“Tennessee.” She answered, running to catch up with us.
“I didn’t teleport us far then.” I murmured, threading my finger through Dane’s belt loop as we walked.
The back door opened then, or maybe it was a side door. This house had a lot of doors. The girl, Portia, I think was her name stood there waiting. We filed inside and magically a plate of food appeared in front of me once I sat down.
“Garvin, there’s a dead body in the garden.” Kincaid mentioned casually, because apparently, the sister who looked the least capable of killing people was the most lethal.
“What’s the Red moon?” Milo asked, glancing between Gloria and Patrick who’d been talking while we were gone. I hoped they’d figured out something, because as it was I only had more questions not answers.
“It’s a new moon, a strong symbol of dark magic. It doesn’t happen often, every twenty-five years or so.” She gazed at us curiously. “Why do you ask?”
“Mitchell and his coven are waiting for that day to strike.” Luke replied and we explained what happened and what we’d discovered from the hitchhiker. “If we know when the next red moon is we can hopefully stop them.”
“It’s next month.” Sinclair answered, rubbing her forehead. “The thirteenth, to be precise.”
“How?”
“How do I know?” She smiled bitterly, but it was Garvin who answered. “Because that’s her twenty-fifth birthday.”
“That would probably be a very accurate guess then.” Gloria sighed, and tapped the table with her fingers. It was serious if she was tapping. “You need to complete the trinity.”
“But that’s what he wants.” Dane burst out and even I had to agree. It seemed stupid to take the chance.
“Yes, he wants a complete trinity, because it’s when they are the strongest. They control magic at that point. So even if it is what he wants, it also gives them the best chance to defeat him. Especially when we know his plan.”
“I wouldn’t say we know his plan.” I interrupted. “We know the bare bones outline version. We have the when, but we are missing the how and where. Two key pieces of info.”
“Unimportant.” Patrick waved his hands and I looked at him in disbelief. I wasn’t the only one and he explained. “We aren’t going to wait for him. We’re going to make a trap of our own. Catch him off guard for once.”
I yawned then, exhaustion creeping up on me unexpectedly. The food had helped but my body was tired. I’d asked a lot of it in the last twelve hours and it was done. Dane caught my yawn, and ended the conversation.
“Okay, so nothing needs to happen right now? We can rest, recharge and come back in the morning?” He spoke to the table at large and Patrick nodded. “Okay, then where do we sleep?”
I thought about protesting, but didn’t have the energy.
Garvin strolled over to us, taking in my wane face with a small frown. “Girl, you do look like you’ve been rode hard and put up wet.” I winced at the visual as he continued. “I’ll escort you to your rooms.”
“Room.” Dane told him, his tone leaving zero room for argument.
“Room.” Garvin agreed and we followed him. “Vincent, I’ll show you your room as well. Gloria and Tori have already been shown their rooms.” Vincent got up and trailed behind us.
“I put you in the east wing with your sisters. There are four bedrooms there, your sisters share with their respective lovers, but there was some debate about you and him sharing.” Garvin informed us, pointing to me and Dane. Dane arched an eyebrow at that, and Garvin chuckled. “I didn’t debate. I left that to the girls, seems they weren’t sure if you were old enough.” He glanced at me as I snorted. “Yeah, I figured you were and there’s no mistaking the possessive alpha male.” He stopped in front of a door. “This is your suite.” He pointed to two other rooms, naming them as he came to them. “Sinclair. Kincaid. The walls are sound proofed. You’re welcome.”
I laughed, past any type of discomfort I might have felt. Garvin didn’t leave room for any type of embarrassment. Dane opened the door and we heard Garvin tell Vincent, “Now you are in the room next to mine.”
“Well, he doesn’t waste any time.” Dane muttered and I smiled. “Wow.” He said, and gazing around I could see why. The room was enormous, light and airy, with a huge four poster bed wedged between two floor to ceiling windows. Everything was done in white to showcase the wood floors, paneling, and the bed.
