by Dee, Bonnie
“And we’ll defeat him.” Ethan finished what had become their vow.
* * * *
Donegal, Ireland
Dagda’s Cave
Dagda watched Mach’s demeanor change as the voices of Casey and Eileen echoed in the Cave. He waited to see what if anything, the Spirit Keeper would do or say. He hadn’t long to wait. “Dagda, you’ve no more need for me now. We’ve milked your memories dry and still cannot find any potential clues to assist our allies in America.” Mach rose from the wooden bench and stretched his arms. “Shall we meet later when the young ones return from Carrigclarseach and review their day? I think I’ll do some exploring in the woods. ‘Tis many a long day since I climbed a tree and conversed with the birds.”
Dagda eyed his fellow Terran, taking in the suppressed tension thrumming in his limbs. He might not be a Spirit Keeper, but he recognized a falsehood when he heard one. Though he hadn’t shown it, he, too, had heard the cries of ecstasy that issued from Casey and Eileen. He knew that Mach felt the turmoil in Casey’s spirit more strongly than he did and he realized that Mach wished to calm that tumult in an unobtrusive manner. If that was his plan, so be it. “Take your time. Most birds tend to shy away from unwanted attention.”
“Aye. I hope that these birds will be willing for me to draw close before they fly away. It would be a shame should they leave and take their music with them.”
With a final nod, Mach left Dagda alone in the main chamber.
Dagda followed Mach’s receding back and prayed that he’d be able to ease the pain of the two young Terran-mheasctha that he’d come to love as if they were his children.
* * * *
It should not have been easy to reach Casey’s hideaway. Given Casey’s background and training, one would have expected some booby traps if he truly wished to be left alone.
There were none. Mach strode down the tunnel without any difficulty. The closer he drew to Casey’s living area, the louder the passionate sounds echoing in the tunnel and the greater the temperature. The rising heat mixed with the cool air of the cave and a fine mist grew thicker and thicker the closer he came.
“Casey, my God, don’t stop. I’m burning. I’m on fire. Don’t stop. Don’t stop.”
Mach hovered by the rough opening to Casey’s sleeping chamber, unobserved by the two lovers. Eileen lay on her back, her legs splayed, her eyes shuttered. Her pale skin was flushed. She fingered the nipples of her naked breasts, pulling them to pointed tips, arched her back and the man who lay between her legs gripped her thighs, supporting her, shifting so that her thighs slid across his hips.
Mach admired the taut muscles flexing in Casey’s unclothed backside. Eileen’s slim heels dug into the dimples above his rump, fixing Mach’s attention to Casey’s masculine curves. Mach smiled and moved farther into the room. That virile backside and deep dimples drew him as honey draws a bee. Eileen’s fierce concentration and her flushed breasts snared and held his interest. The two were almost perfect. They needed only one thing. Someone who could feed both their passions.
Perspiration beaded on Casey’s brow, ran down his body and soaked Eileen’s coal-dark curls. Her skin glistened as though it were oiled. The circular grouping of rocks glowed. Threads of fire ran through the stone walls and pulsated in time to Casey’s rhythm.
Mach had never heard of such power. Could it be that when Casey and Eileen merged their desire, their abilities increased? What would happen if he joined them? Would his Spirit ability be enhanced? Would his passion increase? Could this be his cothrom foirfe?
He took a deep breath and loosened the drawstring that held up his trousers, letting them fall to his feet, and stepped out of them. He cleared his throat. “Casey, Eileen, may I join you?”
Casey stopped moving and Eileen slipped from his grasp. She looked past Casey’s body and blushed crimson, shielding her breasts. Mach watched as Casey, ever the Protector, drew Eileen in his arms, concealing her as much as he could from Mach’s gaze, and sink to the narrow cot. He noted Casey try and fail to maintain an impassive gaze. He could tell that Casey was calling upon all his training as a warrior to observe the situation before reacting on impulse. Mach strode next to the bed and knelt by the side. He gazed intently into their eyes, and spoke, his voice soothing. “I knew from the moment I met you both that your powers were strong, but your spirits were damaged and confused. Casey, your capacity to love is so great it can’t be confined to either male or female partners. If you continue to embrace this, as you have already begun, you’ll achieve ‘cothrom foirfe’—a perfect balance.
