Page 57 of A Sip of Sin

“He means soulmate,” said George, whispering into Hollen’s ears alone.Oh.How beautiful.At least vampires did one thing very,veryright. But could that mean that Munro…washismate? It hurt his head just to think of it.

“You tasked me to leave my family behind and bring the cultures together,” said Erie, letting out a huff. “I risked my life and nearly died, but I completed my task. I owe you nothing.”

“I didn’t ask you to fuck them,” said Munro, dipping his hands lower to Hollen’s belly, his grip steady and soft.

Erie paused, his cheeks tinting pink. “I love them.”

“And I love Hollen.” Munro squeezed. “I won’t do anything to hurt him.”

Hollen couldn’t smother his gasp, his face burning as Erie’s gaze dropped to him. There was surprise there—the same surprise that was thudding through his own veins. He had guessed that Munro’s feelings ran deep, but he’d never thought love was on the table. He hadn’t even considered it for himself, too swept up in a new world and life.

Erie nodded, shifting his gaze to the side. “I can’t help you—they can’t either. They’re wolves—and not the kind that you’ve met before. There is something completely wild about them…and possessive. If someone else steps on their territory, they’ll rip them apart the same way they did me.”

Hollen bit his tongue. That sounded awful. He could picture Erie in a dark wood, bleeding from a bite to his side as he was stalked through the trunks of the trees.

“But I’ve heard some whisperings,” said Erie, locking gazes with Hollen. “The faeries say they lost a gem. Word is that it has incredible powers.”

“I have no use for jewels.” Munro shook his head. His hands were getting dangerously low, skirting the top edge of Hollen’s pants. It was possessive and staked his claim in the most obvious way. “I need magic.”

“I don’t know,” said Erie, shaking his head. “Some of the stories… It sounds like magic. I’ve never heard anything like it.”

“Can it help Hollen?” asked Munro. He stayed silent, staring at Erie as he looked away.

“No.” Erie shook his head. Lowering his gaze, he regarded Hollen. “I don’t know. I would never be able to find it.”

Hollen swallowed, trying not to flinch when Munro let out a low growl.

“Do you know how easy it would be for me to make them disappear?” Munro didn’t move a muscle. “Wolves are nothing to my power. You should remember that. I wouldn’t have to lift a finger for them to be gone, their entrails the only thing to be scraped off the pavement on a back road to nowhere.”

“You wouldn’t.” Erie took a step closer, his wary gaze still locked on Hollen. He flexed his hand, the tips of his nails unnaturally sharp. “I’ve always been your favorite. You wouldn’t touch them.”

“You underestimate my desperation.”

Hollen gulped, his gut swirling. Here they were trading death threats over him—him.Without George, he was a nobody. He didn’t have fangs or claws or wings—or even much in his life that was exciting. He could be happy with his best friends and his cat, curled up on the couch, listening to Adair in the kitchen and George in his head.

“It’s okay.” Hollen placed his hands over Munro’s. “I’ll be alright.” He turned, leaning up on his toes to kiss Munro’s chin. “You can let me go now.”

It caught Hollen off guard when Munro dipped down, sealing their lips together. There was a grip in his hair, holding him fierce as he opened his mouth in a quiet gasp. Munro was everywhere, with spice in the air and his taste on Hollen’s tongue.

“Don’t you dare,” said Munro as he pulled back. “I didn’t wade through centuries of mind-numbing dullards to finally find love, only to be denied. You ask the impossible.”

He brought their lips together again, touching one hand to Hollen’s chest. He was sure Munro could feel his heartpounding, his blood pumping through his veins as he curled his toes.

“I don’t know what this is,” said Munro, grasping Hollen’s hand and bringing it to his own chest. His chest rose and fell with each breath, denying every legend about the undead. “But I’ve felt it since the moment I met you. You make me feel real.”

“I don’t want anyone to get hurt.” Hollen stared at his hand on Munro’s chest. Someone strong should never look so afraid.

“Try to get rid of me,” said Munro, bringing their foreheads together. “It won’t work.” He touched Hollen’s chin, slipping over his lips with his tongue. Hollen was harder than he should have been while standing in a teahouse, and luckily George seemed to take that as his cue, instantly retreating.

“I’ll try to find something—a jewel…magic—whatever I can,” said Erie.

Hollen pulled away, his cheeks flushing hot. He’d forgotten Erie was even there, his watchful eyes on them.

Erie shook his head before pressing his fingers to his forehead. “But I’m not making any promises. And after this we’re done.” His gaze was steady. “I’ll never hear from you again.”

A smile lit Munro’s face, banishing the darkness.

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