Claiming Trinity

by Kali Willows

  “I appreciate how you both took such good care of me and made sure I’m safe and all, but maybe I should ask to be relocated here?” Kane held the door open for her.

  “We’ll touch base with Rekkus and see what he thinks before we inconvenience you.” Arawn placed his palm on the small of her back and escorted her inside. A tingle of arousal shimmied down his spine, like their first encounter when she landed on top of him. It took every ounce of self-discipline not to lower his palm to her lovely heart-shaped ass. Hell, it took everything he had not to devour her luscious lips and claim her for himself, right then and there. The bounce he admired from behind, the sensual swing of her voluptuous hips made his cock strain against the front of his pants. The thin cotton dress clinging to her gorgeous curves offered a flimsy barrier he hungered to tear off.

  It wasn’t any easier to view her from the front. Creamy mounds peeking out of a dress cut low enough to make his mouth water. She had an exotic oval face with electric-blue eyes, or so he recalled from the brief interaction without her rose colored glasses. The only thing left to his imagination was how long her flaxen locks would dangle if she let them down from the tight bun pinned up on her head. It seemed kind of an uptight do for such a gorgeous creature, but he would work his imagination to its limit for the time being.

  Although women threw themselves at him on a regular basis, both para and human alike, he rarely indulged. Despite his extreme libido, few caught his attention, and even fewer managed to retain it. Regardless of his evil heritage, chasing tail for the mere goal of getting his rocks off wasn’t a pastime he was inclined to pursue. However, this woman? This incredible creature awakened something so deep and primal inside him, it set every nerve ending ablaze with desire.

  Anticipation raked across his muscles like an earthquake. He licked his lips and shook his head to dispel the lust clouding his focus. Something was wrong on the island. He could feel it deep in his gut, and whatever it was, it centered on her. A demigod raised by the Lord of the Underworld, he’d spent enough time around malevolent energy to sense its presence, no matter how minute.

  “Myron.” Kane approached the front desk.

  “Good afternoon.” She grinned and flipped her cards. “Rekkus and Cyrus are in the office and would like to speak with the three of you.”

  “Again?” Trinity moaned. “It’s like I’m back in high school, sent to the principal’s office over and over.” She tsked.

  Kane led the way into the back room, Trinity followed, and Arawn trailed after them as he indulged further in the delectable view from behind. Stop looking at her, you fool! He gnawed on the inside of his cheek—a vain attempt to ward off his insatiable longing for her. Damn, I wish I could focus on the matter at hand and not fantasize about my hand on her matter! He clenched his fists tight and gritted his teeth. Concentrate on Rekkus. He’ll kick my ass to attention.

  “Trinity.” Cyrus stood beside Rekkus, their trainer, also the head of security for the island.

  Their flexed jaw muscles confirmed his instincts about danger. At least this had been his experience with them being tense and on alert when the island had been invaded by the mob of angry sirens years back.

  “I swear I didn’t crash into anyone this time.” She pouted.

  “Of course not. We found something.” Rekkus glanced at Cyrus.

  “My bathing suit?” Her delicate features lit up with hopefulness.

  Arawn prayed the suit hadn’t shown up. Although she had cupped her hands over her breasts in the water before he got a good look, she wasn’t able to conceal all of her sweetly curved flesh. His cock stiffened at the very thought of her naked, once again. Another dip in the hot springs, sans clothing, was called for in their near future—or so he hoped.

  “No.” Cyrus waved for her to sit down.

  “Kane and Arawn, we’ve changed your accommodations from the barracks.”

  “To where?” Panic rushed through him. “Please tell me we are not in the kennels again?”

  “No, it’s not an initiation, this time.” Rekkus smirked.

  What a relief. The week he’d made them bunk down with the shifter teens had been brutal at best. No sleep for the entire stay and a throbbing headache from all the howling.

  Cyrus cleared his throat, his stern glare settled on Trinity. “We have a security issue and are monitoring the situation. We need these two to bunk with you this week.”

