by Dee, Bonnie
Ethan laughed bitterly. “Neither do I!” His fingers stilled, then plucked the strings slowly. “But listen, maybe this might help us figure it out.” He cleared his throat and his voice rang out accompanying the harp’s melody. “The three become four and all is revealed. Our powers increasing, the answers draw close. The mind, the spirit, the heart are as one.”
He took the three melodic lines of each sentence and wove a magical spell on the harp. Sometimes he sang the words in harmony, sometimes as counterpoint. At last, his voice stilled and his fingers left the strings.
Brigid’s eyes had filled with tears while the music played and now she found it hard to speak. “Gabe must listen to the incantation. I’ve never heard anything so exquisite. Your work with Aviva must be—”
“Going nowhere. Ceol Mhor’s power can’t be replicated by modern machines. I’ve given her melodies that can be used to enhance a Singer’s natural abilities, but only up to a point.” He gazed out the library window. “I don’t know how to tell her.”
“Maybe you just want an excuse to remain in her bed.”
Ethan turned startled eyes on her, his eyes widening as the truth dawned in them. “You were there. You heard us?”
Brigid bit her lip. “I couldn’t help it. I’ve been going crazy because … because I knew you had been with someone. I felt it. Do you love her?”
Ethan shook his head. “How can you believe that? But I know she has a place in my heart, though I doubt she’d believe me now.” He gazed intently at Brigid. “Do you believe me when I tell you that no other holds my heart and my body as you do? That Gabe is now a part of me?” He grinned. “Though his ‘parts’ aren’t.”
Brigid walked over to him and took Ceol Mhor from his arms. It was the first time she’d held the instrument, and it was like holding a living creature. Life pulsed through its strings and frame. What must it be like to be even more deeply attuned to it as Ethan was? “I believe you—now.”
“I’ll tell Aviva on Sunday that our work together is done, but I’ll help her if she needs me. I don’t know how she’ll respond when I tell her that we’ve gone as far as we can with our project.”
Brigid knelt by his side, her hand on his knee. “I’d bet you’ve given her more help in less than a month than she’s ever had before.”
Ethan placed his hand on top of hers and squeezed. “Aviva did say that she felt her Singer skills and power had grown. I hope she’ll forgive me for what I’ve done to her.”
“She’d be a fool not to. I know you. I bet you told her from the first that she could only be your bedmate. Besides, didn’t you forgive me when I told you about Al—” Brigid jumped to her feet. “All those years ago I told you about Alaran and you soothed my guilt. You told me you knew you had my heart.”
“I remember now that you spoke his name, that you dallied with one of Dagda’s Protectors.” Ethan rose and cupped her face between his hands. “It hurt, but I knew I’d been your first and you were ever the curious female. And even then, I knew your love was fathomless; that your heart was generous. Come with me on Sunday when I speak to her. Perhaps with you there…”
“At the very least, she’ll see us together and know that you’re mine and I’m yours.” Brigid wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’ll go.”
Ethan brushed his lips across hers. “Be generous with her. While you’ve found your family, she lost hers.”
“Don’t worry. I will be.”
Ethan hoisted Ceol Mhor and started toward the door. “Let’s see if Gabe came up with anything more. And I want to see his reaction to the song. See if it’s as strong as yours.”
Brigid smiled. “I’m also wondering if he’s found some dry clothes.”
“Dry clothes? Agra, what did you do?”
Her smile transformed into a smirk. “Rained on his parade.”
* * * *
Gabe wore a different shirt, and Brigid tried, but didn’t quite succeed, in hiding a triumphant grin.
Fortunately, he was on the phone with his back toward them. His jubilation was evident in his voice as he spoke to the person on the other end. “You’re sure you won’t mind, Edith? I know how much your collection means to you. Thank you for entrusting it with me. I’ll take extra care of it. We’ll expect it this Monday. Have a wonderful weekend, Edith.”
“Who was that?”
Gabe twirled around at the sound of Brigid’s voice. He frowned. “You know, I haven’t tried this in years, but I bet I could lift you up with one hand and turn you over my knee and spank you.”
