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  Now all Laughlin wanted to do was to find the peace of his small hut and enjoy time with his lovers.

  Sabine waited for them to return from their council meeting, ointments and bandages already prepared to see to their wounds. Though the fighting was fierce, only Brandr suffered any serious damage. A slice to his head bled heavily and required several stitches. Sabine offered him warm ale before tending his injury. Her steady hand and skill as a seamstress made short work of the cut. Laughlin sat on the side of his makeshift bed and cleaned out his own scrapes and scratches in the meantime.

  When Brandr had been taken care of Sabine came to sit by Laughlin, pushing away his hands to check the state of his injuries. “They are becoming more brazen in their attacks.” She dabbed a bit more ointment on his longest scratch. “This is the first time that I have seen them try to take a village so large.”

  Brandr sat next to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and cuddling her close. “What do you think, Laughlin?”

  “I fear they are nesting.” Laughlin closed his eyes and sent up a prayer to the gods to protect them. “The demons are attempting to create a stronghold, a home for themselves.”

  “Do they suspect you are close to finding a way to stop them completely?” Sabine snuggled closer to Brandr but put her hand on Laughlin’s knee.

  Laughlin took her hand, raising it to his mouth for a kiss. He wanted to imprint the moment of peace with her in his memory, in case it became their last. “I pray not but that may be possible.”

  “When do we try?” Brandr watched Laughlin’s lips as they caressed Sabine’s hand, hunger strong in his gaze.

  Laughlin watched Brandr’s stare. This is hopeful. He shot his oldest friend a grin. “Soon. I think it best to try soon. But we need to be comfortable with one another. Trust and love are the keys to this magic. Without both, the backlash could destroy us all.”

  “But do we not have that between us, love and trust?” Sabine looked at both men in askance. “If we do not, it comes as a surprise to me.”

  “We love you, both of us.” Brandr hugged her close and kissed the top of her head.

  “And you love each other?” She reached out to cup Laughlin’s cheek.

  Laughlin looked over at his longtime comrade-in-arms. He had lost count of the years he and Brandr had stood together against the hordes. They’d been together years before meeting Sabine. When had the feeling of friendship and trust turned to love? How long had he desired to hold the larger man in his arms? His answer to Sabine came easy. “I love him. The real question is, does Brandr love me? Will he not only share you with me, Sabine, but also embrace me? If not, the ritual will fail.”

  Sabine laughed while the larger man blushed, dipping his head. It was rare to see Brandr showing such emotion. But his cheeks bloomed the same bright red as Laughlin’s hair.

  “You men never speak to each other about the important things if you can even doubt his feelings, Laughlin.” Her eyes sparkled with laughter as she reached back with one hand to slide fingers around the back of Brandr’s head. “I watch how both of you look at one another. To be honest, I had doubts when I joined you that I could find a place here with you. I thought for certain that neither one of you needed any other person. If you two cannot tell that you love one another, then you are both fools.”

  Laughlin looked over at Brandr, not daring to hope. He fought the demon hordes day in and day out yet the thought of facing his friend with his feelings brought true terror to his heart.

  But the look on Brandr’s face was anything but hostile. It seemed more…hopeful.

  Leaning forward and over Sabine, Laughlin took the greatest gamble in his short, violent life. He placed his lips gently across Brandr’s, licking and nibbling, begging entrance. His friend groaned, his lips parting. Laughlin let his tongue slide forward in answer to the invitation. He lapped hungrily at the inside of Brandr’s mouth, savoring the slick feel against his tongue. He swallowed Brandr’s groan as he leaned ever forward.

  Sabine chuckled but wiggled out of their way as Laughlin pressed Brandr back onto the bed, desperate for this connection that he’d feared would be impossible, unwelcome even. Mouth still locked and tongue still dancing, Laughlin straddled the larger man. He paused to pull Brandr’s tunic over his head and tossed it to Sabine. Brandr’s long chestnut hair pulled free from its braid, spilling over the thin mattress. Laughlin slid his fingers through the length, almost as smooth as silk. Damn, Laughlin loved the feel of Brandr’s hair.

