Kieran was waiting when Aiden returned to the penthouse, looking resigned.
"You saw the evidence."
"Yes."
"And now you're doubting everything I've told you."
"I don't want to. But Kieran, there are photos of you from over a century ago. Documents suggesting people around you die mysteriously. Missing persons reports—" His voice broke. "Tell me it's not true. Tell me you haven't been killing people who look like me."
Kieran's expression was anguished. "The photos are real. I am immortal, exactly as I told you. The death certificates—yes, I've faked my death multiple times to maintain new identities. That's how vampires survive in human society."
"And the deaths? The missing persons?"
"Some are coincidence. Some are..." Kieran looked away. "In my early centuries, I wasn't as ethical about feeding. People died. I'm not proud of it, but I can't change it."
"And the young men who look like me?"
"Your past incarnations. I found them, protected them, loved them when they were ready. But some lifetimes, circumstances separated us before we could be together. They're listed as missing because I couldn't explain where they'd gone or why."
"Where did they go?"
"Some died of natural causes. Some were killed by enemies—the same forces that have always tried to separate us. Some..." Kieran's voice dropped to a whisper. "Some I watched from afar but never approached because the timing was wrong or the circumstances were too dangerous."
"So my parents are right. You're dangerous."
"Yes."
"People around you die."
"Yes."
"And I'm planning to let you kill me and turn me into a vampire."
"Yes." Kieran met his eyes. "Aiden, I can't tell you that being with me is safe. It's not. It never has been. Every lifetime, loving me has put you in danger. And this lifetime is no different."
"Then why should I trust you?"
"You shouldn't. Rationally, you absolutely shouldn't. Your parents are right to be terrified. James is right to be concerned. All the evidence suggests I'm a monster who's manipulated you into this relationship."
"But?"
"But you know the truth. Not in your mind, which is rightfully scared. But in your soul, which remembers me. Which has loved me for a thousand years. Which recognizes that despite all the danger, despite all the death, what we have is real."
Aiden felt tears on his face. "How do I know the difference between soul memory and manipulation? How do I know you haven't been using vampire powers to make me feel this way?"
"You don't. You can't. All you can do is trust your instincts." Kieran approached slowly, giving Aiden time to back away. "If every cell in your body is telling you to run, then run. I won't stop you. I'll walk away, let you live your normal life, and I'll wait for your next incarnation. I've done it before."
"And if my instincts say to stay?"
"Then stay. Choose me, knowing all the risks. Choose this love, knowing it might destroy you. Choose immortality, knowing it comes with centuries of danger and darkness."
They stood inches apart, Aiden's heart racing, Kieran perfectly still.
"What do you want me to choose?" Aiden asked.
"I want you to choose you. Whatever makes you happy, whatever keeps you safe, whatever lets you live the life you want. Even if that life doesn't include me."
It was the most unselfish thing anyone had ever said to Aiden. And in that moment, he knew.
Kieran wasn't manipulating him. Wasn't using vampire powers or soul bonds or elaborate lies. He was just a man—an ancient, broken, impossibly loving man—who'd waited a thousand years and was willing to wait a thousand more if that's what Aiden needed.
"I choose you," Aiden said. "I choose us. I choose forever, with all its dangers and darkness and possibilities. I choose love."
Kieran's composure cracked. He pulled Aiden into his arms, holding him like he was the most precious thing in existence.
"Are you sure?"
"I've never been more sure of anything."
"Your parents will be devastated."
"I'll explain. Somehow. Even if they don't understand, even if they can't accept it, I'm choosing this."
"You might die. Even as a vampire, you might die."
"Then I'll die having lived. Having loved. Having chosen my own path instead of the safe one."
Kieran pulled back to look at him, eyes shining with unshed tears. "When?"
"Now. Tonight. Before I lose my nerve. Before the rational part of my brain convinces me this is insane."
"It is insane."
"Good. I've been rational and safe my whole life. Time to be insane and dangerous."
Kieran laughed, the sound wet with emotion. "You're extraordinary. In every lifetime, you're extraordinary."
"Then let's start our forever."