Page 71 of A Sip of Sin

Munro let out a shuddering breath. “I love you.”

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Munro

That taste was just like the first time, with liquid vermillion flooding his senses in an instant. The room was soaked with the scent of blood and earth, swirling together until it fizzled over his skin with absolute power.

Hollen went limp at the moment of the bite, his eyes rolling back as sweetness flooded his senses. Such a frail thing was filled to the brim with power, flowing into Munro’s mouth and coating his throat in warmth and darkness. His heartbeat stuttered, so close to failing that a rush of tears flowed over Munro’s cheeks, even as he swallowed.Hold on, baby.

“No! Stop!” Adair screamed, clawing at Dara as he was held back.

Blood filled his mouth again, even as Hollen’s heart slowed to nothing, pooling and flowing down his throat as he swallowedagain and again. He sucked harder, drawing more until he could scarcely keep up with the flow.

Gorgo didn’t respond, Hollen’s body still.

It had been a long time since Munro had taken so much that he’d forgotten the thrill and high of it. But through the adrenaline, he had to watch his lover grow cold, all traces of life draining from his system until even the tattoos from Gorgo faded.

Hollen let out a sudden gasp, his eyes yellow as he opened them wide. Munro caught the sight in his periphery, clamping his teeth down hard.

“Bastard. This wasn’t our deal.” Gorgo’s voice was thick with agony. “I’ll kill you.”

Munro couldn’t take another swallow, blood bubbling past his lips as he pulled away, choking as his throat was flooded. Hollen’s arms were straining, his body rigid as he let out a low keen. Munro clamped down on his limbs, holding him still.

Yellow faded then flickered over Hollen’s eyes, his gaze locked on Munro’s.

“You killed him, you bastard,” said Gorgo, a hiss on his breath as he tried to move.

“No,youkilled him,” yelled Adair, his screams cutting through the darkness.

“If you care for him like you said you did, you’ll let go now,” said Munro, wrapping a hand around Hollen’s throat.

Gorgo curled back his lips, blood staining his teeth. “They took love away from me. I haven’t known the meaning of it since.”

“Gorgo?” asked Adair, his voice soft and filled with grief.

Munro stayed his hand, turning toward the sound. Gorgo found him in a second with his gaze, his yellow eyes going wide. “Adair.”

“Hollen loved you,” said Adair, his back pressed to Dara with her arms wrapped around his waist. “I think I loved you, too.” He took a deep breath. “Please let him go—for me.”

There was a moment of hesitation when Munro held his breath, fire and sweat itching over his skin.It’s no use. We’re doomed.Their advantage was lost with Gorgo present.

Gorgo closed his eyes, his forehead smoothing as his struggles ceased. Blood seeped sluggishly from the wound on his neck, coating the floor in it. With death in the room, it should have smelled putrid, but it was the same as always, calling to Munro as he licked the drying blood from his own lips.

“I could have given you the world,” said Gorgo, his voice soft.

Adair shook his head. “I just want my best friend.”

Gorgo heaved in one last breath before his chest paused, his tattoos turning to mist that hovered in the air before disappearing as the sun cut through the fog.

“He’s gone,” called Dara, relaxing her hands. Adair cried out, lurching ahead and breaking her grip.

Jesus.Munro never thought he would hear those words. Hollen was so pale, his chest and heart still as the blood stopped flowing from him. In was clotting in a sticky pool, soaking into his hair and Munro’s clothes.

Adair rushed to his side, grasping Hollen’s face as a scream emerged from his mouth. It was the same scream that was trying to escape Munro’s own throat.

Not today.

He pulled Hollen close, scooping him under his legs and shoulders and lifting him from the floor. Hollen’s head lolled back, exposing the pierced wound on his neck.

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