  “Is this for the ritual?” Brandr’s eyes glistened with what looked to be more fear than Laughlin could remember ever seeing.

  “No, this is for us.” He kissed his way down Brandr’s bare chest, his tongue paying homage to each and every scar the other man bore. So much pain. Laughlin wished he could have spared his friend all that pain.

  Why did life have so much pain?

  Brandr twisted under the oral assault. He dug his fingers into Laughlin’s hair, pulling his mouth up to take in a kiss that was savage, nothing like their previous gentle exploration. Teeth and tongue ravaged Laughlin’s mouth, sending a flash of desire straight to his already straining cock. Brandr tasted of desperation and lust. Had he always been filled with this much wanting?

  When Brandr finally released him Laughlin felt a small hand resting between his shoulders. He looked over at Sabine, beautiful Sabine, his avenging angel. She smiled but tears welled up in her eyes.

  She looked so alone and that was wrong.

  Laughlin held out a hand to her. “Why do you stand so far away? You should be here with us, next to us, loving us.” He looked down at Brandr, rubbing his thumb across his friend’s swollen lips. So wanton, the image of his friend like this burned itself into his memory. “Isn’t that right?”

  His friend and soon-to-be lover grinned, giving Laughlin’s thumb a nip. “Of course. Without her, we stupid men are certain to get something wrong.”

  Sabine laughed but pulled her dress over her head as she stepped forward. Laughlin and Brandr wasted no time and took the opportunity to undress as well before settling back on the bed. Their woman looked back and forth between the two of them. “This feels odd. I’ve loved both of you before but now, with the two of you together, I’m not certain where to start.”

  “Leave that to us, love.” Laughlin licked at Brandr’s lips. Brandr groaned and tried to suck Laughlin’s tongue into his mouth. Laughlin pulled back. “The question becomes, will Brandr take you or me?”

  The other man swallowed, eyes darting between the two of them. “And were I to take Sabine, what would you do?”

  “Take you of course.” Laughlin let a wicked grin slide across his face. “What say you?”

  “I don’t know about him but that sounds perfect to me.” Sabine’s eyes glittered with desire as she stared at the two of them. Laughlin felt that desire wash over him.

  Laughlin watched as Brandr’s cock jerked at the attention.

  “I’ll have her.” Brandr’s big, rough hand cupped Laughlin’s cheek. “I put my trust in you.”

  Closing his eyes and leaning into the caress, Laughlin sighed. “I’ll do my best to live up to that gift.”

  “You always do.” His friend turned away, grabbing Sabine by the waist and swinging her under him. “Come here, love, and let me have at you.”

  She giggled, swatting playfully at his chest but her fingers lingered over his warm flesh. “And you think you can take me down? You might be a big, strong warrior but if I didn’t want you, I’d have you on your knees in moments.”

  The big man leered and winked. “You can have me on my knees whenever you wish, my sweet lady. You have only to ask.”

  Sabine shook her head but reached out for him. “Come here, fool. I feel left out.”

  Brandr leaned down to kiss her, his hair falling around them in a wave of deep reddish brown. Laughlin mourned the lack of view but used the time to turn to find a small jar that he’d gotten from Ryo earlier. The Asian man had teased him mercilessly for it, knowing what Laughlin hoped and planned for. But it was worth the trouble now.

  He had no intention of causing Brandr any harm. He wanted this moment to be as perfect as possible. It just had to be.

  He nearly dropped the jar as he heard Sabine cry out. He spun around, already preparing to defend from attack only to see her ankles wrapped around Brandr’s waist as she clawed at his back. Brandr whipped his head back as he arched and thrust into her again. As Brandr’s hair fell away Laughlin could see Sabine’s face, twisted with pleasure barely contained. The sounds she made as Brandr pounded sent shivers down Laughlin’s spine.

  He had to join them.

