Iris laughed, shrugging her shoulders. "Guilty as charged. Her mother grinned. "I need you to know that the base of all your powers, everything that's inside you and around you, everything you are capable of is already here. And while you may think that you aren't worthy of these gifts because you're young or inexperienced, you're wrong. This has been your destiny before you were even born. When you feel the weight of the world dragging you down, remember that you were sculpted by the hands that be to fulfill your destiny."
Iris' eyes twinkled, and she gripped her mother's hands tightly. "Thank you, mother. That is exactly what I needed to hear. Everything ahead of me seems hellish and overwhelming, but I know that if you believe in me, and my sisters believe in me, and my mates, there's nothing that I won't be able to accomplish."
Her mother looked over her shoulder and turned back to Iris with a sweet smile. "I have to go, but I know that we can all count on you, and when you don't have the strength to believe in yourself, know that I believe in you."
As Omera released Iris' hands, they both gently floated apart. Iris could feel herself cross back into the mortal plane through the veil, watching as her mother's shimmering image faded away. There was a renewed strength in Iris's soul, and she slept soundly that night, knowing the universe was behind her.
Chapter Fifteen
The day started early, Iris waking up before the sun, and waking up the guys for the first time. Usually, they were up long before her. She had told them that they needed not to worry about having a constant watch on her. However, knowing them better than that, she was sure they were rotating shifts guarding her every few hours. In reality, it made her feel safer and allowed her to sleep more soundly. She knew in the end, no matter how much they were there for her, she would have to be the one to use her powers to pull the stone.
After breakfast, she hurried the men out to the field, surrounding them with her magic as to keep roving eyes off of them. They teamed up, moving back and forth, punching, kicking, and training in every way they could in their human form. Arsenio moved slowly, one of the drawbacks of being a bigger guy. But where he lacked in speed, he made up for in strength. Iris stood back and watched with a grin as Alo charged at him, shifting right and left, trying to trip him up with his agility. As he grew close, Arsenio grunted and threw his arm out, slamming into Alo's chest and knocking him to the ground. They all laughed, clapping wildly as they stood over Alo.
“That was quite the move there,” Frodi chuckled.
“Yeah, yeah,” Alo groaned as Arsenio pulled him to his feet.
Iris looked around, realizing that they had been out there for most of the day. The sun was beginning to set, and her body was exhausted. "All right, I think we've done everything that we can do. You guys should grab some food and then get a good night's sleep. In the morning, I'll finish up the harness, and we can do this thing."
Saying those words, Iris thought that she'd be nervous, but surrounded by her mates; she didn't feel uncomfortable or scared in the least. They headed back to the town, grabbing a quick bite at the pub and then headed to the hotel. The guys all walked her to her door and made sure she was safely inside. Iris hadn't been that exhausted in a long time, even worse than when she arrived from the long journey there. She dragged herself into the shower, quickly washed, threw on a T-shirt, and passed out in her bed.
Iris felt as if she had only been asleep for a split second before her eyes opened, and she looked around her. It was dark, but she could see the drifting snow swirling all around. Carefully Iris walked forward, unsure of her footing as she stepped through the deep compacted snow. Finding herself on a ledge, she stopped and looked out at the horizon. The view took her breath away, realizing that she was standing on the highest peak of the Right Staff Mountains. The clouds were thickly swirling just above her head, and she could feel the thin brisk air crashing through her lungs. All around her were jagged edges and slippery slopes that would lead anyone to their death if they didn't watch where they walked. The wind blew wildly, and as she stood there in her human form, her Griffin feathers sprouted from her arms, legs, and her neck. She looked at them curiously, never having shifted only partway before. She wasn't sure if it was the dream she was having or a new power that she would be able to manifest in her waking state.
