CHAPTER 3

Home was a three-story Victorian set on five acres of land on the outskirts of Belles-Faire, a seedy but comfortable district in north Seattle. Our land was filled with wetlands, skirting Birchwater Pond where we held rituals and holidays. I had an herb garden, and Delilah roamed the woods in cat form, playing with her unlikely friend Misha—a mouse—and keeping an eye on the local flora and fauna. She lived on the third floor of the creaky old house, I had the second, and the main floor was the common area for all of us. Menolly nested in the basement, her lair a vision of green toile and elegant ivory.

As Morio and I drove through the wooded suburbs, it occurred to me how much had changed over the past couple years since my sisters and I’d come Earthside, and not all of the change was for the best. But at least home was still safe and welcoming.

In some ways, I missed the privacy we’d had early on, but now our house was truly a thriving home, no longer a temporary sanctuary while we waited out the agency-imposed sabbatical the OIA had thrust on us. No, now our home was a sanctuary against the demon menace, and we were here for as long as it took to put an end to Shadow Wing’s plans.

In the beginning, it had just been the three of us. Then came Maggie, our baby calico gargoyle I’d saved from a demon’s lunch box. After Maggie came to stay, it was obvious we needed a nanny and housekeeper, so we’d taken in Iris—a Finnish house sprite (or Talon-haltija as her proper title was) who was also a whop-ass kind of woman. She had a lot of secrets, but we’d ferreted out a few, like the fact that she was a pledged Priestess of Undutar, the Finnish goddess of mists and snow. What Iris was doing here, working with us, we still weren’t sure, but we knew she was heart-and-soul loyal.

And then the men had come. My ex, Trillian, showed up and once again reentered my life. A Svartan, he was currently missing, but we were due to go home to Otherworld in a few days and bring him back. And then Morio and Smoky had interrupted my life. Rozurial, an incubus, lived with us, too, and Vanzir, a turncoat demon who had defected to our side.

There were others who came and went—Menolly’s girlfriend Nerissa and Delilah’s other suitor—Zachary—were both werepumas from the Rainier Puma Pride. And our cousin Shamas lived with Roz and Vanzir out in the shed that had become a studio.

Yes, our family had increased multifold. And even though it meant we’d lost some privacy, I liked the feeling of security it provided.

The house was silent when we pushed through the door. Iris had left a note on the bulletin board saying she and her leprechaun boyfriend were in bed, and Maggie was sleeping, and would we please avoid disturbing any of them. Rozurial and Vanzir were either out or in the studio.

Morio and I checked the wards to make sure everything was secure, then trudged up the stairs. The only thing I wanted was a hot bath, but both Morio and Smoky had other ideas.

Either Morio had let Smoky know how I was feeling, or the tall drink of glacial water had tuned into my mood, but the six-foot-four dragon was waiting by the bathroom door, his ankle-length silver hair unbound and coiling around him like snakes on a medusa. Without a word, Morio pushed me toward Smoky, who whispered something I couldn’t catch. In silence, two thick strands of his hair rose up to wrap themselves around my wrists and gently but firmly spread my arms wide.

I caught my breath as another strand of hair slithered behind me, taking hold of the zipper on the back of my gown and slowly lowering it. As the tendrils of hair slid the dress down my shoulders, over my arms, and to the floor, I stood breathless, naked except for my bra, panties, and stiletto ankle boots and I realized I was at the point where I wanted Smoky and Morio to take over. I didn’t want to do anything except let them play me as they would.

Morio unhooked my bra. My breasts jiggled free. Too tired to move, I closed my eyes as his hands slid around from behind to brush my nipples, his long black nails raking over the skin. He was leaving faint marks, but the burn brought me back to life, reminded me that I was still here, still in my body.

He slid his hands down my sides, curving along my waist, over my hips, setting off minor explosions all along the way until he hooked his fingers around the waistband of my panties, and just as slowly, lowered them to the floor, taking hold of my ankles to lift my feet one at a time. Tossing the flimsy silk to the side, he untied my boots and eased them off. I moaned gently as he worked his way back up the inside of my legs, over my calves, running his hands along my inner thighs, his touch exquisite and firm. I started to spread my legs but Morio stopped and gave a soft laugh.

“Not yet,” he whispered. “You need your bath.”

