Page 46

H er acceptance pleased me more than I was willing to admit.

The witchling was full of surprises. We hadn’t had an omega grace our nest in years and I’d nearly forgotten how delicious they could be.

Every movement she made released more of her intoxicating jasmine and moss scent.

My little temptation. I had so many questions and no time to glean the answers.

“I have a few artifacts that might work for storing your power. I’d rather test it on those than the actual ones maintaining the wards in case something goes awry.”

Logan nodded. “Sounds fair.”

I left them for a moment to open the safe in my closet, returning with a chunk of garnet the size of my fist set in silver. Logan’s eyes widened as I placed it in her hands. “I don’t suppose you have any experience with using a conduit?”

She shook her head.

“I haven’t been privy to a lot of demonstrations of sex magic, but I know there’s a fair amount of energy generated and released when you come.

Instead of letting it go everywhere, try to put it in this.

” I reached out, and when she didn’t shy away, put my hand to her cheek.

I stroked my thumb over her skin softly, enjoying the way her scent settled with the motion.

“What would help? Do you want to get started before I join you to observe?”

“Wait, we’re doing stuff right now ?”

“Well, yes. There’s a creature trying to beat down our doors.

We need to make sure the wards don’t fail and you don’t know how to use your magic yet.

” I allowed my purr to rise up and the tension leaked out of her features at the sound.

“Let your lover give you some comfort and hopefully we’ll be able to save the rest of us.

You can use my bed since yours isn’t here yet. ”

Her chest heaved with a deep breath. “This is really fucking weird, but I’ll try. I want to figure out my magic, too.”

“Good girl.” I patted her cheek. “Go get fucked.”

Logan let out a sharp laugh. “Roger that.”

She tugged Caden along behind her and I wandered over to check on the other panther. Haru slipped into their human form and looped an arm around my waist, tucking their face against my throat. I traced my fingers over the panther’s fur and he released a low growl.

“Oh, hush. Save your protests and rest.”

Haru nudged my cheek with his nose. You really think this will work?

“Who knows. It’s the best chance we’ve got, so I hope so.”

I heard a squeak and giggle from the bedroom and turned toward the partially closed door.

Ready to join them? Haru asked.

A low moan and panting breaths filtered out to us.

“Seems like they’ve gotten started,” I said with a nod. I drew Haru toward the bedroom and peeked through the gap in the door. They were tucked under the blankets with Logan beneath Caden, his bare back facing us.

She clutched the amulet in one hand stretched over her head and resting on the pillow. Her eyes were squeezed shut, soft gasps dancing on her lips while his hand worked beneath the covers, his face dipped to her throat. They painted a very pretty picture together.

Logan’s eyes snapped open as I nudged the door open. She whimpered, her gaze latching on to mine. The amulet pulsed with light and her eyes glowed faintly. My lips curled into a smile.

That’s it, precious . Is he taking good care of you?

She blessed me with another perfect whimper and nodded absently, lifting her hips beneath the blankets. The amulet flickered and settled into a steady glow.

Haru set his chin on my shoulder. Warmth simmered pleasantly in my belly. It had been a while since we’d had any live entertainment to watch. Once in a while the nest hosted performances with the exhibitionists living here. Maybe I would mention that to Logan when she got more comfortable.

Caden’s back tensed as we slipped into the room, but he didn’t stop what he was doing or turn to look at us.

Logan let out a curse and arched off the bed.

Her soft cry filled my senses, each one triggering alpha instincts I rarely let out to play.

I wanted the little treasure spread out for her panther, the omega the gods had blessed us with—or cursed us with…

I suppose only time would tell which it ended up being.

The amulet gave a quick blaze and her power zipped over my skin for a brief moment, making me sweat.

Come on, panther . I fed into Caden’s mind. You can do better than that. I hope, anyway. Unless you want me to take over.

No, he snapped.

Possessive. I smiled, amused at his attempt to retain control of the situation. I stood right where Logan could see all of me and flicked my gaze briefly to Haru and back to Logan.

You don’t mind if we have some fun alongside you, do you, precious?

The amulet flared with light and Logan bit her lip, smothering down a sound that made my cunt ache. She shook her head and swore as Caden slipped beneath the blankets. He could be shy. I was more interested in seeing Logan fall apart.

Haru got to his knees and reached under my gown, tugging my panties to the floor where I delicately stepped out of them, never letting my gaze drift from Logan’s face. Her eyes slipped shut.

Eyes open, pet.

They snapped open at the command, her hands shoving beneath the blankets as she arched up with another cry. The amulet rolled down the pillow, forgotten.

Tsk tsk. Hands on the amulet, precious.

She writhed, sweat glistening on her forehead as she snatched the gem back up.

I purred as Haru stretched out on the plush carpet, staring up at me expectantly until I tugged my skirts out of the way and lowered myself down.

Their hands slid over my skin, pressing on my hips to get me in place faster.

I tucked one hand into his hair, grabbing a firm handful as I rocked my hips.

Haru’s tongue snaked against my clit before delivering long, luxurious strokes to the rest of my cunt.

Teasing, delving touches slid inside, eager lips sucking until I shuddered and had to tip forward to brace myself.

Logan’s gaze whipped between my face and where Haru was hidden behind wine-red fabric.

You’re doing so well, pet. Beautiful. Exquisite, really.

Her cheeks flushed even pinker at the words.

Do you want to see Haru work?