As the wind swirled through her hair, she heard a whisper. “Iris…”
She froze in place, unsure if she was hearing her name or just a trick from the whistle of the wind. She listened harder, once again hearing the song of an unknown voice playing through the breeze like a calming melody. "Iris… Find me. You're running out of time…"
Iris turned on her heels, feeling the icy breath of winter strike down her neck. She squinted, looking through the blowing snow and fog on the highest peak of the land. At first, Iris saw a glimmering glow emanating from the ground. As she stepped forward, though, that glow dimmed, and a shadow formed on the snow. There was a burning in her chest, and Iris watched as Hellforth stepped through the drift, his eyes a bright demon red, fire surging from his fingertips. In the palm of his hand, he held the stone.
Iris shook her head, gripping her chest as she attempted to move forward. The wind whipped harder, grabbing her by the arms, acting as if it too were commanded by Hellforth. A deep demonic laugh echoed from the Bat Shifter Alpha, as he raised the stone into the air. Light erupted from the medallion, splitting the stone down the center, sending surges of magic through Hellforth. His body began to expand, growing larger and larger, forcing Iris to step back. Her foot slipped, and she looked over her shoulder, her arms out to the sides. She was standing on the edge of the peak, and Hellforth's body wasn't slowing down.
She tried to shift into her Griffin, but instead, her feathers wilted off her skin and fell into the drifts of snow, disappearing out of sight. As Hellforth's body continued to grow, Iris teetered on the edge of the peak, shaking her head, screaming out in anger.
Suddenly, Hellforth shrunk back down to his normal size, bending forward with his face just inches from hers. She stared at him, her bottom lip quivering as she felt her Griffin disappear from within her. As he opened his mouth to speak, she braced herself for death. "Iris! Wake up!"
Iris' eyes shot open, and she sat straight up in her bed, grabbing at the burning in her chest. She moved right and left, unsure of who was touching her, uncertain of where she even was. The stench of Hellforth's breath lingered in her nostrils until finally, Alo put his hand to her chest, jolting her back to reality. It was as if he had reached down and saved her soul from spiraling off the cliffs of Right Staff Mountain.
Breathing heavily, she looked up at her mates, tears filling her eyes. She shook her head. "I failed them. I failed you all. It was right there."
Arsenio hurried over, climbing behind her and pulling her toward him, wrapping his arms around Iris' body. Frodi sat to the left, gripping her hand tightly while Alo did the same on the right. Frodi reached up and took his finger, sliding it across her forehead and down to her temple. As he pressed, she could feel a wave of calmness move over her. But with that calmness came a surge of thoughts and ideas that she knew very well belonged to Frodi. Somehow, their connection allowed him to send his emotions through to her.
She let out a deep breath and leaned back against Arsenio. "Thank you. The vision, it just seemed so real. We have to get to that stone before he does."
Arsenio loosened his grip, bending his arms and rubbing his large hands over her head. “That’s the plan.”
Frodi shrugged. "That is if Alo doesn't have to face an army of Arsenio's. Otherwise, we might be screwed."
Everyone laughed, including Alo. As the laughter died down, Iris suddenly became very aware of the three men in her bed. It didn't feel uncomfortable or awkward in the least; in fact, she couldn't quite manage to imagine them leaving. Iris reached up and brushed one hand against Alo's cheek, and the other against Frodi's. Tilting her head back, she pressed her lips to Arsenio. In any other situation, it would've felt fo
rced, unnatural even, but with the three of them, Iris felt nothing but comfortable. She felt as if it were natural, the progression of movements leaning toward an emotional connection between all of them.
When her lips released Arsenio's, Alo leaned in and kissed her as well, pulling back so that Frodi could touch her lips with his. Arsenio's hands slid down to Iris' shoulders, and he began to massage the base of her neck gently. Alo sat back, running his hands up and down her thighs, pushing deep into her muscles. She felt a twinge of excitement as his hands touched the bottom of her T-shirt but quickly turned and moved back down toward her knee.
Frodi leaned forward, pulling her shirt up and over her head. Iris had put on nothing but a T-shirt before she passed out, but instead of feeling shy or embarrassed, her nakedness only aroused her more. She wanted to show the men her body, not in the same way as when she shifted from her Griffin to her human, but in a way that displayed to them just how much of a woman she truly was.
