Page 70 of A Sip of Sin

“I can’t,” said George, shaking his head as he took over, Hollen barely a wisp of thought anymore. “Hollen was the first one who saw me forme.He welcomed me in, loving me in a way that no host ever has before. I got too close.”

George reached for Munro, flinching when he met the wet and sticky blood. “I thought I could save him if I gave him everything I had, but all I did was tie our fates together. Do you see it?”

Munro shook his head, digging claws deep into Hollen’s hand. George felt every snap of nerves and jar of agony as the tendons were severed. “You’re lying. You can leave.”

“I can’t.” George closed his eyes, trying to sense Hollen and give him that bit of energy that he could come out of his rest one last time. “I’ll let you say goodbye. Hollen, wake up.”

He felt Hollen stir, paddling toward the surface as George withdrew. The next time he saw daylight, he knew it would be Hollen’s last.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Hollen

“George,” Hollen whispered, blinking his eyes against the darkness that he hadn’t expected to see again. There was an ache in his limbs, the dryness in his throat too real to be a dream. For a split second there had been sand and soft skin, a warm caress against his chin, but it was ripped away with fire and murder flashing over his mind.

“I’m sorry,” said George, his voice a soft plea in his chest.

Munro was still holding him, his hands trembling and his eyes red.

“What’s going to happen?” Hollen rubbed at his throat, swallowing at the ache. Even moving his arm in the simple action had pain shooting straight through his core, his hair standing on end as tears gathered in his eyes.

“Without you, I fear everything good in me will disappear,” said George, his voice reserved just for Hollen. “I am wrath, and all that goes along with it. I will miss the sweetness of your soul, and the meaning it brought to my life. There is truly no one like you.”

“Will you hurt anyone?” asked Hollen, flickering his eyes over the room.

Munro seemed lost to the monologue echoing in Hollen’s thoughts, shaking his head.

“Yes,” said George. “I won’t be able to stop myself. Just like you, I can’t resist my nature for long. A vampire lives by drinking blood, and I sustain myself by other means.”

By taking my life.Hollen closed his eyes against the ache in his chest, his heart pounding when it had been so slow before. “I need a minute with them, George. Let me say goodbye.”

“Of course.” George withdrew, shrinking until he was a hard ball in the middle of Hollen’s chest. He could still feel the traces of him in every limb, tingling and sparking, but he knew he was effectively alone.

“Munro?” Hollen whispered, reaching for Munro’s cheek. There was blood there for some reason, more on his fingers and stained between the cracks of his palm.

“I’ve got you. You’re okay,” said Munro, swiping his thumb over Hollen’s cheek. “Deep breaths, baby.”

Each breath was harder, every inhale an effort.

“I can’t let him hurt anyone ever again,” said Hollen, using the last of his strength to lift his arm and pull Munro to him, until his lips were settled against his neck. With the smell of his blood still in the air, Munro stiffened, placing a kiss on the area and trying to pull away. Hollen held him tight, refusing to let him escape—holding as tight as he could.

“I need you to bite me,” said Hollen, tightening his grip. “I want it.”

There were tears in Munro’s eyes as he pulled away, shaking his head as they streamed down his cheeks. Hollen half-expected them to be tinted with blood, but they were clear, just the same as his own. “I can’t.”

Hollen smiled, sinking into Munro’s arms. He tilted his head, exposing his neck. If he concentrated, he could feel the thud of blood under his skin there, each rush going to his head. “Yes, youcan. Just open your mouth and take a bite, like you and I both want.”

“You don’t have a choice,” said Dara. “If the demon isn’t watching right now, this may be the only way to end him.”

Hollen blinked at her as Munro parted his wings, recognizing her for the first time. Adair was sobbing in her arms, his face pressed against her. He was wailing almost non-stop and getting louder with every inhale.

“I know.” Munro shuddered, closing his eyes. “I know.”

“I think flying with you was the best moment of my life,” said Hollen, letting his eyes flutter as he remembered the rush of wind. He could almost feel it on his cheeks, drying his tears as quickly as they came. “Your wings are so beautiful.”

Exhaustion tugged at him. “You don’t have much time.”

“Do it, Munro, or I will,” said Erie, taking a step forward.

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