"Oui," Julian murmurs, ashamed. He stands, hands clasped behind his back, thoroughly chastened by the tiny vampire. "I will be more careful in future, I promise." He sighs, chewing his lip for a moment. "I was so hungry," he adds plaintively. "And she smelled so good."
He hesitates a moment, then steps toward Alex, wanting to somehow bridge the gap between them.
"I would not have let them take you. I would have offered myself instead. Please believe me, Alex."