Brigid batted her eyes and cooed in a breathy, mock-sexy voice, “Oh, please spank me. I’ve been such a naughty, naughty girl.”
“Aye, go ahead, Gabe. I know I’d love to see her sweet little ass naked and rosy red on your lap. You’ve got my vote.”
Gabe’s lips twitched. “As much as she deserves it, I think all a good spanking would do would be to distract us. I see you’ve got your harp with you. I assume you’ve a melody you want me to hear.”
“Aye. I’ve played it for Brigid and we want you to listen to it too. Tell me what you think.” Ethan sat down on the loveseat and caressed the harp. Brigid plunked on the floor cross-legged by Gabe’s feet.
And Ethan sang.
By the time he had finished, Gabe’s fingers were white-knuckled on the arms of the desk chair. He took a second to catch his breath. “I know my place within the song. I’m the mind.”
“I’m the heart,” Brigid whispered.
“And I’m the spirit.”
“Bridge, tomorrow we’ll work on the journal.” He smiled. “Monday, we’ll have a first edition of the Yeats book.”
“Was that who was on the phone?”
“Yes. Meredith Tully. Edith is a Terran Earth Keeper. She collects first editions and she’s willing to allow us to use her copy of the Yeats. I can’t believe that we lucked out with this. I would have had to have forked out a sizeable amount if I bought it at auction.” He yawned and stretched his arms. “This has been one hell of an evening.” He turned to Brigid, halted and turned to include Ethan. “I think we should get some rest. I… I guess I’m not sure how the sleeping arrangements should work.” He leered. “Last time I had two other people in bed with me, it was two women … and they didn’t stay the night!”
Brigid chose to ignore his lame remark because she knew that this arrangement was new for them all. She looked at Ethan, seeking and receiving his agreement. “I want to be with you both tonight. I want to wake up in the morning between the two of you. I want to be cradled in your arms and held to your hearts.”
Gabe rose and held out his hand to Brigid and she took it, and held out her free hand to Ethan who twined his fingers with hers. And with Brigid between the two of them, they climbed the stairs to the master suite.
* * * *
Boynton, New York
Arven Lowery checked the calendar once more even though he had no need to do so. He knew when the next full moon would fall. And he knew what would be asked of him by Ba’al.
Blood and bone sacrifice.
He needn’t even dirty his hands now that Lorraine and James could be charged with the task of finding a sacrifice. With Lorraine’s access to her sex club and James’ assistance with the body, Ba’al would have his sacrifice and he would have his continued protection.
He buzzed the intercom to their rooms. “Lorraine, James, please come to my study. I’ve a task for you both.” He cut off the connection and leaned back in his chair. This assignment would be a challenge for each of them. Could the sadistic bitch rein in her thirst for blood and bring him a breathing sacrifice? Could his sweet James gather his courage and deliberately put another’s life in jeopardy?
A smile slashed across his lips. Neither of them would falter. He wouldn’t allow them to.
“Well?” Lorraine’s insolence never failed to annoy him. The woman strutted into his study dressed for bed. Her silk dressing gown strained across her breasts. Her nipples jutted fo
rward, the tight nipple clamps she favored, outlined. The stiletto heels of her shoes clacked across the wooden floor until they were muffled by the plush rug. As if to annoy him even more, she placed her hands on her hips and thrust out her jaw. “What do you want, Arven?” A smug look passed over her face. “Need me to punish your boy toy tonight?” She licked her lips. “He’s so sweet and tender. I bet he’d scream like a baby if I flicked his prick with my latest—”
She screamed and crumpled to the floor, grabbing her head and clenching her eyes. A vein pulsed in her forehead as Lowery increased his control. Her fingers clawed at her throat and she lifted up her head and stared at him in growing panic.
“Arven, what are you doing? Lorraine’s having a migraine attack. Get her something!” James rushed in and knelt by Lorraine’s side. For a moment, Lowery didn’t move, then with a sigh of resignation, he released his hold on the woman. Lorraine sagged in James’ arms and he lifted her to the chair. “Where’s that aspirin? Does she have medication for this?”
