Unafraid Read Free Page B

didn’t hold a grudge and seemed to have forgotten about the incident until Michael was compelled to bring it up again.
    â€œThank you,” Michael said, sealing his words with a kiss. “And next year I promise I won’t forget yours.”
    Ronan changed position so they were now lying on their sides facing each other. “I told you, love, it’s not a big deal,” he replied. “Birthdays don’t mean much to vampires or to Atlantians for that matter.”
    Tugging on the curls of black hair on Ronan’s chest, Michael whispered, “I know, but I still shouldn’t have forgotten.”
    Ronan grabbed Michael’s hand and pulled it away from his chest; he loved the sensation, but he just felt the need to kiss Michael’s fingers. “The concept of age is kind of meaningless to us now,” he explained. “I just know you still enjoy this human tradition.”
    His comment made Michael roll his eyes. Yes, Ronan had been a vampire for longer than Michael had, but only by a few years. And yet sometimes when he spoke he sounded downright ancient. “Well, I promise not to forget your birthday,” Michael declared. “Even when we’re 362.”
    Ronan traced his cheek with Michael’s fingers. How wonderful it will be to spend 362 years with you, Michael, but before we spend another moment together things need to change. “I want to give you a gift.”
    Unable to contain his excitement, Michael sat up in bed, bouncing a little bit, delighted and hoping that Ronan’s present would be better than his singing.
    â€œI want to give you the gift of honesty,” Ronan stated.
    Hmm, maybe not. “Is that, um, a new cologne?” Michael asked.
    Shaking his head, Ronan wrapped his leg around Michael’s waist so their naked bodies were intertwined. “No, I’m talking about the actual word and everything it means.”
    â€œOh,” Michael replied warily.
    Ronan held Michael’s hands in his and looked him directly in the eyes. Whatever he wanted to say, he was serious, and Michael’s caution turned into intrigue. “I don’t want there to be any more secrets between us,” Ronan said. “I didn’t tell you about my past with Nakano, or about your father being a vampire, or the fact that Saoirse’s different from all of us, and if only I had we could have avoided lots of turmoil, lots of unnecessary pain.”
    â€œI told you,” Michael said, “I understand why you did all that. You were protecting me.”
    â€œAnd look how it all backfired,” Ronan added. “So to bloody hell with all that. From here on out, no more secrets.”
    Slowly, Michael nodded his head in agreement. He was happy to hear that Ronan wanted to substitute truth for secrets, but he couldn’t help wondering what else Ronan could possibly have to tell him. Secret telling, however, would have to wait a while longer, because just as Ronan was about to speak he was interrupted by a knock at their door.
    â€œOpen up! We come bearing gifts!”
    The high-pitched voice was unmistakable. It belonged to Saoirse.
    â€œHold on!” Ronan cried.
    Like two mice scampering in a field, Michael and Ronan raced around their room putting the clothes back on that they had so carelessly discarded earlier in the morning. Fully dressed, Ronan opened the door to see not just Saoirse, but Ciaran and Fritz as well, all bearing gifts. “You two were in your birthday suits, weren’t you?” Saoirse asked.
    â€œNo,” Ronan said emphatically.
    His staunch tone was undermined when Michael said, “Kind of,” at the same time.
    â€œAren’t ya glad I told ya to knock first?” Fritz asked. Despite the interruption to their privacy, both boys welcomed the intrusion. The camaraderie made Ronan feel like part of a family, and it reminded Michael that he now had friends who wanted to celebrate his