Demon's Embrace

by Abby Blake

“I wonder where they are,” Kali mused out loud for about the hundredth time. The other four women’s whereabouts remained a mystery. It was quite possible that they were already dead, but Ronan drew hope from the fact that if neither his team nor Alex’s PUP squad could find them, there was a good chance the assassins couldn’t either.

  Alex also had one of his brothers and several others in the paranormal community unofficially investigating the Oracle’s murder. The fact that twenty-seven years had passed was making it very difficult, but with a bit of luck they might be able to identify who killed her and why. From there they should be able to neutralize whoever the threat was coming from now.

  But, while all that was going on, they had no choice but to sit tight and wait for someone else to make a breakthrough. Sitting idle while others did the investigative work wasn’t his usual habit, but this time he wasn’t willing to hand over protection duty to anyone. Kali was too important—to him and to Alex.

  They talked idly about the case through breakfast, but since they had no new information they were really only rehashing the same stuff over and over.

  “Can we talk about us?” Kali asked, changing the topic unexpectedly. Ronan glanced up to see Alex wore the same surprised expression he could feel on his own face.

  “Sure, beautiful. What’s on your mind?” Kali looked a little disconcerted by Alex’s flippant-seeming attitude, and Ronan wanted to kick him under the table. Wasn’t Alex supposed to be the one who was good at this stuff?

  “I don’t know how to explain it,” Kali said, coloring a little with embarrassment, “but I feel a connection to you both.”

  Ronan reached over and grabbed her hand. “It’s okay, Kali. We already discussed this. Do what you feel is right for you. If you want both of us, or only one, or neither, it’s not going to affect our friendship or how we protect you.”

  She smiled and squeezed his hand then took a deep breath, seeming to search for the right words. “You see…the thing is…I know stuff about you that you haven’t told me.” She shook her head in a wobbly sort of way, rolled her eyes, and tried again. “I think I know stuff about you. Both of you. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s kind of like having memories that aren’t actually mine.” She turned her gaze to Alex and held out her other hand for him to take. “Somehow I know you’ve been hurt before. I even think that it was your brothers’ partner who hurt you. She chose the other three but not you.” She shook her head and closed her eyes. “Shit. I’m probably insane. I mean, I keep thinking I know things, but how can I know things? It doesn’t make any sense.”

  Judging by Alex’s complete stillness, Ronan was beginning to wonder just how close Kali’s assessment was. He’d suspected for a long time that Alex’s womanizing and charming ways were a reaction to something that had broken him long ago, but he’d never suspected that it might have been his sister-in-law who’d done the breaking. Yet it would explain the strained relationship he had with his brothers. They always invited Alex to family events. Alex always found an excuse not to attend.

  Kali watched Alex for a moment before releasing a deep breath and turning back to Ronan. “No sense in making a fool of myself only partway.” She gave him a lopsided smile. “I keep thinking that you’ve never had a connection—with anyone. You hold yourself away from everyone, even your army buddies.” She lowered her eyes and whispered the rest. “The only true connection you’ve felt was with me.” She shook her head as if to clear it. “But there’s something else there. A need to have Alex included, almost like he is a necessary part of this…of us.”

  She dropped her head forward, but not before Ronan saw the tears leak past her closed eyelids.

  “Kali,” he said as he tried to gather the woman in his arms. But she resisted, pulling away with a half laugh, half sob.

  “That’s…um…probably wishful thinking on my part. Shit! I’m nuts and pathetic.” She started backing away. “Sorry.”

  Alex caught her as she tried to leave the room, pulling her into his arms and then moving to trap her between them.

  “You’re not nuts,” Alex said in a voice more serious than Ronan had ever heard the fire demon use. “Stephanie mated two of my brothers when I was quite young—well, young in demon terms. I did love her for many years, but she has only ever seen me as a younger brother, never as a potential mate. It didn’t really hurt until she chose my youngest brother as well a few years later.”

  “I was right?” Kali asked, sounding rather shocked.

