Thomas was the drug. He was the drug that got the girls addicted to him, and made them easier to manipulate, and made them want to come back to him for more and more until he owned them entirely. But no one could possibly understand how addicted he was to Justine in turn. Five years. For five years they'd been together and though, at the beginning, she had been one of the kine she had transformed into the love of his life. The only love of his life. He was hopelessly dedicated to her. More than a decade passed.
His body burned for her. Not just his demon.
But they were reduced to small affections, carefully controlled environments, and conversation. Which were things Thomas enjoyed doing anyway. He liked holding her hand, stroking her hair and laying his head in her lap. It was peaceful. And gentle. A place for them to be simple. He smiled faintly when he sat up and took her hand into his, bringing them up to kiss one, except he kissed his own thumb instead. His eyes closed.