Smoky stepped forward and swept me up in his arms as Morio slipped into the bathroom. I leaned my head against my dragon’s chest, inhaling the familiar scent of his musk as I slowly began to unwind.

The bathroom was dimly lit, violet candles lining the vanity. The oversized tub was filled with bubbles that smelled like lilac and lavender and narcissus.

Smoky nodded to Morio. “Go and take your shower. We’ll meet you in the bedroom. I’ll bathe her.”

He lowered me into the water and I leaned back against the warm porcelain, drawing a deep breath of the fragrant steam and letting it settle in my lungs. Morio silently withdrew as Smoky knelt beside the tub. He picked up the bath sponge and dipped it in the bubbles, softly circling my breasts with the warm soapy water, pressing against my nipples, trailing the loofah down the center of my chest. My breath quickened as he moved the sponge to bathe my arms, then pulled me forward to gently scrub my back.

When I started to speak, he brushed my lips with his finger. “Quiet.”

Smoky was the only man alive who could make me obey with a single command. Whether it was because he was a dragon, I didn’t know. But when he spoke, I listened. Though I put on a show of arguing with him in public, when we were alone or with Morio, I welcomed the chance to let go, to surrender control, to let someone else make the decisions.

I’d always been dominant, the rock of the family, the anchor for my sisters. And they needed me to be that way still. But with Smoky and Morio, in the seclusion of our bedroom, I could let them take over, trust that they’d protect me and help me forget about demons and battle and blood.

He lifted a snifter of cognac to my lips. I took a few sips and smiled as the liqueur burned a trail down my throat, leaving the taste of honey and wine in its wake. Before I realized what was happening, the cognac was followed by Smoky’s tongue as he leaned over the tub and pressed his mouth against mine. I opened my mouth to him as he gathered me to his chest, ignoring the fact that the water and bubbles were soaking his T-shirt and splashing on his white jeans. He gently probed my mouth, his tongue darting quickly between my lips as a strand of his hair rose up to curl around one of my nipples.

Dizzy, I leaned back and he reached for a towel. As I moved to get out of the tub he stopped me and lifted me up, pressing me against him as he wrapped me in the huge bath sheet, then carried me into our bedroom. Morio was waiting, lounging on the bed in a loose black and white silk robe.

As Morio dimmed the lights and pulled down the covers on the king-sized bed, Smoky lowered me into the soft folds of the comforter. He stepped back to pull off his shirt and unbuckle his belt.

I watched, breathless. He slipped out of the butt-hugging jeans and stood there, elegant and muscled, his body a mirror of perfection, his cock hard and erect. Morio laughed with an ever so slight rough edge, and slowly pulled off his robe. He was naked beneath it. His complexion was golden compared to Smoky’s alabaster, and he wasn’t nearly as tall, but he was fit and no less endowed. I gazed at them. Morio was right—I needed them tonight. I needed sex. I needed to unwind and let go of the tension.

I rose up on my knees, my heart thudding. If only Trillian were here, my circle would be complete, the loves of my life would all fit in their proper niches. But until then . . . a sudden streak of hot lust raced through my body and I tossed my hair back and laughed.

“Come and get me, boys.”

“As you will, my love,” Smoky said, pouncing on the bed next to me. He pushed me back so I was lying to his right.

Morio stretched out on my other side, propping himself up on his elbow, as he leaned down to lick one of my nipples. Smoky ran his fingers down my thigh and slid his hand between my legs, coaxing his way up toward my inner lips as I let out a small gasp. My body burned under their hands, sparks raging like a bonfire lighting up at the touch of a match.

Morio fastened his lips on my breast, nipping me with his teeth. The pain bordered on pleasure. I reached for his head, but two silken strands of Smoky’s hair caught my wrists, pinning them above my head.

“Give us your control. Give yourself up to us,” Smoky whispered.

I closed my eyes, then opened them again, wanting to see their faces, wanting to see them bearing down on me. Smoky’s eyes sparkled as he slid his fingers inside me and thrust deep. Full and yet not full, aching for more, I let out a sharp cry.

“I want you inside me. Or Morio. Or both. It’s all good.” My pussy throbbed, aching to be used. “Take me, please.”

“She’s ripe,” Smoky said, glancing at Morio.