Alo leaned forward and suckled her breast, pulling her nipple into his mouth and sliding his tongue across it. Iris leaned back again, turning her head as she ran her tongue across Arsenio's lips. She could feel the vibration of a growl in his chest as he opened his mouth and took her into him. Frodi, maneuvering to her side, gently kissed her neck, nibbling at her earlobe. She shivered as her body become covered in goosebumps, the nerves down her neck and back, ringing out in pleasure. She could feel Frodi and Alo's hands inch up each thigh, slowly caressing the crease that led to her dripping wet pussy.
Arsenio's hands came up, cupping her breasts, massaging them gently. Alo scooted down the bed and slowly spread Iris's legs apart, sinking on his stomach as he leaned into her wetness. She gasped in pleasure as his tongue swiped through her pink mound, flickering just slightly when he reached her clit. Frodi reached over and grabbed her chin, turning it toward him. He enveloped her in his kiss, pulling her tongue wildly into his mouth and tasting her sweetness. She moaned into his throat, her body beginning to move against Alo's mouth. As she gyrated her hips, she grinded against Arsenio's hard cock, pressing into her back.
Frodi released her mouth and began to undress as Alo did the same, his tongue continued to lick and devour her pussy. She leaned up, gripping his head as Arsenio pulled his shirt off and inched his boxer briefs dow
n. She reached back behind her and grabbed the shaft smoothing her hand up and down. Alo sat up, as Frodi reached over, helping to lift her off the bed and into Arsenio's lap. Arsenio grabbed her waist, lifting and moving her as if she weighed nothing. Iris reached between her thighs and grabbed his cock, slowly sliding it down, pushing it deep inside of her. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and she immediately began to rock her hips as Alo's fingers rubbed gently against her throbbing
clit.
She grasped both Alo and Frodi's rock hard members, as she moved her eyes from Frodi to Alo and back again. She stroked them in unison as she rode Arsenio, feeling the immense pleasure as his shaft pressed against the inside of her belly.
Arsenio's hands gripped her waist, and he began to lift her slowly up and down, pushing himself deep inside her as she rocked her hips against him. She moaned deep in her chest, aching for release yet never wanting it to end. He moved faster and faster, guiding her up and down his thick cock as she edged closer and closer to orgasm. Just as her screams reached a fevered pitch, he pulled her up and off of him, pushing her forward onto all fours.
Arsenio moved to the side, and everyone circled around her. From behind, she could feel Alo's hands slide down her back and grab her by the hips, positioning himself. He rubbed the tip of his cock through her juices before pushing slowly inside of her. Her body throbbed, having only reached the edge of ecstasy before being slung around, the pleasure growing in intensity by the second.
Frodi knelt to one side, and as Arsenio held the back of her head, slide his cock deep inside her hungry mouth. She held firmly onto Frodi's manhood, sliding down and back up again over and over, watching him groan as he rolled his eyes. For Iris, it wasn't just sex, and it wasn't for them either. It was a connection, a connection so deep that she could feel it surging through every part of her body. She had never felt so powerful, yet so reliant on her mates to bring her to her ultimate pleasure.
Alo reached around and massaged her clit while he steadily pounded her from behind, his body slapping against her ass. With Arsenio's cock deep in her throat, she curled her toes and groaned, pushing her mouth deeper until she reached the base of his shaft. He roared in ecstasy as Iris slowly lifted her head back, swiping her tongue back and forth along the head. No sooner did she begin to climb back toward ecstasy did Alo move, allowing Frodi to slip right up underneath her and pull her down onto him.
Arsenio moved to the side, but Iris's hand quickly came up, gripping him tightly in her palm. He was wet from her mouth, and she began stroking him fast and hard. She sat up on Frodi, and he gripped her waist, holding her just above him as he pumped his hips, slamming into her over and over again. She reached out for Alo, pulling him closer, using her other hand to stroke him as well. Groans filled the room in chorus as Iris' body bounced up and down, her breasts jiggling wildly as Frodi rhythmically thrust from below.