  “Yes,” Alex said as he pressed a kiss to her lips, gently deepening the contact when she opened her mouth for him. Ronan could feel his cock swelling just watching his friend kiss his woman. And she was his woman. He had absolutely no doubt about that.

  He smoothed his hands around her waist and undid the buttons of her shirt with clumsy fingers. She moaned when he caressed her stiff nipples, pushing the material aside, exposing her to Alex’s touch. Alex groaned when Kali lifted his hands to her breasts, pressing his fingers against her soft flesh without breaking their kiss.

  Ronan went to move away, happy to step back as Kali and Alex got to know each other, but Kali made a soft sound of disappointment, and he couldn’t do it. He’d often envied fire demons for their mating habits, and now more than ever he understood why. There was just something magical about sharing a woman he cared deeply for with a man who cared for her also.

  Smoothing the shirt off her shoulders, Ronan pressed kisses to the back of her neck as Alex lowered to his knees and worshipped her breasts. She was completely naked without the shirt. They’d had to leave her home so quickly she only had Ronan’s and Alex’s clothes to wear while they were here. Ronan knew he should have picked up some things for her in town, but he’d used the excuse that buying clothes for a female might give away her hiding place. It had been an extreme precaution, and if he’d truly been honest, he would have admitted it was more likely an excuse because he enjoyed seeing her in his shirts. Fortunately, he didn’t make a habit of looking at his motivations too closely.

  He groaned as Kali caressed his cock through his jeans, the soft touch both new and achingly familiar. Desperately, he helped her to undo the buttons, and then she wrapped her warm fingers around his hard erection. He groaned and thanked whatever deity had urged him to go commando today. He snaked a hand around her hip, caressing the crease at the top of her leg as Alex moved lower, licking a path down to the pussy Ronan had been dreaming about for months.

  Ronan knew the exact moment Alex’s tongue found her clit because she gasped and her balance wobbled. He leaned back against the bench, lifted her off her feet, and spread her wide for Alex’s sweet torture. Her head fell back onto Ronan’s chest, her eyes unfocused as she looked up at him and then back down at what Alex was doing.

  At this angle Ronan could see Alex flicking his tongue over her clit. She writhed in their combined grasp, her orgasm approaching at light speed. Alex moved lower, thrusting his tongue deep into her pussy as his fingers found her clit. She shook all over, her breathing barely gasps as Alex expertly held her at the precipice, giving her only enough to keep her there.

  But then he moved away slightly, nodded to Ronan, and stood up to press his mouth against Kali’s. Kali wriggled in Ronan’s arms, trying to press back against his hard cock. It took a moment for the meaning of their actions to sink in, but Ronan finally realized what they both wanted him to do.

  He lifted Kali higher, fitting his hard cock against her entrance. All three of them groaned as Kali sank onto his erection, her pussy surrounding him in heavenly warmth.

  Alex broke his kiss with Kali to look at her face. “I think she likes that,” he said with a knowing grin. Kali nodded enthusiastically, wrapping one arm behind her to hold Ronan to her and one arm around Alex to draw him back. He went with a smile on his face, his obvious contentment a reflection of Ronan’s own. “You look so beautiful like this, Kali.”

  Ronan felt her pussy clench in reaction to that statement. He smiled at Alex
and then held Kali tighter as he started pumping into her body, fucking her slowly, savoring the moment. But Alex must have had his fingers on her clit because Kali started to wriggle, seeming uncertain whether she wanted to move toward Alex or shimmy away. But Ronan took the choice from her, thrusting harder into her, pushing her against Alex’s hand with increasing speed.

  Kali released a keening cry and then exploded into orgasm, her entire body shaking as she moaned her delight. Her pussy muscles caressed his cock, the delicious sensations dragging him with her, his climax bursting from him as Alex did something that forced Kali into orgasm once more.

  Ronan leaned harder against the bench, holding Kali tight as she finally stilled in his arms. She rested against him, and he held her closer, trying to catch his breath. After a few moments Ronan slid his cock from her pussy and Alex moved forward, kissing Kali hard, thrusting his tongue into her mouth over and over as if to mimic what he wanted.

