Page 62 of Sin

“I was just kidding. Sorry.” Loosing a heavy sigh, I flopped back on the bed, arms flung out on either side of me.

Of all the questions she could ask, she went with that one. The mythology of the horsemen was a secret. I didn’t know of anyone outside our foursome who knew the truth of it. Could I trust Merri?ShouldI?

My internal debate lasted all of ten seconds.

If the truth would help me save the universe, then I had to risk it, didn’t I?

I gripped the back of her shirt and tugged hard, pulling her down to join me on the bed. She let out an adorable little squeak of protest, but I stopped her when I began speaking.

“I wasn’t always a horseman.”

“No?”

“Nope. I was just a regular human man. An actor and musician who wanted to be loved by everyone on the planet.”

“How’d that pan out for you?” she asked, turning her head to look at me.

“Well, as an actor, I was B-list at best. I had some success but never a real breakout moment. It’s part of what led me down this path.” One of my hands fisted into the blanket as century-old emotion knotted in my stomach. “I hungered for more. Nothing was enough to fill the emptiness inside me. I knew I was destined for greatness, and I wanted more. One night I was approached in my dressing room by a man. I thought he might be an agent or studio exec, ready to offer me my big break. In some ways, that’s exactly what he was there to do, but definitely not in the way I’d expected.”

She rolled on her side so she was facing me, her face inches from mine. “What happened?”

“He said I’d be irresistible, known and respected the world over. Revered—though not by my current name. If I’d simply agree to take over for him.”

Her eyes widened. “He was a horseman?”

“Yes. Famine.” I offered her a wry smile. “He recognized a bit of himself in my endless craving for more.”

Her eyes widened with the knowledge I’d just offered, but she remained silent as I continued.

“There was no dramatic ritual, if that’s what you’re wondering. It was all shockingly boring if I’m being honest. He looked me in the eye, asked me if this was what I truly wanted, and we shook hands.” I reached out and tucked a lock of her hairbehind her ear. I couldn’t fucking help myself. “I woke up in this very penthouse, surrounded by those other three fuckers.”

She hummed softly. “It’s ironic.”

“What is?”

“You wanted to be loved by everyone. Instead you’re lusted after and feared.”

Letting out a bitter laugh, I turned my head away from her. “No one can love a horseman. I gave up on that a long time ago. And to be fair, my predecessor never promised me love. The rest of what he offered all came to pass, just maybe not in the way I’d thought.” I thought back to the first time my incubus gift appeared and chuckled. What a night that had been.

Merri didn’t try to placate me with meaningless words. Instead she shocked the hell out of me by taking my hand and weaving her fingers through mine in a silent show of support. “And the others, did they all inherit the mantle as well?”

“No. Only Chaos. As far as I know, Malice and Grim are the originals. And before you ask, I have absolutely no idea how they manifested in the world. Neither of them talk about it.”

“My money is on fully grown hot guy manifestation.”

I grinned and elbowed her gently. “See, you do want us.”

“Want is very different from trust.”

“We are here to protect you. You’re safe with us.”

“But you’re not safe with me, Sin.”

I frowned at her words. “I’m a horseman of the apocalypse, Merri. And an incubus.”

She shook her head. “You don’t understand. My hunger is insatiable.”

“Hellloooo, Famine,” I waved a hand in the air and pointed at myself. “If anyone can understand endless hunger, I’m pretty sure it’s me.”

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