Lowery cast a curt glance at the trembling woman. “Don’t worry, she’ll be fine in a moment. I’ve more important things for you and her to do right now. Listen closely, Lorraine. I want you and James to go into the city to your little ‘club’ and engage someone with no ties to the community, someone who won’t be missed, and bring him back here.”
“What?” James reacted with an incredulous tone of voice. “What do you want? How do you expect us to find someone like that?”
Lowery tried unsuccessfully to hide a sneer. “What I want is not your business … yet. And I’m sure Lorraine knows how to find the perfect candidate. Don’t you, my dear?”
Lorraine raised her head, her eyes defeated. “I can get you who you want. I don’t want to know why. Just let me have another one for myself.” She licked her lips. “Or let me ki—”
“Quiet! Shut your mouth, woman, or I’ll use you for what I have in mind.”
*
James stared at the man he’d come to crave like a drug. He’d never seen him like this. At least, he didn’t think he had. There were gaps in his memory of the last few weeks with Arven. Mostly he remembered the sex. He shuddered, thinking about being with Arven in his luxurious bed, being fucked by him, fucking him. His penis thickened and he closed his eyes. His entire body ached with need for him. If he couldn’t fuck him now, he’d go insane.
“Open your eyes, James. Lorraine, leave us and make the arrangements.” The cowed female scurried from the room. “James, shut the door and strip.” Lowery smiled. “It would be a shame to waste that magnificent erection. And I never have believed in wasting anything.”
Chapter Ten
South on the Taconic Parkway
“You drive like a constipated grandmother, James. Let me drive.”
James counted to ten before responding. Lorraine hadn’t shut up the entire trip down from Boynton. Arven wanted him to drive and that was that. It was an act of Arven’s trust in him that he allowed him to handle the expensive sedan into the city. He wouldn’t fail him. Even if the Foley bitch badgered him all the way there.
He glanced in the rearview mirror and sighed. Lorraine had worn her working clothes. A leather bustier barely contained her breasts and her nipples peeked above the shiny, black material. The silk, magenta blouse had been unbuttoned as soon as she slid into the back seat. Her pencil-slim black skirt rode up above her thighs and he doubted she wore any underwear. Slut.
To think Arven could fuck a creature like that. He’d tried to understand. Arven’s sexual appetite was greater than his and he needed diversity. But, Lorraine was nothing but a vicious bitch. He couldn’t comprehend it. Or why it really didn’t bother him as much as it should. Still, he had asked Arven to make sure Lorraine selected someone who deserved whatever punishment Arven would dole out. He wouldn’t want to harm an innocent person.
James glanced again in the rearview mirror. His eyes widened as Lorraine closed her eyes and arched her neck. He watched transfixed, as her mouth grew slack. Her shoulders moved rhythmically and he could hear her moans gaining in intensity. The slut was masturbating as if he wasn’t in the same car. He snorted and Lorraine’s eyes flew open.
“What are you looking at, Jimbo? Keep your eyes on the road. If I’m not controlling the car, I might as well enjoy myself.” Her lips stretched in what passed for a smile. “Tell you what, Jimbo. If you want, you can have a turn with our ‘catch.’ I specifically asked for someone who’ll do anyone.” She laughed as she heard James’ muttered curse. Then she shuttered her eyes once more.
James turned on the radio, found an all-jazz station and punched up the sound, praying that it would drown out Lorraine’s moans.
* * * *
“Mistress F., so good to have you and your guest with us tonight. We’ve set up the room as you directed. Including your special request.”
James gaped as the host led them into the three-story brownstone on the upper eastside. He never would have guessed what went on behind the ornate glass and iron front door. The foyer was tastefully decorated and the plush carpet and heavy drapery served to muffle any unusual noise. Closed doors led to unknown encounters.
Just what James had hoped for—anonymity. He still didn’t feel secure away from Arven’s presence. James returned his attention to a heated discussion going on between Lorraine and the host.
