Page 103 of A Sin So Pure

“Humor me.”

Silas hits me with puppy-dog eyes so wide, they could convince the gods to open the gate to their realm.

I look to Wrath for help in turning Silas down, but he shakes his head in miserable solidarity.

“It’s very hard to tell him no,” Wrath says, taking a direct swig from the whiskey bottle he brought up for us. “He’ll keep pushing until you cave.”

“Hey—some would call that determination,” Silas chirps.

I sigh.

Fuck it. We’re already out here.

“Fine.”

I walk forward and grab one of the rifles from Silas.

“Attagirl,” he croons.

Rolling my eyes, I walk away, going through movements I know by heart. I check the gun for ammo, peer through the scope—rubbing it clean with my trousers since it’s covered in dust—and unlock the safety.

Silas uses his shadows to clear off all the targets; the strange wisps of night dance along the valley in stark contrast to the snow, much like Silas’s own visage.

We take our places at a low wall that divides the space, settling over a faded marking on the ground. Wrath stands to my right and Silas sidles up to the other side of him.

I click my tongue at Wrath, holding out my hand.

“What?” he says.

I nod my head at the whiskey. “Gimme some of that. I’m fucking cold.”

Wrath stares down at his hand, as if he forgot what he was holding.

“Oh.”

He hands it over and I go to take a swig.

“Wait!”

I pause. “What?”

“Waterfall it.”

“What?”

“Her spit won’t kill you,” Silas groans. Then he stiffens, curious concern slacking his features. “Wait, can it?”

“No,” I say. “Are you stupid?”

“I don’t like other people’s germs,” Wrath says, wincing. “Please waterfall it.”

“Gods help me,” I murmur, tipping the bottle back without it touching my lips. I don’t pour too much down my throat, but it still makes me cough as I swallow it down. I hand the bottle back to Wrath and then wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. “Happy?”

He nods genuinely.

Asshole.

“Alright. Every round, we’ll each get one shot. Start at the closer targets then move our way back. Best of five wins,” Silas says. “You get the five on the left and we get the five on the right.”

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