Page 62 of A Sip of Sin

“Someone has to look out for you,” said Adair, squeezing his hand. There was a dusting of pink on his cheeks, his lower lip caught between his teeth.

“I’ll be fine,” said Hollen. He glanced at Munro, who had crossed his arms, standing tall with his spine rigid. Erie was refusing to back down, a set to his jaw that was just as familiar.

“And Gorgo, too, I hope,” said Adair softly.

Hollen looked at his friend—really looked at him. Dancing has always been his passion, and even when times were rough, it kept him focused and energetic. Some might call him immature, with the way he depended on Hollen so much, never bringing in a dime to support them. But there was so much love in his heart that it made up for everything.

“You like him,” said Hollen, a grin on his lips.

“He was sweet to me,” said Adair, looking away. That flush deepened until his freckles stood out. “I wasn’t sure at first with the whole ‘demonic possession’ thing, and then there was the teeth incident. Since then, though… I don’t know. He’s not like any guy I’ve liked before.” He shrugged.

Should I ask about the teeth thing?Hollen shook his head. “Well, if he hurts you, I’ll kick his ass.” Hollen laughed, knocking his knuckles lightly against his forehead. “Did you hear that, George?”

George stirred. “Your friend is a delicate flower and needs to be treated as such.” His presence thickened, Hollen’s vision going suddenly brighter. “His lips are the softest petals, the touch of his skin like the whisper of pollen ready to inspire life. And I can’t wait to get my hands on thatstamen.”

George’s voice had grown stronger, to the point that Hollen was surprised that no one else could hear him. He was right there, the words almost springing to the tip of his tongue.

Hollen snorted, covering his mouth with his hand.

“What? What did he say?” Adair perked up, his eyes glowing.

“He called your dick a stamen.” Hollen chuckled as Adair gave him a blank look. “A stamen is that pointy part at the middle of a flower where the pollen is.”

“Oh.Oh.” Adair couldn’t possibly get any pinker. “That’s sweet. I think?” He chewed as his lip, looking to the vampires who still hadn’t come to an agreement. “I’m surprised Gorgo isn’t putting up more of a fuss. From what you told me, he hates Munro. Even if he does need his help, I didn’t expect him to be so civil.”

George stirred before fading, a frown tugging at Hollen’s lips.

“I think George wants the same thing he always has—what’s best for the ones he cares about.” Hollen ran a hand through his hair.Even if Munro doesn’t realize that yet.Munro had checkedon him no less than a dozen times, fetching him drinks and little snacks from the kitchen that were only slightly stale.

“He’s also stubborn as hell and refuses to listen to most of what those two are saying.” Hollen strained his hearing, but George grumbled right when he caught Erie whispering about silver chains.

“I’m not getting much out of it, either,” said Adair, moving to put his head on Hollen’s shoulder again. “I think we should just start walking and see if they notice. That car has mountains on the license plate, so if we head west, we’ll hit them eventually.”

“Let’s start walking,” said Hollen. He pushed away from the wall, his legs shaking as his knees threatened to give out. Even with George filling him with an unnatural warmth, he was still unsteady. It was energizing, but in a false sort of way, like caffeine or sugar that led him to a crash a few hours later.

Munro didn’t look up as Hollen grasped Adair’s hand, heading the opposite way of the sunrise. The maps application on his phone would probably be of more help, but Erie was already giving them a look as Adair giggled.

“Flying is more efficient,” said Munro, loud enough to be heard over a passing car. “And if we get into that car, we won’t make it at all. With this amount of bickering, we’ll be down to one in an hour. And you have no sense of direction. I haven’t forgotten about the Greece incident.”

“Somehow I made it here okay,” said Erie, snarling back. “I’ve made it for a few hundred years without you, Covi. I know how modern technology works, even if you’re still using a sundial.”

Hollen covered his mouth with his hand, smothering his laugh as they ventured out of earshot. “I thought my parents were bad, but at least mine kicked me to the curb before I could get too traumatized.”

Adair nodded. “They sound like my grandparents before grandpa left. Are we going to argue about the price of orange juice next? Or who makes the most dust in the house?”

“Hollen.” Munro appeared before them in a wisp of black fog, a few feathers filtering from nowhere. “We’ve come to a decision.” He sent a glare toward Erie. “You will fly with me, and Adair will travel with Erie. With the route I have planned, we should arrive an hour or two before them.”

“Then you’ll have to fly slower.” Erie raised his voice to reach them. “This is my source, not yours. They won’t trust you.”

“I could drive with them,” said Hollen softly. As much as he ached to be with Munro, a flight sounded terrifying. He wasn’t exactly sure how they were going to accomplish that with the nearest airport an hour away, or how he would keep from fainting.

“Hollen.” Munro touched his cheek before bringing their foreheads together. He blocked out the sun, a halo of warmth and light, an outline against his dark clothes. “Please don’t make me lose you from my sight again. I was terrified I would never see you again. My heart can’t take that.”

He brought their lips together—sweet and soft and over before Hollen could fall into it.

“We’ll meet you guys there.” Hollen reached for Adair, hugging him tight before letting him head toward the car. Erie was already inside, revving the engine as it sputtered.

Once Adair was inside, Erie pulled into the street without looking, Adair leaning out the window and waving at him excitedly. He was probably already planning his next three questions for Erie, likely filling the silence in the car for the entire trip.

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