Page 47 of Always Eros
“I have no idea what just happened. Why did he react that way?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Could it be because he witnessed two vampires having a meal?”
“No.” I shake my head. “His words didn’t make sense. He was muttering about the cult he was in. He said we knew the disciples.”
Yves’s expression shifts from annoyance to interest. “Did he?”
“Is it possible Hale is one of them?” I get to my feet and face Yves. “I think Justice recognized him, and we know little to nothing about Hale.”
“Fuck,” Yves grits out. “The last thing we need is a vampire killer amongst us, but I don’t get the sense from Hale that he’s lying or hiding anything.”
“Nor do I, but perhaps he doesn’t remember. His attack was brutal, and he watched his love be murdered.”
Yves nods. “Yes. Thorn brought him the mortal to feed. We know it’s more powerful directly from the source and we hoped it would help his strength return. It’s obvious we need to know more about Hale.”
I turn my attention back to Justice. His resting face is damn near angelic, and desire swirls in my core, but now it’s even more important that he knows what I am before we go any further.
“Thank you for your prompt intervention.” I glance up at Yves. “I froze.”
“Understandably. That was a lot all at once. Why didn’t you warn anyone you were bringing a mortal in?”
I shake my head. “Honestly, my thoughts were completely caught up in Justice. I had planned to bring him straight here. It was poor judgment on my part.”
Yves nods, his expression softening. “You have feelings for him?”
“Of the carnal variety, yes.”
Yves chuckles. “Come on, Eros. You’re talking to me. If your interest was solely carnal, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.”
I nod, sufficiently called out. “I admit he intrigues me, and his nature is so lovely. I’m drawn in. Now that I know what I do, I can’t indulge in his flesh without revealing what I am.”
Now Yves looks annoyed. “One by one we expose ourselves. What happened to the times when we just took what we wanted?”
“Did you? No. You revealed yourself to me. You could have taken me against my will, but you didn’t. You invited me to join you. You taught me how to be a vampire, Yves. How can you show disdain for the morals you gave us?”
“Morals,” he scoffs. “I made you killers.”
“With a purpose. You gave us a mission and a healthy outlet for our instincts. You gave us family and a safe place to be ourselves. You gave us more than our parents ever could. Do we have the morals of saints? No. But not even the saints were perfect. Do not underestimate what you’ve done for us. Any single one of us would give our immortal soul for yours.”
Yves nods, the creases in his brow relaxing. “I understand how fortunate I am to have found all of you. You have made this eternal walk joyful and meaningful. Perhaps…” He pauses, turning to the window to gaze out into the night. When he turns back, he chuckles darkly. “I’m jealous, Eros. All I have ever wanted was a lover of my own. Yet it eludes me. Perhaps fate has determined I am not worthy. My punishment for my dark deeds is watching each of my brothers find love.”
I stand and walk over to him. “Or perhaps the most epic love any of us will ever know is on its way to you. Haven’t you heard of saving the best for last?” I put my hand on his chest over his heart. “Yves, if any of us could be gifted a love, there is no way you are unworthy. Not when you are responsible for all of this. Neither Syn nor Midnight would have found their mates without this beautiful life you created.” I move my hand to his cheek and he leans into it. I can feel his loneliness and longing.
“I want to believe you.”
“Then do. I don’t know what Justice is to me yet, and if fate is kind enough that he is meant to be mine, I will cherish the gift. That said, if any of us deserve love, it is you. Don’t give up hope yet.”
Yves nods, blinking away his vulnerability and replacing it with a stoic nod. “I will try.”
As he steps back, clearing his throat, thoughts of the man he believed was his mate engross me, filling me with the rage I had hoped I’d buried, but how can I when his wounds are still so fresh?
“I’m fine, Eros,” he whispers, knowing what I feel. “I made a mistake I simply wish to prevent all of you from making, but I need to accept that I chose wisely in all of you. You are smart and careful. We’ve survived this long because of it.”
“Because of you.” I step forward again, embracing my maker and kissing his cheek. Yves doesn’t show as much affection as he used to, given our history, but he melts into my touch, allowing himself to be held for a moment before he moves back.
“Justice will wake soon. I simply knocked him out, so I don’t know what he’ll remember.”
I nod. “Thank you again. I’ll get him home so we can meet with Hale and understand what’s going on.”