Johann (Vampire's Mate, #4)

by Grae Bryan

“I didn’t have a real childhood. Your adulthood was stolen from you. Do you think together you and I could make one complete person?” Jay pressed his cheek into Alexei’s palm. “Except I’m not a person.” “You are.” Alexei frowned, confused at Jay’s self-assessment. “You mean because you have a”—what had Jay called it?—“a beastie inside you?” Jay nodded solemnly against Alexei’s hand. Alexei let out a slow breath. “You’re a person, Jay. A vampire person, maybe. But still a person.” When Jay still looked unconvinced, Alexei pressed on. “Would you tell your friends in there they aren’t real people?” “That’s different though. Danny and Gabe…well, they’re freshly turned. Practically still human. Roman and Soren… They’ve lived. Out in the world. Soren escaped our den; he experienced humanity all these years. I’ve only read or watched or heard stories. I’m odd and stunted, and most of the time, I don’t even know I’m acting that way. Until someone laughs at me or looks at me strangely.” “If I laugh, it’s only ever because you delight me.” Jay smiled softly down at him. “I know that. You look at me differently from other people. I like it very much.”