  Kali lifted her legs higher, wrapping them around Alex’s hips, pulling him closer, even as Ronan held her up. Ronan felt Alex’s almost violent entry reverberate through Kali’s entire body. She groaned, one hand still wrapped behind her to hold Ronan close, the other curled around Alex’s neck as he kissed her, ravaging her mouth, stamping his possession on her as thoroughly as Ronan had moments ago.

  She lifted into every thrust, claiming Alex, taking her fill as she shook with impending orgasm once more. But this time Alex didn’t tease. This time he threw them both over the edge, fucking her harder, groaning when she shook violently and moaned her climax. He ground against her, the action pushing her more firmly against Ronan, his shock at sharing both of their orgasms overridden only by the wonder of feeling somehow complete.

  He held Kali close, loving her more each moment as she tiredly caressed both men. Alex eventually pulled out of her pussy and kissed her gently before moving away. He righted his clothing and then helped Kali to stand so that Ronan could do the same. Hell, neither of them had even gotten undressed. They’d just taken her like wild things, fucking her without finesse, without regard to her comfort or needs.

  The apology barely made it out of his mouth before Kali turned to him, annoyance crossing her face a moment before she smiled and leaned over to touch his cheek. “None of that,” she said quietly. “I enjoyed every moment.” And then her grin turned impish and her gaze bounced between him and Alex. “And I do find a certain pride in being able to incite such need in both of you that you didn’t even have time to take your clothes off.”

  Alex laughed, wrapped his arms around her from behind, and looked at Ronan with a smile. “Is it any wonder we love the woman?” he asked with a soft laugh.

  * * * *

  Love.

  Only a few days ago Kali would have denied that such a deep emotion could grow so quickly, but now she wondered if it were possible. Both men seemed to care for her, and even though she knew Alex’s words weren’t meant as a declaration, she couldn’t quite squash the hope that someday it might be true.

  “Why don’t you go have a shower, beautiful,” Alex said with a wink. “I’ll meet you in bed in a few minutes.”

  She smiled, already suspecting that he wanted a few moments with Ronan to make sure he was okay with all of this. Even though it had essentially been Ronan’s idea, it seemed Alex didn’t want to risk their relationship with any misunderstandings.

  Kali stepped into the shower, sighing as the hot water caressed her skin. She tried really hard not to dream of all the things she wanted in her future. It didn’t work.

  * * * *

  Ronan eyed his friend warily. He and Alex had known each other for a long time, yet right at this moment he had no idea what the fire demon was thinking.

  “Are you going to be all right with this?”

  “Of course,” Ronan said, feeling a little bit confused.

  “So I don’t need to disable the weapons you own that could hurt me,” Alex said with his usual grin.

  “No,” Ronan said with a quick laugh. “Well, not unless you plan on hurting Kali. Then you might want to run.”

  “I have no plans to hurt her, but you already know that.” Alex tilted his head slightly to the side and looked at Ronan as if he were considering whether to say something else or not.

  “Spit it out, Alex. You’ve known me long enough to know I don’t need sugar coating.”

  “I was just wondering if you realize you’re the only human in this relationship.” Ronan ground his teeth together and nodded. He wasn’t sure Kali even realized she could do it, but seeing her coffee cup move by itself to slide into her hand several times over the last couple days certainly seemed to be a skill typical to some paranormals. He wasn’t aware of any humans who actually had telekinetic abilities. There were a lot of con artists and illusionists, but none had proven genuine telekinetic ability.

  “You think she’s the Oracle’s receptacle?” Ronan asked quietly.

  “Not really,” Alex answered slowly, managing to confuse Ronan even more. “The Oracles only possess knowledge. I’m not sure where Kali’s skill is coming from.” He glanced at the bathroom door and lowered his voice even more. “But it certainly isn’t a skill I would associate with a full-blood human.”

  “Are you saying paranormals and humans can interbreed?”

  “Some species, yes.”

  “Fire demons?”

