Samhain Publishing Ltd, Ebooks and Books in Print

“Just down the road,” said Josh as they left the bike path and entered suburbia. There they rode side by side. Kir gazed with open admiration at the upscale houses they passed. Which amused Josh, or would have if he wasn’t wound so tight. The endgame was in sight.

Josh led Kir to the two story, five bedroom house that he’d become acquainted with this past week and Kir said, “Wow. Is this yours?”

“Yup,” Josh lied. “Accountants know how to pay their bills.”

Kir nodded wisely, obviously impressed. Josh turned away from the boy’s admiration and thumbed the garage door opener. They watched the white double door fold up into the garage ceiling.

“Come on in,” said Josh.

Kir hung back as Josh wheeled his bike in beside the black SUV that took up half of the garage.

“I’m ready for air conditioning. You?”

“Okay,” said Kir. He took a deep breath and followed Josh, parking his bike. They entered the house and once the door shut behind them, Josh breathed a little more easily. The boy didn’t know it, but he was locked in.

“Water? Juice? Something stronger?” Josh asked as he walked to the kitchen. Kir trailed behind him.

“Water, please.” Kir winced, as if he thought he sounded stupid.

Somehow, Josh hadn’t expected the boy to be naive.

Kir gave a sharp shake of the head. “Sorry, I’m just not used to…”

“Getting picked up during the day?” Josh let his smile widen and Kir responded by trying to shrug casually.

While Kir fidgeted, Josh pulled down two glasses and filled them with water.

“There’s a first time for everything.” Josh didn’t touch Kir’s fingers as he handed him the glass. It was too close to the end. This cat and mouse game left him with a bad taste in his mouth. Monster or not, Kir was too easily played. The files had led Josh to expect some sophistication, especially about sex.

Kir gulped down the entire glass at once. Too fast, thought Josh, and resisted the impulse to shake his head at Kir. God, with a little show of interest, of concern, anyone could have brought this boy in.

“Thanks,” Kir said, swiping his mouth.

“I think you should stop thanking me,” Josh said gently.

Kir’s face softened, as if he thought Josh was about to seduce him. When Josh didn’t do anything, Kir’s expression clouded. He pointed to Josh’s full glass of water. “I thought you were thirsty.”

“I am.” Josh drank—the drug had been in Kir’s glass, not in the water. The boy’s frown remained. Josh wondered, in an idle, theoretical way, if Kir would realize Josh had duped him and exact revenge before he passed out. Those files had stressed how easily Kir could damage Josh’s mind. Maybe the drug wasn’t strong enough for the boy.

The boy. Josh felt like a shit. Perhaps Kir had manipulated him into guilt without his realizing it. This was his talent, using words to convince people they were acting on their own cognizance.

But Josh was unharmed while Kir staggered and reached for the table. Today Josh had done damage, not Kir.

“You okay?” asked Josh, making no move to help.

“Yes.” His confusion belied his word. He stared intently at the table’s edge, trying to pull himself together. “I…” Realization dawned though they had sworn the drug wouldn’t allow it. “Oh,” said Kir, blinking up at Josh. “You?” Disappointment gave way to anger. Kir’s gaze intensified, even as his body trembled against the drug, and Josh found that he couldn’t look away.

“Don’t let them hurt me.” Kir’s face drained of color and he fell forward.

Josh moved quickly. The least he could do was break the boy’s fall. Bending his knees, he turned Kir’s body and scooped him up. He wasn’t light for his height, but he wasn’t tall either, and Josh was strong.

The boy smelled good, young, fresh, and Josh couldn’t help thinking, what a waste. Kir should be out with friends on the weekend, not trying—and failing—to escape the agency. Josh carried him to the couch. Laid him down. In his forced sleep the boy looked incredibly innocent: long eyelashes, smooth face with just a hint of the day’s stubble.

But Josh knew about innocence: it wasn’t always pure. He dialed into his contact. “He’s here,” he said. “He’s out.”