what is now Sable Cove.”

“The American colonies?” Justice says. “What is that?”

Hale looks confused until I jump in.

“Nightsky doesn’t teach accurate history.”

“Oh, right,” Hale says. “Apologies, Justice. The United States used to be called the colonies when people from England came over to make a home in the New World. Granted, the land was stolen from indigenous people, but that’s a different story.”

Justice nods. “When was that?”

“I was born in 1758,” Hale answers.

Justice audibly swallows. “Okay.”

“The war broke out when I was seventeen. Historically, it is known as the Revolutionary War, the time when the colonists pushed back against England’s tyranny. It would lead to the formation of what is now the United States.”

“Go on,” Yves says, perched on the arm of the couch.

“I was obligated to fight, of course, but it wasn’t my nature. Years into it, I defected. I hid out in a village that would ultimately lead me to Nightsky. They offered me safe haven from the war, food, shelter, everything I needed. All I had to give in return was my soul.”

He looks down at his hands for a moment before lifting his gaze to continue.

“Of course, I didn’t know that was what it was at the time. They weren’t so forthright about their intentions. They told me they were a group of pacifists who had no side, and that felt right to me. I immersed myself in their community, worshipping a man who stayed hidden from view.”

“Why?” Thorn asks.

“We were told he was ill and needed time to recuperate. Each week, we endured weekly bloodletting sessions to give our healthy blood for the benefit of our leader. We did so gladly. Eventually, I and a few others became disciples. We were chosen for our obedience and integrity to uphold the rules. We went out and found others to join us. Over time though, things changed. There were so many new rules and strange ceremonies. Rumblings began. Thoughts of leaving.”

Hale seems distant again, staring off into space until he blinks and focuses on Yves.

“The night everything changed, one of the men in our group disappeared. We feared our unhappiness had been found out and that punishment was coming.” He shakes his head. “Two nights later, I was yanked from my bed and knocked unconscious. When I awoke, I had no idea where I was.”

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