  “Wait, what?” Arawn choked. Did I win the karmic lottery or hit the jackpot in abstaining torture?

  “Excuse me?” she sputtered. “What the hell is this?” The flaxen beauty backed away, horror filling her face.

  “There is a pull-out bed in your cabin. This is not intended as an intrusion, but, until we get a clearer sense of what this is all about, we are concerned for your safety.” Rekkus spoke through gritted teeth.

  “I need something more concrete, thank you very much,” she snapped. “I didn’t agree to come here to play house with men I don’t know.”

  “Trinity?” Sage strolled to them and linked arms with her. “Come with me. These guys are the security gurus of the island. We can chat about some other stuff and leave the drab details to them.”

  Trinity remained frozen on the spot, speechless, with her mouth ajar and her eyes wide.

  “It’s okay. I have something to help settle your nerves. We can talk a little about what’s transpired today.” Sage urged her out of the room, with no more resistance.

  Although he hadn’t known her long, Arawn had discovered Trinity possessed a spunky streak. If she was unhappy, she quickly voiced it. Just like the verbal lashing she’d bestowed upon him and Kane at the hot springs when she was convinced they took her clothes. She had guts to blast two large men in nothing but a towel. But Sage had grown accustomed in how to tame the wildest beasts on the island, and a panicked woman was definitely within her realm of soothing capabilities.

  “What’s going on?” He kept his voice low as he closed the door after the ladies left.

  “We aren’t entirely sure, but it has to do with her.” Cyrus exhaled a heavy breath.

  “I felt it, too,” Arawn concurred. “Tell us what you suspect.”

  “We can’t get a clear read on it. Myron picked up concerned vibes from some women who arrived and some serious danger around Trinity, but we’ll be damned if we can figure anything out?” Rekkus grunted with aggravation. “Something is wrong with plumbing on the second floor, and now the heating and cooling system. Who knows what else will go wrong this week?”

  “Does Cemil have any idea?” Kane took a chair and plopped down at the desk. “Has he sensed anything about these women?” Arawn joined him. Rekkus and Cyrus did, too.

  “Not yet. He was on the other side of the island with a newly-arrived teen. We need to keep the boy away from too much stimulation. Brody has trouble controlling his abilities.” Rekkus sighed.

  “What kind of abilities?” Kane steeled his back and narrowed his eyes.

  “Kinetic.” Cyrus grimaced. “Fire, lightning, wind, gravity, you name it.”

  Arawn tapped his chin. “Would his abilities have anything to do with the plumbing and air systems?”

  “I don’t think so. The kid has been with Cemil the whole time, hasn’t been back to the Haus yet. He will be for dinner, but, so far, he seems to be in good shape.” Rekkus shook his head. “The air in this place seems thicker.”

  “What do you mean?” Arawn studied his expression.

  “Intensity or something, the hair on the back of my neck is spiked.”

  “Your tiger senses?” Kane cracked a grin.

  “As a matter of fact”—he curled his lip—“yes.”

  Arawn fished for more intel. “Has Sarka been able to offer any insights?”

  Rekkus snarled at the mention of her name. “She took the reservation. Let’s not forget the last time she took a reservation.” He growled. “You know how she isn’t as careful when she screens g
uests as Myron is.” Cyrus cleared his throat. “She said they are here for grief work and a power cleanse. They told her they’re sisters who’d recently lost their parents.”

  Kane narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth. “There’s more, isn’t there?” His tone dropped an octave.

  In the fifty years they’d worked together, Arawn had grown accustomed to Kane’s laid-back personality. His buddy wasn’t the uptight kind of immortal, so when he reacted, Arawn knew something big had rattled him. He patted Kane on the shoulder.

  The elder Rowan brother nodded. “Sarka wonders if maybe there is some magical cloak in place, something that covered up the danger, just not completely.”

  “If we suspect the three women, why don’t we exile them from the island?” Kane’s cheeks reddened.