“This is the biggest bed I’ve ever seen,” I said as I dropped on to it with a groan. “Do I want to shower or just lie here?” Dane came over and tugged my shoes off, dropping them next to the bed. He then proceeded to unbutton my shorts, sliding them down. “Or did you have something else in mind?” I asked as he pulled me upright, taking off my shirt in one smooth motion. “You know you’re very good at this.”
“What? Undressing you or taking care of you?” He quirked his eyebrow, and I answered honestly, “Both.”
“And get your mind out of the gutter.” He told me, scooping me up in his arms. “You can barely stay awake as it is.”
“What can I say? You send my mind straight to the gutter.” I quipped and he shook his head, fighting a smile as he deposited me on the toilet in the bathroom.
“I think that’s a compliment?” He leaned over the tub, and I admired the taut butt encased in worn out blue jeans. He turned on the water and liberally poured in some liquid which immediately began bubbling. He twisted around and caught me checking him out. “See something you like?”
I made an approving noise and he rolled his eyes.
“We’re not doing anything. Have you seen what your sisters are capable of?” He grumbled, standing me up and efficiently stripping my bra and panties off. “Obviously, they don’t think their baby sister should be sleeping with some guy they’ve never met.”
“They’ve never met me either!”
“No matter, you’re their sister. I’m just the guy taking advantage.”
“I don’t think they think that.” He gave me an incredulous glance and plopped me in the tub. “Okay, maybe they do, but I‘ll protect you.” He grunted at that and grabbed soap and a washcloth. “Are you going to wash me? Really?”
“You complaining?”
“No, but you could at least take your shirt off.” I muttered, eyeing the tight black tee. He stopped what he was doing and stared at me.
“You’ve been a little obsessed with my naked body lately.” He said, his lips twitching in a smile.
“Says the man who just stripped me naked and is about to wash me.” I retorted, wiggling my finger to show I was serious about stripping.
He sighed, dropping the soap and reaching over his head to tug the t-shirt off.
“Happy now?”
“Well, if you wanted to join me….”
“Not happening.” He answered, a determined glint in his eye. I debated on how far I wanted to push him, but truthfully I was barely holding myself up in the water and he seemed to know it. Dane had healed the blisters on my arm, but I still felt a residual griminess from being in the presence of such dark magic. He gently scrubbed my skin, the motions quick and thorough. He washed my hair as well, supporting me with one arm.
Exhaustion was taking over, but it felt good to be cared for. There was nothing sexual in his touch, only careful attention to my needs. He dried me off and set me back on the toilet, this time combing out my wet hair and braiding it.
“You still braid hair better than me.” I murmured, half leaning against him as I felt the gentle tug against my scalp.
“Between you and my sister, I think I could braid in my sleep.” He replied, finishing quickly and carrying me back to the bed. He tucked me under the covers, his bare chest damp from giving me a bath.
“I love you.” I whispered, the words forcing themselves out as I gazed at him.
“Were you looking at my chest when you said that?” He quipped, smiling as he brushed his thumb across my forehead.
“Maybe.
” I answered coyly, snuggling into the bed.
“In that case, I love you too.” He replied, clearly ogling my own chest. I slapped his arm half-heartedly.
“Jerk.”
“Handsome jerk.” He replied with a wink. “I’m going to take a shower. Sleep tight, darling.”
My eyes felt weighted as I watched him stroll back across the room, the daylight still streaming in through the windows not enough to stop my eyes from slipping closed.
I woke hours later, the room dark now and Dane sleeping against my back. I wondered what had woken me up, but my stomach grumbled then and I knew it was the never satisfied pit. I wiggled out of the bed, wondering if I remembered how to get back to the kitchen by myself. I didn’t want to turn on the light so I grabbed the first clothes I found and pulled them on and padded barefoot into the hallway.
As I slipped through the door I saw two shadows standing by the stairs and my heart jumped until my body realized it wasn’t in danger. The shadows turned, revealing my sisters.