As her wails began to reach a fevered pitch, she could feel all three guys hardened even further. Arsenio's jaw was locked, his eyes staring down at her. Alo growled, his eyes closed, feeling every movement of her hand. And Frodi, breathed heavily as he clawed at her sides, pumping as fast as he could, his body smacking against her knob over and over again. As she reached the edge of passion, her head flew back, and her hand gripped tighter and tighter on both Arsenio and Alo. The pleasure that erupted from within her shook her entire body, leaving her gasping and limp from the release.
She could feel Alo and Arsenio grab her hands, helping her to finish them off. Frodi pumped into her a few more times before pulling her down hard onto his lap. She could feel the hot air leave his lungs as his cock pulsated and exploded inside of her. She writhed in ecstasy and then felt warm spray coming from both directions as Alo and Arsenio groaned loudly, shooting the loads across her neck and down her shoulders.
As her breath began to return, she filled her lungs again, slowly opening her eyes. What she hadn't noticed during their lovemaking was all too real at that moment. The room was filled with the purple haze, a swirling magical field that collected every moan and every gasp of pleasure. She looked from side to side, and then down at Frodi as he collapsed beneath her. If it hadn't been obvious before, it was undeniable at that point. Arsenio, Alo, and Frodi were Iris' true mates.
Chapter Sixteen
There was a different feel to the camaraderie between the four of them the next day. There were no nerves as they prepared to leave, no fears of facing Hellforth, only a serene peace that fell over all of them. From that connection, the passion and magic that flowed through them the night before, they had surrendered their selves and formed a real understanding that they were all connected in a way that few others could ever explain. Iris could feel the emotions of all three of her mates; she could sense their protection, their love, and their lust. It was intense, sometimes so much so, she had to take a deep breath to regain her composure.
They had eaten a light breakfast after waking up together and headed out to the field, surrounding themselves in the cloaking magic that Iris no longer even had to think about. They pulled the harness from its hiding spot, and she began to create a safe place for both Frodi and Alo to ride on her back when they got to high up the mountain for either of them to continue. The winds at that height were too extreme for a Raven or an Owl to sustain the upward climb.
Iris pulled on one of the straps, nodding her head. "When the winds get too intense, the two of you need to climb into these holsters on each side. If they are stronger than what we're thinking, there's enough room for you to sink inside, which will shield you from the drifting snow and ice. But don't wait too long, don't be heroes. If you go tumbling off in the wind curren
t, there's no telling if I'll be able to find you. From what I've seen in my visions, the snow piles high and fast."
Frodi kissed her cheek. "It's finely constructed; I thank you for protecting me on the way up."
Alo smiled, giving her a wink. "I'll be right where I'm supposed to be."
Arsenio put out his massive arms. "What, you didn't make a carrier for me?”
They all laughed, knowing full well that Arsenio was bigger than all of them. Besides, he would never have agreed to ride on her back, not that he had anything against Alo or Frodi, but they weren't given large shifting animals from birth. Lamassu were prideful creatures, and they would gladly defeat mother nature herself before giving in to death or defeat. Iris didn't fear for Arsenio in the least.
Alo cleared his throat and nodded at Iris. She swirled her hand, creating a fog that floated up between them, forming a window that revealed the unfavorable conditions of the mountains. Alo nodded his head in thanks. "If we leave in the next hour, with the conditions as treacherous as they are, we'll reach the site when Hellforth does. Arsenio, you'll come around behind the peak, spotting the old sorcerer and subduing him before he can react. You'll be the first on the scene or the last, depending on how it goes. Hellforth will have magic, but because he doesn't have the stone, he should be weak enough for Iris to take. Alo and I will defend her from whatever creatures protect the Alpha Bat Shifter. Be prepared for there to be a total war on top of that peak."
They all stared at the blowing drifts of snow in Iris' magical window. The reality of it all was setting in, as they glanced around each other, pulling strength from each other's courage. Iris closed her palm, dissolving the magic back into her chest. Without a word, they shifted into their animals, taking off through the field and into the air. As soon as they crossed over the caverns, the wind whipped wildly, the temperature dropped, and Iris could feel that all too familiar pull in her chest. The last time she had felt it was when she had collapsed into a vision, but this time she knew where it was coming from.
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