  “Not sure,” Alex answered with a shrug. “I don’t know any other fire demons who’ve taken a human as their mate.”

  It was finally beginning to dawn on Ronan that they hadn’t used condoms. Could Kali be conceiving a child even now? Unexpectedly, the thought filled him with a type of joy, an excitement he couldn’t quite explain, rather than the dread he would have felt had it been someone else.

  He glanced up to see Kali watching them from the bedroom door.

  “Kali,” he said with grim determination to ’fess up, “I’m sorry, baby.”

  “What for?” she asked, looking really worried. He felt like a complete jackass. They were supposed to be protecting her, and instead he’d managed to put her at risk of an unplanned pregnancy.

  “We didn’t use contraception,” Alex said, looking as concerned by Kali’s reaction as Ronan felt.

  Kali smiled with obvious relief. “It’s okay. I have an IUD, so you don’t need to worry about babies or—what do you call baby demons?” She shook her head and continued without waiting for an answer. “I…was actually…um…” She took a deep breath and frowned at them both. “You don’t think I’m human?”

  “We don’t know anything for sure, but the fact that you can move things using telekinesis would suggest something is different.”

  “I can do what?”

  Alex smiled, lifted a coffee cup from the sink, and placed it in the middle of the table. “Just reach for the cup.”

  Kali looked skeptical, but she leaned over to grab the cup, jumping back in surprise when it slid toward her hand.

  “I don’t understand,” she said, shaking her head, obviously not believing her own eyes. She closed them for a moment, rubbed her forehead, and whispered, “I’m pretty sure I’ve never been able to do that before. Shit! You know how I said before that I just sort of know things. I feel like I should know where this skill comes from, but…” She made that funny face again that Ronan was beginning to realize was her version of frustration. “It’s kind of like having a book with no index. I think the information is in there. I just can’t find it.”

  “So you are the Oracle’s receptacle?” Alex asked, looking confused.

  Kali shrugged. “From everything you’ve told me about the Oracles, I would have to say no. But then it doesn’t explain what’s happening to me, and it sure as hell doesn’t explain why it’s happening now.”

  “Does anyone else in your family have unusual skills?” Alex asked. “Any psychics, or ghost hunters, or other kooky ancestors? Maybe one of them was a paranormal.”

  “I had a great-uncle nobody talked about,
but I don’t really know why.”

  “Would your brother know?”

  She shrugged. “Probably not.”

  Ronan smiled at the way Alex moved to hold her. They seemed so natural together. He probably should have felt some sort of jealousy, but he only felt honored to know he was a part of their happiness. He didn’t feel left out. For the first time in a long time he felt part of a family. Kali saw his smile, blew him a soft kiss, and winked slowly. Ronan couldn’t help but grin even wider. Only a handful of days ago he would have been appalled by the sappy emotions coursing through him, but right now all he could do was smile.

  But of course, their unusual relationship wasn’t going to go anywhere if they didn’t figure out who was trying to kill Kali and find a way to stop them.

  “I’m going to drive into town and call Dave again. He might be able to dig up some family skeletons and answer a question or two.”

  “Get him to contact one of my brothers,” Alex added. “My family should be able to make some discreet inquiries from the paranormal side. If you do have a nonhuman relative, they might have more chance to track them down. I doubt human records would keep information like that.”

  Ronan nodded, grabbed his keys and some coins for the phone, and pressed a quick kiss to Kali’s lips. “Don’t have too much fun without me,” he said with a wink and then turned and left the cabin quickly. As much as he hated leaving her behind, he was suddenly impatient to get some answers so that they could get on with the rest of their lives.

  * * * *

  As Alex locked the door and reset the alarm, he realized that at least part of Ronan’s reason for going in to town was to give him and Kali some time alone together. “Do you think he’s okay?” he asked Kali.

  “I think so,” she answered with a smile.

  “So this ‘knowing things’ skill,” he said with a wicked grin as he pulled her back into his embrace and ran a hand over her hip, caressing her through the damp towel. “Can you tell what I’m thinking now?”