  “We aren’t certain it is them, and, if they do pose a threat to Trinity, we need to learn how and why before we send her home where she’ll be even more vulnerable. Nothing has happened to prove anything. Yet.” Cyrus grimaced. “As it stands, it’s recon and safety first.”

  Rekkus let out a low growl. “I don’t like this. What if someone is after you?” He glared at Cyrus.

  “Myron read my cards. She didn’t sense any threat around me, Dana, or the babies. For now, it’ll have to do.” Cyrus patted the tiger on the shoulder. “At this point, one of our guests may be in danger, so this is our priority.”

  “What do you need us to do, boss?” Arawn hunched forward. The lingering lust he worked to suppress for the flaxen beauty was abruptly subdued, the threat surrounding her shifting him into protective mode.

  “We’ll put training on hold for now.” Rekkus crossed his arms. “I spoke with Kaleb. A Para Elite team is on standby, and he’s agreed you can work on the island security this week and take the extra training you came for after this situation is resolved. You’re both to stay with her twenty-four hours a day until she leaves, or until we get this figured out and fixed, whichever comes first.”

  Just try and keep me away from her. Arawn’s mind raced with battle scenarios of faceless assailants.

  “You got it.” Kane agreed.

  “Take shifts, one sleeps, one guards,” the boss man continued.

  “She’s gonna be pissed,” Kane grumbled.

  Cyrus nodded. “Sage is working with her. She has a theory that this might have something to do with the trouble she’s experienced the past few weeks.”

  “What kind of trouble, Cyrus?” Arawn cocked his head. Man trouble? Does she have a psycho ex after her? A jealous streak tore through his bones.

  “I can’t give you details unless she poses a risk to the island. At this point, she’s not the dangerous one, but the one who needs to be protected. She’s had a rough go this year, and it’s taken a toll. It’s all I will say for now. If she confides in you, it will be her choice, but until then, it’s a need-to-know basis only. She’s entitled to her privacy, and that’s already been compromised.”

  “You have our word, she’ll be safe.” Even if it takes my last breath to make sure of it. Arawn stood and tapped Kane on the shoulder.

  “It’s dinner time. Sage will bring her to sit with you in the dining room. I would prefer she get back to her cabin sooner, rather than later.” Rekkus stood to see them out.

  “You got it.” Kane opened the door.

  Back to her cabin, now there’s an idea. The pangs of desire resurfaced at lightning speed. Protection, get your head on straight. She needs to be safe right now.

  “Oh, and you two Romeos.” Cyrus’s voice held a cautioning tone. “No funny business.”

  “Yes, sir,” they both replied.

  I wish I could guarantee my self-control. Trinity has more power over me, than I do over myself.

  Chapter Four

  The herbal tea Sage had Trinity drink before she came to the dinner hall had tasted sweet and aromatic, but now, somehow, it seemed to kick her ass. The pent-up edges of hostility she was sure she was entitled to feel with the news of imminent danger and bunkmates she had not signed up for, had smoothed out magically. Almost walking on air, she glided into the busy dinner hall, guided by her new best friend, the herbal goddess, Sage. The corners of her lips pulled up into an involuntary ear-to-ear grin.

  “Gentlemen,” Sage called to the two tall, dark, and yummies as they stood to greet them.

  “Looks like you went a little overboard on the rosehips and hibiscus again, Sage?” Arawn chuckled and pulled out a chair for Trinity.

  “Are you kidding? Her tea is the bomb.” Trinity snickered and plopped into the chair.

  “It’s a light dinner and straight to bed for you, my dear. It’s been a hard day.” Sage rubbed her arm and twirled around to leave. Arawn returned to his seat across the table, beside Kane.

  “Okay.” Trinity chuckled. “But only if these two will tuck. Me. In.” She slammed her palm on the table and giggled hysterically. “Together! At the same time.”

  “Whoa, Sage?” Arawn stared over Trinity’s head in the direction of her newfound buddy. “What else was in the tea?”