“Eileen, your spirit was tarnished by the inadequacies of those to whom you gave your heart. But your ability to love and heal is too great to destroy. Your acceptance of Casey and your growing love for him is also a ‘perfect balance’.”
He took a deep breath and continued. “Look around you. See what your bonding has already achieved. The very walls glow with your Fire Element. I believe that if I were to join with you both, your Fire Element would be greater than any as yet to be born. Most importantly, though, your spirits would be healed through the perfect balance of the three of us joined together at the same moment—I with Eileen and Casey with me.” He paused. “If our joining should be fluid, if we change partners when we three unite, I will bless the Maker that I was led to you, for my powers will also increase.”
Mach stretched out his hands and Casey and Eileen grasped them. The bonding had begun.
*
Casey latched onto Mach’s hand, gripping it tightly, marveling at the gloriously naked, unabashed male kneeling by his bed. His mouth became as dry as a wanderer’s lost in the desert even as his cock stirred, responding to Mach’s nudity.
A jolt of power ran through his fingertips. Somehow, he felt it coursing from his body to Eileen’s. The temperature in the room rose even higher. He could hardly believe it. His concentration had been focused on Eileen’s body and the sensation of her silky skin against his. The taste of her had quenched his parched throat even as it made him thirst for more.
And now… Mach’s grip almost matched his own Protector strength. How would it feel to sink his cock between Mach’s powerful buttocks? He trembled just thinking about it. Mach was the most deeply masculine male he had ever met, even more so than Lark, but Mach wanted, no, needed him, to enhance not only his Spirit strength, but his Protector and Fire Keeper abilities. The attraction Casey had felt for him had been even deeper than that he had felt for Lark. Had it been like calling to like? Terran calling to Terran? He didn’t know, he only knew that to refuse to join with Mach would be like refusing to join with another part of his soul and he’d be a fool to refuse.
*
Eileen clasped Mach’s fingers. His hand was so much bigger than hers—even larger than Casey’s. And his penis… She gulped and spread her legs wider.
Mach laughed at her actions and shook his head. “There’s not enough room for the three of us to share that rickety cot. Spread your blankets and place your pillows on the ground. When we bond, we should be as close to the earth as possible. I have no idea how strong a force our joining may create.” He chuckled. “Besides, when we collapse, I have no wish to fall off that precarious perch.”
Casey took the blanket from the foot of the cot and unfolded it on the floor, and Eileen smoothed out its creases while Mach strategically positioned Casey’s two pillows.
Eileen sat down on the soft cotton sheet, her legs curled beneath her and waited for the men’s next move. When she raised her head her eyes widened as she took in the size of the two Terrans. “You’ll mash me to a pulp if you’re on top of me!”
Casey glanced at Mach and frowned. “Aye. We’ll crush her.”
Mach shrugged, the corner of his lips twitching with suppressed laughter. “ You’re right. She’ll be flatter than a note sung off-key by a tone-deaf crone. ‘Twill make no difference as long as we join before she gets … what is that word in English? Squished.” He laughed out loud at Eileen’s m
ock outraged expression and fell to his knees next to her. “So, do you really think we’d let anything happen to you?”
Eileen shook her head. “You know, I’ve never—I mean, none of my friends—I’m not sure…” Her voice trailed off. She blushed again as Mach’s laughter bounced off the rough-hewn walls of the chamber. “I’ve two to initiate then.” She looked up at Casey, who was still standing indecisively, and patted a spot next to her on the blanket. “Not so fast. Sit. First, we’ll get to know each other’s bodies. Learn what pleases each of us the most. And after, we’ll make love.” She paused. “That is, if you haven’t squashed me like a bug.”
Eileen smiled as the two men laughed and crumpled to her side. She had accomplished something that she had a feeling no one else had ever done—brought these two powerful men to their knees. Now, she would only have to try to hold onto her control. And that might be the most difficult goal to gain. She leaned back on her arms and watched Casey and Mach, waiting to see what Mach would do next. Who would capture his attention, and if it was Casey, how could she wait her turn?
