Page 84 of Black Hollow: Awakening

“Hey,” a familiar voice suddenly said.

Will turned and saw Liam standing in front of him.

“Hey, Li—”

He fell silent abruptly when it registered in his brain that Liam was naked.

Completely. Totally. Naked.

“What are you doing here?” Liam asked.

“You’re naked,” Will noted, still shaken by the fact. He reflexively glanced down at a certain spot. He turned red.

“That’s not an answer to my question,” Liam replied jokingly. “I hope.”

“Yes. No. What?” Will stammered, struggling to focus on the conversation. “Why are you naked?”

“Because I just transformed back.”

“You mean you were in your wolf form? Sorry, not wolf form, but…”

“Yeah,” Liam interrupted him. “And what brings you here?”

“Uh… I thought I saw something,” Will confessed, deeply embarrassed.

He was seeing something now, too. And that something was terribly distracting.

“What?” Liam asked, interested.

“A demon,” Will said, and seeing Liam’s look, he waved a hand and muttered, “It’s a long story.”

“I bet,” Liam snorted.

“Oh, sure,” Will grumbled. “The guy who’s standing naked in the snow is going to insinuate I’m crazy.”

“That’s right, don’t let him,” Liam said casually, smiling broadly. “Though I don’t think it’s all that strange.”

“Of course it’s strange! Picture a serene, postcard-perfect winter scene with a giant naked man standing in the middle of it!”

Liam chuckled softly.

“I’m not that big.”

“You are,” Will muttered, tilting his head back slightly to meet his eyes.

Liam made it easier for him by leaning down a bit, then asked with a mischievous grin:

“Are you sure we’re talking about my height?”

“God,” Will groaned under his breath, feeling like he was about to die of embarrassment.

“Demons or not, you shouldn’t wander too far into Black Forest,” Liam said, straightening up unhurriedly. “First of all, it’s easy to get lost, and second, we’re having a little party today,” he said, winking conspiratorially. “We’re celebrating my brother’s birthday. Like I said, we’re conscious after we transform, but sometimes instincts take over. I don’t want you to get scared.”

“Okay. Thanks,” Will said, smiling slightly. Maybe he had heard one of Liam’s friends?

For a moment, they stood beside each other in complete silence. It was starting to get awkward. And cold, though probably only for Will, because Liam seemed oblivious to the conditions.

“So… couldn’t you… maybe…” Will cleared his throat, trying to get to the point. “keep a spare set of clothes with you? For situations like this?”