  Taking a moment to cover his cock with the slick ointment, Laughlin crawled forward between Brandr’s legs. He placed a palm on his friend’s lower back, soothing for a moment before reaching down to spread his cheeks. Looking down at the clenched opening, Laughlin felt his throat tighten with fear. He had to make this good for Brandr but he hand no experience with loving a man. Only Brandr appealed to him on that gut level. Laughlin had to make this work but terror froze him in place.

  Brandr stopped moving for a second and gasped as Laughlin eased a slick finger deep into his ass, quickly joined by another.

  Sabine whimpered under him, her nails digging into his flesh as she urged him on. Brandr started thrusting again, riding both Sabine’s tight body and Laughlin’s nimble fingers.

  Once he’d calmed his own fears, Laughlin pulled his fingers free. He braced himself with a hand on Brandr’s hip. Slowly, he guided his cock deep into Brandr’s ass, stopping only when he was balls-deep, eyes and teeth clenched as he tried not to lose himself in the tight grip. Brandr jerked beneath him, pulling a scream from Sabine.

  “Are you both all
right? Should I stop?” Please don’t say yes.

  “Are you mad?” Sabine panted, glaring at him over Brandr’s shoulder. “You better not stop.”

  “Brandr?” Laughlin had to ask.

  “Don’t stop.” He turned to give Laughlin a pleading look. “I want to feel both of you. Can’t you feel her?”

  Until that moment, Laughlin hadn’t realized what it was that nudged at the edges of his mind. He’d been so focused on being careful with Brandr that he hadn’t noticed. But he could feel Sabine, feel her erotic emotions mixed with her love, thrusting into him. He could also sense Brandr, confused but still hungry for more.

  The ritual will work. If this is how things are naturally for us, add the words and the ritual will work.

  But who cared about that right now. Now he had his two lovers waiting for him. He eased out of Brandr then pushed slowly back in. The man gasped but he followed Laughlin’s movements into and out of Sabine. They developed an easy rhythm, one that brought them all to greater heights of pleasure. The added sensation of Sabine’s ability to share their emotions tied them tighter than just pure physical love.

  So closely knit were the Three, Laughlin didn’t know who climaxed first. Suddenly, all muscles tightened. His arms trembled and he felt a heat building in his spine. Brandr trembled beneath him and Sabine’s breath caught in her throat.

  He slammed into Brandr, all thought of control shattered as his balls drew tight and pumped his cum deep inside his friend. Sabine started to scream, only to bite Brandr’s shoulder to drown out the sound. Laughlin wished he could see Brandr’s face as he arched and groaned.

  The newly formed Three fell into a sweaty, sticky, exhausted heap.~

  Chapter Three

  Bree slid the hunting knife back in its sheath at her hip, took two steps back from the still-smoldering imp and leaned against a large maple tree. She waited until her breath evened out from the jagged pants and her heartbeat eased back down to normal. Her burning lungs would take a while to recover. Peeling back her sleeve, she eyed a deep scratch across her wrist. Not too bad for a night’s work, all things considered. She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples as she tried to block out dark thoughts. How many of these things were there? How long would this hunt go on?

  Would it ever end?

  The sound of snapping sticks and crumpling leaves brought her up straight, hand falling to the knife at her side. She didn’t draw it, though, as two hulking shapes shot into the clearing. “Took you long enough.” She folded her arms and leaned back against the tree.

  The older of the two men stepped forward to examine the body as the younger stood back, looking a bit sheepish as he rubbed his free hand through his dark hair. “Sorry, Sis. The other one had a friend waiting for it. Took Matt by surprise.”

  “I doubt that, Jordan. Matt is rarely surprised by anything.” But Bree walked over to her older brother as he toed the pile of ash left by the imp, spreading it in the dirt. “You okay?”

  “Few scratches, nothing I don’t get after breaking up fights after the high school basketball games.” He gave a reassuring smile. “Hell, I got worse going over to old man Boggs’ place to talk to him about not letting his dogs chase every person who walks by.”

  Slipping his own hunting knife back in its sheath, Jordan wrapped his arms around his older siblings and peered over their shoulders. “Yeah, hang tough there, Mr. Deputy. You’re just lucky I had your back.”