  “The usual, relaxation herbs.” The muffled voice behind her held a hilarity that made Trinity chuckle even harder.

  “Like the one you dosed me with when I had muscle spasms?” Arawn grumbled.

  “Like you said,” she replied. “Rosehips, hibiscus, skullcap, and maybe some cinnamon for flavor, oh, and a little damiana.”

  “Which is for?” Kane fired a glare behind Trinity, too.

  “Relaxation, depression, anxiety….” Sage listed. “And, it may have a few side effects.”

  “Such as?” Arawn narrowed his eyes.

  Kane grabbed his glass of water and downed it as if dying of thirst.

  “That looks tasty.” Trinity hummed. “Garçon, bring a round for everyone, on me!” She whooped.

  “Uh, it’s also known to produce a mild, short-lived euphoric state…and it’s a hormone balancer.”

  Kane choked and spat a mouthful of his drink across the table. “You gave her an aphrodisiac cocktail?”

  “Whew!” Trinity flailed her arms and erupted into a deep belly laugh.

  “Not the intended use.” Sage patted Trinity on the back. “Greens for dinner and get her to sleep.”

  “Like this?” Arawn called out.

  Trinity twisted around and found her tea peddler had strolled toward the door.

  “Sing her a lullaby,” Sage called back as she left the room.

  ***

  “Lullaby, that’s great.” Kane wiped the water from his chin with the back of his hand. Then he snagged a napkin to clean the table. “Not sure how much of this I can take,” he grumbled to himself, irritation and longing winding through him.

  An incapacitated woman he’d been assigned to protect, and one he desired with every fiber of his being—cruelty at its finest. Damn Sage for putting her in this state. Security was paramount. Kane took his assignments to heart, serving with everything he had, willingly putting his life on the line if that’s what it took. Protecting the innocent was his birthright, ran thick in his blood. So much so, he’d followed Arawn and joined the Para Elite Forces when they’d fled the Underworld.

  But a gorgeous creature who’s been dosed with an aphrodisiac leaving her extremely vulnerable to suggestion? Who exactly is Sage trying to punish here? Her nonexistent inhibitions tormented his primordial urges beyond belief. His groin ached, and his chest tightened in her presence. Thanks to Cyrus, he and Arawn had to stay with her twenty-four hours a day—in her cabin, no less. There was only so much willpower a para of his primal temperament possessed, and he was pushing maximum density at this point.

  From the moment he spotted Trinity at the portal, shaken and disheveled, she’d proved the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on—and over his hundreds of years, he had witnessed many. She might be modest, but she was no weakling. As much as he felt inclined to protect her, a profound strength inside her amplified her ap
peal. His innate sense about people—para or human, it made no difference—alerted him if they had even the slightest evil intention. When he encountered a dark motivation of any kind, his shoulder blades automatically spiked with pain, jolting him into protection mode. But not with this exquisite lady.

  In her presence, he found unquenchable desire as well as a deep-seated sense of benevolence he rarely came across. Every inch of her screamed purity, kindness, and powerful sexuality to him. Trinity proved to be his own personal form of opium. Addictive to look at, smell, and touch, even if it was a tap on her shoulder. The fear, however, of her inevitable rejection proved a sufficient barrier to keep his need to pursue her at bay.

  Truth be told, when she’d blurted she wanted them both to “tuck her in, at the same time,” it piqued his curiosity even more. Kane had never shared a woman with Arawn. In fact, he’d never shared a woman at all. It wasn’t as though he had a vast array of past experience, thanks to his station in life. No woman had ever stuck around once his “other side” showed up.

  The cloud of longing shrouding his weary brain intensified with every creeping thought. Snap out of it, he scolded himself. The moment she finds out what you are, it’s game over, anyway. Don’t even bother to get your hopes up. You’re hideous, and she is divine. Sooner or later, she’ll see for herself. Especially because there’s danger around her. You can’t hide who you are, and a creature of such beauty would never want a monster like you.