*
Mach drew Casey’s face to his as soon as Casey settled between him and Eileen. He cupped his strong neck and gripped his shoulder. “Open for me, Casey, agra. You’ve kissed men before.”
“Only one. Lark. He’s dead.”
Mach heard the pain in Casey’s voice when he spoke of Lark. He cupped his beard-roughened jaw and kissed his lips. “There is no more pain when you speak Lark’s name. Only the joy he gave you shall remain.”
Casey moaned and surged forward, knocking Mach off balance, and they both fell prone. He gripped Mach’s face and pressed his chest against his, his cock rising against Mach’s.
Eileen draped her body over Casey’s back, her breasts crushed against the curve of his firm-muscled shoulders. Her taut nipples brushed against his sweat-slicked skin and she nipped his neck.
As their bodies touched, that same electric charge they felt earlier raced through the three of them. Mach found his voice first. “It’s begun.”
After that, if asked whose cock filled Eileen’s pussy first, they wouldn’t have been able to remember. Their limbs twined and tangled together. Their lips touched every inch of skin. At one point Eileen leaned her weight on her elbows and arched so that Mach could tongue her clit even as Casey thrust his cock between Mach’s butt cheeks, delving deep. Mach had coated his fingers with the contents from a small vial of lotion that the Irish Spirit Keepers used to ease the joining of lovers and slicked Casey’s arousal with it. Eileen had laughed as he had fumbled through his clothes to find the pocket that held the lubricant. Her gentle teasing had again helped to rein in their overeagerness. He focused his attention now on the glorious sensations running through his body, aware that Eileen and Casey shared them.
They changed positions and Eileen suckled Casey’s penis while Mach dipped his long, lean fingers into Casey’s ass.
They needed no words to know what gave the other pleasure. Whenever they joined, all three felt the same thrill. And each time they climaxed, their power grew. The sweat poured off their flesh, sizzling each time it managed to drip onto the bare stone floor of the cave. It soaked through the blanket and set it steaming.
As their final climax ripped through them, the stone walls glowed, pulsating rhythmically. Their passionate cries shattered the air. Mach’s Spirit Element tamed their racing hearts.
And brought them safely home.
Chapter Thirteen
Manhattan, East 92nd Street
Brigid rolled over in bed and snuggled against Ethan’s back. Gabe clasped her breast, his semi-erect cock nudged her ass and she arched her back to get closer to him ,smiling sleepily. This was spooning at its finest. If only she could stay this way forever.
No such luck. An incessant buzz kept ringing in her ears.
She took a nip of Ethan’s shoulder even as Gabe pinched her nipple, making her yelp and elbow him in the side. He rolled away from her, switching to the other side of the bed and coming to his feet. “Time to wake up. We’ve a lot of work and not enough time to dawdle.”
Ethan shifted his legs over the side of the mattress and stretched his arms, spreading his fingers above his head and giving Brigid a closeup of his butt as he stood.
“Ogle the man later, Bridge. Time to dress.”
Brigid saw Ethan turn and stare at Gabe before scratching his belly. Brigid bet he found it ironic that he’d shared a bed with a man who not that long ago he considered a rival for her love. He grinned and flexed his biceps. “Ogling me, eh? Can’t say I blame you.”
“Waste of time, I’d say,” Gabe retorted, and grabbed the alarm clock and threw it at him.
“Missed me. Your aim is off, old man. Losing your sight, grandfather?”
“Grandfather? Why, you—”
“Enough!” Blasts of icy water doused both men and they sputtered as Brigid let loose with her Water talent. “I hate wasting my powers dealing with you two. I’m hungry and stressed. You do not want to see me like this for any length of time.”
“Which? Hungry or stressed?” Ethan broke into laughter. “How have you lived with her so long?”
Gabe shrugged. “The woman used to know her place. I thought she’d finally accepted her role. Oh, well … it will be quite enjoyable reminding her … later.” He strode toward the bathroom, looking over his shoulder at the younger Terrans. He stopped short at the door. “Well, are you joining me? I think there may be just a little time available if you two don’t just stand there.”