  Matt reached over and whacked Jordan on the back of the head before Bree had a chance to. “Keep thinking that, baby brother.”

  Jordan chuckled, shooting Bree a mischievous look. Matt must’ve had a tough time of it if Jordan felt the need to act like the class clown to relieve the stress. But it seemed to work. After spreading the ashes so no one would recognize them for a body, Matt dusted his hands. “Ready?”

  Bree followed the two down the mountain toward their home, ducking under a patch of mountain laurel. They’d discuss what happened once everyone was there.

  It was a long hike back to their place but it was a peaceful night, now that the imps had been taken care of. Cicadas chirped in the distance and the fireflies were still out, looking like so much glitter thrown into the trees. It was moments like this that Bree actually loved her hometown.

  Instead of feeling trapped here.

  They broke through the tree line and into the Collier version of a backyard. Several apple trees dotted the hillside leading down to their home. A small vegetable garden, in remembrance of their mother, still lined the side of the house. Several types of wildflowers grew in planters on the front porch and along the stone steps leading up to it. And bright lights shone inside, waiting to greet the weary hunters.

  The screen door popped open as they trudged up the stairs. Tyler poked his head out, his relief so apparent that she didn’t need any special powers to read his emotions. “Everything all right? No wounded?”

  “We’re fine,” Bree called back. “Just a few scrapes and bruises.”

  “But I’m starving.” Jordan bounded up the stairs.

  “Then get those boots off.” Ty shoved Jordan back a step, away from the door. “Mama taught you better than to be tracking mud all over her hardwood. I brought leftovers home from the cafe. Today’s special was chicken and dumplings. We’ve got cornbread, fried tomatoes and a salad to go with it.”

  Jordan hopped on one foot as he yanked off a boot. “And you’re my new favorite brother, Ty.”

  Ty rolled his eyes but Bree knew that he was pleased with the compliment. “I’m the only decent cook in the family so I’m always your favorite brother.”

  Having already peeled off her mud-plastered boots, Bree shoved her fool brother out of the way. “Aaron back yet?”

  “Yeah, everything’s fine.” Ty stepped to the side, letting her into the large, open living room. While overall masculine, the Collier living room still had a few feminine touches left from their mother. A lace tablecloth covered the hand-carved coffee table. A quilt made by their great-grandmother lay across the back of the massive couch. “It was some type of clerical error, the usual transfer between the savings account and checking broke or stalled or something. Aaron tracked it down and raised some holy hell at the bank. Believe me, they’ll pay closer attention to our accounts from now on. I mean let’s face it, with the insurance and the funds raised after what happened, we should never have an overdrawn account.”

  Matt bumped Jordan out of the way as his little brother still struggled with his second boot. “Yeah, thank god for small favors. I call shower first.” He gave Jordan a warning glare. “But there better still be food left when I’m done.”

  “Hey, don’t just look at me. Bree can pack it away too.”

  Matt raised a single eyebrow. “Yes, but our sister has the decency to think of others and not just her stomach. I don’t trust that hollow leg of yours.”

  “Can’t help if I’m still growing.” Jordan pouted.

  Bree rolled her eyes. “Lord, you better not still be growing. At twenty-two years old and six foot three, you’d damn well better be done or we’ll have to raise all the doorframes.”

  “You’re just afraid I’ll get taller than Matt.” Jordan stepped behind Bree, making a point to look down his nose at her. “You don’t want your little brother to be your biggest brother.”

  “No way will I ever consider you my biggest brother. You have to be mature for that type of title.” She locked eyes with Jordan, smirking. “That’s never going to happen.”

  Matt snorted and shook his head at the two of them before heading upstairs. Bree and Jordan looked at each other in silence for a moment before bursting into laughter, wrapping their arms around each other and heading to the dining room.

  Aaron sat at the head of the table, already halfway through his meal. He smiled and nodded at his siblings as they sat on either side of him. “Everything went well, I take it?”