“She’s hungry,” Morio shot back. “Shall we give her what she wants?”

“I think so, but not too quickly.”

I groaned as they joked together, ignoring my moans as they held me down. “Oh for the sake of the gods, just fuck me, boys.”

Smoky’s smile vanished and he leaned down to stare at my face. “On our terms, in our time. You will be silent, my pet, or I’ll have to punish you.”

I shut up. Smoky’s punishments usually didn’t hurt, though he had a thing for spanking and I allowed it because he put up with so much from me. But I knew from experience that he could string out sex to last all night, and he knew how to keep me from coming till he was ready. Oh, at times it was glorious—a fuckfest that was divine agony. But right now I wanted release. I wanted to leap over the abyss and go barreling toward the bottom of the ravine.

Morio laughed aloud as Smoky leaned back against the headboards and bent his knees. He encircled my waist, pulling me against him, my back against his chest and groin. He was hard and demanding, and his cock slid between the folds of my ass, testing ever so gently against me. I tensed, but for now he was just making certain I knew he was there.

Morio knelt in front of me, spreading my legs wide. He leaned between my thighs, searching for my core with his tongue. Sucking, biting, and then darting away, he teased me before settling in to fasten his lips on my clit.

The smoldering embers burst into flame and I let out a sharp cry.

Smoky’s hair stroked my body, squeezing my breasts together as the dragon held me fast. I thrashed, trying to move, wanting to hold Morio’s head as he tongue-bathed me, but Smoky’s grip was so strong that I was helpless. Frustrated, I panted raggedly.

“Give it up,” he whispered in my ear. “Give in to us. Let us take you down and bathe you in fire.”

Tears forming in my eyes, I let out a harsh moan as Morio slid his tongue inside me, darting quickly in and out, curling around the edges of my pussy to set off a trail of fireworks in his wake.

He rose up, then, to stare in my eyes. Feral, primal, the energy rose around him like a silken green veil. Smoky’s own aura flamed silver and when the two met they coiled like mating serpents, shrouding me in a cloak of passion that reached far beyond the human part of myself.

Each time this moment occurred, I wondered if I’d be able to come back, if I could return from the realm into which these men who were not men dragged me. We were bound, on a soul level, and sex had become so much more than just sex. We were soul mates as well as lovers, connected forever by an ancient ritual.

My thoughts went silent again as Smoky trailed a circlet of kisses around the back of my neck. Morio pressed his lips against mine and I tasted myself on him—and yet, it was sweet honey and wine that touched my tongue.

Lifting me gently, Smoky flipped me over so I was on my hands and knees, facing the side of the bed. He slid his fingers inside me, drawing out my juices to bathe his cock, then positioned himself at the center of my ass. Gently, he tested, but I was ready and he slowly began to thrust forward, taking his time to penetrate, letting me rest between each fraction of an inch. I was tight, but he moved slowly and a sweet sensation began to rise through my body. As I squirmed, then gave in, he began to gently pump from behind.

His lip curled in a delicious smirk. Morio stood at the edge of the bed, his cock poised at my mouth. “Taste me,” he said, his voice lusty. Smoky’s thrusts making me hunger for more, I welcomed Morio in as he slid his girth between my lips, filling my mouth with his warm and salty taste.

Morio grasped my hair with one hand, his fingers tangled so tightly that my scalp ached, but the pain blended with the pleasure and I wanted more. I wanted both of them, inside of me, together. Now.

And then Morio was fucking my mouth, plunging just deep enough so that I didn’t choke. I sucked hard, licking and teasing him as my own energy rose like a violet shadow to spiral up between the two men.

“That’s it. Harder!” Morio’s eyes shimmered with topaz flecks and I could see his form shift, mutating ever so slightly. I knew that he wanted to change, but there was no room on the bed for him in demon form, not with Smoky in bed, too, and so he abruptly withdrew from my mouth and slid beneath me, between my legs.

With one swift thrust, he drove himself up and into me, his chest pressing hard against my breasts as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pumped from below. The fire raged like a string of explosions up and down my body as Smoky and Morio began to synchronize rhythms. They filled me up, every inch of me, and the smell of their musk swept around me like the Goat god’s perfume. Everything felt so right, so perfectly balanced, and I found myself rocking on the edge, the orgasm building, knotting my stomach.