“Hungry?” One of them whispered, which one I wasn’t sure, still unable to tell them apart by voice alone. I nodded in answer and followed them down the stairs silently.
They led me straight to the kitchen and Sinclair flipped on the light. They both looked at me and Kincaid smirked.
“I told you.” She said, and Sinclair rolled her eyes.
“So sue me for thinking she’s too young.” She retorted and I glanced down at myself. I was wearing Dane’s shirt and boxer shorts, clearly outing our sleeping arrangements and relationship in one fell swoop.
“So how long have you been together?” Kincaid asked curiously, no judgement in her face or tone. Sinclair looked resigned and I wondered why my relationship with Dane bothered her.
“Since I was ten.” I answered honestly, never one to hide what we were to one another.
Kincaid blinked at me and Sinclair paused as she dug in the freezer.
“Are you serious?” They asked almost in unison.
“Well, yeah.” I shrugged, uncertain why they seemed so shocked. I grabbed a plate of brownies sitting on the counter and set them on the table. Sinclair stood there with a pint of ice cream in her hand and Kincaid had bowls. I figured ice cream sundaes were the plan. “How long have you know Luke and Milo?” I asked, before remembering their earlier introductions. They hadn’t know them nearly as long as I had.
“A few weeks.” They answered, smiling as they answered almost in unison again. “Ten, huh? What was that like?” Kincaid asked, scooping ice cream into bowls. “Meeting Milo was intense. I was drawn to him and now I can’t imagine being apart from him.”
“Sounds like my relationship with Dane.” I replied casually.
“Yeah, but you were ten.” Sinclair exclaimed, obviously still not ready to accept it.
“He moved in next door. We were instant best friends. I don’t think either of us ever thought about the connection between us. It was just there.” I told them, dipping my spoon into the chocolatey ice cream concoction in front of me.
“Little more than best friends now though, right?” Kincaid prodded, gesturing to my clothes.
“Kincaid!”
“What?” She cried as Sinclair slapped her arm. “I’m curious about her life and how else are we going to get to know each other?”
“I don’t think you should start by asking about her sex life!” Sinclair blanched and gave me a quick look. “You are being safe right?” She blushed as ice cream dripped off my spoon as I stared at her. “I can’t believe I just asked you that. You were a baby the last time I saw you and all these years I kept picturing you as a little girl. I didn’t think you’d be an adult when we met again.”
“You definitely have the mom thing down.” I managed and shoveled ice cream in my mouth. Kincaid gave me a conspirator’s grin.
“I’m only twenty-two. I totally get it. He’s hot.” She said with a laugh.
“I’m only twenty-four! Okay, almost twenty-five, but that doesn’t make me old.” Sinclair insisted, taking a bite of her plain vanilla ice cream. “I just…”
“You’re the oldest. We get it.” Kincaid said sympathetically as I nodded along with her.
“I watched our mother bind our powers, and the night she split us up....” Sinclair paused, swallowing and I realized she’d been old enough to remember these events. “I saw her face when she left you, Kincaid. I’ve spent my whole life dreaming of our mother’s voice, crying out and begging for forgiveness. I’ve tried to find you countless times. Always wondering if it was the right thing to do. I believed she had her reasons for separating us, but a part of me always wanted to find my sisters again.” Kincaid had tears running down her face and I could feel the dampness of my own eyes. “Now, we’re here and it’s nothing like I imagined, but maybe its better.”
My hand hovered next to Sinclair’s and so did Kincaid’s. The desire to link our hands was strong, but I had no idea what would happen once we did and from their hesitation neither did they. My fingers curled into my hand and I slowly drew it back. Sinclair smiled at us, understanding in her eyes. We had experienced our first sisterly moment, but so much still separated us. We had no idea what we were capable of, what even a simple touch could do, and so we pulled back from one another.
“Probably a good idea we wait. Knowing our luck the entire house would come down when we complete the trinity.” Sinclair shook her head. “Garvin would never forgive me. I’d be hearing about it till I was old and gray.”
