Page 46 of A Sip of Sin

“I’m pervading ninety percent of your body right now,” said George. Hollen yelped when his hand rose seemingly of its own accord, his finger poking him in the cheek. “Think of yourself like a puppet being dragged along by willing strings.”

How terrifying.“I don’t think puppets live very nice lives.” He jumped over a puddle that was shining in the moonlight, clearing several feet beyond what he’d meant to. The slap of his landing echoed against the walls, the beat lasting so much longer than it should have.

“I was terrified of Pinocchio when I was a kid.” Hollen slowed his pace, touching his nose just in case. “I didn’t lie for a whole year because I thought my nose would get bigger.”

George chuckled, inkiness seeping up to his elbows and matching the dark shadows of the alley. They clung to nearly everywhere except the brighter spots illuminated by the moon. “Possession—even of adorable puppets—can be a terrifying thing, I’m sure.”

The click of a footstep sounded behind him, and before Hollen could turn, his breath was suddenly pushed through his lungs, his back hitting the nearest wall with the pressure of cool iron around his throat. He was momentarily stunned as his head knocked against the brick, the peek of the night sky through the tops of the buildings swimming before him.

“Hey, sweet rabbit. On your way home?”

Rhys’ voice sent a shock of utter terror straight through him. The vampire towered over him, all broad shoulders and piercing eyes. The T-shirt and scrappy track pants did nothing to take away from the sheer intimidation that trickled down his spine.

“Rabbit?” Hollen coughed under the pressure against his throat, scratching at Rhys’ hands as he tightened his grip.

“Yes.” Rhys leaned in, dragging his lips over Hollen’s ear as he pinned him harder to the wall. “It’s the name Munro has called me for centuries. I thought it would be fitting for you—a lost little rabbit running through wonderland, just like I was.”

His gut throbbed, something akin to jealousy running hot. Munro wasn’t his, but their intimacy was something that couldn’t have been faked.

When he kicked out, Rhys only chuckled, nuzzling his nose closer to Hollen’s throat. With his hand wrapped around it, it wasn’t just a threat. “What? Did you think you had a chance? Fodder like you never last. Even the sweetest strawberries are easy to get sick of after time. Andyouare no sweet thing.”

Each word was like a slap, the pressure going tighter on Hollen’s neck until his breath was trapped in his throat.

“Let me take care of this bastard,” said George, the fire of him almost painful as it flickered beneath Hollen’s skin. The darkness covered his arms, but Rhys didn’t seem to notice. “Give me the word. Let me take complete control.”

“Don’t kill him.” It was almost impossible to get the words out, most of them silent syllables perched on his tongue.

Rhys threw his head back in a laugh, his teeth glinting in the moonlight. It was a full moon, the energy of it prickling over his skin. The darkness of his arms seemed to glow in it, soaking power from the rays alone.

“I would never kill Munro. We’re soulmates. The end of the earth is the only way we will ever be parted, and even then, we will be entwined together awaiting the next beginning.” Rhys dug his nails in, the points threatening to break skin.

Hollen didn’t give in so much as fade away, his vision narrowing to a tunnel of light down a long, dark tube. Fire filled his veins, roaring until there was an inferno burning over his flesh. Pale skin faded to dark ash, dust and gloom tumbling from his flesh.

Rhys let out a scream, the noise enough to piece straight through his ears. The vampire stumbled back, drawing his hand to his chest as it glowed red. Flames licked over his skin, the smoky ash twisting into the air with a thick, putrid scent.

Rhys stumbled, clutching his hand tight as he went to his knees, the skin burning brighter until only charred black remained. When he looked up, his eyes were narrowed with fury and pain.

“I’m going to destroy you.” Rhys surged to his feet, striking out at Hollen with his undamaged hand as daggered claws sprouted from his fingertips.

Hollen moved without even knowing it, George taking control faster than he could see and shifting him to the side. The chuckle that came from Hollen’s throat was startling and deep, rivaling Munro’s in his most passionate moments. Pure elation surged through him with the freedom of all but the narrowing tunnel of sight.

Rhys slammed against the wall where Hollen had been, falling to his knees and crying out when his charred hand struck the solid brick. Tears of thick blood rolled down his cheeks, strands of hair sticking to it until it streaked across his face.

He crouched, terror settling in his gaze. “What in the hell are you?”

Hollen tilted his head to the sky, letting out a laugh that echoed across the alley and out to the street. His stride was languid as he snapped his gaze on Rhys, reveling in the fearful whimper.

“That’s a secret,” said George, his voice echoing in the alley in the same way it would in Hollen’s head. “Would you like to hear it?” He laughed again, dark and low as Rhys simply stared.

“George! I told you not to kill him.”Hollen yelled it as loud as he could down the tunnel, but the words never escaped his mouth. George seemed to hear him, though, letting out a soft sigh that cut off his laugh.

“The kid wants me to go easy on you, but I have a feeling you won’t be stopped with a measly warning.” George grinned, lunging and wrapping a hand around Rhys’s throat before lifting him clean off the ground. He pinned him to the opposite wall in the same way Rhys had pinned Hollen, only George was dwarfed in size.

“I can make your neck match your hand,” said George, squeezing so hard that Hollen could feel the echo of Rhys’ pulse bulge beneath his fingertips. “But I have a feeling that might justkill you. I wouldn’t want to stomp on such a moral high ground. So instead, I’ll just take a souvenir.”

Faster than Hollen could think, George was prying Rhys’ mouth open, grabbing each fang before pulling it from his gums in a torrent of blood. The dark laugh hit the air as he tore the last one free before stepping back from Rhys and letting him fall to the ground.

Rhys twitched, reaching for Hollen as blood poured from his mouth, pooling on the blackened asphalt. His nails were still sharp, the points sharp enough to pierce flesh, but he barely twitched in his movements, obviously too weak to stand.

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