Page 80 of The Awakening

He’s still smiling as he leans down into my neck. He licks me. Then again and again, softly, like he’s getting a taste for me and also trying to decide where he wants to bite me. When he puts his mouth on me, I feel his fangs pressing against my skin. They break through gently, and then his tongue is lapping against me as he controls the liquid flowing into his mouth.

Everything he’s doing is so careful. Precise, like… well, a good doctor. After a moment, I feel his mind. The thoughts are radiant and soft. It reminds me of candlelight, the way it warmly swells and glows.

He loves me. Selflessly and truly. He’s excited about life and he wants me. He’s grateful to me. All of his thoughts, they’re too pure and sincere. Too honest. My eyes alight and I shut them tightly against the burn. My nature is overwhelming me again, as if it has a mind of its own, fiercely responding to Jae and everything he’s doing to me. I can’t stifle it. Can’t control it.

When he lifts his head, my body is trembling. Jae cups my face with his palms, so I open my still glowing eyes.

“Was it bad?” he asks quietly. “Why are you shaking? Your eyes are amethyst again… It’s so lovely.”

“I’m fine. You did great, Jae.”

“Yeah?” He leans in, brushing a kiss on my lips. He lingers with his mouth touching mine, wanting me to respond.

“Yeah,” I breathe, parting my lips for him. But he’s pushing and lapping into me too soon—holding me tighter. I squeeze his hips and pull my head back.

“Jae.”

“Mm?”

“Just—You need to eat. Actual food. And probably shower. Does your head feel better now? Less foggy?”

“Yes.” He grins. “Are you joining me in this ‘probably shower’?”

Absolutely not. “No. Did you forget we’re in Nino and Haruka’s house?”

He laughs, bubbling with joy. “Quite possibly.”

I peel him off of me and stand from the bed. “I brought a bag of clothes and underwear for you. Everything is already inside the guest bathroom next door. Shower and meet us in the kitchen, please?”

“Alright. Do you need to feed? You can if you want to—”

“No.” I say this, and it must come out harsh, because Jae’s peaceful, happy expression drops and he draws back slightly. So I say, “Thank you, Jae, but I’m fine for now. See you in a bit?”

“Yes…” He nods. But I’ve blown whatever weak cover I had. He can tell something is wrong now. Unquestionably.

I leave Jae, make my way across the breezeway and back into the main house. When I turn the corner into the open kitchen, Haruka and Nino are sitting at the table. Haruka is expressionless with a cup of coffee. Nino’s jaw drops in a silent scream when he sees me.

Staying calm, I make my way to the table and sit down. Haruka sips from his mug while Nino stares at me, mouth agape. I frown at him, annoyed. “You looking to catch flies like that?”

“Haru wasright,” Nino says, his eyes wide.

I turn my annoyed gaze to the coffee-sipping vampire at the head of the table. “You knew?”

He speaks in between sips. “I suspected.”

“You could havesaidsomething. Warned me?”

“I was not certain.”

“Jun!” Nino blinks. “Jae ispurebred. Do you realize what this means?”

I’m fucked? I’ve somehow ended up in a situation I’ve desperately tried to avoid my entire life? I’m a source fortwopurebreds simultaneously—like a high-end trough? And I’mcentimetersaway from bonding with one?

“Jae is theanswer.” Nino says this with dramatic pause, like it’s supposed to mean something to me. Jae is the answer? The truth and the light? What the hell is he talking about?

I lift my chin. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Jae is British and a purebred.” Nino blinks at me. “Everyone’s been talking about this—trying to figure it out. Jae is the answer. They’re probablyrepressed. They’re generations removed, walking around and don’t even know they’re vampires.”