“But I thought it was understood, Mistress. The additional charge … well, you know it’s more difficult to clean up if your participant is still breathing.”
“The price you quoted was for everything.” Lorraine took a step forward until she was nose to nose with the trembling host. “Everything includes clean up.” She sneered. “Consider this—you don’t have to worry about cleaning up any blood.” One more step took her toward the cowering host and she whispered in his ear. “I know you’re in Lowery’s pay. Don’t fuck with me to get more money from him.” She patted his cheek and stepped back. “Now, show us to the room.”
James followed behind Lorraine and the nameless host as they mounted the steps to the second floor. He wondered what the room would look like and was surprised when they entered it. Sparse. A narrow bed, restraints, a wicked-looking flogger, a table and a cabinet. He expected more. He expected a man.
And just like rubbing Aladdin’s lamp, a door concealed and blending in with the wood paneling opened, and a man appeared. He wore manacles around his wrists and a leather belt that crisscrossed around his genitals. His bare feet made no sound as he strode across the carpeted floor to stand by the stark leather table. His copper skin shone from the scented oil that glistened along every muscle and tendon. His straight, thick ebony hair hung down to the small of his back, just long enough to touch the dimples in his delectably firm butt.
James’ mouth dried to the consistency of the Sahara desert. He couldn’t speak.
Not so, Lorraine. He watched her circle the man who stood silent as an idol in some pagan temple while she commented upon him. “Not bad. His cock is certainly long enough for two.” She grinned and cast a glance over at James. “What do you think, Jimbo? Enough room for the both of us to suck at one time?” Not waiting for his reply, she continued her critique. “I do like his hair.” She picked up a heavy hank and tugged. Hard. The man winced, but said nothing. “Good.”
Lorraine grasped his butt and squeezed, digging her long, manicured nails deep and drawing blood. The man bit his lip, but remained stoic. “Good control. Let’s see how you react to this.” Her hand shot out and she grabbed his balls, clenching her fingers around the sensitive flesh.
And he broke. With a roar of pain and outrage, he whipped out his right hand, smacking her across the face and breaking her hold. Big mistake. Lorraine snatched up the flogger and brought it across the man’s broad shoulders, slicing the skin and leaving bloody welts. A piercing scream burst from the man’s throat, and he dodged as Lorraine brought the whip down again and again, not giving him a chance to strike back.
He feinted t
o the left, managing to tear the flogger from Lorraine’s hand. He threw it into a corner and twisted Lorraine beneath him, bending her face down against the table. He pushed up her skirt revealing a garter belt and no panties.
Just as James had imagined.
With his arm pinning her down, the nameless, pissed-off male plunged his massive erection between Lorraine’s plump cheeks, grunting with each thrust.
James couldn’t take his eyes off the muscles flexing in the male’s lean flanks. The steady rhythm mesmerized him. He could hear Arven’s commanding voice in his head urging him to give in to his desire. He took a step toward the duo.
Lorraine turned her head toward him. Her lips mouthed the words, “Do it.”
He stepped behind the male’s firm butt, unzipped his fly and released his penis. He was so hard he could drill the man another asshole. Instead, he positioned his cock, already weeping a creamy drop of precum, spread the man’s butt cheeks and speared him.
Now, the only sounds were the grunts of the two men as they moved in concert, pumping the person beneath them.
Arven’s voice spoke again inside of his head. “Take the needle and stick him, James darling. Now.”
James reached for his shirt pocket and drew out a liquid-filled syringe. He pulled the safety cap off with his teeth. His hand guided by an unseen force, he jabbed the needle in the man’s neck. Whatever the hell was in the stuff, it dropped the male as if a house had fallen on him. He slumped over Lorraine, his penis slipping out as he slid to the floor. James froze, feeling like a flasher with his slick dick hanging out.
Lorraine gracefully stepped over the male’s recumbent form and noticed James’ erect cock.
“Shame to let that go to waste.” And she knelt and took him in her mouth before he could formulate any objection.