Her eyes took on the inhuman glow more fully, eclipsing everything in the gleaming light. She nodded, whimpering and clutching the amulet to her chest.

I pulled the skirts of my gown aside, gathering them and tossing them over my shoulder. I rocked against Haru’s voracious mouth.

Does your panther have his tongue on you now?

Logan nodded again. A whine slipped through her lips. Someday soon she would make that sound for me.

Come for us, precious. Pour all that beautiful lust and power into the stone.

Haru hit the perfect spot and tempo. I let out a strangled fuck and held my breath as he pulled me over the edge of pleasure. Logan screamed, the amulet flaring in her hands, and even still a shock wave of power radiated out of her and hit me like a brick to the chest.

I lifted my hips and climbed off Haru, sinking right to my knees next to them. “Thank you, darling.” I smoothed a hand over their hair and they curled around, resting their head into my lap.

I slid out from their touch after a few moments and walked on trembling legs over to the bed.

Caden appeared from under the blankets, his face shining.

Logan was breathing deeply, her mahogany hair spread over her pillow, the glow of her eyes fading.

I sat on the edge of the bed next to her, ignoring Caden’s warning growl.

“Well done, precious.” I traced the curve of her bare shoulder and took the amulet from her. “Feeling better?”

“Mhmm,” Logan mumbled, opening eyes that had returned to the same deep brown as when she’d arrived.

I turned the gem over in my hands. The pulse of power inside it was palpable.

I willed it out of the stone and into the fingertips, where it manifested as flickers of flame.

Interesting. That meant her power was accessible to others if we had a conduit.

Nothing had exploded, which also meant we could take a chance at having her charge the wards.

“What do you say we see if this helps your dear invalid?”

Logan shot up, the sheet falling away to expose her round breasts. Caden lifted the sheet to cover her.

“Help Seth?” Logan asked.

“Of course, pet. He’s important to you, yes?” I handed the gem back to her.

“He is, yeah.”

“Go on then. If pleasure is your power source, you’ll certainly have no shortage of people willing to provide that for you to refuel.” I turned to where Haru was resting and watching. “Darling, grab Logan a robe so her panther doesn’t wear out his vocal cords with that growl.”

Haru’s laugh chimed in my head as he got up and grabbed one of several plush robes we had hanging in the walk-in closet.

They passed it to Logan with a playful wink that had her cheeks bright pink again.

She pulled on the robe and dashed over to Seth.

Caden tugged his pants on, spun away from us, but still giving me a view of his pert ass as he pulled the garment all the way up.

“What do I do?” Logan asked, turning back to me. “How does it work?”

I slipped out of the bedroom and went to stand by her, wrapping an arm around her waist. She tensed briefly, but made no move to shake me off.

“Put it around his neck.” I brushed my fingertips over Seth’s shoulder. “Wake up, little panther. We have something we’d like to try.”

One eye opened and he looked at us with interest. Logan looped the chain from the amulet around his neck. “Now what?”

“Panther, summon her magic. Try to shift.”

He groaned, closing his eyes again, but the amulet pulsed and his form wavered. His fur shimmered. I blinked and where there’d been a panther, a man lay instead. Logan cried out and grabbed his face, kissing him before he had time to take a breath. Then she was sobbing, her forehead pressed to his.

“Precious, give him some space.” I patted her shoulder.

The second she was out of the way, Caden replaced her, although he merely hugged Seth, rather than kissing him.

“You too, panther.” I nudged Caden back. He didn’t even growl at me this time. I put a hand on Seth’s bare chest, feeling the strong beat of his heart under my palm. “How do you feel?”

“Still like shit, but less like I might die in the next second or two.”

“Progress.” I smiled softly at him. “I’ll have our physician come check you and adjust things for your human body. This way you won’t have to expend energy on telepathy while you heal.”

Seth gave me an odd look, as if he had no idea what to make of me. I supposed that was fair if his last experience in a nest was the one that Haru had come from.

“What about the wards?” Logan asked. She scooped up Seth’s hand and pressed it to her cheek.

I brushed my fingers over her hair and cut off the start of Caden’s growl with a sharp look. “You topped up your own reserves, yes?”

Logan nodded.

“And you filled up the amulet, too. You should be able to boost the wards with your current reserves and you’ll be free to rest and recharge at your own pace afterward until we need you again.”

“She’s not a fucking battery,” Caden snapped.

I couldn’t help the roll of my eyes. “Darling, are you going to be this fussy for the entire duration of your stay? It’s getting exhausting.”

He bristled like a spooked kitten.

I sighed. “I’m not afraid of you, nor do I have any reason to be. I have no intention of harming any of you, so I’d prefer if you’d curtail your attitude.”

“He’s just…” Logan paused. “It’s hard to trust after our reception and what we’ve heard about nests.”

“I recognize that but if he’s going to be hissing at me all day long I’m going to have to put him elsewhere.”

“No.” All three of them said it at once.

“Please don’t separate us,” Logan begged, her eyes watery.

“That’s up to Caden.” I leveled a firm glare on him. “I’ve been patient with his threats, but if they continue I’m going to take the same actions I would if anyone else behaved that way toward me.”

Logan turned to him, hand soft on his shoulder. “Caden, please . We need you.”

I caught the first hint of another growl, but he smothered it quickly and took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’ll work on it.”

“Good.” I held out my hand for Logan’s and she put it in my grasp. “Come, precious. I’ll show you where the wards are based. Haru will keep your panthers company.”