He entered the bathroom, leaving Brigid and Ethan immobile. For all of one second.
* * * *
Brigid whistled under her breath. She’d memorized the melody Ethan had composed that stimulated their energy. Even though she wasn’t a Singer, it seemed to help her concentrate. Earlier, she had decided to further explore The Song of Amergin. What on earth could it mean? The only way to find out was to examine any site that mentioned it with an eye to finding some connection, however tenuous, that might give them a glimmer into Nolen’s plans.
One line of the song in the file had been highlighted: “I am the battle-waging spear.” What the hell could it imply? She dug deeper. And then she found something … and fear gripped her. For one heartbeat, she tried to breathe and couldn’t. “Gabe, Ethan, I’m going to send a website for you both to look at. I’ll explain why I think it pertains to our quest and tell me if you agree.”
They were all in their customary places. Ethan, comfortable on the study loveseat, his attention focused as the site Brigid found hit his laptop. Gabe, in his seat before his desk, swiveled so that he could see Brigid sitting cross-legged on the plush carpet in the middle of the room.
“This site has analyzed the poem and assigned a different month in the Celtic tree calendar to each line of poetry. Look at the line Nolen highlighted and see what it matches. According to this site and others I found, the line reflects the month named Holly. Holly equates with August, considered the beginning of Lughnasa. Holly was one of the woods used to fashion spear shafts.” Brigid’s voice trembled. “Connect this with bourne. Do you think Nolen has pushed ahead the deadline for his plan?”
The men stared at their screens. Brigid had spelled it out, but it was clear that she had found another vital link in the chain that Nolen had forged. Ethan cursed aloud and the temperature in the room plummeted at the sound of his Singer’s voice.
Gabe gripped the arms of his chair, obviously forgetting his Protector strength and the crack of the wood sliced through the air. “Work with me here.” Gabe didn’t request, he commanded. He called up all the files they’d examined, lining them up side by side on their shared network. “Here’s what we know so far.”
“What we think we know,” Ethan corrected.
“Fine. What we think we know. Nolen may—or may not—have changed his name to Arven Lowery.”
“On a scale of one to ten, I’d give that a nine,” Brigid added.
“I
agree. Ethan, do you?”
“Aye. It fits Nolen’s behavioral pattern.”
“We know he was interested in the—fluichlari? Some sort of water demons, but we don’t know why or what part they might play in his plans.”
“We need more information about them,” Ethan said. “I have colleagues who are experts in Celtic demonology. I’ll touch base with them via the Internet. Once we know more about their supposed abilities perhaps we’ll get a handle on why Nolen is interested in them.”
“We’ve learned at least a couple of positive things. If he is Lowery, and we’re pretty sure he is, we know where he lives. We also know that we have even less time than we thought before the final confrontation.” Brigid shivered as she stated her fear aloud.
Ethan’s voice rang out, charged with the power of a battle cry, rousing their blood. “I’m for blowing up his bloody mansion—”
“Remember what happened last time his house blew up?” Brigid threw all her strength into fighting off the effects of Ethan’s Singer ability, grateful he hadn’t invoked an incantation.
Gabe shoved the damaged chair across the room. “Blowing up his home base won’t be enough. We’ll have to make sure he can’t try anything ever again.”
“Shut off the testosterone faucet and listen to yourselves! Do I have to drown you both again and set you on fire to get your attention?” Brigid held out her hands, a ball of fire in each palm. “Use your heads and not your dicks. Contact Donovan. Tell him what we’ve found and see what he thinks.” She eyed each of the men as their breathing eased and their heartbeats steadied.
Gabe shook his head as if emerging from a bad dream. “If we want to get in and out safely from that house, we’ll need plans. I can get the blueprint of the mansion. Hopefully he hasn’t done any structural changes.”
“I’ll print out a formal list laying out everything we’ve learned. Somehow, having something to hold in your hand makes it seem more real.”
“You’re right, my bright love.” Ethan turned to Gabe. “Contact Donovan and tell us what he says. We’ll follow his advice.”