Page 59 of He Who Sleeps

“Provided others are able to pick up the good work,” the Head Oranari said. “Which isn’t a problem as there are at this point up to six almost of age. My suggestion with your Eternal Sacrifice is to keep her safe, and to seal this pact with the tattoos as soon as possible. The more of her still in you, the deeper the devotion each year.”

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By the second yearthey were ready for her, and for what would be the maximum output for he whom they worshiped. She had taken it, not with resignation, but curious intent, and in some instances, true enjoyment, her gifts to them energy and slaked lust.

Gods, they had lusted over her...each of them had lost a little bit of their minds to her that second year, where she not only endured but was amendable to what it was. And now, post fourth sacrifice year with them, she was as infatuated as them, if not more so, and down for all of it. Did that make her a little crazy, a little off? Absolutely, but he had decided he didn’t want it any other way.

The woman was perfect for all of them, even Easton with his hangups. It was like she was a true gift from below, a woman that spoke to their collective darknesses, but also their souls as a kindred spirit. She was rare, and the priests had made that very clear.

She needed to be protected and he was going to be damned if they didn’t do just that. Sadly, being away since their weekend had left him largely on the outside, aside from a few texts and a very sexy video chat two days before. Only a few more hours and he would be back in the mix. Thoughts turning to what he was going to do when he saw her stopped as his phone rang. Stitches.

“Leo...” he said softly by way of greeting. “How’s it going?”

"Pretty good, brother! And you? When are you coming home?" Even with the expensive phones and relays, he still sounded slightly muffled.

“Touchdown is less than an hour. How’s our little sex pot?”

"Surprisingly domesticated for such a wild little savage," Leo laughed. "She's been enjoying time with the guys. Carter took her dinner, and I know she's seen Easton at the gallery."

Odds were she saw Jack at her yoga seeing as it was weekly. “And have you been meeting her for her morning run like normal?”

"Of course!" Leo snorted. "Like I'd miss out on it."

He laughed at that. “So, for the most part we have all been keeping her occupied. She did seem happier on the call we had.”

"Yes, but in less perverted ways than our annual fuck fest," Leo laughed. "We're just letting her get to know us. Really know us. Peeking behind the curtain, so to speak. That's actually why I was calling." There was a pause and Emerson heard a can being opened in the background, followed by the gurgle of several long swallows. "It's your birthday soon. I was thinking we could plan a weekend away somewhere with her. Spend some time all together that isn't in the service to the Dark Lord."

It wasn’t something they normally did, ever since they turned eighteen they didn’t really celebrate birthdays...or anything really. But if it was a weekend with her...he smiled to himself. “My dad’s place in Chesapeake is still empty,” he offered. “And I recently had it upgraded. Safe house and all. Big enough for all of us, and her, and secluded enough as well. Also, Elders think it burned down.” It wasn’t a secret that he didn’t trust them, and that Stitches was right there with him.

"That sounds perfect," Leo said. "Leave it to me then. I'll order in some food and drinks. Can you take care of the travel?"

“We can take my Denali,” he offered. “Unless the guys wanna drive by themselves. You know Rix when he doesn’t have to play sweet, helpful vet would rather drive his Ducati...”

"I suspect Carter will want to take his bike so Brutus can come along," Leo said thoughtfully. "And you know Easton isn't going to sit in a crowded car for that long. More space in the Denali for champagne then, I guess."

And presents for their girl. It might be his birthday, but there wasn’t a better gift than that woman. “Just gotta make sure she can take the weekend. I will have the place aired out and ready for us soon. You going to mention it to her? I mean it would be super ego if I’m like ‘hey, Pet, come to my birthday party. There will be cake and ice cream,’” he laughed.

"Sure, I'll call her this evening when she's home from work," Leo said. "I don't think she'll have a problem taking it off. Her boss at the gallery owes us plenty of favors and the shelter is a volunteer thing. I'll make sure all the others are free, too. You know she's going to pout like fuck if someone can't make it."

Emerson grinned at that. Gods, how the hell did they get so lucky? “She totally will...but honestly, I wouldn’t wanna do this without all of us. We are a unit, especially when it comes to her. Seeing her individually is smart, it strengthens things, but it wouldn’t be right without everyone. And I’m going to be honest...I like seeing her eyes light up with all of us.”

"She seemed really into the multiples this year," Leo agreed. "It'll be fun to see how she plays when it's not all set up and pre-planned."

“I have no doubt this is going to turn into some wild shit.” He laughed. “And it will be interesting to see how much of her we retain this weekend...to see if it is true that it’s just Samhain weekend that we can worship and tribute for Him.”

"Yeah," Leo sounded thoughtful. "It would almost be worth coming back to the city to sacrifice right afterwards, just to see what happens. I mean, I'm not saying we should do it every time we have a wild orgy, but a few times a year, maybe? If it works?"

“You know I’m down with whatever works. Finn and the guys would be, too.” Hell, he thought she would be okay with it as well. “I mean if it works? Knowledge is power.”

"Power is power," Leo snorted. "Okay, brother. Get yourself safely on the ground and I'll go start organizing this shindig. I'll catch you later."

“Stay safe,” he said as he hung up. Visions of their girl at his father’s house, dug in like a tick, at home in the space, hit him. The idea was heart warming and he realized that this woman had her claws in him in ways he didn’t think were possible. He would have to see her, and soon.

“Sir? Please strap in...”

He grinned. “You got it.”

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