Page 34 of The Magic of Discovery
We dug around in one of the large flowerbeds, looking for the source of this stink. Coming up empty, Bagheera whined low in his throat, nausea creeping into our belly. The big cat was sensitive to dark magic, and he was feeling it here, which in turn, meant I was as well. Whatever this was, we didn’t want it anywhere near our woman. I had personally never encountered anything like this, and it didn’t feel right. Unlike a mage’s magic, which felt light and organic, this felt shadowed and tainted, forced. It almost felt like something demonic, but that wouldn’t make any sense. I hadn’t seen anything in Emerald Lakes that would make me think there was a demon lurking anywhere near. And yet... that smell. Rotting, decomposing, something was not right.We’ll have to talk to the others about it tomorrow.
It took convincing, but eventually, I got the stubborn cat to head back to the apartment. It had taken a lengthy discussion and promises of us sleeping in cat form tonight, but whatever. It was already later than I’d wanted to stay out, and I was exhausted from the amount of physical activity we’d put ourselves through tonight. Sprinting through the quiet town, the only sounds were our breathing and the hum of air conditioners. When we approached the front of the magic store, a flash of darkness caught our attention as a shadow slipped around the corner. Sniffing the air, something that didn’t belong lingered. Bagheera growled, and I sharpened my senses, listening intently. One word came through the bond:mage. Not one of ours. Water mage. We could smell the crisp scent of fresh water and a hint of whatever soap this mage had used in the shower earlier.
We could’ve chased him down, but I was ready for a damn shower, and whoever it was was probably just out for a walk. It was warm enough for it despite the oddity of the hour. We shifted quickly, and I grabbed the towel I had left folded on the stoop of the entrance to the apartment. Wrapping it around my waist, I pulled the door open and headed inside.
Shaking my head to clear away thoughts of last night, I hopped out of bed and tugged a pair of gray sweatpants up over my hips, listening for any movement in the apartment, but all was quiet. Sloane and Fischer had been asleep by the time I’d gotten in last night, and as I made my way out of my room, I stopped and pressed my ear to the door, hearing Fish snoring lightly and Sloane’s even breathing. I smirked, guessing they’d had a session last night.Good. They both fucking needed to loosen the hell up.
Cam and I knew the arrangement those two had. I mean, it wasn’t exactly a mystery. They’d started hooking up back when we were still in high school. Sloane needed to dominate, and Fischer needed to submit. It was perfect for them and their needs.Plus, it’s pretty hot. Hell, I still think about the times I’d joined in...
The morning light was shining in through the windows in the living room area, but the kitchen was still pretty dark. Flipping the light on, I replied to the message I’d gotten from Sprout and set my phone down with a smile. I didn’t feel like making a big breakfast this morning, so the guys could fend for themselves while I made a bagel for myself. I did make a pot of communal coffee though. I wasn’tthatmuch of a dickhead.
As soon as the coffee started dripping, I heard the door open downstairs and then Cam’s heavy footsteps. I leaned over the island with my chin propped up on my fist, a dazzling smile spread across my face. One look at me and he barked a laugh.
“Fucking quit, Kaito.” He shook his head, but he was still smiling.
“So, should I still call you Boss, or would you prefer something a little... kinkier? Can I also call you Daddy?” I darted to the other side of the island, narrowly avoiding Cam’s lunge for me, laughing outright as we circled the square countertop.
“You want to call me Daddy, Kaito? Maybe I should spank your bratty ass alongside hers next time.” He chuckled and turned his back on me, choosing caffeine over our game of cat and mouse.
“Promise?” I held my fingers up and crossed them while squeezing my eyes shut.
“Shut the fuck up,” he shot back, only amusement in his voice.
“Fine, fine. But for real, dude. How did you end up over at her place last night? I thought you were going riding.”
He shrugged. “That was my plan, but I’ll fill you in when the other guys get in here.”The lucky bastard.
“I’m sure you were really upset about having to spend the night.”
“It was a real inconvenience, but somebody needed to do it, and I was the man for the job.” He winked at me before downing his coffee.Must not have gotten much rest after I left.
Creaking floorboards announced the arrival of our other two friends. Sloane slid onto one of the barstools, brushing his hand through his hair. “You got laid last night, bro? About time.”
“Seems I wasn’t the only one,” Cam quipped back at him as he eyed the bite marks that thoroughly decorated Fish’s chest and neck.
“Sure did. Fischer had a great time, didn’t you?” Sloane turned on his alpha dickhead voice with no effort at all, Fish raising an eyebrow at him from where he stood beside him.
Instead of answering, Fish smashed his lips to Sloane’s. Caught off guard, Sloane’s eyes widened briefly before closing as he deepened the kiss, making my dick twitch in my sweats.Fucking hot. I could watch them all day.
Breaking apart, Fischer added, “It was alright.” Cam bellowed a laugh as Sloane’s face heated, who could say if it was in embarrassment or annoyance? Either way, it was funny as shit.
“So who did you get lucky with, Cam?” Fish asked while he walked over to get himself and Sloane some coffee.
“I was heading out of town on my bike last night when I came upon Saige with a flat tire about two miles out from her house. I gave her a ride home. We talked, ate dinner, drank a couple of beers, then we fucked,” he filled us in, and equally satisfied grins grew on mine and Fischer’s faces. Sloane, on the other hand, looked surprisingly intimidated.The fuck is that all about?
“Good for you, man. She’s a firecracker.” Fischer’s fingers tapped against the counter at an increasingly faster pace, and we waited for him to continue. “... Is she still okay with going out with me tonight? Like, does last night change things for her?” he asked, uneasiness lacing his tone.
Cam chuckled. “Don’t worry, brother. She is very excited about going out with you tonight. We discussed the situation, she asked questions, and I answered them openly. I think she was really shocked that we would all be willing to date her. Which we are, right?”
Just talking about sharing our girl was getting my blood pumping, and Bagheera’s little face popped up every time her name was mentioned, flooding our bond with possessiveness and longing, and I laughed at him when he flashed me an image of Saige rubbing his big belly. Leaning down on the island, my forearms rested against the cool smooth surface, and the shocking difference in temperature between it and my heated skin felt amazing. The damn cat was always causing my temp to rise whenever he decided to force his awareness closer to the surface of my mind. “I am one hundred percent down with it.” I grinned and wiggled my hips, dancing in place. Fish laughed at my antics, his own shoulders matching my movements, which caused Mr. Grouchface to scowl.
“Don’t include me in that arrangement,” Sloane mumbled.
“We didn’t,” Cam snapped, his eyes narrowing. “She thinks you hate her. She’s been nothing but hospitable toward us all, and you’ve been an ass.”
Sloane just shrugged like he couldn’t give a shit less.
“Regardless of your feelings for her, I need you to go over there tonight. She’s having problems with some of her flowers and gardens. The ones she’s used her magic on are dying, but the ones her gran cultivated are fine. I’m thinking someone hexed them or something, and you’re the best at detecting that shit.”
