Page 22 of A Sip of Sin

Hollen’s heartbeat that had always been so even, was slowing, the cold tipping him straight to death.I’m too late.Munro reached beneath Hollen’s shirt, pressing a palm to his chest. The thump was barely there, tickling his palm as it danced slower. He pressed hard, Hollen’s sternum firm against his fingers.

I can’t. Not like this.He drew his hand back. He’d never considered turning someone like this, not since the first time when he’d split his power to make another. That had been so long ago that he barely remembered the feeling of a beating heart in his palm, blood soaking into his skin.

Rhys hovered close, the excitement thick in his glassy eyes. “I want to watch you bite him.” He leaned in, licking his lips. “Do it, Covi.”

If Rhys had been anyone else, Munro would have killed him in an instant. Maybe he still would, forcing him on the table or impaling him on the stag antlers. His rage seared against the cold, sharpening his senses.

“I never thought I would truly want to end you, Rhys,” said Munro, carefully shrugging out of his jacket so there was only one layer between himself and Hollen. He dropped it to the floor, adjusting Hollen so his head rested in the crook of his elbow. Hollen was limp, his arms hanging.

Munro’s limbs were already slowing, strength draining from him as it sank into Hollen. The room was hot, but not hot enough, the thermostat cranked as far as it could go. “Get out of my sight before I kill you where you stand.”

Rhys furrowed his forehead. “But, Covi”—he took a step back—“you have to.”

Munro snarled, twisting his fingers into Hollen’s shirt and ripping it free. He gave his own the same treatment, bringingtheir naked chests together. A deep ache ripped through him, every bit of his warmth flowing straight into Hollen.

“The last person who tried to force my hand, I had locked away for an eternity—a fate that would be a blessing compared to yours if you don’t leave now.” Munro didn’t look up as Rhys fled the room, his attention captured by Hollen as he stirred.

His eyelashes fluttered, revealing a hint of green before he let out a sigh. Somehow—amazingly—he was still in there, the beat of his heart growing faster with each passing moment.

“Hold on.” Munro lowered his voice, crossing the chamber to the thick wooden door that marked the entrance to his own room. It was convenient as hell to sleep in the same place he worked, his sheets smelling of the spices that he craved each day.

His room was simple in the best of ways, with a bed, the softest sheets he could find, and vents that roared with more heat than the throne room. Off to the side there were two doors that housed a bathroom and a closet each, leaving just enough room between them for a small seating area.

He had heard the whispers before— Why have his most vulnerable place next to where his followers assembled? There were days when their words were ripe with mutiny, cursing him beneath their breath and promising change.

And yet, Rhys had been the only one to step foot in his rooms, pleasure the only thing on his mind at that time.

The rest still had that innate fear—one they probably didn’t fully understand. He was older than them by more than they could possibly fathom. He’d seen the rise and fall of so many empires that defeat and victory had become routine. There wasnothingany one of his murder could do tohimthat would put him at risk.

Hollen.Munro glanced to him and the blush of blue on his cheeks.

The bed dipped as he sat on the edge, laying Hollen against the soft sheets. His hair was dark against the cream color he had chosen, his skin so pale it was painful to look at.

Tearing his gaze away, Munro slipped into the bed next to him, pulling Hollen back to the spot against his chest where he fit so perfectly. With Hollen sucking away what little body heat he naturally made, sluggishness pulled at his limbs, slowing his own heart and thoughts.

When Hollen stirred, pushing against his chest and letting out a soft groan, Munro held him tighter, pressing him into the bed. There was a very slim chance that Hollen would recover from exposure to so much magic, but only if he got warm now.

“Be still.” Munro moved his hands to Hollen’s arms, pinning them to the bed as Hollen struggled. His lips were parted, a stream of steady whimpers and moans between his lips.

It didn’t take long for Hollen’s heart to pick up, until it was racing wildly, faster still as his strength seemed to return and he squirmed. The scent of his blood was tucked away just beneath his skin, so unremarkable even when Munro nosed at the column of his neck, breathing deep.

There was something enthralling about being so close to someone he desired so fiercely. Beneath the few layers there was a blood unlike anything he’d ever scented, wrapped with bland flesh to keep it safe.

Just a taste.His teeth ached as he grasped Hollen’s hand, bringing his wrist into the light. Hollen’s skin had turned from blue to pink, but he was still pale, his veins standing out in the light. A steady pulse throbbed beneath Munro’s grip, each thump drawing him closer. All it would take was one scrape of his teeth and a tiny puncture, and he could have a taste.

He’d done worse in his life—murder, for one. Most of his feedings involved biting someone while he held them hypnotized, zipping the memory from their mind before hedisappeared into the night. There was no way that could be called consent, but this…

Bringing Hollen’s wrist to his lips, he parted them, touching the cool skin with his tongue. He tasted of sweat and the dull bitterness of dark magic. There was a warmth there, too, and something else Munro couldn’t name. It had a murky familiarity of something that was buried deep within his brain.

Just do it. He’ll never know.Munro placed a kiss against the thin surface of Hollen’s wrist, roughly nuzzling against the spot that was just out of reach.There.The scent hit the air, not as strong as it had been when Hollen’s blood had dropped to the floor, but that hidden wonder that was so clearly concealed.

Munro let out a groan, swallowing as his mouth filled with saliva. It smelled like life, freshness, and a power that promised to be more addictive than the worst drug he could imagine.

Come on.Munro opened his mouth wide, settling his teeth against Hollen’s skin. The tips of his canines were still sharp, even after the thousands of bites they had withstood. This one would be just the same as all the others. Hollen was the same—just another snack.

I can’t.Munro turned his head away, snapping his jaw shut as it ached. Hollen stirred again beneath him, his lashes fluttering against his cheeks.

He was handsome in a way—pretty, even. It was strange that he had never noticed. That was usually the first thing he noticed about a man, the second being how edible they seemed. But now he was caught, tracing each freckle on Hollen’s cheeks with his gaze as he slept.

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