We laughed, as I could easily picture it. Garvin chasing after Sinclair in the nursing home, going on about the time she destroyed his house while she rolled her eyes at him. Sitting there, laughing with them, I felt a kinship with them, a hint of familiarity, and a sense of belonging I hadn’t expected. We may have been strangers, but we were connected. We had a shared past even if I’d never remember it. We were connected by blood and magic, and eventually by these moments we shared.
I swallowed a bite of ice cream and said, “Yes, and fourteen.”
They looked at me curiously and I smiled. “That was what you were asking, right? If we were safe and how long?”
“Oh my God. Fourteen? Are you serious?”
“That is entirely too young. What were your parents thinking?”
They both started talking and then stopped, exchanging a look.
“We shouldn’t judge.”
“It’s not our place.”
“I completely understand the pull. It was impossible to resist Luke and I barely knew him. At least you’d been with Dane for years already.” Sinclair muttered, tucking her glossy brown hair behind her ear as she attempted to rationalize it. She said the next part so low I barely heard it, “Fourteen though.”
Kincaid elbowed her, obviously hearing her too. I bit back a laugh, scraping the bottom of my bowl to get the brownie crumbs mixed with the melted ice cream.
“Trust me, I get it. I won’t even deny we were too young.” I shrugged as I paused and thought back to that time and everything that would happen after, knowing I spoke the truth when I said, “But it happened and I have no regrets. Not about any of it. I didn’t know about magic or that the pull we felt was strange or different. That our bond was a form of magic meant to keep me safe. I knew I’d met my soulmate and having experienced life without him, I can honestly say I’ll never do it again.” I pushed my bowl away, slightly uncomfortable exposing my emotions to them, but also feeling relieved at the same time. I’d never spoken so freely with anyone other than Dane. Not even Tori or Gloria, who I would have said were my closest friends after Dane. But even they couldn’t come close to the connection I had with him. These women, my sisters, though, they did and I wanted that connection. I needed them to accept me as I was.
“Hey, no judgement here. If anyone gets how you feel about Dane, it’s us.” Kincaid said, pointing between her and Sinclair as Sinclair nodded madly.
“Trust me, if anyone ever told me I’d fall in instant love…lust�
�” Sinclair giggled, before continuing. “I would have told them they were insane. This girl didn’t believe in love, not destiny, can’t live without you, you’re my everything love.” She shook her head. “Nope. Never would have thought it would happen. Until it did.”
We all laughed at her words, Kincaid nodding like she understood.
“I can’t say I never believed in the fated love thing, mostly because I never had the chance to not believe, but I’m glad to know you understand how I feel about Dane. My family didn’t, even his mom didn’t and it caused issues for us. It’s nice to be accepted.” I murmured. They nodded and sitting there at that table in that moment, I realized I was with the only two people on the planet who actually got it. They were just as much involved in all of this as I was and somehow it took some of the pressure off. I didn’t need the weight of the world on my shoulders because I had two other people who would help me carry it.
“Whoever the hell decided we should be the three must have been out of their ever loving mind.” I busted out suddenly, shocking them.
“Oh my God, yes!” Kincaid cried, slapping her hand on the table. “I thought I was the only one who thought that.”
“Wait, both of you?” Sinclair asked with a gasp. “Me too. Like seriously, what the hell do we know about anything? It’s like handing the keys of your car to a toddler and expecting them to get you to the store. There’s like a one in a billion chance of success.”
“I wouldn’t say our odds are that bad.” I argued, snorting back a laugh.
“Yeah, we at least have competent people to help us.” Kincaid added, waving her hand at the ceiling. “Thank God.”
“We would be so screwed otherwise.” I admitted as they nodded in agreement. “I’m still hungry.” I confessed, staring at my empty bowl and the empty plate of brownies.
“Me too.” They both chimed in and we started laughing.
“I’ve never been so hungry in my life.” I told them, dumping our dirty plates in the dishwasher as Sinclair dug in the cabinets.
The Trinity Sisters Page 47